This Hardcore Kucinich supporter now opting for*** EDWARDS****

[bvar22]

I realize that I am only ONE voice, and as such my personal decision hardly merits a post on DU GD-Politics, but I am willing to add my droplet to what I hope becomes a Tsunami of support from common Working American choosing to support the only Anti-Establishment candidate with a prayer of winning the Democratic Nomination.

I AM a hardcore Kucinich supporter. I will continue to support him emotionally and spiritually. HIS voice is MY VOICE. I am completely aligned with his stand on the Issues and would LOVE to see his Conscience become America's Conscience.

Before last week, I was resigned to the apparent fact that Corporate Money would buy America another Corporate President. That being the case, I was prepared to keep sending my money to Kucinich in an attempt to keep his voice ON STAGE in the Democratic Party.

This is a post of mine from a couple of months ago:

If DK is eliminated from the debates, who will tell America that:

*Single Payer Universal HealthCare is not only possible, but cheaper.

*that "For Profit" HealthCare is obscene

*that Mandatory Health Insurance is NOT REALLY Universal HealthCare

*that the Democratic Party and American taxpayers should NOT be forced to subsidize some of the richest CEOs in history by subsidizing the HealthCare Insurance Corps and HMOs.

*that the USA SHOULD give the Imperial Palace (Green Zone) back to the Iraqis, close the permanent bases, expel all Corporate Consultants, withdraw ALL US Troops, and begin paying reparations NOW.

*that redeploying some troops at some future date is a PRO-WAR position.

*that the "Oil Law Benchmark" supported by the Democratic Party is a War Crime

*That we can have election accountability with "Paper Ballots publicly hand counted at the precinct".

*that we CAN cut $Billions$ from the Defense Budget

*that the RICHEST Corporations in history do NOT need $Billions$ in welfare subsidies

*that NAFTA (Free Trade) has not been a good thing for Americans who have to work for a living



Who will tell the truth to America if DK is kicked off the Democratic stage? :shrug:
Dennis Kucinich's voice is one of the few reasons I am still in the Democratic Party.
Kicking DK off the stage IS kicking ME off the stage.

bvar22

I still believe everything in the above post....BUT...
Dennis doesn't have a chance to become the Party's nominee.
Based on his performance in Iowa, Edwards DOES have a chance.

* Edwards' platform is becoming more progressive as he borrows more themes from Kucinich. Some people consider this a fault...a pandering to the Left Wing. I consider this a blessing. How long has it been since a Top Tier Democratic candidate even acknowledged the Left Wing, much less pandered to us. :)

WE ,
* the Looney Left,
*the Fringe,
*the "Purists",
*the ISSUES Voters,
*The Politically Educated,
*The Non Real Worlders,
*The "don't understand how DC works crowd",
*The "Spoilers"
*The Anti-Establishment
*The Anti-WAR rabble
*The "Give the Democratic Party a bad name" crowd
*The "Democratic Party Haters"
*The AntiCorporate crowd

are being RECOGNIZED as a Political FORCE!!!
WE have a voice in this race.
The voice is NOT as Progressive as Kucinich, but Edwards Platform is a step in the right direction....AWAY from the Status Quo.

Edwards performance in the New Hampshire debates was stellar. He channeled the ghost of Teddy Roosevelt when he said America needs a TRUSTBUSTER...someone who will FIGHT the entrenched Corporate Interests. :)

Some supporters of the Corporate Candidates question Edwards recent conversion, and this is a legitimate concern. His record in the Senate was less than progressive, and I have difficulty with JailHouse Conversions. I have some mistrust, but I am willing to take the chance on Edwards to the certainty of a Corporate WhiteHouse under Hillary or Obama.
At the very LEAST, Edwards is publicly saying the right things on the World Stage, which is a vast improvement.





There are some other reasons I have chosen to switch to Edwards:

*The CorpoMedia's blackout of Edwards' come from behind win over Hillary in the Iowa Caucus absolutely confirms Edwards as a real threat to the Status Quo.

*Edwards absolute and unqualified pledge to withdraw ALL American Military forces within 10 months.

