How did you find out about Kucinich?

[ThirdWheelLegend]

On Edit: Thread inspired by JohnKleeb :), so we didn't highjack the Dean thread.. :)

So how did you find out about Dennis John Kucinich? Also if you support him, when and why did you start?

For me it was fairly easy. I have lived in Cleveland most of my life. So I had heard of Kucinich long ago. When did I start supporting Kucinich? I have always admired him. He has always fought for the people. He worked hard to save jobs at LTV Steel in Cleveland. He worked hard to save hospital jobs. He nearly sacrificed his career to keep Muny Light publicly owned. What made me begin to support Kucinich for President happened before he had even thrown his hat into the ring. It was the "Prayer for America" speech that he gave in CA. in February 2002.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_01/02.23C.Kucinich.Prayer.htm

or here

http://www.kucinich.us/speeches/speech1.htm

here is just a small portion:

---------------------------------------

"Because we did not authorize the invasion of Iraq.
We did not authorize the invasion of Iran.
We did not authorize the invasion of North Korea.
We did not authorize the bombing of civilians in Afghanistan.
We did not authorize permanent detainees in Guantanamo Bay.
We did not authorize the withdrawal from the Geneva Convention.
We did not authorize military tribunals suspending due process and habeas corpus.
We did not authorize assassination squads.
We did not authorize the resurrection of COINTELPRO.
We did not authorize the repeal of the Bill of Rights.
We did not authorize the revocation of the Constitution.
We did not authorize national identity cards.
We did not authorize the eye of Big Brother to peer from cameras throughout our cities.
We did not authorize an eye for an eye.
Nor did we ask that the blood of innocent people, who perished on September 11, be avenged with the blood of innocent villagers in Afghanistan.
We did not authorize the administration to wage war anytime, anywhere, anyhow it pleases.
We did not authorize war without end.
We did not authorize a permanent war economy."

-------------------------------------------------

I read this speech the week following and the first thought I had was, "I wish he would run for President."

Someone was saying all the things that needed to be said and asking the questions that needed to be asked. And believe it or not this person was actually a member of our federal government. When Kucinich decided to run, the decision to support him was easy.

So share your story...

TWL

[JohnKleeb]

1. aight ya listened to my idea TWL :)

I first found about him here I think, I think I saw his name with Cythina McKinney back last fall. I really didnt have a candiate when I chose him after reading he was about repealing the Taft-Hartley act, although I leaned Dean, I happily chose him and have been happy ever since. I dont have much money being only a 16 year old kid but I have invested my heart in to his campaign, I really like what he has to say. That said, hes one of the best we got.

[politicat]

2. A Salon Article nearly a year ago, now....

I remember reading it and going, " Jeez, I don't trust a damn one of them."

CAVEAT: This is not flame bait - this is a serious concern that I have, and several others, including members of the Democratic Caucus here in Colorado, have. I respect the man... except on 2 issues. But those may be deal-breakers.

Kucinich had not reversed his position on abortion at that time, and I cannot in conscience vote for anyone who would make a medical procedure that affects only half of the population illegal. (My issue is that it's not government's place to get involved and it places an unfair burden on a specific sector of the population.)

I liked everything else about him, but that. I still don't trust his reversal and have issues with the fact that he has been reported as stating that religion should influence public policy. (This again is a private issue. No two people share the same religious beliefs, ethics, morals, and practices. Though there may be a great deal of commonality, the "devil's in the details." Thus, I strongly believe in a big, tall, thick, strong wall of separation.)

If he gets the Convention nod, I'll vote for him. But he needs to come out here and convince the remaining 2nd generation feminists and the progressive 3rd generation feminists that he's not going to throw our bodies to the RReich as a bone and tell the secular humanists, separationists, ethical culturalists, etc that when it comes time to make a decision like whether to sign the Partial Birth Abortion Ban or not, that he'll send it back as bad law and remind congress that they need to stay out of the Doctor's office.

