Seriously, if Gore doesn't run, how can we catapult Kucinich to frontrunner?

[diva77]

n/t

[MonkeyFunk]

1. Kill off

every other natural-born citizen over the age of 35.

[LeftCoast]

2. ROFL

OMG

You owe me a keyboard!

[emilyg]

4. LOL

[silverojo]

19. Nasty...but funny

If Dennis hadn't gone around doing his "no strings" dance, someone might be able to take him seriously.

Too bad, too, because he has a lot of good ideas. :(

[sendero]

28. That's one...

.... of about 2 successful strategies. The other would involve mass brainwashing.

[SaveElmer]

63. LOL...

:rofl:

[trashcanistanista]

72. No don't do that!

I am uuhm.. over "50" and so are many of my Dem Club members. We are rabid Kucinich supporters! Find another tactic please.

[ShortnFiery]

3. Could you explain your comment in more depth?

It does not make any sense to me, as is. :shrug:

Please elaborate?

[diva77]

5. News broadcasts always include candidates with high poll numbers but

exclude superior candidates such as Kucinich -- was just trying to brainstorm and have serious discussion as to how to make Kucinich into a candidate in the "top tier"

[ShortnFiery]

6. I'm getting the impression that there's some "tongue-in-cheek" action going on?

OK, I get it ... I think.

[diva77]

7. my post is serious. I think there are people posting comments to

deflect from the seriousness.

[ShortnFiery]

9. Alright then, I believe you.

Unfortunately, IMO our Corporate Media will boast and cheer lead for the Candidates that "the suits" in the Ownership Offices TELLS THEM TO PROMOTE.

Al Gore would make an excellent President but "the media" would eat him alive, i.e., swift boat attacks. Therefore, IMO, Al Gore will not run for President and I don't blame him. :shrug:

Until we reverse media-consolidation within our beloved USA, we are destine to continue this increasing march toward FASCISM, i.e., the merging of government and corporations into one entity. :scared:

[Capn Sunshine]

77. whose tongue and whose cheek is the question

:nuke:

[DemBones DemBones]

8. Let's hope the American voters are not buying what the media is

selling and will surprise them as they did in the 2006 mid-term elections. Kucinich was great at the AFL-CIO forum, maybe that will be reflected in the next polls.

But a lot of people aren't paying serious attention now. Clinton has always polled high because of name recognition, Obama is starting to have that sort of name recognition.

It would help if Kucinich had more money, of course.

[ShortnFiery]

10. I sent money to Obama but I'm seriously considering casting my vote for Kucinich

in the Primaries. If HRC has all but been anointed, I am beginning to believe that I should vote my convictions 100%.

IMO, many Democrats believe in Kucinich's message and positions BUT won't vote for him because they fear that he can't win the nomination. :(

At this point, I feel so dejected and depressed that I probably will vote my conscious 100%. To hell with *strategy* when it's the ninth inning, bases loaded and two outs. :shrug:

[diva77]

11. Edwards had been my #1 choice 'til I read up on Kucinich

Kucinich is the only uncompromised, squeaky clean, experienced guy running so far with a detailed plan that I can feel good about

-- I long to vote my convictions 100% and have that person become the next prez --

[goodgd_yall]

65. Feeling and thinking the same way

Edwards or Kucinich, Edwards or Kucinich...I mean as far as my primary vote will go. Kucinich is the only one who truly has my interests at heart.

[DemBones DemBones]

13. The media and the party, sad to say, want us to think Kucinich is

unelectable. I don't know why people would vote for someone else in the primary if they think Kucinich has the best positions on the issues -- just to be "on the winning team"???

There IS no workable strategy so far as I can see when CNN is already talking about a Clinton Coronation. I think we're going to be stuck with Hillary, like it or not, just like we were stuck with Kerry. It's not the will of the people, it's a back room set up with elections to make us think we have a voice.

[tekisui]

29. He is ELECTABLE. If we ELECT him.

[Totally Committed]

32. My feelings now -- exactly!

After his performance at the debate the other night, I am convinced we just need to get enough people behind him. I don't know how we'll do it, but I think it will only happen (if at all) if Gore decides not to run. Even I will support Gore if he throws his hat into the ring, at this point.

TC

[RFKJrNews]

33. Queen Hillary?

Oh nooooo! say it isn't so!!!!!

to answer your original question (a damn good one, I might add):
"how do we catapult Kucinich to the top tier?"

My idea? Get him to bring Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on as his running mate.

Would bring Dennis the name recognition and media appeal he needs to help put him over the top. A progressive dream ticket, yes, but one with crossover appeal to many libertarians, independents, and moderate Democrats who would normally be afraid to support Kucinich but would vote for a Kennedy.

