Pelosi & AIPAC to Kucinich: drop impeachment bid & you can keep your seat in Congress

[yurbud]

Before I thought Pelosi blocked impeachment out of some misguided strategy of timidity to retain control of congress and help win the next election. This makes it look like it isn't an attempt to help her party at all.

— 3 February 2008 — Exclusive to New Jersey Impeach Groups - ImpeachThem.com — We received a phone call today from a source in the Kucinich for President campaign, telling us there’s more to the story of Rep. Kucinich’s withdrawal than is publicly known. The source gave us permission to publish this, but without attribution. We can say the source is high up in the campaign. Most progressives are aware there’s been a large flood of money feeding a campaign by Cleveland City Council democrat Joe Cimperman, who seeks to win the primary for Dennis Kucinich’s seat in Ohio’s 10th congressional district, where Dennis has served the interests of working people for 6 consecutive terms — since 1996. Here’s the rest of the story, untold ‘til now.

Before the Nevada primary, Dennis was visited by representatives of Nancy Pelosi and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee — AIPAC. They told Dennis that if he would drop his campaigns to impeach Cheney and Bush, they would guarantee his re-election to the House of Representatives.

Kucinich threw them out of his office.

Dennis now faces the toughest election campaign of his entire tenure in congress, with huge amounts of money being spent to turn his constituents against him due to “his neglect of his district while he ran for president.” Citizens should legitmately ask where Cimperman’s immense media warchest comes from.

So yes, Virginia, it is exactly as you suspected. This man the mainstream media say is not relevant, poses such a threat to the powers that be that they are hellbent to destroy him, and remove that troublemaker from congress.

It’s up to us, all who understand the crucial voice of Dennis Kucinich speaking up for justice and working to stop our country’s fall into fascist barbarity, to come forward to help him continue the peoples’ work. There’s no better time than right now, so go to CONTRIBUTE TO DENNIS KUCINICH. Help Dennis now. Help him TODAY.

SOURCE

[fenriswolf]

1. Go dennis truth2power

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

2. K & R.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

3. Pelosi is a shithead and needs to GO! What can we do to support Kucinich?

AIPAC is REALLY F pissing me off, and I'm Jewish.

[fenriswolf]

7. Donate

the only way dennis can loose is if joe cimperman and the rest of the corporate and DLC backed assholes can give enough money to produce the loudest most horrible smear campaign ever. they are running that he doesnt represent his people, that he doesnt vote, that his voting record is horrible, that he is out of touch. Its completely rediculas.

As wrong as it is if you don't live in his district or near enough so that you can contribute time all you can do is contribute money, link in my sig.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

9. Going there now nt

[The Backlash Cometh]

23. God bless you.

[warren pease]

42. If you remember on your thread yesterday...

...entitled "Why, if our President Clinton was impeached, are Dems unwilling to impeach Bush?" I replied that my take is that they're all just members of the same cushy club and the adversarial act, while real in some cases, is largely an act to keep Americans from understanding that we have a one-party system solely devoted to serving corporate interests.

I think this bit of news, if true (and that anonymous source disturbs me somewhat), goes a long way toward answering your question.

Depressing, ain't it?


wp

[Sarah Ibarruri]

65. It's very depressing - Pelosi is a worthless @#$#$ and so is Reid etc nt

[lligrd]

4. Nancy Better Worry About Keeping Her Own Seat

Her constituents aren't to happy with her right now. Hopefully, they won't forget her betrayal come her next election.

[stimbox]

47. I know I won't.

heh, heh, heh...

[marmar]

5. My excitement when Pelosi took to gavel in 2006.......

.... has turned into absolute contempt!

[lligrd]

16. Ditto! Can't Stand Her Anymore. nt

[The Backlash Cometh]

25. Remember that giddy moronic laughter when she was first sworn in?

Now I can make fun of it.

[fascisthunter]

6. Pelosi, the Elite's Tool Punishing a Democrat for Doing What is Right

That's the Democratic leadership for ya... oh and Hillary seems to take a real liking with both Reid and Pelosi.

[fenriswolf]

10. birds of a feather

you can see all 3 of the scheming together. The ultimate democratic corpratist take over. I shudder to think if hillary gets into office with those two. Plus a democratic majority in both the house and senate.

[fascisthunter]

14. It's Another Reason I Will Not Vote for Her

[Adsos Letter]

8. ...unattributed sources...

I understand why some people will only speak under these conditions, but it undercuts the legitimacy of the information unless something else (besides his dropping out) corroborates it.

I wouldn't put it past Pelosi, but it doesn't come up to the level of evidence in my mind...

[fenriswolf]

13. true

but would you really want your name attributed to this kind of accusation if you were hoping for a carrear in politics? attacking the speaker of the house? it does kill the credibility to be coming from anonomous but unless kucinich refutes it, it is good enough for me.

[Adsos Letter]

20. Then Dennis needs to either avow or disavow this statement...

no "cat & mouse" on this kind of thing, because of the serious nature of the accusation. If this is true it needs to be exposed.

Legitimately...

[fenriswolf]

35. I would love to see it

but at the base of it wouldn't it be his word against theirs? just another crazy conspiracy that DK is imagining right?

[Adsos Letter]

40. But to put it out there in this fashion DOES make it seem like "just another crazy conspiracy"

aimed at bolstering support for a candidate's run for re-election. Don't get me wrong here; Kucinich was my first choice for the Democratic nomination.

[fenriswolf]

36. dupe

[SoCalDem]

19. Yup.. if he's well-loved in his district, surely they would not

throw him out now..BUT if enough people in his district feel that the Don Quixote run for the presidency took his attention away from them, that could be a sore spot for some voters..

Is AIPAC a big deal in his little district in Ohio

[mmonk]

69. AIPAC is a big player in US politics and foreign policy.

If a representative can vote, they want the influence. They even have people pass them national security secrets in violation of Article III of the Constitution. In Dennis's case though, I think it's mainly corporate interests interested in his demise IMO, and their people in congress.

[cyclezealot]

24. It was posted in Alexander Cockburns'

Counter Punch. Original source was Portland Indie Media. Someone need interview Dennis Kucinich and badger him as to the truth. As To Aipac. What is there to dispute. They are almost as nasty as Grover Norquists' Club for Growth group , when it comes to using cash to intimidate an incumbent who does not vote the No Tax pledge line.

[Adsos Letter]

31. This still needs to be either confirmed or disavowed by someone

in authority in Dennis' camp...going on unattributed sources is very problematic in terms of credibility...

[cyclezealot]

37. Agreed.

Does not seem anyone has. If they did, maybe he thinks it unwise to reveal such threats.

[philly_bob]

54. Strong kick for: Needs Attribution. Needs Dennis to deny/confirm. /nt

[KoKo]

11. They went after Dennis they went after Edwards...what more do you need to know...plus

they went after Eric Alterman and Josh Marshall...they go after EVERYONE who doesn't "tow the line."

[Adsos Letter]

17. In this case, it doesn't amount to a fact until

someone can point to something besides "unattributable sources"...as I said, I wouldn't put it past them, but how can we operate on these types of "evidence?"

[Ian David]

12. Some people are more than willing to see Jewish conspiracies behind every corner, aren't they? n/t

[fascisthunter]

18. Who the Fuck Said Anything about Jewish Conspiracies

Now what... Kucinich an anti-semite..... how low and disgusting. You really hurt those who are actual victims of antisemitism by throwing it around like that. Real low....

[cyclezealot]

34. These comments are not attributed to Kucinich himself.

It was published nationally in CounterPunch. No one called it a Jewish conspiracy to my knowledge. The point is "Aipac " is well known for intimidating those who challenge with their huge amounts of cash. But, that does not merit a Jewish conspiracy. Just their normal tactics. They are the second biggest lobbying source. Only one bigger than AIPAC is the National Rifle Association. And Kucinich had the bravey to go to Syria and talk to President Assad. Few Politicans will cross AIPAC with that kind of audacity. A reason to support Kucinich. His independence from the likes of AIPAC, even when intimidated for his bravery.

[Adsos Letter]

39. I agree with all that you have said, with one exception...

if Dennis had the courage to cross AIPAC before, then he should be able to confirm or deny this statement, unless he has no corroborating evidence (witnesses?) to support it. It just looks bad, imho.

[fascisthunter]

41. I understand Everything You Just Posted, and agree with it

my issue is with those who use the accusation of anti-semitism for pure politics. It's disgusting and should be rejected especially by those who have experienced real anti-semitism. It cheapens something very serious.

Many people I have come across who dislike AIPAC have been called anti-semites by usual suspects who are in line with AIPAC.

[cyclezealot]

56. I seperate disgust for AIPAC

with the security of the Israeli people. they are not one and the same.