I don't dislike him, and I agree with him wholeheartedly on foreign trade, foreign policy, and constitutional matters. But there's this little nagging part, the area of the brain that processes faster without words that says, "hold on. Don't back anyone yet."

Politicat (who wishes she could articulate that nagging feeling better....)

[ThirdWheelLegend]

3. Here is some help...

You trust Salon? :P

Anyway start here.

http://www.kucinich.us/issues/rightsreproductive.php

"I support Roe v. Wade and a woman’s right to choose, and will select Supreme Court justices who affirm this Constitutional right."

"I’ve had a journey on this issue that a year ago, before I became a candidate for President, caused me to break from a voting record that had not been pro-choice. After hearing from many women in my own life, and from women and men in my community and across the country, I began a more intensive dialogue on the issue. A lot of women opened their hearts to me. That dialogue led me to wholeheartedly support a woman’s right to choose.

I have come to believe that it’s not simply about the right to choose, but about a woman’s role in society as being free and having agency and having the ability to make her own decisions. That a woman can’t be free unless she has this right."

snip>>>

more to that statement... He took nearly two years off voting on the issue.., He passionately spoke on the floor of the House against the "PBA" ban(I hate that term also).

here is a special note from Lila Garrett at the end of this statement:

"Note from Lila Garrett
"For a very long time many of us tried to convince Dennis Kucinich to run for President. He made his decision in his own way, thoughfully, after much soul searching and meticulous analysis of the issues. I love the way his mind works. I have known Dennis for many years, during all of which he has stood for peace and patience. I watched him evolve on his position on Choice, for example, the way he listened to women -- really listened. The way he opposes the Bush administration's attempt to criminalize abortion. Dennis not only adamantly opposes the criminalization of abortion, he has come to support Choice not just with lip service, but with concrete programs to move it forward. He would fund abortions for poor women through Medicaid. He would make Roe v. Wade a litmus test for judicial appointments. Once he embraces a program, he doesn't just let it happen. He makes it happen." -- April, 2003

Lila Garrett is a writer/director who headed the Southern California Americans for Democratic Action, where Dennis unveiled his "Prayer for America." She has become the Southern California Chair of the Kucinich Campaign"

BTW: Many of the most vocal and well informed Kucinich supporters on DU are WOMEN. Just ask around. :)

-------------------------------------------

As for feminist trusting Dennis.

http://www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/feminists_4_kucinich/

" We are feminists who consider the Bush administration a danger to our country and the world, and see a regime change in 2004 as the highest political priority. Rather than waiting to hear what all the Democratic candidates have to say, then jumping on the bandwagon of the least offensive, we decided to make our own list of priorities and see who agrees with us. Here's our list: "

snip>>>

Here is a list of the original signers:

snip>>>

"Original Signers:

Barbara Ehrenreich, a political essayist whose most recent book is Nickel and Dimed: Surviving in Low Wage America

Angela Gilliam, professor and scholar of Black feminist anthropology and international feminism

Ynestra King, a writer and activist specializing in environmental, feminist, and disability issues

Gail Lerner, an organizer in the global women's movement, who has worked with several United Nations agencies and international NGOs in the U.S. and abroad

Grace Paley, a writer and peace activist whose works include Enormous Changes at the Last Minute, Later That Same Day, and Just as I Thought

Rosalind Petchesky, an international feminist activist and Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Hunter College and the City University of New York

Digna Sanchez, a Latina community activist in New York, president of the Aspirante Alumni Fellowship

Meredith Tax, a novelist, essayist and international organizer of feminist writers, whose books include Rivington Street and Union Square "
-------------------

As for the religous overtone thing. I don't see it. I think this is just a distortion. He often refers to the spiritual, not religious, there is a difference... as in the human spirit to achieve change. Oh, and by the way I am an atheist who supports Kucinich. As a matter of fact so are most of my friends who also support Kucinich.

