Why do we stand with Dennis?

[redqueen]

I know many Kucitizens on this board have already pulled off the stickers, changed their avatars/sig lines/whatever, etc., but there are many, many more who are sticking with Dennis through the convention.

Wonder why? I wouldn't be surprised if many do. Just as we had to say repeatedly that he has more than 3% support (yet he still gets denigrated with that falsehood), it wouldn't be a shock to know that many have managed to miss the many posts wherein Kucitizens explain that the reason for sticking with DK through the convention is to lend strength to his liberal message.

The only way this party, and this country, will recognize that there is real support for ideas like single payer UHC, a living wage, etc., is if people stand up for those values.

To read why so many are sticking with DK, click here. To add your reasons, visit this page.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. I stand with him because he is a man with terrific ideals and

tremendous integrity.

[mgc1961]

2. I'm still with Dennis.

I still wear my t-shirt to run in and I wear it to political activities such as a recent peace walk.

My truck still has the Kucinich for President sticker on the window and I'm thinking of leaving it there indefinitely.

I've also got one more auto-donation from my credit card going to the campaign.

Because Dennis is on the Sacred Path of the Warrior and has helped me see the Great Eastern Sun he will always be my President. That is the essence of leadership.


:toast:

[blondeatlast]

3. His ideas and values need to be part of the platform;

especially single payer UHC.

I have no qualms about supporting Kerry (I waivered at the primary, even), but single payer UHC is an idea whose time is LOOOOOOOOOOOONG overdue.

[maisey03]

4. Though I've switched my allegiance...

over to Kerry, I still think of myself as a Kucinich supporter. I will be watching what happens at the convention - if DK is not treated with the respect and fairness he deserves, I will be upset. I'm not sure I'll be able to continue supporting Kerry if that happens. This is because:

1. He is liberal and stands up for the issues I care about as a liberal.
2. He is my state's representative.

I still have my "Fear Ends, Hope Begins" poster on the wall and I plan to keep it there.

[Nadienne]

5. I still have my "Eyes that See Through the Lies" poster

on the wall. I will save my shirt and button as a reminder of this primary season.

And though I will vote for Kerry, and have taken down my Kucinich signature, I am still a Kucitizen.

[rbnyc]

6. I stand with him, cause he stands for us. (nt)

[Kenneth ken]

35. yeah, yeah, what she said!

rbnyc
:yourock:

Dennis Kucinich
:yourock:

[rbnyc]

37. Thanks. So do you! (nt)

[genius]

7. Well said.

I'm sticking with DK

[MaggieSwanson]

8. I stand

as a Delegate in the District convention here in Iowa. I can't wait to stand with Dennis in Boston!

[redqueen]

14. Hi maggiefaye!

I was wondering where you'd gone off to! :hi:

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

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

[GreenPartyVoter]

13. Ya know

supporting something or someone that appears unpopular is not a joke.

Note that we no longer have slavery, child labor, sweat shops, but do have unions, voting rights for ALL Americans, and programs like Head Start and medicaid.

My point is, many things that were once unpopular and seemed like out-of-reach dreams now exist. So yeah, there's plenty of reason to keep supporting progressives like Dennis when they run for the Oval Office. Dreams do come true.

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

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

[goodhue]

20. indeed

[JohnKleeb]

21. Kerry isnt part of the DLC leadership

Unfortunely he did vote a lot with Bush the first two years, but his voting record is parellell to that of Ted Kennedy, a person I think most people in the party's left wing admire, in 2001 they voted 100% of the time together, Kennedy and Kerry. In 2003 Kerry only voted for the Bush agenda 30% of the time, DK voted it for it 26% of the time. Kerry hasnt been DK I admit but he has stood against Bush. Just my opinion, but I really think the real culprit is not DLC membership, but the DLC leadership, a lot of congress dems are a member of the DLC but a lot of em are pretty progressive, two votes I understand damn Kerry in many eyes, the Patriot Act and IWR, I realize that, but the leadership of the DLC is what I dont like, I dont like Al From, I am no fan of Evan Bayh and Ellen Tasucher, it would make me puke if Bayh was VP. I dont think Kerry is DK but he sure as hell is no Lieberman or Miller or pushing the Bush agenda.

[Kanary]

26. Yes, John, he is

And the constant denying it doesn't change reality.

All it does is push traditional Dems further away.

If all the Kerry cheerleading would only just acknowledge that he is DLC, and start from that point, there wouldn't be so much fracturing.

