Why I will vote FOR Dennis Kucinich

[benburch]

I've said it before; I am a Kucinich man.

When I have some money to give, I send it to the Kucinich Campaign.

When I have some time to give, (not much in the last two months) I help out with the Kucinich campaign.

I will vote for Dennis Kucinich in the Illinois Primary.

Now, I am asked by people; "Why Dennis Kucinich? He is unelectable."

And my response;

I haven't heard a public speaker of Dennis' caliber in many years. I had thought that such people were no longer in public life. He says what he believes and he believes what he says. When he is in doubt on an issue he lets you know. He has a kindness and an intelligence that simply shines out at you.

And he is talking to what concerns me;

- The PATRIOT act and the destruction of the Bill of Rights.

- National health care that actually covers everybody.

- Protecting American jobs from competition with foreign workers who make a tiny fraction of what we would consider to be a living wage.

- Protection of the environment so that American civilization can continue for another 200 years.

- An Cabinet Department devoted to peace.

And my response to his being "unelectable"?

Well, if every person who has so far told me that they would support Dennis except for the fact that he is unelectable would actually get out and vot for him in the primary, and would say so to pollsters, he would be the front runner.

Folks, a Primary is not about figuring out who you think might win the primary, and voting for that person! A Primary is where you vote based on the issues, and your sense of who is a worthy person to carry on the traditions of Democracy.

Based on both of those points, there is nobody else in the race who even comes close to beating Dennis Kucinich.

I will vote for him.

And, I am asking you, please, go read his words and listen to his voice at http://www.kucinich.us/ and if he moves you, go out and vote FOR him in your local caucas or primary.

Dennis is only unelectable if YOU don't vote for him.

-Ben Burch
White Rose Society Webmaster
http://www.WhiteRoseSociety.org/

[corporatewhore]

1. I say that he is the only sane one running

I think freetrade (destroying american jobs and promoting SLAVERY) is radical
letting people die because they cant afford treatment is radical
continuing a barbaric and racist institution is radical
war is radical
you should check out this letter i was forwarded to day about why kucinich can win
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=116645

[Mairead]

2. Well said! Bravo! Excellent post.

DK is totally electable...if enough people want real change instead of more of the same old same-old.

[evil_orange_cat]

3. I like Kucinich... but...

what you want, and what you can get, or often two different things... while I would agree with a lot of what Kucinich would do, I don't feel he can win againt Bush.

I enjoy his presence in the primary, however... it's important to have as diverse a group as possible. But I feel that he is better as a Congressman than Democratic nomination.

Plus, I don't think we can pack it up and leave in Iraq as fast as he wants it. It's our mess, we should clean it up.

[benburch]

6. Getting What You Want...

Evil Orange Cat sayeth;

what you want, and what you can get, or often two different things... while I would agree with a lot of what Kucinich would do, I don't feel he can win againt Bush.

I really do think that Bush will be SO massively damaged by November that only by stealing the election can he again "win". And, if I could ask you, please, consider voting for him.

If Dennis is nominated, and if the people can finally hear Dennis speak, the election will be all over, and will will have won.

ANY Democrat we nominate will defeat Bush if the election is fair, and none of them can if it is not. So, please, and I ask you as a fellow American, vote with your heart on Primary day, not with your fears.

-Ben

[Nadienne]

12. I like him

but I'm afraid... The boogey man is so bad, and Kucinich is so short. The only way we can win is with a politician who is just as dirty a fighter...

How did this country ever lose its courage?

Sorry, evil_orange_cat. I realize how insulting I may seem. Sometimes I take my own courage for granted. I like to think I would have been one of those fighting for independence in the founding days of this country.

[spychoactive]

4. a friend of mine just expressed the same sentiment!

while i am persuasive, i need not be when it comes to Dennis Kucinich!

all it takes is for someone to actually delve into the man's hopeful message, then that message does all the work for me!

she expressed the frustration we all feel re: the "electable" tag

all of this groundswell here in PA, despite the fact that we have a late primary, this also speaks to the strength of the man's message

she also noted the positivity of Kucinich's supporters ( no nicknames ;) )

she's new here and quite the lurker

one love
spike

(hello bonnie and welcome aboard!)

[benburch]

8. He is truely a "Product that sells itself"

Every salesman's dream!

WHY do you think the media will not show him to you except where they control the questions and can cut him off for commercial breaks?

-Ben

[ThirdWheelLegend]

5. "not about figuring out who you think might win the primary"

"a Primary is not about figuring out who you think might win the primary, and voting for that person!"

That is the point that needs to be driven home. The primaries are when WE as Democrats choose the candidate that will represent us best on the issues, the candidate that has the most integrity and shows the most caring for the people of this country and the world.

When it is put like that, Kucinich is the obvious choice.

So in conclusion. Ben you rock! :)

Keep on keeping on.. whiterosesociety is a great site and cannot thank you enough for your work.

Side-note: Doesn't Mike Malloy also endorse DK?

TWL

[Rainbowreflect]

7. A coworker came in to my office Monday morning.

She told me she had heard Kucinch speak on TV over the weekend and had said to herself "Why would I not vote for this man?" " He is who we want and who we need, how could I live with myself if I voted for anyone else." So true.
Both she and I will support the dem candidate against bush no matter who, but until that time while settle for 2nd best?