*His STRONG and Passionate pledge to FIGHT the entrenched Corporate Control of the US Government which I consider to be the gravest threat to American Democracy.

As stated above, I am still a Kucinich supporter, but, in a REAL WORLD compromise, my donations and political support will be going to John Edwards. I will also be able to convince a few others in my local political orbit to do the same.

Sorry Kooch...I feel a little guilty, but I have limited resources and they will go where I believe they will do the most good for now.



I will be switching my avatar from to , sending a donation to the Edwards campaign, and volunteering at his local campaign office.
https://www.johnedwards.com/action/contribute/form


Just one more Progressive Voice joining the others in strategically supporting EDWARDS.


"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone



The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those
who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.

[Ian David]

1. Don't whimp-out now! I fully intend to ride the Kucinich train all the way to the bottom.

There will be plenty of time to jump ship and endorse Edwards later.

[bvar22]

13. I have some grief about my decision.

This was not an easy decision.

[Uncle Sinister]

2. Welcome to the dark side. muwahahaha

Of Course, you realize John is just a tool of the hedge-fund industry, right?

[OneGrassRoot]

3. I appreciate the thought-filled, informative post...

The quote at the bottom, "The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT..."

Is that yours? Love it, love it, love it!

I've gotta go ahead and get my Edwards avatar now. I'm always too lazy to change anything in my profile.

Speaking of which, can someone tell me how to insert graphics in the signature area?

:hi:

[bvar22]

6. Yes. It is my own.

I've been using it here for a few of years, probably coined for my support of Kucinich in 2004.
Feel free to use it without attribution.
No charge. :)

[OneGrassRoot]

7. Thanks, bvar22! n/t

[DaLittle Kitty]

37. Thanks for the Thoughtful Example You Provide Others. K &R!

:)

[Mythsaje]

4. Great choice, BVAR...

You reached the conclusion I reached months ago. As much as I like Kucinich's positions, there was no way he was viable. He's just not a strong campaigner, certainly not strong enough to get past the corporate media barricades. John most certainly is.

I see John's conversion as a recognition of what he saw when he was inside the belly of the beast. His message has just gotten more strident since then.

Of course, my opinions are pretty well known. All you have to do is look at the top of the Greatest Page today.

The message is what's important. The more people who realize that corporatism is the problem, the more power we have to change it.

[bvar22]

8. self-delete

*

[ProSense]

16. delete n/t

[bvar22]

11. I agree.

I also agree with the "Belly of the Beast".
I watched him during Primary 2004, and LOVED his "Two Americas" theme, but his populist rhetoric was dampened down by the Party Establishment when he accepted the VP slot under Kerry. I also believe that some of his less than progressive performance during his freshman Senate term was due to compromises made during his campaign for his Senate seat (politics).

He quit his Senate seat, and THIS run is from OUTSIDE the Democratic Party Establishment.
That is something that gives me some hope.

If he is a CON as many insist, then he is a good one.
I've been to a lot of carnivals and am pretty good at spotting the hucksters.
I believe that he is sincere.
It is certainly worth taking a chance on when weighed against the sure certainty of Obama or Clinton.

I will always LOVE and SUPPORT Kooch!
HE is MY VOICE, but I am going to work to get Edwards elected.

[ProSense]

19. This is progress!

Glad to see you have forgiven him for his IWR vote.

It was never a vote for war anyway.

his populist rhetoric was dampened down by the Party Establishment when he accepted the VP slot under Kerry.

Considering where Kerry was all along, I don't think that was the case.

[bvar22]

24. Sorry about the little glitch.

Wierd double post (thunderstorm here).
Thanks for fixing your reply for continuity.

I do have some of the concerns you mention.
The IWR vote is troubling, and I haven't totally forgiven him.
I will certainly be ON GUARD, and will be the first to hold his feet to the fire.

Edwards is at least offering the promise of withdrawal within 10 months, which is much better than the alternatives.

I also believe in growth and personal transformation because it has happened in my life. Growth and Personal Transformation BEGIN with an admission of fault. Without that first step, there is no growth or transformation.
Edwards has taken the First Step , and possibly a lot more.