Kanary

[JohnKleeb]

41. I admit he is DLC kanary but hes not their leadership

I admit he is a member, theres a difference between the membership and the leadership. I dont want Bayh or Breaux to be VP either.

[no name no slogan]

22. For some, this campaign is JUST BEGINNING!!!!

Every one of our meetups has drawn more people-- and that's AFTER our caucuses occurred!

My own Senate District convention is this Saturday, so we are STILL campaigning/organizing for the uncommitted delegates out there-- at least 25% in my district. As a matter of fact, I've become more active in my Senate district party, and also plan on running for my state party's central committee at the convention, too.

BTW I heard from a high-ranking party person that DK got 45% of the vote in my senate district. This person (a big Kerry supporter, who was standing next to him at his victory speech in Iowa) is VERY HAPPY to have us coming into the party, as we've got several tough state-level races this year, where we can make a big difference.

Whatever happens on November 2, DK and his folks will still be around November 3-- and we'll be putting the pressure on the President, no matter who it is.

[snoochie]

24. I'm glad I clicked this thread

Thanks for the example proving that not all of Kerry's supporters are like the more repugnant ones on this board.

[Kanary]

27. Wish I could join your meetups!

Sounds like things are really happening there!

Save me a chair, eh? :hi:

Kanary

[no name no slogan]

39. Anytime you're in town, Kanary

If you feel masochistic enough to come to MN, we've got room for you!

I actually just got back from another meeting for organizing our county unit/senate district convention, which is tomorrow. We had a "newbie" show up, who was at last night's MeetUp, and hadn't previously been involved with the campaign. He's also a convention delegate from the precinct caucuses, and willing to help out.

Tomorrow is going to ROCK!!!! I'm expecting we'll do pretty well, as I've NEVER been this organized before a convention before-- and I've seen a few in my mere 34 years!

:hi:

[mvd]

48. That's great to hear

It is important that we discuss how to keep Kucinich's message alive past the convention. :hi:

[no name no slogan]

23. Unlike most politicians, Kucinich keeps his word

Dennis pledged to his supporters that he would stay in the race until the convention. And as a man of his word, he's sticking to it.

He didn't sell Muny Light in 1979, even though it cost him his job as Cleveland's mayor. Unlike other candidates, he voted against the IWR, even though it didn't look politically expedient to do so. He said he'd stay in until Boston, and that's exactly what he's doing.

Too bad more politicians didn't have such integrity, eh?

[Hippo_Tron]

29. Ignore this, it's flamebait

On behalf of those who support Kerry, I sincerely apologize for this person's statement.

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

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

[LiberalManiacfromOC]

38. Even if it is a joke, were proud to be part of it

"If you don't vote your heart, your heart never wins." - Dennis Kucinich

[Bill Todd]

10. If I weren't still standing where Howard used to

I'd be standing with Dennis now: while Howard may have had reason to believe that continuing his active candidacy would cause real injury to the party, Dennis's candidacy is clearly about message rather than pitched battle.

Though the party nominee appears to be certain, the party's direction at least nominally has yet to be established. By all the exit polls I've seen, Kerry won not because people agreed with him on the issues but because he was perceived as more 'electable' - whatever that may be, since it certainly had nothing to do with actual polling match-ups against Bush, where Kerry and Dean polled identically in December. My recollection is that in Iowa those who voted on the issues rather than on 'electability' voted for Howard over Kerry 3:2. I still have the exit polls from New Hampshire, after the distortion of the infamous Iowa 'scream' had skimmed 38% of the vote away from Howard off the top: even with just the remaining 62% in play for him, he ran dead even with Kerry overall with issue voters.

So given that the party's platform is still subject to influence, using whatever means are available to exert it before that too is cast in concrete by those with agendas other than ours is entirely appropriate. Supporting Dennis is certainly one good means to that end: even if no additional delegates are won, it keeps him and his positions in the public, and party, eye, and this doesn't seem to be shaping up to be a year when the party can completely ignore portions of its base even if they don't manage to hit the 15% level.

Other Democrats dissatisfied with the current attitudes of Kerry and the party leadership have turned to Nader, still others are considering the Greens - and such extra-party pressure also has its place in the equation. We may not all agree on exactly how to act to make our concerns visible, but in most cases we seem to be a lot closer to each other than we are to Kerry and the party leadership, and to the degree that we can work together to influence them we should.