Kennedy/Kucinich or Kucinich/Kennedy - the order of the ticket doesn't matter so much, either way, America wins!



*Please SIGN THE PETITION to draft RFK Jr. to run for the White House:
http://RFKin2008.com

[NYCGirl]

39. Declare a running mate BEFORE you win the Primary? HUH? NT

[RFKJrNews]

48. Of course not

This is going on 2 assumptions:

1) that RFK jr. enters the race
2) that either Kucinich or Kennedy win a few primaries

only then would it be feasible to consider teaming them up.



* Please SIGN THE PETITION to draft Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for President at http://RFKin2008.com

[NYCGirl]

49. They have to be the nominee FIRST. NT

[Bryn]

53. Yes he is electable

Because I am voting for him :kick:

[DemBones DemBones]

78. I agree. Convincing others is the problem. nt

[treestar]

12. Find a way to make the MSM uncool

Get out the word that only morans get their news only from the MSM. Get people to realize how it manipulates them and get them angry at it for doing that.

[AndyTiedye]

15. I'll Vote for Kucinich. Everything's Decided By the Time California Gets to Vote Anyway

Unless Gore gets in, of course.

[Hippo_Tron]

21. Not anymore, California is going on February 5th Ultra Tuesdaay

That is the day that our nominee will likely be picked.

[ShortnFiery]

17. Excellent suggestion!

:applause:

You know, in a way, the M$M is doing that to themselves in a BIG WAY. They have dumbed down news to such an extent that it is truly mindless. Plus when you have the ultra-wealthy OWNERS making all the programming decision, they can't help but TANK the RATINGS. There's no quality and creativity in much of the news (and entertainment) industry because increasingly it's "the suits" and not "the talent" that helps to guide production and programming.

IMO increasing numbers of Americans are becoming disenchanted with the ENTIRE M$M.

BTW - for example: new programming is a brain-dead "T and A" reality show called "Bounty Girls." Give me a break! :rofl:

Hope springs eternal. :hi:

[bluestateguy]

14. Kucinich might want to aim for 5% first

He has never polled above 3% in any national poll in two runs for the presidency.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

40. He got 17% in Minnesota, despite an attempted media blackout

and did well in about six other states, despite a combination of ignoring and ridicule in the MSM, as long as there was a group of ambitious volunteers doing guerilla marketing.

[NYCGirl]

42. Was that before or after everyone else dropped out except Kerry?

I don't remember.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

50. The volunteer effort started in August of 2003 or even earlier

(August was when I joined). We leafletted the Minnesota State Fair, people freeway blogged, wrote letters to the editor, pressured newspapers and TV stations for coverage, went door to door, sent groups down to Iowa, set up phone banks, held house parties, you name it.

By the time the Minnesota caucuses rolled around, Kerry and Edwards were the only other candidates still in the race. (Edwards dropped out while my caucus was in session, as we found out later.) A local party hack told us that voting for anyone other than Kerry was "a waste."
I got up and said that the caucus was my one chance to express my true opinion and that I wasn't going to "waste" it by voting for my third choice.

In my caucus, Kucinich got 20% of the vote. He averaged 27% in the Twin Cities and actually won some precincts.

One of his best showings in Iowa came in a county that the Minnesota group had "adopted."

[NYCGirl]

51. So that was only against Kerry and Edwards. NT

[Lydia Leftcoast]

54. "Only" against Kerry and Edwards?

That's who was left for most of the campaign. Most of the rest dropped out after either Iowa or New Hampshire.

[Apollo11]

16. If Gore and Clark would both endorse Kucinich

Then I guess that might help to push up his poll numbers.

But it still wouldn't help him overcome the prejudice against shorties.

Just sayin' it how I see it ...

[ShortnFiery]

18. But remember: After Gore supported Dean, the M$M went after him with a vengence? nt

[Apollo11]

20. Dean flunked the primaries

starting with the Iowa caucuses.

Other candidates performed better: Kerry, Edwards, Clark

Dean took a lot of heat for not supporting the "liberation" of Iraq.

I don't think Gore's endorsement made much of a difference either way.

[goodgd_yall]

58. A Gore endorsement would really help n/t

[Yukari Yakumo]

22. Nothing that can be done.

If he ever approaches Edwards-like numbers, someone's spin machine will make sure that Kuch's past and his past statements are brought to the spotlight. When that happens, he will get eviscerated at the polls.

You have to examine the good with the bad. Unfortunately for Kuch, his bad way outweighs the good, especially in the eyes of the average American. In case you haven't noticed, the frontrunners' past are always brought under the microscope. That really hasn't happened yet with Kuch.