I have carefull weighed the Pros and Cons, including past performance.
I openly admit that Edwards has his negatives.
I am not a fanatic, groupie, camp follower, Media Sheep, cult member, or blind partisan.

My decision is strategic.


Edwards is also the most electable in the GE.

[Kucinich4America]

5. "Edwards' platform is becoming more progressive as he borrows more themes from Kucinich."

...but does he really MEAN it??

I know Dennis is dead serious about all of that. I know Edwards is talking about some of the same issues, but what will he actually DO about it?

I'm just not "there" yet with Johnny. And while I will vote for whatever nominee isn't Hillary, my heart really won't be in it unless I have more reason to believe he's truly serious about it.

[whatdoyouthink]

17. I think Edwards had a

Change of heart on some things (war/etc) or a spiritual awakening or what ever you want to call it!
But he is talking the talk AND I believe will walk the walk

Other choice (Big Money = Payback by 10) is for corporations
Ya a Rich Guy - but with all that money - he could have said "hell with the little guy/gal" (and would/could have took there money) also a Big Factor is MSN? Someone is scared? Well i want to find out - don't you?

PS...John - Please think about adding Kucinich to the Administration - if you win, (smart choice and I,m sure might be open to, and could easily fill 10 or 20 spots) thanks

Edwards 2008

[cascadiance]

23. I would like to think that he would put Kucinich in charge of a new Department of Peace!

I think that would be a perfect move, and I think Dennis would be the perfect individual to head it up too!

[elocs]

9. Don't worry about switching support away from Kucinich

because you will likely have a chance to support him in 2012, 2016, 2020....whether or not a Democrat is elected this year. I like DK and can admire his positions, but he does seem like the perpetual presidential candidate.

[GreenArrow]

34. He's run twice,

exactly as many times as John Edwards.

[Thrill]

10. Kucinich wouldn't even support Edwards

He would tell you to support Barack!!

[Duncan]

26. Which makes no sense.

Got an email from DK saying he did that because Edwards has some bad investments and earned some money from wall street. Said Barack was against the war from the start (before he was a senator). Still makes no sense. Edwards is more about getting out of Iraq than Obama, and making money from wall street, no matter how slimy parts of your portfolio are does not equal taking money from lobbyists, and does not make Edwards a hypocrite. True, I don't know the full story on the fund thing, but I can't help but wonder if DK is just getting him back for the off the cuff remark he said about DK during early debates, don't even remember it now, something about DK taking time away from the 1st teir candidates - nasty I admit, but accidentally public. Also, why the hell does DK endorse a guy who said impeachment efforts were a waste of time!?!?

My opinion of DK took a big hit when he did that, still have tremendous respect for him though.

[GreenArrow]

35. the point is that Edwards is a hypocrite

because Edwards is guilty of doing the same things he is accusing others of doing them. Obama, on the other hand, while he may be doing those things, is not an hypocrite because he is not making an issue out of them; they're simply a given and he's not trying to make political hay out of them. The problem is not Edwards making the money per se, it's that he a person living in a glass house throwing stones.

As for Edwards "being more about getting out of Iraq than Obama", that's debatable. Certainly, he was more about getting us in.

Asfor DK endorsing someone who said impeachment efforts are a waste of time, then that rules out Edwards as well as Obama.

Obama got the "endorsement" not because Kucinich agreed with him on many issues, but because Obama has been consistent, sincere, and not hypocritical in his stances.

[eridani]

41. It makes sense if you understand the all too human reaction to being dumped on

Edwards colluded to exclude Kucinich from the NH debate. It isn't at all unheard of for people to let getting pissed off interfere with their strategic judgment.

[bvar22]

27. That WAS bizarre.

As yet, I haven't seen a logical explanation.

That particular incident made it a little easier to endorse Edwards today.


Kooch hasn't looked good since his brother died.
I am worried about him.
I will ALWAYS love Kooch, but I am not the kind of person who donates BLIND FAITH to ANY politician.
I have disagreed with Kooch in the past.

[cascadiance]

12. When FDR ran under similar circumstances he was to the right of a number of folks running!

There were communists and others running against him. But when people realized FDR was the choice that could not scare the right too much, and yet still push through meaningful reform, he was the most meaningful choice of president the last century saw. We can do that again I think with Edwards if everyone gathers around him. I'm not saying yet that Edwards is FDR. It's too early to give him that sort of credit, but at least he's in the right mold to be that way...

[bvar22]

20. My feeling too.

He is the one candidate that is capable of UNIFYING the Party if those who support the more conservative candidates are also willing to move to the center.

Edwards is my compromise candidate.
He is offering some of what I stand for.

I will support him 100% with passion and enthusiasm.


Edwards is also the strongest candidate in the GE.




The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those
who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.

[Seabiscuit]

14. Thanks for the support!

:hi:

[alcibiades_mystery]

15. All 12 of them?

:shrug:

[Occam Bandage]

18. Kucinich seems to think Obama would do a better job of advancing that platform.

[cascadiance]

22. I'm wondering if that was more of a tactical move than anything...

When he did it before the Iowa caucus, he wanted to make sure that there was a "primary fight", in other words that the perceived second place candidate would be a lot stronger to make sure someone like Hillary didn't run away with it.

Obama was perceived as the second place candidate in this election, and Edwards was that candidate prior to Iowa in 2004. You might have asked why he didn't help out Dean in that instance as well, as in that election, Edwards wasn't running near the grass roots campaign he's running this time around. Had he been running the grass roots campaign now then as well, I don't think the Des Moines Register would have endorsed him then as their corporatist choice, which they avoided giving to him this time around.

Even Kucinich acknowledged that this was for Iowa only, which tells me that it was a tactical move to try and keep the race as open as it could be.

[sellitman]

25. I disagree with Dennis

If that is ok with you?

Obviously so does the OP

[bvar22]

28. I LOVE Kooch,

but I have disagreed with him in the past.
I strongly disagree with him on the Obama support.

[eridani]

40. No, Kucinich is pissed at Edwards for colluding in the debate exclusion

Dumb, but understandable. Tactically, Kucinich would be best served by keeping the frontrunner race a three-way one. He shot himself in the foot, here.

[Patiod]

43. Kucinich didn't offer an explanation of that support

When Bill Moyers asked him to explain why he didn't throw his support behind the more progressive candidate, he didn't deny that Edwards is the more progressive candidate, he merely sidestepped the question by saying "we could be here all day" if he explained his rationale.

Therefore, I have to assume it was tactical vs. substanitive, and that he does NOT actually believe that Obama would do a better job of advancing the platform.

[mzmolly]

21. Welcome to the DU 'crew.' You are an asset to any campaign

Bvar. :hi:

[onehandle]

29. Kick! nt

[Psyop Samurai]

30. ...appreciate hearing this perspective...

...from a fellow progressive/Kucinich supporter, and DU voice I respect.

:donut:

[chknltl]

31. The War on The Middle Class

"America was not conceived of as a feudal state, feudalism being broadly defined as rule by the superrich. Our nation was created in large part in reaction AGAINST centuries of European feudalism." The cons are trying to install a feudal system, one where the mega-corporations have more say than We The People. Our constitution does NOT say We The People AND We The Corporations.
We The People have as a bottom line: We The People. Corporations have as their bottom line: Profit. The Cons, understand that further profit will be gained by giving voice and power to the corporations. This ultimately comes at the expense of We The People. Edwards is fully aware of this.

Corporations are NOT Democracies, they are mini fiefdoms. Corporations utterly do not want to be constrained by any Democracy anywhere, it affects their bottom line potential. Does anyone here think that corporational governance is the way to go? Well we are not cons then are we, nor do we line our pockets with corporate $$. Look around at all the ruin and hardships members of America's middle class are going through right now. Many of it's members are but one health related crises away from ruin! This we can lay squarely at the feet of those in our government who have us sold out by granting more and more power to the corporatocracies.
Edwards is fully aware of this!