- bill

[Kanary]

12. "Even if no additional delegates are won"

Bill, you have made my day! :toast:

Thanks sooo much for such a thoughtful post!

When I joined DU, this is the kind of exchange I thought I'd find. After months of being bashed for supporting Dennis, your words are a real balm to a wounded soul. I appreciate it more than you know! :hi:

I'm glad to hear that a Dean supporter fully grasps what Dennis is about, and what is happening to the party. You give me some hope.

Thanks again, and best wishes to ya!

Kanary

Another Delusional Diehard for Dennis!!

Kucinich 2004!

[redqueen]

16. What Kanary said.

Bill,

:yourock:

[Kanary]

17. Redqueen, did you see what I posted about my caucus?

I've been disenfranchised.

Yeah, I'm real happy with my local Dem party.

NOT

Kanary

Another Delusional Diehard for Dennis!!

Kucinich 2004!

[redqueen]

19. Yes I did

Too f$#&@*g mad to comment, actually.

I may actually end up crediting DU's less wonderful Kerry supporters with ensuring that I only work on local races ... I mean I'm in TX, so why bother, right?

Nice to know there are other Kucitizens that haven't been intimidated or insulted into shutting up.

:hug:

[Kanary]

25. Well, I even kicked it up myself

And yet, no response from Kucitizens.

I guess I'm not part of the ingroup?

Guess it's time for my avatar to come down too, eh?

I really thought, since I have supported others, that surely someone would care about my situation.

Guess I was mistaken.

Kanary

[Lydia Leftcoast]

28. What's with the self-pity fest?

You said you didn't want advice. Okay, so I didn't give any. That's why I didn't post, because you were going "poor little me" and rejecting all advice.

There's got to be a solution. When is your caucus? If it's not tomorrow, you have time to nag the local Kucitizens (there must be some in Colorado besides you) into setting up a ride brigade. I know that the Kucinich campaign in Iowa did that. When I went down there to door knock, the local coordinators were calling Kucinich supporters to ask if they needed rides or child care. Keep nagging them.

[Kanary]

30. Thank you.

I feel ever so much better now.

Name calling and a little slapping around helps.

bye

[Lydia Leftcoast]

32. Name calling?

:wtf:

Okay, have it your way. Enjoy your martyrdom.

[Kanary]

33. Thanks, sweetie. You've been a big help.

:loveya:

[Desertrose]

34. Kanary...I miss your avatar

hey....don't let some here intimidate you ....I was so happy to still see Kucinich avatars and your nifty blue delusional dem at the bottom...please reconsider putting it back up...

:hug: :loveya:
DR

[maisey03]

43. I agree...

I really like them, too. Honestly, the only reason I changed my avatar is because I couldn't resist the cat one - she looks just like my little kitty! It had nothing to do w/Dennis or his campaign, though sometimes I would like him to come home - this Ken Blackwell/new voting machines debate bothers me. We need our Democratic reps here to help out and stand up for us.

[Desertrose]

11. Dennis will always be my man....

(even if I have to cast a vote for Kerry)...Dennis is IMHO, far & away the best option we could ever have.

I met a lot of fantastic people working on the campaign as well as here on DU...I still have my yeard sign & bumperstickers on...my purse still has DK buttons on it ....

I support him for...forever.....and I am so proud & happy that Dennis is sticking up for us!

Thanks to all the Kucitizens for hanging in:)

Peace & hope
DR

(I just had to use my very own rose pic as my avatar.....)

[flaminbats]

36. Thanks to Kucinich for staying with us through the roughest parts...

even as the DNC wrongly put pressure on him to quit. Dennis cares most about the defining issues..to him every vote is another reason for running. He isn't looking at a cup as mostly empty, but one which is partly filled because of his campaign.

[JohnKleeb]

18. He still has my heart

I have my DK banner on my desk. My Kucinich buttons I still own. I still have his book. Hes a great man, a visionary, I may work for him when I intern on capital hill next year. I am glad to have Kerry as the nom being he was number 2 but it would be nice to have Dennis as the nom for sure, of all teh candiates, he definely had the most courage.

[JNelson6563]

40. I applaud your conviction

All you DK backers! You rock! While he was never my candidate I always appreciated him bringing up things many would prefer went unmentioned. His is a very important voice.

I too am sticking with my guy, Dean, to achieve our long term goals of taking the party back. Politics-as-usual may have won this round but there will be more....

:toast: To people of conviction!