Hope I could help some. There are people on DU that have alot more linkage available to give you more info

TWL

[REP]

4. As Much as I Respect Erhenreich

She voted for Nader in Florida in 2000, and later said she didn't realize that Bush would be as bad as he is {quoted in CJR, Nov/Dec 2003 issue} so you'll excuse me if I don't follow another one of her leads.

I first heard of Kucinich from Katha Pollitt's essay, Regressive Progressive? in The Nation. I didn't think much of him after reading the piece, and I think even less of him now. I won't go into why, as it is pointless to highlight the shortcomings of a candidate who isn't polling above 3%.

Not all DU women love Kucinich. I can name just as many who don't trust him and don't support him.

[tinanator]

28. polls?

http://www.univision.com/content/content.jhtml;jsessionid=AY5MWPM4N4BX2CWIAAOSFEYKZAABUIWC?cid=256899

http://www.wesh.com/news/2544616/detail.html

http://www.cam.cornell.edu/%7Esharad/election/index.php

http://www.allthink.com/cgi/read-forms.cgi?&&010&&27&&answer&&ip

http://www.theiowachannel.com/politics/2544616/detail.html

and conspicuously, this rather lopsided result

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/special/president/quickvote/frameset.exclude.1.html

spare me the buts. thanks in advance!

[politicat]

26. Thanks for the links.

I appreciate your giving me information.

As for Salon, I trust them as much as I trust any media source - read what they're saying, read what someone else is saying, and try to find out for myself. I'm a psychologist by training - I know what self-delusion means! *grin*

That said, I'm still not convinced. I need him to come here and start talking. The same is true for Clark (love to see him in a room full of software developers - the basis for the local economy - after tonight....). I've heard Dean; I'm okay but not convinced. I've heard Lieberman - Where did he get that Democrat suit.... Repuglican in Democrat's clothing? Kerry hasn't made it here and neither has Edwards. I want to hear them, too.

Since we don't get a primary, and the Caucus is late.... Colorado doesn't really count in determining who will be on the ticket, which is too bad. So I get to sit back and wait, unfortunately.

Politicat. (who is really quite respectful of them all, but really wants Jed Bartlet to win.... *grin*)

[diamondsoul]

5. March of this year.

*on edit-forgot to say how-

A friend of mine was reading my posts on another message-board and told me I sounded a lot like Dennis Kucinich. I'd never heard of him so she posted the link to the campaign site which was just barely up and running. Even with that he had more issue statements out there than any of the other candidates, easily navigated and simple to understand. I agreed with every single one of them.

I spent about an hour reading his position statements and signed up to volunteer on the spot.

The more I read hear and see of him, the stronger my support gets. He just plain speaks for me every time he opens his mouth.

[tinanator]

6. regardless of how

IF you have heard and/or seen him speak, you have to acknowledge the great disparity between his direct truthfulness, and the typical political fence walking and BALD FACED LYING practiced by the "favored", "electable", pro-status quo corporate fascism candidates who in some cases have already broken their campagn promises. I guess in their case, that means they are progressive. As a native American said, "Dennis is the only one who does not speak with forked tongue."
If that (and his detailed positive change campaign platform) isnt enough to secure your vote, than I can only assume you are happier living in the world of your television, believing what you are told (by TV heads and political myth makers), rather than dealing with reality such as it truly is. Fortunately, the majority of Americans are ready for real change, and Dennis Kucinich will provide it when the votes are finally counted. Anyone who holds a grudge against other Americans, big or small, for voting any way they chose in 2000, really doesnt believe in democracy, so, imho, their opinions are as faulty as their judgement.

[ThirdWheelLegend]

7. excellent

Great post tinanator.

"Anyone who holds a grudge against other Americans, big or small, for voting any way they chose in 2000, really doesnt believe in democracy, so, imho, their opinions are as faulty as their judgement."

well put...

and so I kick my own thread back to the top :)


TWL

[tinanator]

19. thanks!

let's win this one!

[King Coal]

8. He is a nice man

but alas, can he be elected? We can't afford to let Bush win.

[ThirdWheelLegend]

10. why not?

Because you will not vote for him? Honestly if we supposedly have all this support. If the Dems are strong. Why can't we elect a truly progressive DEMOCRAT. One who wishes to change this busted system we have.

http://www.kucinich.us/electable.php

"His Congressional district includes the suburb of Parma, Ohio, described as "one of the original homes of the Reagan Democrats." An Ohio daily calls it a "conservative Democratic district," which he carried by 74% in 2002. Being a success there may be a better predictor of national success than holding statewide office in a liberal stronghold like Vermont or Massachusetts."

snip>>>

"On the other side of the spectrum, no other candidate can attract disaffected voters, 3rd party voters and Ralph Nader supporters to the Democratic column like Kucinich. Across the country, Nader 2000 voters and Green Party sympathizers are joining his campaign, as are other 3rd party supporters.

It's been a long while since progressives and the Democratic base have been so motivated, and so angry -- over manipulation and deceit that began in the 2000 election and continued through the Iraq war (now finally catching up with the Bush team). No candidate can better tap into and mobilize the anger of the Democratic base than Kucinich, who has never wavered in his opposition, who has courageously led the way in exposing war manipulation, and who speaks with passion to the big issues that animate Democratic and progressive activists."

snip>>>>

----------------

But I guess we could just give up and nominate a centrist that will compromise with the right for 4-8 years. So in the end nothing changes and we end up further right once again. I do not have that defeatist attitude. This is the primaries. Why not vote for the best choice?

TWL

[Ficus]

12. Welcome and Yes

Welcome to DU oldtimer1942 :toast:

and yes, he can be elected. He's won over and over in his overwhelmingly Republican district. But that aside, it is my belief, that if we cannot win against W* with the mess in Iraq and a terrible economy with any of our candidates we have a serious problem. And even if he isnt "electable" he represents my views closest and therefore he's my candidate.

[redqueen]

9. I first heard of him right before the MoveOn primary.

I'm glad I did because my vote almost went to Dean.

I think it was an e-mail from his campaign via Democrats.com. In this mail, I was informed that Dr. Dean considered the pentagon budget untouchable. Also related was the fact that there was a candidate without such reservations about cutting the budget for wasteful programs from this agency which as 'lost track' of over a TRILLION dollars.

I voted for him in the primary, donated to his campaign, and have liked him more and more with each new statement he makes. on edit: Another amazing thing about him is that when looking into his record, there's remarkably little to recoil from. Conversely, his integrity shows throughout his career and that's something I'm not used to finding.

It's beyond 'refreshing' to have a candidate running for President who isn't beholden to interest groups and corporations. It's downright revolutionary, in my time at least, to have a candidate who is for the people first.

From breaking up monopolies, to addressing our addiction to oil, there is no comparison. :)

Go Kooch!
:yourock:

[Ficus]

11. I got into DK

when I realized what a difference between what Howard Dean was and what he said. I started to look for a new candidate last summer, and kept getting drawn back to Kucinich. He was only polling 1% or so at the time, but I didn't really care.

But overall I learned that I agree with him on my key issues, mostly standing up for civil rights abuses including voting against the USA PATRIOT Act I.

[spindoctor]

13. Article in The Nation (2?) years ago.

Title was something like "Could this be The One?".
He then caught my eye while supporting Barbara Lee. Next he was leading an anti-war campaign and speaking out against the war in front of the camera (in a time when this was considered political suicide).

When I heard about his plans to run for Presidency, I immediately went to his website, double-checked to see we were in relative agreement on the issues and signed up.

Too bad that he is unelectable.

[economic justice]

27. That was Studs Terkel

http://www.commondreams.org/views02/0419-01.htm

[Ksec]

14. Im from the Cleveland area so I knew him when he was the Boy Wonder

Always liked him.

[bobthedrummer]

15. It was through The Space Preservation Act of 2001/HR 2977

the original text was specific about "exotic weapons" but the portion of the Act in revised form had lost all that. Wow! Quite an eye-opener to me as a person that always keeps an eye on the militarist RW projects and high-tech superiority.
http://www.raven1.net/govptron.htm

[Mairead]

16. I read the transcript of his 'prayer' speech on prorev,

immediately reviewed his congressional website, and that did it for me. His website, like Bernie Sanders's, was all about real issues, not trivia. I instantly mailed him begging him to (a) re-think his stance on Choice and (b) stand for election in '04.

[veganwitch]

17. i dont even remember.

i remember hearing about dean in december and then sorta falling out with him in january or february.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

18. I heard about Clark first

Way way back in the dark days of the 2002 elections. I heard about Dean next, and I was confused about why Dean, the conservative-leaning centrist, pro-corporate governor was all of a sudden was the darling of the liberals.

I think it was DU that introduced me to Kucinich, and when I read his history of fighting privatizers, corporations, and his heroic vote against NAFTA along with Gephardt, I knew there were still REAL Democrats running :)

[Nikia]

20. I heard about him on DU

I know that we shouldn't just vote for the candidate that is most likely to win. I know that he has been successful in his district but he just reminds me of the idealistic candidate who ends up getting 30% of the vote because so many other people went with the typical politician. The higher the office, the harder it is to win without being a typical politician.

[LWolf]

21. I was introduced to him by

my good DU friend Desert Rose, last Jan/Feb, when I was beginning to look at primary candidates. I was leaning Dean, and had never heard of Kucinich.

I read his platform. I researched his history. And I've supported him ever since. Because he says and does what I think and believe about almost every issue.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

22. I was aware of him as a member of the Progressive Caucus

which I followed because of my admiration for Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio, another short, ordinary looking, approachable leftist who consistently wins over people who vote Republican otherwise.

When I moved to Minneapolis, I decided that I would go see every candidate who made an appearance that was open to the public. As luck would have it, Kucinich showed up two weeks after my arrival, so I drove over to St. Paul to see him. I had been varguely aware of his positions, but his speech and interactions with the audience blew me away.

Five or ten minutes into the speech, I was in tears. I never thought I would live long enough to hear a Democratic presidential candidates say things like this again.

I've been a Kucinich supporter ever since. Besides, as far as I know, no other Dem candidates have appeared here except in closed meetings with donors, although they may have held public rallies that escaped my notice.

[ThirdWheelLegend]

23. shameless I am

KICK my thread again! :)

[Zorra]

24. I dreamed about a candidate a long

time ago that believed in the same things that I do, that shared the same vision for America as me. A candidate that would stand up for the people against oppression, who would speak out for good things like peace and liberty and honest voting practices and all the other things that are important to a free democracy. A candidate that would stop the corporations from taking over the country. I didn't know the candidate's name or what the candidate looked like at the time.

Now I do, and the candidate is Special K. Dennis is a good man, he speaks from his heart and acts with wisdom.. It will be a sad thing for the US if he is not the next President.

[economic justice]

25. Draft Kucinich website

I knew about Kucinich, but finally learned a lot about him from the Draft Kucinich website. There is a small picture of the early website at the bottom of this page... http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2004/kucinich.html ......and an article that talks about it here.... http://truthout.org/docs_02/020603G.htm .... I saw the guy who ran the site on CNN and it was one of the first times I remember really thinking seriously about the 2004 campaign (about a year and a half ago). A lot of people don't know about this draft campaign which, while not spending a lot of money, drove thousands to contact Kucinich's congressional office and urge him to run. It was truly more grassroots than the Clark draft. I don't think the Kucinich draft story has received much attention, though it really should. To be perfectly honest, though I like Kucinich a lot, I have just recently decided to support Wesley Clark. But it was the draft Kucinich website that got my brain cranking about 2004.