[Adsos Letter]

57. Agreed...thankyou for stating it so succinctly...

[fascisthunter]

58. Oh, I can Tell You Do, Some Unfortunately Don't

most do separate the two, though. AIPAC like other organizations support the interests of a small group of people.

AIPAC does more harm to Israel, America and the Middle East as a whole. That's as general as I will get.

[Adsos Letter]

59. Yeah...I just got called one in this thread...

by someone who obviously hadn't read most of what I posted here...

[yurbud]

21. and if it had been a Saudi lobbyist do you think no one would mind?

[Adsos Letter]

29. The tie is to AIPAC...

if you want to consider unhealthy influence by this Jewish/American pac as a problem, that is legitimate...but anything which feeds into the "Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion" way of looking at the world is...inappropriate, to say the least.

Which is not the same as saying this pac may have too much influence in our international politics.

[Octafish]

30. Got that right. Remember Cynthia McKinney?

She stood up to Bush and her own Party in regards to September 11 and the war in Iraq.

Guess who helped torpedo her re-election?

Pro-Israel Lobby Has Strong Voice

AIPAC Is Embroiled in Investigation of Pentagon Leaks

By Thomas B. Edsall and Molly Moore
Washington Post Staff Writers
Sunday, September 5, 2004; Page A10

On May 18, President George W. Bush stood before the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Washington and spoke effusively to its members.

"AIPAC is doing important work," Bush said. "In Washington and beyond, AIPAC is calling attention to the great security challenges of our time.

"You've always understood and warned against the evil ambition of terrorism and their networks," the president continued. "In a dangerous new century, your work is more vital than ever."

Just over three months later, the most powerful pro-Israel lobbying organization in the United States is embroiled in an FBI probe into whether Pentagon officials gave AIPAC representatives classified material -- which sources said may have included information about Iran -- and whether they in turn passed it to the Israeli government.

SNIP...

"I know AIPAC; I know the AIPAC leadership. It is an outstanding organization," said Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.). Senate Minority Leader Thomas A. Daschle (D-S.D.) declared, "America is better and stronger for" AIPAC.

SNIP...

In 2002, two Democrats in Congress with records of voting against Israel's interests -- Reps. Earl Hilliard of Alabama and Cynthia McKinney of Georgia -- faced primary opponents who received substantial support from Jewish donors. A majority of AIPAC board members gave to either McKinney's challenger or Hilliard's or both. Hilliard and McKinney lost. Bill Banks, McKinney's campaign manger, charged that AIPAC had made her the "No. 1 candidate to try to remove from office." AIPAC denied the accusation.

CONTINUED: http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A62438-2004Sep...

The Arabs had something to do with September 11, too.

And so did George Walker Bush and his cronies.

Now I don't know who ordered whom to do what. I'd like to, though.

In fact, as a citizen of the United States of America, I am entitled to the truth in regards to what my government is doing. At least that's what the Constitution says: "We the People."

[Adsos Letter]

32. You are entitled to the truth, I agree wholeheartedly...

but associating the unhealthy influence of AIPAC is different from "Jewish conspiracy", which conjures up images of The Protocols and anti-Semitism in terms of world conspiracy...

We need a solid source for this, or other corroborating FACTS...

[aquart]

51. "The unhealthy influence of AIPAC..."

So you already buy that crap. The BAD EVIL Jews are out to get Kucinich. So the good Jews must prove they are not evil and support him?

Otherwise we deserve whatever we get?

[Adsos Letter]

53. ...wow...

you really like to twist words...

If you read any of my other replies in this thread you would see that I fully condemn anything that reeks of an international Jewish conspiracy...in fact, now that I reread your post it is obvious you didn't read any of the stuff I wrote...

I think AIPAC has too much influence in politics, just as the NRA does.

It has nothing to do with you "deserving what you get."


Whoever "you" are...

[fascisthunter]

61. SEE WHAT I MEAN????? (nt)

[Adsos Letter]

63. ...did I say something wrong...?

[fascisthunter]

64. No... not You! (nt)

[Adsos Letter]

62. Ya know...I just read yer post again...it's the last time I'll bother reading anything you write...

what a pile of ignorant projection you tossed at me.

Learn to read...

[peace13]

15. Remember at the Pelosi coronation the MSM

referred to her family as having ties to the mob on the east coast? I pooh poohed that but if this is true it is all too discouraging. Too sad. peace, Kim

[Holly_Hobby]

22. Um, just how are they going to guarantee his re-election?

By cheating? They wouldn't do that, would they?

