Iowa View: Kucinich backers aren't kidding

[LWolf]

http://desmoinesregister.com/opinion/stories/c5917686/21780912.html

<snip>
"I haven't seen anything like this campaign since Robert Kennedy."

<snip>
* Pundits track who's raised the most money. If the presidency is simply a race to the bank it's no contest. President Bush can raise more in an evening than a Democrat can in a year. He wants $200 million. It's the least the corporate rich owe him. Conventional wisdom says candidates should avoid controversy. Don't risk alienating anyone, even Republicans. There are Democratic candidates whose Senate votes are scarcely distinguishable from Republicans. Some are reluctant to criticize a popular president. When they have positions they seem confusing, just tweaking the status quo.

Kucinich supporters argue this won't cut it in 2004. Conventional politics, compromises and corporate contributions can't win. Why would voters choose an imitation Republican when they can vote for Bush, the real thing?

They emphasize each Kucinich victory - mayor of Cleveland, state senator and congressman - involved an "unbeatable" Republican. He took a 34 percent Democratic district and won with 49 percent, was re-elected with 65 and now 74 percent. Clearly he has a record of winning - and winning over - with Republicans and Democrats alike.

Unlike the others, Kucinich's positions are a stark contrast to Bush. He is the only one advocating defense-spending cuts, single-payer health care for all, public education pre-K through college, public funding of campaigns, signing Kyoto and other treaties, and repeal of the death penalty, NAFTA and the Patriot Act. He organized the two-thirds House Democratic opposition to the Iraq war resolution Congressman Dick Gephardt drafted and most of his Senate competitors supported.

<snip>



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What if they're right, and thinking outside the box is the only way to get inside the White House? Those trying to trivialize and marginalize Kucinich do the Democrats no favor.

[Rainbowreflect]

1. We need someone with a positive vision of what this country and

the world could be. Dennis Kucinich is the only one IMHO with a real strong, positive vision.
Can he be elected? It will be a tough fight. Would we all be better off if he was? For sure!

[LWolf]

3. I'm with you.

I know that, as his exposure and name recognition grows, he will bring in many who have discounted him. All it takes is a close look at his issues and his record. We hear about "grass roots" campaigns all the time, but DK is the real deal.

[Desertrose]

2. Thanks for this LWlf...such a strong point

Wanted to post it yesterday but had a Kucinich meeting to attend & was busy doing flyers etc etc
But I noted this & thought - how true!

Peace & Kucinich!!!!!!
DR


PS Great great enthusiam at the meeting last nite...I am psyched to get things rolling here!! Found out some ways totap into the rez up here....very interesting!!!

[genius]

18. The reaction of crowds to Dennis is just like that to RFK

Despite the news media, the crowds will support Dennis and he'll get the nomination.

[JohnKleeb]

19. and the crowds are the people

Dennis can give us hope, and what we have always needed. Why cant people see that, theres a post in GD now asking about Dean's popularity and I wonder about it too. Its no fair that the best candiate in the race has his supporters told he has no chance, how about we show them what we are made of by fighting hard and winning, we will be able to say why what do you know,

[blm]

4. What a great piece...

Dennis never slams other Dems to make his points or glorify himself. He is a real straightshooter who doesn't calculate against his opponents...he just walks his talk. He is beautiful.

Just had a thought. If the Dems sweep the House and Senate, as well as the presidency...imagine if Dennis' presidential run catapults him, if not to the White House, Speaker of the House?

[LWolf]

5. Dennis would make a superb Speaker.

Speaker in the White House, that is!

:toast:

[blm]

6. Hey...It's my nature

to cover ALL the bases. I love my guys. ;)))))))))

[ThorsteinVeblen]

14. He is a real straightshooter who doesn't calculate against his opponents..

And this is the guy you want to go up against Rove?

You are insane.

Rove will chew this guy up and spit him out in pieces. It is like a Bull against a Gerbil.

Kucinich supports are totally out of touch with reality. We are not living in a Teletubbies program. We are living in a political war.