Here is an even more alarming bit of history:
"Today, as we face international financial and domestic political crises, it's useful to remember that the ravages of the Great Depression hit Germany and the United States alike. Through the 1930s, however Hitler and Roosevelt chose very different courses to bring their nations back to power and prosperity. Germany's response was to merge corporations into government, creating unequal protection for working citizens, privatizing much of the commons and creating an illusion of prosperity through continuous and ever expanding war." (Sound familiar?)

"America's response was to pass minimum-wage laws, increase taxes on corporations and the wealthiest individuals, establish Social Security and become the employer of last resort through programs like the WPA to create a vibrant middle class and real prosperity."

"One country chose corportocracy; the other chose Democracy and the rule of We The People. Today James Madison's warning about an Executive branch beholden to "commercial monopolies" and intoxicated by war takes on a chilling meaning. And to the extent that our Constitution is still intact, the choice is again ours as to which path we'll pursue" I am increasingly seeing the cons as moving down the very economic road that Hitler took. I suspect that Edwards sees this as well.

Democracy's bottom line is a strong middle class. A strong middle class is the very antithesis of a feudal system or a corporatocracy! In my view any vote for the cons by members of America's true rulers: The Middle Class, is a vote to slit our own throats, a vote to give away our very government to the corporations! I am increasingly becoming aware of Edwards understanding of this. Listen again to his speeches. He is all about strengthening the Middle Class as a means to resolve the problems which face America.

The other candidates do not speak to this as much nor as well. This is why this ex-Kuccinich supporter has switched to John Edwards. Impeachment is no longer as important to me than saving our Middle Class. Impeachment will NOT save our Democracy. Only a halt of the deliberate attack on our Middle Class can do that at this point. Yes, I still strongly advocate impeachment and accountability but now I even stronger urge that WE THE PEOPLE realize that we as a nation can not persevere without our Middle Class. My support now goes to John Edwards because I feel he has the best grasp of this.


All quoted excerpts from: "SCREWED The Undeclared War Against The Middle Class" by Tom Hartmann

[LWolf]

32. I'm with DK as long as he's on my ballot,

but will support Edwards in the GE, or if DK isn't still in the race by the time the primary limps into my state on May 20th.

[bobthedrummer]

33. This decision of yours is understandable-for me there is no substitute

I'm voting for Kucinich, I'm advocating for the many platform points in your OP.

I voted for DK in 2004-but I also voted for John Edwards when my vote in the GE went to John Kerry.

John Edwards does appear to be moving, but towards what wouldn't even have been called "progressive" decades ago-more like moderate, that's how badly shifted the Democratic Party has become in these fascist dominated times.

As I said, there is no substitute-and DK does have what's needed at this crisis point in history. He's the only candidate that has taken action towards holding these criminals accountable.

If John Edwards wins the nomination and is on the ballot, assuming a general election is held, I could live with my conscience voting for him again-I would consider him as a write-in too--but my vote and support is with Dennis Kucinich and his platform in the primary.

[ClericJohnPreston]

36. Welcome to the Edwards Camp

He is the "real deal". He doesn't opine change, he has fought, as I do, the bastard insurance companies and Corporations that are part of the group undermining our Democracy.

I respect DK supporters, but if you don't want another CORPORATIST President, you better line up against Hillary and Obama.

[bobthedrummer]

38. I'm voting for Dennis Kucinich, and I meant everything I posted upthread. eom

[eridani]

39. If you are in a caucus state, please don't do this.

I'm still taking my progressive program straight up, no ice or soda. I really understand about Kucinich supporters in primary states, though.

[Hepburn]

42. I hear ya!

I worked for DK in 2004....but I realize now that Edwards has a chance to get in and WIN and do a lot of what DK stands for. IMO, we MUST have health care and coverage for ALL our citizens and IMO JRE is the one who will do this who has a chance of getting the nomination and of winning as POTUS. This is my number one issue ~~ health care. IMO, fuck the giant POS insurance companies who let their insureds DIE in the name of profit. IMO, THAT is terrorism.

So, I am now also a full-fledged Edwards supporter! We need his brand of populism to get those in poverty and/or without health coverage the things that ALL Americans should have just because this is America! :hi: