Congressman Barney Frank endorses Dennis Kucinich

[sabrina 1]

CONGRESSMAN BARNEY FRANK FOR DENNIS KUCINICH IN OHIO’S NEW NINTH

Dear Friend,

I am pleased to express my support for Dennis Kucinich’s re-nomination/re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Dennis and I have worked closely on a number of issues. I am very appreciative of his strong support for an end to discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. And, we have been the most active in the House in arguing for a cause that is now getting the recognition it deserves – substantially reducing America’s military activity across the world, far beyond what is needed for our own defense, so that we can reduce our deficit in a responsible way without inflicting severe cuts on things that improve the quality of our lives.

Legislative bodies are very particular places, because members of a legislative body are not in a position to give each other orders, but are influential only to the extent to which they are respected by their colleagues. Dennis Kucinich is very much in the category of those who you can respect, not because he courts personal popularity, but because his fierce devotion to principle and his unbending integrity on the issues gets him the respect of virtually all of those with whom he serves. In a time when it is common for people to be suspect of the motives of elected officials, and to feel that they are too narrowly focused on their own self-interest, Dennis Kucinich’s unwavering determination to do what he thinks is right for the broad public good earns him a hearing from even those who disagree with him on broad issues.

I do not myself agree with Dennis on all issues, but I am proud to say that he and I have worked together on a broad range of the important matters coming before us, and I believe his is a voice that it is very important to keep in the House. I do not by this mean in any way to denigrate Congresswoman Kaptur. This is not a case where supporters of progressive principles have to choose between two people who both fall short of our ideals. It is, however, in my judgment a situation in which there is one candidate who has brought an extraordinary set of qualities to the House.

Dennis Kucinich’s presence in our national legislature is a very important example of how public policy ought to be addressed. I hope that the country – and progressives – can continue to benefit from that for years to come.

Congressman Barney Frank

Emphasis mine ~

Isn't there some way to keep both Marcy Kaptur, I absolutely love her, AND Dennis Kucinich?


I am glad Barney Frank has confirmed what many of us have always thought about Dennis Kucinich, that he is highly respected in Congress.

I have seen so many times, even on the left, people claiming he is unsuccessful. Never adding the fact that if he is, that reflects more on Congress and why we need to work hard to get enough members who will support people like Kucinich, rather than what we have now, mostly Corporate funded candidates.

[DonCoquixote]

1. I truly wish

Dennis would run for Senate. But them, he would have to deal with the world outside Cleveland, like his fried Sherrod Brown did.

[sabrina 1]

14. I think he may have decided that he could not raise enough money to run for the Senate

Not to mention the money that would be spent to stop him. He has a hard enough time just raising money for Congress. But I wish too that it was possible.

He doesn't get big corporate money and manages mostly with smaller donations.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=400227

MONEY & INFLUENCE

The top campaign contribution to Kucinich in 2007-2008 was $59,517 from employees of ActBlue. Dennis Kucinich’s net worth was between $2,004 and $32,000 in 2007, according to Kucinich’s mandated financial disclosure statements. For more information, see the Center for Responsive Politics’ page for Kucinich.

He doesn't have much personal wealth either.

Marcy Kaptur is more personally wealthy than Kucinich. I wonder if she could run for the Senate? I would love to see her and Elizabeth Warren both in the Senate.

[bigwillq]

2. K and R (nt)

[rhett o rick]

3. k&r

[Ikonoklast]

4. Kaptur over Kucinich ANY DAY OF THE WEEK.

Marcy Kaptur ACTUALLY GETS THINGS DONE.

[TheWraith]

6. Agreed. Kaptur any day of the week.

She much more embodies "speak softly and carry a big stick."

[sabrina 1]

10. She and Dennis have similar records of accomplishment in Congress.

However, Marcy has been in Congress since 1983 nearly 29 years, Dennis since 1997, nearly 15 years.

Here are both their records on sponsorship, getting bills out of committee and bills enacted:

Dennis Kucinich:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=400227

BILL SPONSORSHIP & COSPONSORSHIP

Dennis Kucinich has sponsored 113 bills since Jan 7, 1997 of which 108 haven't made it out of committee and 4 were successfully enacted. Kucinich has co-sponsored 3,239 bills during the same time period. (The count of enacted bills considers only bills, and not resolutions, actually sponsored by Kucinich and companion bills identified by CRS that were themselves enacted, but not if they were incorporated into other bills, as that information is not readily available.)

Marcy Kaptur:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=400211

BILL SPONSORSHIP & COSPONSORSHIP

Marcy Kaptur has sponsored 195 bills since Jan 6, 1987 of which 183 haven't made it out of committee and 3 were successfully enacted. Kaptur has co-sponsored 3,617 bills during the same time period. (The count of enacted bills considers only bills, and not resolutions, actually sponsored by Kaptur and companion bills identified by CRS that were themselves enacted, but not if they were incorporated into other bills, as that information is not readily available.)

And for comparison, Barney Frank who has been in Congress since 1987, nearly 25 years.

Barney Frank:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=400140

BILL SPONSORSHIP & COSPONSORSHIP

Barney Frank has sponsored 397 bills since Jan 6, 1987 of which 326 haven't made it out of committee and 19 were successfully enacted. Frank has co-sponsored 5,693 bills during the same time period. (The count of enacted bills considers only bills, and not resolutions, actually sponsored by Frank and companion bills identified by CRS that were themselves enacted, but not if they were incorporated into other bills, as that information is not readily available.)

As everyone knows, no one carries a bigger stick than Barney Frank and he wields it beautifully when it comes to Republicans.

What is really sad is we are going to lose at least two of these three great Democrats.

[ClassWarrior]

7. What really makes me laugh is when...

...someone's profile says, "THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK IN ORDER TO ANNOY YOU," yet that person is naive enough to think that grown adults will give him or her any sort of credibility.



That always cracks me up.

NGU.

[Ikonoklast]

12. Dennis got some Post Offices named.

That is about it.

[sabrina 1]

13. See post #10 if you want to see what he got done. More than many members

of Congress and in a much shorter period of time than others, and with a lot less money and lobbyists backing him up.

Eg, compare his personal wealth, found in the links I provided, his funders, to even many of the other good Dems, and one thing is clear, he is a man of the people.

Dennis is a great Democrat. We need a few hundred more like him.

[ClassWarrior]

16. Thanks for proving my point.

NGU.

[sabrina 1]

9. You need to check the Congressional Record.

I love Marcy Kaptur and it is a difficult choice between the two. But we've had this 'Dennis never got a bill passed' or whatever argument before. The truth is his record is about average. I'll be happy to post both of their records if anyone wants to see them. She endorses good bills, as does Dennis, but he actually pushes and co-sponsors more than she does.

[Wind Dancer]

5. K & R!

Wish we had more like Dennis Kucinich to represent us! I support him, too!

[sabrina 1]

11. He needs more like him in Congress in order to get his great, liberal ideas enacted into

law. There are a lot of real, progressive Dems running this year. I hope they get the support to be able to beat all the money that will be spent to stop them.

I wish we had hundreds like him, Marcy Kaptur and Barney Frank in Congress. The sad thing is two of them won't be there after the election

[OhioChick]

8. K&R n/t

[T S Justly]

15. Now, that's a progressive Democratic ticket. Say, what are you boys doing this year?

I know, supporting Obama.

[sabrina 1]

17. Dennis's letter of gratitude for Rep. Barney Frank's endorsement:

BREAKING NEWS: Barney Frank

Dear Friend,

We just received good news and I want to share it with you - progressive icon Congressman Barney Frank has endorsed our campaign!

I am pleased to receive such a powerful expression of support from Congressman Barney Frank. I have worked with Congressman Frank for fifteen years to challenge out-of-control military spending and to create an American economy which is focused on taking care of things here at home. Congressman Frank and I have worked side by side to endeavor to bring an end to discrimination of all kinds, including those which are based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

His support is an affirmation of our work in Congress for social and economic justice everywhere. I am very grateful to receive Congressman Frank's powerful words of encouragement.

You can read the whole letter by Congressman Frank here.

Please join in support of our campaign by donating right now -- $25, $50, $100 dollars -- and help us keep our campaign moving forward to victory.

Sincerely,

[upi402]

18. Maybe Kucinich will be allowed to play in Democratic games one day!

(Dennis was black-balled from Democratic Presidential nomination debates)

[sabrina 1]

19. He's always been ahead of the game, the country was being pulled to the right

for a long time. But things are changing fast as the American people are learning more about how the system has been working, NOT for them. So good Dems like Kucinich may have more of a chance to be heard because more people are paying attention. He has always fought for the people. It's up to us now though, to keep pushing for more Democrats like him, and to make sure people find out about them.