Julie

[redqueen]

42. Back atcha, Julie!

:yourock:

:toast:

[dpbrown]

44. Because Dennis is right!

He's right on the death penalty.

He's right on NAFTA.

He's right on single-payer universal health care.

He's right on the illegal invasion of Iraq.

He's right on getting rid of Halliburton sweetheart deals.

He's right on U.N. in, U.S. out of Iraq.

He's right on Bush lied.

He was right to vote against the USAPATRIOT Act.

He was right to vote against the illegal invasion of Iraq.

He KNEW Bush was lying! Duh! Why didn't someone else we all know understand that Bush was lying out his ass?

Dennis speaks for me. I know Dennis speaks for others, but Dennis speaks for me. That's why I stand with Dennis. That's why I won't change my avatar. That's why I'm a delegate to the Minnesota State Convention for Dennis. That's why I got elected to the DFL State Central Committee. That's why I continue talking about Dennis, and hoping that the Democratic Party learns to become a legitimate opposition party, using Dennis' strong positions on the issues that matter to our nation and the world.

I stand with Dennis because Dennis stands with me.

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota
DFL Associate Precinct Chair
Minnesota DFL State Convention Delegate
Minnesota DFL State Senate 64 Delegate
Minnesota DFL Congressional District Delegate
DFL State Central Committee Delegate
Member: Minnesota DFL Progressive Caucus

[Desertrose]

46. would you be willing to say he is "right on" .period.?

:hi: Dan

Dennis is just amazing and you are so right in your post......

Dee Kay 4-ever!!
:bounce:

:hug:
DR

[no name no slogan]

47. Damn, dude, you gotta lotta titles after your name now!

With any luck, I'll be joining you after tomorrow. We had another SD60 meeting this AM, and even the owner of the DKmobile said we're VERY prepared.

Let's hope tomorrow goes as we hope it will. After all, 45% of the voters in SD60 can't be wrong! **

(** DK supposedly got 45% in my Senate District. It'll be a GREAT convention!)

[dpbrown]

51. That's because we're taking over the damn party, baby!

This is the way.

This is what leverage looks like.

A group of committed progressives of a certain number constitute a greater percentage of an organization that itself is comprised of less than the whole.

What the hell does that mean?

That means that 50 Kucitizens, voting as a bloc in the DFL, are more important than 50 progressives agitating in the streets, because 50 as a percentage of the DFL is a higher percentage than 50 as a percentage of the general population.

Will there be setbacks? Hell, yeah. But fighting for real people is worth the cost. And fighting for the soul of one of the major parties is a prize worth fighting for, and worth more than starting over from scratch.

1. It's more "doable."

2. It's more powerful when completed.

Good luck tomorrow. I'll be at SD59 early in the morning, then if things are going well there, then I'll be checking in at SD60.

Get elected!

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota

[mvd]

45. I still have my Kucinich signature

I just added the Kerry avatar as a sign that I'm united in the cause to get Bush out. I'm going to vote for Kucinich in the PA primary, and I'll never forget how he has inspired me. :hi:

[leftbend]

49. I still support Dennis

As for my avatar, I switched back to my Vietnam service one as I feel it is important to show Dennis has support from veterans too. I would have kept my Kucinich avatar but I don't know how to put two of them on here.
Peace

[hedgetrimmer]

50. It's about standing ground, no I won't back down...

This is what we the people intitle ourselves to and this is our message, this is our voice, this is our choice, this is where we stand and no we won't back down.





Get away from my Kucinich!

[eridani]

52. Still hardcore here

On board for universal health care and fair trade.

[no name no slogan]

53. I'm going to MN's state convention as a DK DELEGATE!!!!

And I REFUSE to quit this race until we have a CONFIRMED nominee.

And I REFUSE to let my party be ruled by FEAR--

-- fear of what the Repubs may think,
-- fear about whether or not we'll raise more money than the Repubs,
-- fear of "offending" big corporations when they act against the public interest,
-- fear of lying smear campaigns against our candidates.

As FDR said, the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself. I'm sick of being afraid. Sick and tired.

DK gives us HOPE that a better world is possible-- and WE are the ones we've waited for.

We can do it!

[G_j]

54. one of the reasons I stand with Dennis

is that he recognizes that the principals of non-violence could literally transform the world and that war does not have to be 'inevitable'.

[LWolf]

55. I'm still with Dennis.

He is the reason I'm voting; the reason I'm participating. For hope, for courage, for vision.