Big Start For Kucinich Kick-Off Tour

[genius]

Subj: Big Start for Kick-Off Tour
Date: 10/14/2003 0:50:43 Pacific Daylight Time
From: [email protected]

Sent from the Internet (Details)

Receiving thunderous ovations from hundreds of supporters in the City Council Chambers in his hometown of CLEVELAND, Dennis Kucinich today formally declared his candidacy: "I'm running for president of the United States," he declared, "to enable the armies of peace." In the 45-minute speech which aired on C-SPAN, he spoke eloquently about racial justice and an end to the U.S. occupation of Iraq. Explaining his proposals for a fair trade policy, universal healthcare and childcare, for a cabinet-level Department of Peace and for a new international policy, he added: "America cannot put its foot on the accelerator of war and advocate peace simultaneously." To see the speech: http://kucinich.us/announce-news.htm

From Cleveland, Dennis headed to DETROIT, where he was glowingly introduced by Rep. John Conyers, the dean of the Congressional Black Caucus. Conyers and Kucinich are allies on many peace and justice causes, and they co-sponsor the bill to establish nonprofit National Health Insurance for all Americans.

Next stop, Manchester, NEW HAMPSHIRE, where Dennis spoke after activist/physician Patch Adams and actress Mimi Kennedy warmed up the large, enthusiastic crowd.

The last scheduled appearance tonight was Madison, WISCONSIN, where a local daily greeted Kucinich with an editorial that said: "He deserves a warm welcome, a big 'thank you' and serious consideration...While most of the other Democratic candidates waffle around the question of whether to authorize the spending of an additional $87 billion on a war that has already cost America far too much in the way of lives, resources and international esteem, Kucinich says he will vote 'no' on the spending authorization."
http://www.madison.com/captimes/opinion/editorial/58688.php

DAY 2 of the tour (Tuesday) begins in Albuquerque and then to Austin, Texas, Oklahoma City, Minneapolis and Chicago. Schedule at http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htm

FOR MORE INFO on Kucinich: http://www.kucinich.us

DONATIONS keep the tour and campaign moving: toll-free [phone] or online https://www.kucinich.us/contribute.php







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[DannyRed]

1. I am a Deanie...

But I say:

GO DENNIS!!!!

He adds so much...I hope he puts on a big push. I hope he shows he can capture support.

I hope he stirs the pot, and frankly I hope he convinces me to switch my support.

At the moment I support Dean for the structure and character of his campaign, and for the promise that such grassroots netroots synergy presents for the future of popular democracy.

Tap into it!

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[genius]

3. I'm so glad that a true Democrat like Dennis is running.

He's only fringe to the Republicans.

[Dover]

4. Thanks for the links and info!

I had a dream about Dennis's announcement last night. I don't remember too many details but do remember the thunderous applause and the warm and empowering feeling of hope I had standing in his midst.

Maybe it was my minds way of making up for not being able to be there in person. I was definitely there in spirit!

If anyone was at any of his stops I'd love to hear the details.

[diamondsoul]

5. I was in Chicago (technically) last night....

unfortunately Dennis was stranded in Minneapolis. lol I confess I was disappointed after drving up from Indianapolis in hopes of finally seeing him in person, but nobody controls the weather.(Unless there's some BFEE/Rovian magic we haven't uncovered yet!:P )

The Illinois organizers are AWESOME! These people kept a crowd of well over 200 people from going bonkers both waiting and upon finding out Dennis wouldn't make it. Lance really pulled it together quick given the last minute notice and the crankiness of the Hotel staff at being put out, and we heard from Dennis via a conference call on speaker. Dennis himself was clearly frustrated, and this on top of the debate debacle, plus the harrowing schedule he's already trying to keep prevented most of us from thinking of anything but how caring he really is. He could have flown on to St. Louis without speaking to us, and had a chance to get some rest before starting over tomorrow morning. Instead he left his plane and went in search of a land-line to call us from and delivered his speech that way with his usual passion and an added edge of frustration at not being able to get to us.

As badly as I want to see my Hero live and in person, all I could think about was what a frustrating week he's had and how worn out he has to be. Studs Terkel delivered several rousing tales of Dennis' and his past, including their first meeting, and I daresay this man is as good if not better at one-liners that elicit guffaws than Michael Moore! "'...And they shall have servants.' You know George Bush has a Butler. That's right, he has an English Butler. Yeah, his name is Tony Blair!"-Studs Terkel Oct. 14, 2003

BTW, I also overheard one reporter speaking to a few attendees state he was from Salon Magazine. I was asked repeatedly about Will by several people there, whether I read truthout and did I know who Will Pitt is....um, well yeah!

Oh, a word of warning about Studs...he has this incredibly comical tendency to listen to half a question and suddenly recall a story he just HAS to share right NOW! *LOL* I love it, and it's no wonder Dennis is so fond of him! It was so cool to see young college students flocking to Studs after Dennis' speech and asking for photos with him. I guess I didn't realize just how much total lack of respect I sometimes see in youngsters for people who have seen so much, learned so much, and have so much wisdom to share. The reaction to Studs was a stark contrast, and the reactions or rather the calm acceptance of the attendees tonight for circumstances beyond the Congressman's control was inspiring.

I guess my point is, as much as I was saddened to have been denied Dennis' presence, there was so very much more going on to be uplifted by that I couldn't stay sad for very long. This is the message I'm sending on to Dennis about the event, because he really, really needs to hear it I think.

[no name no slogan]

6. My condolenses to Chicago

...for keeping him here in Mpls inadvertantly. Here's a story that was on Minnesota Public Radio this morning, if that helps. It said we had 2000 last night-- THAT'S 1200 MORE THAN IN AUGUST!!!!! All the speakers were great, and at the risk of dislocating my shoulder for the egregious back-patting I'm about to give myself, all the music was fantastic too! ;-)

http://news.mpr.org/features/2003/10/15_helmsm_kucinich/

[cosmicdot]

7. vote in the DU primary

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=537909

[govegan]

8. Done -- for Dennis of course!

Thanks for the heads up.

[cosmicdot]

9. listen to Dennis give 'em hell in Madison

http://madison.indymedia.org/usermedia/audio/2/14494_1.13.03.mp3

Mimi Kennedy 00:04 - 03:35
Dennis Kucinich 03:10 - 15:55