[penguin7]

41. Kucinich's past is more plus than minus

Kucinich's past is out there. He was derided for years as the mayor that sent Cleveland into default. But the banks and corporate interests did this to force Kucinich into selling Muny light.

Kucinich's story is far more damning of the corporate media than Kucinich. It is now pretty clear that he did the right thing in refusing to sell Muny Light.

[Progressive Friend]

23. Well he was quite popular at the AFL-CIO debate

There are ways to help get the message out: donate to the campaign and become active in the PDA (Progressive Democrats of America).

http://www.dennis4president.com/

http://www.pdamerica.org/

Out of Iraq, NAFTA and the WTO!

[katmondoo]

24. Kucinich doesn't have a base

Without a backing he won't make it nor can he be an effective president. Talk is one thing but you need help to impliment your ideas.

[Hollow Shells]

66. Wouldn't you support him if he won?

Who here would turn their back on him if he won?

[cleveramerican]

25. Vote for him?

[Tesha]

31. That's our plan here in the still-early-primary state of New Hampshire. (NT)

[goodgd_yall]

59. What are you doing to try to make that happen?

Curious about your strategy.

[Tesha]

61. We've...

We:

o Have donated (a pretty good chunk of change),

o Will try to work with the campaign as best we can,

o Will likely vote for Dennis in the NH Primary,
especially if it's headed for a blow-out for one
of the media-favoured flavours.

Tesha

[goodgd_yall]

67. LIkely vote?

I would like to vote for him in the primary, but I might decide to do some strategic voting on behalf of Edwards. When you say likely vote, is that contingent on whether Gore steps in?

[Tesha]

71. More specifics...

If Gore steps is, the Tesha family are Gore voters
for damned sure. Gore's "okay" on his policies
(that is, "satisfactory", even if not as good as
Kuch), but the POLITICS of the situation, of having
the Republicans being forced to face the man from
whom they stole the election of 2000, would be
deliciously irresistible to us.

Also, if it's a very close race and we actually like
one of the front-runners (right now, of Hilarack Edwards,
we don't), we might cast pragmatic votes to try to push
that person "over the top".

But failing either of those situations, Kuch gets the
votes.

Tesha

[peace frog]

26. "Seriously"

Impossible.

[billyoc]

27. I believe with the right strategy, he could do it. Something like:

[MadHound]

30. Kucinich is catapaulting his own campaign

Unlike his '04 run, Kucinich is slowly but surely picking up momentum and support. As more and more people become tired of more of the same ol' same ol, they're looking around for a candidate who is different, whom they agree with. Thus, Kucinich's stance on the issues looks like the correct place to be, and he's drawing in support, quietly but steadily. This whole business reminds me of how McGovern got the nod in '72. People were fed up with politics as usual and actually voted their conscience, or for the issues and McGovern won the nod. The trouble is that the Democratic party abandoned McGovern after the nomination, leaving him to sink or swim on his own. The Democratic leadership was ready to lose the election simply because they didn't want to support a candidate who represented the people.

The same could very well happen to Kucinich this election. I can actually see him winning the primary race, getting the nomination, and then being abandoned by the party. God forbid that the Dems support a candidate who is consistently right and actually supports the ordinary person, the supposed base of the party.

[RFKJrNews]

34. Absolutely right, Madhound!

I fear the same thing...the Dems would abandon him when he needs their support the most. UNLESS he teams up with a running mate they can't resist.

Frankly, I fear his own party's treatment of him more than I fear the mainstream media's attempted attacks on his character or his past.

They attack every candidate, it comes with the dinner of running for office, and no one has squeaky clean laundry. Repeat. *No one*.

Do Americans really expect their candidates to all be choirboys (or choirgirls)? Would we only vote for a nun or a monk for President?

A look at recent history (the past century) would indicate that Americans have no problem voting for candidates with far deeper problems than any Kucinich may have. He actually looks a lot "cleaner" than most.

go Dennis!


* Please sign the petition to draft RFK Jr. to run for the White House:
http://RFKin2008.com

[Freddie Stubbs]

45. What evidence is that that he is doing better than in 2004?

Is he raising more money? Is he doing better in the polls?

[beastieboy]

35. I like Kucinich's positions, but the guy is a nutjob.

I'm surprised he hasn't pulled out crystals and started chanting during the debates. The guy is not mainstream. He would never be a legitimate candidate.

[New Earth]

37. sure

ok :eyes:

[Bryn]

55. no nuttier than worshipping invisible sky father and

believing in mythology of parting of red sea, virgin birth, dying god, walking on water, etc. Nothing but a myth upon other myths. But Christianity is clearly acceptable by general population as true. At least Dennis has a mind of his own and doesn't easily suckered by those TV preachers' screeching and asking for money then turn around to buy mansions.