[yurbud]

26. even without cheating, they could quash dem primary challengers, and pass it back

to their patrons in the business community to rein in any serious GOP challenger.

[KoKo]

27. Remember what "they" did to Cynthia McKinney and Cindy Sheehan?

Remember..what they do to anyone who dares defy them...even "maimed War Hero...Max Clelland!

The "War Machine" for Oil and the Wall St. Lust for Globalization continues.

Kucinich has "WELL FUNDED DEMOCRATS" trying to get rid of him. Reading "Articles of Impeachment" on the House Floor ..obviously ruffled feathers and sent the Dem War Hawks SWOONING!

Okay...I'm going to send him what I can spare...even if it's small bucks he deserves it for his courage that got NO COVERAGE from the "McCorporate Media" and our OWN DEM ESTABLISMENT...who sent the "Avenging Dem Angels of Death and Corporatism" after him by funding those who would Depose him from his hard earned seat.

Send him a dollar or two if you can't afford more...IF YOU ARE A REAL PROGRESSIVE FOR CHANGE! He tried his best...he couldn't beat Wall St. and Corporate Media. But...if HE DIES..by being DEFEATED...WE ALL SUFFER DEATH WITH HIM!!!

Send COINS or DOLLARS!

[frazzled]

28. Why should we believe a story from a single unnamed source ?

Brought to us from the North Jersey Impeach Group?

None of this conspiratorial mumbo jumbo even makes any sense.

[Dhalgren]

43. Don't send Dennis any money if you don't want to. No one has a gun to your head...

[Adsos Letter]

50. I understand that....

but to me it is about more than fundraising (unless it WERE designed as a fundraising ploy, and there is no evidence of that); to me it is more about trying to seperate out what is legitimate info from all the other stuff we get bombarded with every day...conspiracy has been shouted so many times that the word is begining to lose its power to move to action.

It just seems like we've gone through the looking glass on so much stuff these days...

[frazzled]

52. I like Dennis; I want him to be reelected--that has nothing to do with my questioning the story

Your response really surprises me. Are you saying this is a fundraising pitch? I would never send money to someone because of some purported conspiracy related by an unnamed source. I would monetarily support someone because I thought they should be reelected.

[lies]

33. I love that little man!

Like I said, if you want change, actual change, don't vote for the handsom black guy of the wife of the president, vote for Dennis.

But I guess you don't want change.

[cbayer]

38. If anyone gets any more substantive info, I would appreciate a link,

because this source just isn't cutting it with me.

[Adsos Letter]

46. As would I...

[bluesmail]

44. That's a BOLD move by Pelosi

wonder what her move will be when she get's Gotcha?

[bluesmail]

45. K & R for sure

[Elspeth]

48. Dennis, we hardly knew ye

[me b zola]

49. K&R

Is there a good progressive gearing up to challange her seat? There should be.

[VP505]

55. If this is true,

its so dumb on the part of Pelosi. If ever there was a time for the Dem leadership to take the high road and set a good example, its now.

[Ichingcarpenter]

60. I don't know if this is true or not because it came from one blogger

I've tried to trace this down since yesterday and found many related blogs reporting it
but it seem to come from the same source. It wouldn't surprise me if there is a
concerted effort by the war appeasers of the corporate side of the Democratic party
doing it.

I hope Dennis addresses this rumor and be sure to send money to Dennis

[Alameda]

66. I contrubuted to him right before he withdrew from the campaign

what happens to that money? Can he use it for this?

[backscatter712]

67. Now we know why impeachment is off the table.

The fucking Zionazis.

They want Bush, so they can have their Mid-East wars of conquest. It's clear they're not interested in peace at all, and they're not interested in justice at all.

Fuck that criminal Pelosi. And fuck AIPAC!

[Elspeth]

68. No need to use the c-word.

It insults all women.

[backscatter712]

70. OK, good point, I apologize.

I lost my temper. So I used a different c-word, which I think you'll agree with.

[Elspeth]

73. Thanks

And the new word is far better.

[natrat]

71. why DU offers any type of support for pelosi and the rest of theses trasonous dems is beyond me.

[philly_bob]

72. 1) Am encouraged by number of DUers also asking for attribution and 2)

If Kucinich has already offended Pelosi and AIPAC, there is no reason he can't confirm or deny this report; I'll hold off on contributions to Kucinich's congressional campaign until I see how he handles this.

The truth or falsity of this report is important.

[Moderator]

74. Locking

This post violates DU rules since it is both anti-semitic and a smear on the Democratic party.