[Desertrose]

17. Ya know what...I really don't like to be called insane....

nor do I need your pronouncements that any & all DK supporters are out of touch with reality....

And yes, thanks, I am aware we are not living in a teletubbies program ( at least having never watched one myself, I assume we aren't..maybe you've been watching them a little too much though, Thorstein)

As for going up against Rove...what makes you so smugly sure things cannot be changed...that if bushco falls that some of his henchmen won't also fall??
That the American people aren't able to recognize truth IF & WHEN they hear it??

My reality is that your staying locked into the current belief mode just helps keep us all stuck there. I ask you...just because things haven't changed up to this point...do you believe that they won't or can't change?That perhaps there are different or better ways to go about changing and making the world a bit better than what has been tried and failed.

You obviously are not familiar with Kucinich, if you think of him as a gerbil. That is insulting to him and those who support him...its just absolutely ridiculous...as ridiculous as you telling me what reality is all about.

I always find this particular take on the ultimate version of reality interesting....

Peace
DR

[diamondsoul]

21. I have to say

I try very hard to take a lesson from Dennis on that. I try not to really bash Dean, which isn't easy for me because like some say about Dennis, Dean just rubs me the wrong way. I do NOT like him at all.

The thing is, though, I'm trying to support Dennis the same way he supports us. I'm trying to do the things I do as if I'm on paid campaign staff. I do things that show his stands on issues whenever I can. I use recycled paper to print flyers and such, use made in America shirts, stuff like that. No it's not easy, but nothing about this campaign was ever expected to be easy.

I watched him at the AFL-CIO debate. I loved the way he challenged Dean while still being civil and polite. "My good friend Dr. Dean..." tell me where is the attack in a statement that follows such a warm opening? He was polite and still managed to make his points. He was passionate without being vicious. He doesn't even attack Bush really, it's always "this administration".

He's ever the gentleman, and I try to speak for him the way he'd speak for himself.

I'd love to see him as Speaker of the House of he doesn't make it to the top. I'll be pretty depressed but knowing he's in a higher position will help I suppose. The way he talks it wouldn't surprise me if he tried again if he loses this bid.

[JackieO]

7. I love DK's record of beating "unbeatable" Republicans

It's a proven record. It can't be denied.

"Those trying to trivialize and marginalize Kucinich do the Democrats no favor."

[LWolf]

8. Me, too, Jackie!

That proven record debunks the "electability" thing, doesn't it?

[genius]

20. Bush would be the kind of incumbant Dennis normally beats

Based on his track record, I think he has the best shot of getting elected.

[dpbrown]

9. Great article!

I passed it along.

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota

[blm]

10. It's one of my favorites, so far...

I hope more people take the time to read it....thanks for kicking it. ;)))

[The Sushi Bandit]

11. All the way in 2004

Passion, conviction, & honesty

Fighting for the real american's

Dennis for President

[Thomas Jefferson]

12. Good comparison of Kucinich to RFK

I hope that Dennis has good security when he wins California.

[JohnKleeb]

15. and its on to Boston and lets hope we win there

the only difference would be we would not be crying the next day.
Go Dennis you got the power man. I dont understand when people say he plays "nice guy" hes been hammering the bastards for a while and unlike Dean he actually spoke at the rallies. RFK I admire too, same with Wellstone, if Paul hadnt died I would support a Wellstone/Kucinich ticket TJ I know you think the majority of Dean supporters here are asses but I know some of them well and to be honest they are kinda realists in a way, but
Wellstone/Kucinich would be great it cant happen so DK must carry the torch.

[Tinoire]

13. Terrific Article! I KNOW DK can do it!

I see the excitement in people's eyes when they find out what he's done, what he's doing and especially what he plans to do for America and Americans...

Peace!

I'm betting on Peace!

[genius]

16. Great article.

Just the kind of publicity we need.

[Albert Einstein]

22. I wan't born when Robert Kennedy was alive but...

Dennis's campaign is like everything I've read about RFK's. I think the President he will most be like will be JFK. Let's elect him.

[LWolf]

23. I agree. Let's elect him.

:toast: