Reply #6: Not a "liberal purist" -- but a die-hard progressive populist

[IrateCitizen]

1. Have you ever or would you ever consider voting Green or other third-party?

Yes, I have. But I would not again except in local elections -- at least not until a third party would have a substantial base of support.

2. What are your views on Bill Clinton?

I believe that there is not a principle that Bill Clinton would not have sold out in an effort to get Repubicans to like him. When I see him, the immediate thing that jumps to mind is wasted opportunity. With his charisma, there was the opportunity to really roll back the excesses of the Reagan/Bush years. But, instead, he embraced many of those excesses -- only with a friendlier face and lots of talk about "feeling your pain" while going on to explain why he couldn't do a damned thing for it. I also think that he might have actually caused the Democratic Party as a whole much more harm than good, in the short and long run, because it encouraged people to look at his popularity as a validation of a rightward drift in the Democratic Party, rather than seeing his popularity as being more a product of his personality.

3. Do you think ideology is always more important than electability?

Bad question. I think that politicians do best when they unequivically stand for something, and tie their message into a greater vision.

4. How would you feel if DK became President but had to work with a Republican-dominated Congress, and ended up having to make a lot of compromises in order to get things done?

I'd feel fine -- because he recognizes that you can't compromise with the Tom DeLays of the world.

5. Are there any issues or areas where you disagree with Kucinich?

Yes. Flag burning amendment, immediate withdrawl from the WTO (rather than leading the only international trade body we have to become more democratic and accountable).

6. Are there any other misgivings you have about DK?
None whatsoever. Based on his record of self-sacrifice, I feel that I can totally trust him to do what he believes to be right over what is politically expedient.

7. What is the main reason you have for voting for DK?
See the answer to (6).

8. Who is your next choice candidate after DK?
Whoever wins the Democratic nomination, if it isn't Dennis.