Kucinich treated like a rock star in Troy campaign stop

[cyclezealot]

January 10, 2008

BY KATHLEEN GRAY

FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

With presidential candidates largely absent from Michigan in the days leading to Tuesday’s primary, even a second-tier candidate generates a lot of excitement in the state.

U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich might not be doing very well in voting so far in Iowa and New Hampshire, but tonight in Troy he attracted a standing room-only crowd of more than 300 people at the Troy Democratic Club meeting.

Advertisement


They treated him like a rock star, screaming in adoration and repeatedly giving him standing ovations when he said he would call for the removal of all troops from Iraq within three months of taking office, and advocated impeaching vice president Dick Cheney and President George W. Bush and charging them with crimes after they leave office.

“America has been pursuing a strategy that has taken us down a very dark path,” he said. "I’m the only candidate running for President of the United States who voted against the war.”

Kucinich is one of only four Democrats who will appear on Tuesday’s ballot, along with Sen. Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Rep. Mike Gravel and Sen. Christopher Dodd, who dropped out of the race last week.

And he will be the only candidate to make any appearances in Michigan. He is scheduled to appear at four more campaign events in the state through Monday.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080110/NEWS15/80110086/1215/NEWS15

[annabanana]

1. He IS a star.

Bright enough to shine through the fog-machine media trying to hide him.

[caseycoon]

10. ABSOLUTELY!

I can't help loving this man!
GO DENNIS!

[MonkeyFunk]

2. Why is he campaigning in Michigan?

He pledged not to.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/politics/july-dec07/michigan_10-10.html

Kucinich has a similar reaction. "We signed a public pledge recently, promising to stand with New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina, and the DNC-approved 'early window,' and the action we are taking today protects New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary status, and Nevada's early caucus."


Kucinich filed a request with the Michigan secretary of state to have his name removed, but may need to take the matter to court to correct the paperwork.
-----------------------------------------------------

He filed the paperwork too late to actually get his name removed. So now he's campaigning there?

[cyclezealot]

3. The NH Republicans had the fairness to demand Ron Paul

be included in the Fox NH debate. The NH Democrats did not have the same sense of democratic values to demand Kucinich be included. Not very democratic. Not very fair. The rules were skewed by a sense of unfairness never seen before. In Iowa Paul came ahead of several leading Republicans , yet Paul was excluded. / Not sure if Kucinich considers his appearances actual campaigning. Looks like they are. Maybe he is just showing up to discuss issues. Certainly Mich needs someone of Kucinich's record to talk about Nafta and how it has affected Michigan. / Considering how fair Democrats were in HN , compared to the Repukes. / All things considered , even if he is campaigning and considering how he was treated in NH; if they don't like it F*** em.

[MonkeyFunk]

4. well

the Democrats didn't run the debate.

So Kucinich gets to break his pledge? :shrug:

[cyclezealot]

5. The NH state Republican party demanded fairness

the New Hampshire State Democrats did not. Hillary, Edwards, O'Bama did not protect the Free Speech rights of others. Edwards should not want Kucinich out of the race. From whom would he steal his ideas. If they had any honor they would have demanded such .

[MonkeyFunk]

6. Well

first, is that HIS explanation, or YOUR justification?

Second, I don't see how one relates to the other.

Third, nobody took away DK's free speech rights.

Fourth, WHO demanded that Ron Paul be included? And why weren't Duncan Hunter or Alan Keyes included?

Sorry, this doesn't make any sense to me. So a DK pledge is useless if he feels snubbed by a totally unrelated party somewhere down the line?

[cyclezealot]

7. never said it was Dk's. Mine.

As they say too often in America. One has the right to speak out, but you might have to buy a newspaper.

[MonkeyFunk]

8. ok

so there's no official reason that you're aware of as to why he's campaigning in Michigan, despite a signed pledge not to do so.

[cyclezealot]

12. As a born Michiganian proud of Michigan's rogue status

I have seen no explanation from the Kucinich website. If he technically speaks to issue forums would he be in violation. Besides , as many like you have said . He is not serious or a real candidate. Why fret it. / Kucinich backers think he need insist certain issues be addressed on the national stage that are not.That is why he continues to run . Can't ask those questions in a debate, this is the only way to accomplish such. Go Dennis. We will get these questions asked. And with Michigan's economy they need be asked. Or would you prefer Mitt Romney be the only one in Michigan asking them. As would be the case without the Kucinich events.

[cyclezealot]

9. Republicans who debated in NH Fox event.

Plus remember the Hillary/ Edwards colaberation to get Kucinich out of the debate. Think it was as far back as the Vegas debate. Plenty of reasons to be bitter.
$$$

NH Fox News Debate Lineup (According to the AP - 6th story down)
Candidate - NH Polling Percentage (1/2) - Invited or Not
Mitt Romney - 28%/31.4% - Invited!
John McCain - 25%/25.8% - Invited!
Rudy Giuliani - 14%/12.8% - Invited!
Mike Huckabee - 10%/10.6% - Invited!
Ron Paul - 8%/7% - Not Invited!
Fred Thompson - 3%/3.4% - Invited

http://news.aol.com/newsbloggers/2007/12/30/ron-paul-not-invited-to-debate-on-fox-news/

[MonkeyFunk]

11. we've exhausted this

one has nothing to do with the other, and you state that it's not DK's official explanation.

I'm curious as to what his explanation is.

[cyclezealot]

14. Grand Rapids Press endorses Romney

Only Republicans speak to Michigan issues. Is this what you want. The DNC treatment of Mich could cost them Mich. should Romney get the GOP nod. Headlines. "Romney will not sleep until Mich is healthy. " Good lines in a state that sometimes can go either way come November . Someone need raise the Democratic banner to heal Democratic wounds in the Wolverine State .
$$$
Press editorial board endorses Romney:

But on the issue that matters most to Michigan, Mr. Romney's message resonates. In Grand Rapids this week, he said, "Michigan's one-state recession will come to an end if I'm president." That's a bold promise. Michigan voters should increase his chance to make it reality.

*
Democrats will hold a primary, of sorts, the same day as Republicans. That race, however, is a disappointing non-contest/

The Press, therefore, will not endorse in Michigan's Democratic presidential primary, regrettably. We, and Michigan as a whole, deserved to have a say in that contest.

http://blog.mlive.com/grpress/2008/01/press_editorial_board_endorses.html

[cyclezealot]

15. Found one comment by Kucinich in Michigan.

Nothing from Cleveland. From a Kucinich speech while in Michigan. 'Democrats made a big mistake in its treatment of the state.' I agree. His efforts might end up saving Democrats from their colossal abuse of Michigan Democrats.
$$$.
"I think the Democratic Party made a terrible mistake," he said, referring to the punishment of Michigan for moving up its primary. "Michigan has not disrupted anybody."

$$$

STATE: Kucinich says he'll come to Michigan after all
Mike Whitty, a Birmingham resident and Kucinich volunteer, said the campaign changed its mind about campaigning in Michigan because of its ability to seize on the lack of activity.

"I think it's fair to say he's reversed field on his initial decision," he said. "Since his name remained on the ballot, they've looked at Michigan as an opportunity to fill a vacuum."

As of now, events are planned for Jan. 10, 11 and 14, with the possibility of events Jan. 12 and 13, Whitty said.

Messages left with national spokespeople for the Kucinich campaign were not returned.

http://www.livingstondaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880103003

[demnan]

13. I hope he freaks them all out and wins Michigan

then the smooth corprocrats will get really scared! :D