[benburch]

9. Tell your co-worker...

... that a fellow she doesn't even know thanks her for that! :-)

[Rainbowreflect]

17. I gave her my last copy of "Prayer for America".

I passed them out to everyone on my Christmas list.

[Dhalgren]

10. Well said!

I tell everyone I can button-hole long enough why I support Kucinich. All you really have to do is frame you comments in questions, asking if these items make sense or are laudable. Then just run through the list of Dennis' talking points. Almost everyone strongly agrees with almost every point. I think that if you are a "liberal" and not ashamed of it, Dennis is your man.

[benburch]

11. Even if you are not "Liberal"!

What is "Liberal" about wanting the Bill of Rights?

What is "Liberal" about wanting Americans to have Jobs???

[Nadienne]

13. kick

for Kucinich and benburch

[no name no slogan]

14. My sentiments exactly -- I want to vote FOR somebody...

...not AGAIST somebody. Kucinich is the first person in a very long time who I can comfortably vote FOR.

I will vote AGAINST Bush in the GE, but while I still can I plan on voting FOR the person who says he wants to fix this country-- not just apply the occassional band-aid to the seething wounds.

[redqueen]

15. Treat the symptom or cure the disease?

That's what your band aid comment reminded me of.

Yes, any Democratic president will treat the symptoms. But you can die of a disease while treating the symptoms.

Will we wait so long to nominate one who will even address the cause of the symptoms that it's too late?

[Rainbowreflect]

18. I love the band aid picture.

This is how I feel.
As we teeter on the edge of disaster knowing bush would gladly push us over the edge. I believe any of the democratic candidates can build us a bridge to climb across, but Dennis Kucinich would give us wings to fly above.

[mmonk]

16. Good post Ben

Good salient reasons.

[sweetheart]

19. I'm voting for him too...

He is the right candidate for the job.

Dennis Kucinich rocks!! :)

[MuseRider]

20. Very nice post Ben!

I feel exactly the same way you do.

[Th1onein]

21. I was one of those "Kucinich is unelectable people"

Not anymore. I think the guy is a real hero, and I think that others are going to see that, too. I have stopped believing the propaganda of the mainstream media about Bush being unstoppable. Why not get rid of the idea that Kucinich is unelectable, too?

Kucinich is my guy.

[corporatewhore]

24. welcome to DU

:hi:

[MuseRider]

25. Welcome to the team

and welcome to DU! It is good to have you.

[no name no slogan]

29. Welcome!

Your post sums it up for most people, IMHO. I am SICK AND TIRED of voting "against" somebody instead of voting "for" somebody.

People are so filled with fear these days, they're almost unreasonable. Bush is sliding further and further each day, yet everyone is so worried that we have to run some sort of "moderate" because he'll be so tough to beat.

At the rate Bush is going, even Saddam Hussein will be able to trounce his @$$ in November. The man's popularity is heading south.

All we have to do is keep questioning his motives. Get our message out. Talk to the people. Tell them what's going on. It's that easy.

[AnAmerican]

22. A kick for the best candidate in the race

n/t

[Lydia Leftcoast]

23. Welcome aboard, Ben!

In the ninth presidential election for which I have been eligible to vote, I'm finally able to vote FOR someone instead of against the Republican.

I'm tired of Dems compromising before they have to.

[Clark4VotingRights]

26. He's a great man benburch. One of our best pols. By far.

eom

[LWolf]

27. It's universal.

Dennis Kucinich is the one. The best choice. The chance, finally, to vote FOR something.

You've expressed it so well...what seems to be a universal reaction to getting to "know" Dennis Kucinich.

He has my vote. And everything I've got to offer, for as long as he needs it.

[benburch]

28. Now the hard question;

How do we get more people to sit down and listen to him?

[LWolf]

30. That's the question, isn't it?

Because Dennis doesn't translate in soundbites. The real connection happens with just that; sitting down and listening to him.

Do local channels on cable companies have free/cheap time available? I don't know anything about it; I've been a satellite user for too many years. But those little local stations...could they be put to some use?

How do we get people to listen? More booths at more community events?

More letters to the editor? Full page adds in small local papers? People standing around on street corners chatting, and inviting passersby to join the conversation? What?

[leyton]

31. Good luck

Not a Kucinich supporter but over the past few weeks I have gained a lot more respect for his supporters than I once had. Kucinich is a good man, perhaps ahead of his time. Good luck!

[jsw_81]

32. Unfortunately for you, Kucinich has zero chance in 2004

It will be hard enough for a mainstream candidate like Dean, Edwards or Gephardt to beat Bush; if Kucinich got the nod Bush wouldn't even have to campaign and he'd still get 500+ electoral votes. That's just the way the political landscape looks this year. It may be far different in a ten years or so (maybe sooner), but in 2004 Kucinich is a non-starter as a presidential candidate. But go ahead and vote for him if it makes you feel better.

[benburch]

33. Like I said...

... he is only unelectable if you don't vote for him!

[ThirdWheelLegend]

34. how true Ben..oh and

KICK :)

TWL