[beastieboy]

70. I'm an atheist, I couldn't care less what he believes.

I'm just talking about being a viable candidate. An atheist or a new age person is not getting elected.

[BigDDem]

36. First he needs to

bring his chakras into alignment. Before each debate he should use
visualization and affirmation to ensure a positive outcome.
In addition he should get a pre-debate reiki session in a pyramid.

[RandomKoolzip]

46. I'm pretty sure some candidates pray before debates.

And everyone knows that prayer is totally un-goofy and un-futile, too. :eyes:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

38. Vote for him in your caucuses and primaries no matter what the

MSM and local party hacks say.

Tell all your friends to do the same.

[penguin7]

43. The early primary packing is really going to hurt Kucinich

I am really angry about it. Am I the only one?

[AnotherGreenWorld]

47. He'll do basically the same as he did in 2004.

He stands a better chance in more liberal states like California, Oregon, and Washington state anyway. Didn't he actually get 3rd in one or two states in 2004 with a pretty significant portion of the vote?

[Ethelk2044]

44. Have all the Kucinich supporters to start sending emails to the MSM and push

for them to stop pushing candidates. They should only report the news. They should not try to make up the news no matter who the candidate is. The more of a push back they get from voters the more they will listen. Just remind them we do not need another FAUX news channel

[Bake]

52. You could try convincing more than 3% of Democrats to vote for him.

That would do it.

And monkeys might fly out of my butt....

Bake

[BigDDem]

56. But wait....havent you heard?

Everyone not for DK has been "brainwashed" by the "MSM."

[Bake]

64. Actually, I thought it meant I wasn't a "true Democrat"

There seems to be a lot of that "ideological purity" stuff floating around here lately (e.g., "My Message to ... Democrats"). Purge time.

Oh, the Koochites might try getting their candidate a shirt that fits, too.

Bake

[ripple]

57. Going from Gore to Kucinich is quite a leap

Other than their environmental positions, they really don't have much in common.

[goodgd_yall]

60. But for Gore the environment is a number one concern, right?

So get him to endorse the candidate who has the environment as one of his top concerns too.

[Throd]

62. With some rubberbands and a large soup spoon

[Ninga]

68. Sadly, I haven't seen a lot of political courage from Gore. Not in 2000 nor at a time, more than

ever, this country needs a strong, and courageous leader.

As I posted earlier today.......

If not now? When?

There is no magic in tomorrow.

Either he has the vision and passion, or doesn't. No matter what, it does no good for this country to have his wisdom sitting on the sideline.

[Douglas Carpenter]

69. If one REALLY wants to help the Kucinich campaign...PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS!! RIGHT NOW!!

I'm not addressing those who don't support Congressman Kucinich and don't agree with his agenda.

I'm talking to those who DO support Mr. Kucinich and/OR agree with his agenda.

Put your money where your mouth is...

you can do it RIGHT NOW on DU/Act Blue.

It's very fast. It's very easy. Do it now!

link:

http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/12518

Some are supporting Congressman Kucinich because they strongly believe he can win. Others are supporting him because they support his agenda (or at least most of it) and want those issues brought to the center of public debate. But whatever your reason Mr. Kucinich does not have the funding of the top-tier candidates. But small donations add up very fast. That's how the Dean campaign became a significant force in 2004.

So whether or not you are convinced that Congressman Kucinich could possibly win...if you want the issues Dennis Kucinich brings to the public square, if you believe his message of Strength through Peace is important, that single-payer universal health care is important, if you believe American needs fundamental changes; his campaign needs a lot more money then it has in its coffers now. He won't be getting a whole lot from the corporate lobbyist and their special interest... so ...PLEASE DONATE NOW ! you can do it RIGHT NOW on DU/Act Blue.

It's fast. It's very easy. Do it now! I did...just a few minutes ago

link:

http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/12518

---------



Congressman Dennis Kucinich on the issues:

http://www2.kucinich.us/issues

.

[Lucinda]

73. In an age of TV soundbites and the "it factor"

I honestly dont think that DK "pops" and that may be shallow, but I think it is a factor - which is unfortunate, because he strongly reflects my views

[trashcanistanista]

74. Seriously?

I think if impeachment proceedings began, and the media followed the impeachment proceedings like they did with Watergate, people would be so sick of all of them and vote their anger for DK in the spirit of "throw all the bums out". What the American public doesn't know will sicken them, in a bipartisian way, of course. That may be why impeachment is off the table.

[Perky]

75. With some rope and a Trebuchet ?

[EndElectoral]

76. Right now I am voting for Kuccinich rather than who the media is telling me to vote for.