Forget Nader, Hug Kucinich

[IrateCitizen]

This article, I believe, presents one of the best strategies for de-fusing any kind of "spoiler" role for Ralph Nader (whether real or perceived) in the upcoming election. That strategy is for the Democratic Party to embrace Dennis Kucinich, and to recognize the value of the ideas and organizing that he brings to the table.

Forget Nader, Hug Kucinich

By Adam Werbach, AlterNet
February 23, 2004

http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=17924

Ralph Nader is running for president. Big deal. For those of you cooking up schemes to derail his bid for the presidency, I urge you to give him exactly the attention he deserves. None. Angry opposition is exactly what Nader needs to turn his last stand into the Alamo. At the moment he has as much support as the guy who walks around San Francisco with a sign that says the Martians have landed.

SNIP...

This year there is one presidential candidate who is carrying on the Nader mantle with honor and respect. He deserves Nader's name more than Nader does. That candidate is Dennis Kucinich.

SNIP...

Kucinich has conducted his campaign like the organizer Nader once was. From house parties to homemade signs, Kucinich has asked his supporters to reach out to their communities and have a conversation about values. He has brought new activists into the political fold. He has not attacked the other candidates; he has only pointed out his differences with them. He has not threatened to start a new party or to trash the nominee.

Now the Democratic Party has a responsibility to Dennis Kucinich.

Democrats should offer Kucinich and his supporters one big collective hug and thank them for their efforts to strengthen the party. By embracing Kucinich as an important voice within the party, Democrats will ensure that his supporters don't choose kamikaze support for Nader. Give Kucinich a leadership role in developing long-term policy for the party. Make him the ambassador to disaffected Democratic voters and give him the power to bring them back into the fold. Give him a slot for a major speech at the Democratic National Convention.

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT THE ABOVE LINK

[redqueen]

1. Interesting

But for some reason I suspect that the screaming and tantrum-throwing will continue unabated. Kids like to do that kind of stuff -- it's more fun than diplomacy.

[Desertrose]

2. I love hugs....

and I agree with the article....

Maybe after DK's 30%/2ndplace in Hawaii people will begin to "get it"...


Hope springs eternal!!!!

Peace & :hug: and even :grouphug:

DR
on edit...too bad the author won't even vote for Dennis :wtf:

[info being]

4. Hawaii's practically a foriegn country...

Kucinich would be President in a foriegn country. Americans really don't deserve Kucinich. If they did, they'd vote for him.

[ShimokitaJer]

3. I'm sure the party will "embrace" him...

...just as soon as he drops out, in the same way everyone has heaped praise on Dean's contributions to the party now that he's out of the running.

You'll have to forgive me for being a bit cynical about the possibility that the collective "hug" will result in any real policy changes. If Kucinich is indeed given "a leadership role in developing long-term policy for the party" then I may believe their embracing of him is sincere. Unfortunately, I think they care far more about recruiting former candidates' supporters than they care about building a progressive Democratic platform.

[info being]

5. Exactly

If the party would or could give DK "a leadership role..." there wouldn't be a problem with the Party. But there is and thy won't.

[bryant69]

7. Actually if I was Kerry or Edwards

I'd be looking for a way to use Sharpton, Mosely Braun or Kucinch. Probably though I'd suggest using Mosely Braun (Ambassador to the UN maybe?) Sharpton might make a good Head of HUD, and Kucinich might make a good Depepartment of Health and Human Services (if I got the name wrong, please forgive me). Any of those would be a good way to show allegience to the liberal base.

Bryant
check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[ShimokitaJer]

8. I think the keyword here is "using"

Once again, I'll believe it when it happens. Their desire to "show allegiance to the liberal base" will disappear as soon as the nomination is locked up.

[IrateCitizen]

9. The article isn't talking about using DK in the administration

It's talking about the PARTY recognizing the value in what DK brings to the table (rather than marginalizing it) and giving him a prime speaking slot at the convention.

Personally, I wouldn't want to see DK in any cabinet position, because that would hogtie him more than help him to advance his progressive vision.

[revcarol]

11. The key phrase in your post is "use."

The party has "used" progressives, minorities, dedicated black voters, unions, etc. for YEARS, without paying any heed to our platforms or concerns or needs. Just more corporate folderol and forget about us until they need some DOLLARS OR SOME VOTES.:evilfrown:

Time for progressives, blacks, ;union members, the poor, and all the others this party ignores to VOTE AND SEND $$, whatever you can afford, TO DENNIS.

THE TIME IS NOW!! No more patting on the head and offering some cabinet post. VOTE AND CONTRIBUTE TO DENNIS.

We've been working our butts off for the party for years. NOW IS THE TIME to CHANGE THE PARTY.

Together we will make things better for ALL.:bounce:

[Mairead]

35. Right on, RevCarol!

The keyword is indeed 'use'. The party hierarchy sees all of us as valuable...in the same way cattle are valuable to the owners of the meat-packing plant.

Vote for Kucinich, people! If you want to live, VOTE FOR KUCINICH! Don't kid yourselves. It ain't gonna get better without him in the WH.

[scarletwoman]

38. WOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!!!

I've been excited as all get out ever since the Saturday Northrop rally!

I love your line: If you want to live, VOTE FOR KUCINICH! -- YES! :bounce:

sw

[Wetzelbill]

6. You bet!

[chookie]

10. Thanks

Thanks for bringing this up.

I watched Ralphie on C-Span Friday, and was wondering mightily where the heck he got the idea that he is the only progressive in the race? He is way out of line to ignore Kucinich -- it is baffling, unless one factors in the "ego-induced psychosis" theory.

I was also struck at how stale and old Ralphie sounded.

Sorry Ralph -- you're past it. I think Dennis needs to spank him, too.

Dennis Kucinich is *the* progressive leader in the US today, and he is a fine man that I am very proud of.

[redqueen]

12. He didn't ignore Kucinich

Far from it.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/02/23/cnna.nader.woodruff/index.html

WOODRUFF: You endorsed Dennis Kucinich back in January.

NADER: Yes.

WOODRUFF: And you said you were supporting him. What happened? He's still in the race.

NADER: Well, I still urge Democrats in the primary to support him. I've worked with him for 30 years. I would love him to be the Democratic nominee.

WOODRUFF: But what? I mean, but you've announced you're running.

NADER: It doesn't seem like he's a front-runner yet. That's the problem. The real Democrats in the progressive tradition of the Democratic Party are getting nowhere in the midst of the corporate Democrats.

[Desertrose]

13. somehow I feel Nader is going to help Dennis

Not sure how ....but just one of those feelings...(like last fall when I had that feeling that Dean would be out by spring)....no rational outward explanation...pure guts I guess....

Go Dennis!!!!

Peace
DR

[goodhue]

18. what would help

would be for Ralph to go on Sunday shows this Sunday and explicitly tell his supporters to vote Kucinich on March 2. Although, its been on record since last July, the message has not yet gotten through that Nader supports Kucinich. Nader could hit this message home if he wanted to. But I'm not holding my breath.

[CWebster]

14. I am sick of the slams against Nader

He has done more for this country in the span of his career than any of these poitioning politicians. At least he tells the truth that no one else, even Kucinich, would dare utter - that Bush should be impeached.

[redqueen]

15. It makes me even more happy with my decision to leave the party

:D

[IrateCitizen]

17. Have you even listened to DK's reasons why he should NOT be?

He has said that an impeachment would be an act by a select group of people to determine the leadership of the country for everyone else. He has said that Bush should NOT be impeached for this reason -- but rather should be resoundingly voted out of office. This doesn't forgive him for any of his deceits -- it simply recognizes them through democratic process.

And I always thought, that as progressives, we should be champions of democratic process first and foremost.

This kind of line of thought at least contains consistency -- rather than saying that it's bad if the SCOTUS chooses the President, but OK if our side impeaches him.

And furthermore, for someone who espouses "progressivism" so readily -- I haven't heard you do much more than bitch and complain over the past several weeks. Is there a single candidate out there that meets your purity standards? What do you view as your role as a member of society in sacrificing for progressive reform?

[CWebster]

19. Huh?

As if it was nothing, eh Irate citizen? I am sure that is what would please them the most--no one need be accountable, the lost lives, lost for nothing with no accountability, the entire gaping wound swept under the rug--or as you at one time would be inclined to say, move along, nothing to see here. Too pure for you, IC?

Damn right I am angry. The question I have to ask you is why aren't you anymore? Seems these days you would be lecturing Christ for turning the tables over in the temple, for having too high purity standards. So, I will stand my ground, and I'll be back out on the streets again on the 20th. Call me a purist.

[CWebster]

20. Oh, and while I am at it.-- Do you know I am Italian?

and I never forgot the cracks you made about Italians when you came back from Europe.

[IrateCitizen]

24. Then why didn't you bring up your outrage at the time?

Did you instead prefer to hold on to it as your ace-in-the-hole when you felt that I had personally insulted your sensibility.

For the record, my wife is 1/2 Italian, and she was disgusted by the current of rudeness we found there. Likewise for another person I know who is full-Italian who visited there.

[CWebster]

25. Probably , Since i informed you at the time as well.

And actually the Romans are the rudest of all. At least in my experience. ;-)

[IrateCitizen]

26. And on that point we can agree

We found the people in Venice to be rather friendly. It was when we were in Rome that they became rather rude and inconsiderate.

Surprisingly, we found some of the friendliest people to be the French. Especially during our stay in Nice.

Just goes to show you about stereotypes....

[IrateCitizen]

22. Christ wouldn't be bitching about Caesar on an internet board

That much is for certain. He would be directly confronting the system at its root, and attempting through his action to inspire others to refuse to cooperate with it and its corruption.

Do you think that I suddenly feel that all of the loss of life, all of the death and destruction is suddenly justified? Not at all. I am still greatly saddened by it.

But I also realize that electoral politics is a complete cesspool -- and that politicians, for the most part, are able to get elected because they support the status quo, not because they propose great and sweeping change. As a Kucinich supporter, I have seen that in full effect this campaign season, to be certain.

Given these limitations, I am forced to operate in the realm of reality, and rather than seeking to cast my vote for someone "pure", to instead cast my vote for the candidate who represents the lesser impediment to the implementation of my progressive ideals. While I might feel good about voting for a candidate with no chance at winning, in the end if it serves instead to help enable the greater impediment, then it is for naught.

You talk of going into the streets on March 20th. All well and good. But what will you do on the following day? And the day after that? Will you further that action with a sustained effort of non-cooperation with the status-quo by, say, refusing to pay your taxes because they are used to fund nefarious ends? Will you be willing to suffer the consequences for such non-cooperation, which could possibly involve jail time? Or will you choose instead to maintain your comfort and passively cooperate with the system.

The point I'm making is this -- it is very easy for us to project our disillusionment and disgust with the state of affairs on to politicians. After all, they're the ones who vote on the laws, and we live in a society in which our true political freedom is limited to election day. But in the end analysis, so long as we continue to passively cooperate with the establishment status-quo represented by those politicians, then few instances of action are overshadowed by our long histories of passive acquiescence.

To refuse cooperation is to invite serious sanction -- to invite the violent backlash of the system. And it is extremely difficult in our increasingly atomized society, where everyone is out for themselves more than the common good. But in the end analysis, it is the only true option for transforming our society and achieving the kind of political freedom that eludes us.

But expressing that outrage through the electoral process and voting for a national third-party candidate will most often only serve to increase the hold on power of the more reactionary forces standing in your path. This will hardly make progressive change more likely -- in fact, it will most likely make it even more distant a possibility.

[CWebster]

27. You're just not as irate as you used to be

Now your name should be "Mellowcitizen".

Well, what are you going to do? What did you do today? I sent John Nichols a nasty, but good humored note and he sent me a nasty, but good humored reply. Not retreating with resignation for one thing is something we can do - which for the moment is a great temptation for me -just to withdraw into the private life. I have to fight that. Part of the frustration comes from the powerlessness, so we have no choice but to continue--doesn't mean we have to embrace it though. I just can't conjure up this ABB spirit--it just isn't working for me. Everytime it gets harder.

You say "Given these limitations, I am forced to operate in the realm of reality" but that itself is acquiescence by the sheer acceptance of it - so why bother if the reality is stacked against us? What does it take to achieve the critical mass where the consensus shifts when we aren't holding the reins to shape consensus--the accepted version of reality? What tips the scales?

Been to jail for civil disobedience, btw.

[IrateCitizen]

28. You're right that I'm not as irate as I used to be

But my name would probably be better changed to "SadCitizen" than "MellowCitizen", because much of my previous outrage has been largely replaced with sadness and disappointment in the face of the way in which we're destroying our planet and ourselves.

Given what path I've chosen regarding my military service, and finding a way in which I could refuse to cooperate with the immoral invasion of Iraq, it should be clear at least about one thing that I am doing. Along those same lines, I have begun to work with a local Quaker peace witness in assisting on the GI Rights hotline, along with attempting to start up a "mutual support network" for conscientious objectors, in hopes that we can generate a real organization structure to help those going through the process (especially on active duty) and to also get the word out to others who might consider it if they knew about it. But I also readily would admit that none of it is nearly enough.

If you've been arrested for civil disobedience, then you're one up on me in that category. But your post does serve well in the spirit of raising some good questions.

Namely, what CAN we do in the face of such grand disillusionment and atomization of society? By that second term, I am referring to the tendency of people to passively accept the way things are and withdraw into their private worlds. I wish I had answers, but I sadly don't right now. Perhaps one front (and one I've been working seriously on) is the effort to live a much simpler, community and family oriented life. Perhaps out of rediscovering those bonds we share with each other, and rubbing the haze out of our eyes induced by our society, we can at least plant the seeds for such a movement, providing us with the mutual support and resources we would need to get past the violent backlash to our noncooperation?

Believe me, ABB does NOT excite me either. But I also recognize that the greatest hope for eventually advancing progressive ideals is to vote for Kucinich right now, and try to get him a real voice at the convention. Just stopping the rightward slide is the first step. Being one person of about 1-2% of the electorate voting third party simply won't do that.

I apologize if my initial post came off as a rant against you personally, or as me somehow making myself out to be more "worthy" than you. That was not my intention. I am well aware that I do not do nearly enough, and it is something I have been struggling with. But the main focus on my struggle is in figuring out what I CAN do on a daily basis, and how to form the groups necessary to provide the courage needed to carry out non-cooperation with systems and practices that we find to be abhorrent. That involves the asking of questions, not the ranting and raving that provides us with little more than catharsis.

[scarletwoman]

33. I've been approaching this problem from a martial arts point of view

I'm an old hippie. I was 17 and graduated high school in 1967, I feel like I've witnessed a long run of history, and always -- from my earliest childhood memories -- through the lense of a proud liberal -- even radical! -- mindset, passed onto me by my blue-collar, children of the Depression, WWII GI Bill family.

I crossed directly from high school to counter-culture and have never looked back. I have lived my entire adult life and raised two fine sons, always at a careful distance from mainstream culture.

What I have come to believe is of key importance at this time is to make ourselves (meaning "progressives", "far-left-fringe", or whatever) as visible as possible. We really must stand and face the forces of destruction head on, en masse.

We have an INCREDIBLE opportunity to do this in a wholly unexpected, not-to-be-ignored way by building up the Kucinich delegate block at the national convention!

Instead of whining about lack of media coverage -- go where the coverage already WILL be and SURPRISE them!

Here's the martial arts bit (not that I'm all that knowledgeable, but I've paid it some attention): Instead of continually trying to build a counterforce, use the momentum of your opponent's force.

I was at Dennis's Minnesota Northrop rally -- it was SOOOOOO powerful! My sisters, my sons, my early-20's neice and a bunch of her friends, are all spreading the word for our MN 3/2 caucus -- VOTE KUCINICH!

Let's enter the stronghold of those who would be our lords, and challenge them in front of the whole world!

sw

edited for a typo, and to add this: If we make ourselves visible, if we stand up strong and brave -- not in the streets where we can be easily ignored and discounted -- but in the midst of what THEY say is THE "legitimate" center of the Party. Why not bring THEM, the status-quo warmongers, the profiteers, the predatory capitalists, a little "shock and awe" for once!

sw

[goodhue]

34. great approach

Glad you were able to attend the Northrop rally!

[G_j]

39. great advice

to look at our situation in a way that does not drain us, debilitate our hopes and leave us with nothing but cynicism.

never say never

[scarletwoman]

42. Well, that's DK's message, ennit? HOPE! (n/t)

[Mairead]

40. I wonder how many people with DK paraphernalia we could put into

Boston during the convention. Think we could get a few thousand to show up and really be A Presence? Ten thou? Fifty thou?

I remember when we went to DC for Choice, and we all were instructed to wear white (and, ad libitum, gold and purple). Seeing a sea of women in white gave an immensely powerful feeling of solidarity. And it caused a lot of non-participants, particularly men, to look at us verrry thoughtfully, too.

[scarletwoman]

43. Wow! What a wonderful idea!

Well, I fully intend to fight my way into delegateship at the national convention. I have an excellent chance of making it to the state level, so....

I'll be SURE to be wearing my Kucinich colors!

sw

[diamondsoul]

CWebster, have you considered

the power progression if we were to impeach Bush, even assuming we could get the votes in Congress to do it? Bush is a puppet, and I'll tell you giving Cheney all the strings doesn't exactly warm the cockles of my heart, even if it were only temporary. That is why I support Kucinich's refusal to advocate impeachment. I do believe he'll launch a full investigation if we elect him and that charges would be brought. It's what he'd have done for Sept. 11th, and I don't see him ignoring what most of us see as treasonous behavior in our own White House. That's completely outside the bounds of his character to do.

[Mairead]

37. "no one else, even Kucinich, would dare utter: Bush should be impeached"

Not so, CW. Dennis's problem with the idea that the votes aren't there. But to toss him out on his can in November is also a form of impeachment AND conviction.

I wish I had a really clear sense of whether DK would tell the AG to prosecute BushCo for war crimes. He's said publicly (today, for example) that ordering the invasion and massacre was a criminal act, so his head's in the right place. But he also tends to be a forward-looking guy who doesn't seem to grind a grudge. Perhaps we'll have to get together and tell him he needs to.

[scarletwoman]

41. I think he understands good strategy.

Pushing for an impeachment at this point in time does not strike me as a very good use of our energy. Better we should turn our attention to, and focus our energy on re-shaping our own party into a powerful anti-neocon weapon -- imho, of course.

sw

[CWebster]

46. Yes, I think a very good strategy for battling neocons is

by not challenging them on anything.

You want to know why Kucinich really gets ignored? Because the stands he takes can be dismissed as hairbrained and disconnected, while he never takes a particularly stong and daring stand when and where it matter the most. Dean, at least challenged the real seat of power--Kucinich whined at Dean for christsakes. Kucinich reserved most of his energy and complaint for Dean and threw his own support to Edwards, who violated to a greater extent, all that Kucinich claims to hold sacred.

Because when it really matters to speak to power Kucinich is irrelevant.

I am sorry if this ruffles feathers in the Kucinich camp as I am much more inclined to feel common bonds among his supporters.

[goodhue]

16. hear, hear!

I encourage no disrespect to Nader. But Kucinich is trying to keep the same set of issues alive within the democratic party and needs our support. If the party ignores Kucinich it only empowers Nader.

[no name no slogan]

21. EXACTLY! That's similar to what I heard DK say on Saturday!

I ushered at the Northrup event, and he walked right past my door. At the same time, a U student asked him what he thought people should vote for DK instead of Nader.

DK said, in essence, that he's in it to win the Dem nomination, and with it, the support of the party, while Nader running as an independent only has his organization and NO party support.

Later on at the House of Balls event that evening he said essentially the same thing: "I am focused like a lazer beam on making the Democratic Party a viable second party in this country."

After a decade of malaise on the party's part, this is exactly what we need.

And here's me and DK by my door at the Northrup (just for kicks):

[goodhue]

23. great photo

from a great day! And yes this is what DK himself said at the House of Balls sculpture gallery late Saturday evening. What a great party!

[no name no slogan]

29. Yeah I'm sorry I missed it....

I got home after Northrup (I'm unemployed so I couldn't afford the NLG shindig) and fell asleep on the couch, so I missed the House of Balls. Oh well. At least I got to meet him this time!

:toast:

[goodhue]

30. kick

[Lydia Leftcoast]

31. Well, I haven't hugged Kucinich, but

I've shaken his hand a couple of times. :-)

[goodhue]

32. kick again

[G_j]

36. We're on the same wave length, IC

I posted this under another title.
It's not over yet!

:toast:

[scarletwoman]

44. AND..... another kick (n/t)

:kick:

[G_j]

45. kick