Why don't you support Dennis Kucinich?

[cali]

[lligrd]

1. You Gave Me Nothing To Vote For

I think Kucinich has done everything right and I do support him.

[cali]

5. Well, this poll is for people who DON'T support him.

I was just curious as to the reasons. Much of what Dennis stands for and proposes would seem to be a good fit with the majority of DUers, yet I don't believe he's the favorite here.

[ProudDad]

69. Translation

this poll is bullshit flame bait...

Flame away, folks. The IP deserves it...

[cyclezealot]

6. His ideas are great, but imposbile. Thats' crazy talk.

But, I won't support the candidate who will impliment them. Stupid. That is the only way they will gain traction. Those who support DK, he needs another 50 K dollars before Oct 1. Please make your pledge to the only candidate who change America for the better. Six more years of war on Hillary's schedule, by then the country will be down the tubes.

[stimbox]

25. I sent him $50 yesterday.

This great nation needs Dennis. We can't take 4 more years of repuke or repuke-lite rule.

[MrMickeysMom]

20. Nor me, for same reason!

Donate before the end of today, everybody else!

:-)

[bpeale]

81. me either! there's nowhere for me to vote.

i like kucinich just fine & would support him if he was the nominee, but right now i am an edwards supporter.

[zeemike]

2. Well I voted for the first one but it is not true that I don't support him

He would be my first choice if he was in the running, but by time the primaries gets to me it has been largely settled as to who the nominee can be.
And it sucks that it is this way but the truth is that the MSM is the ones that say who can win and who cannot, because most of the electorate get there news from the MSM and so they largely know little about Kucinich and what he stands for.
So I can only sit back and hope it is Edwards, and settle for Obama and give up if it is Hillery But I will vote for Dennis if there is the slightest hope of making a difference.

[robcon]

3. I think his policies are laughable

Dept of Peace - a howler.
Wanting to legalize marijuana and ban cigarette smoking - a knee-slapper.

[Smarmie Doofus]

11. Ya... "Dept. of Peace": what a wacko! nt

[robcon]

54. Exactly.

Have you read his site to learn about his Dept of Peace? Stupidest idea I've ever heard in politics, if, that is, he wasn't making it all up as a joke.

[ProudDad]

70. Wow,

that's some good imitation of trolling, robber-con --


isn't rob-con some kind of new neo-con?

[HughBeaumont]

80. AH . . . Mr "Offshoring is good news and great for the economy"!

All I see is "Ignored".

[Naturyl]

66. Ummm...

Dude, smoking kills 400,000 a year, while marijuana kills zero. I don't smoke weed myself, BTW. I just recognize the clear difference in danger levels.

And I see nothing wrong with a "Department of Peace." Sure, it may sound a bit silly to our American ears, but whose fault is that? Corporate media, anyone?

[izzie]

4. He is a good Dem. but as I am listed as a Green I see he has a

problem. Nader has some great thoughts also. What the parties have usually done is grab these things and made them their own and into their parties but some thing seem to have gone wrong. The Dem. seem to have picked up the GOP Right Wing war stuff in place of what I like any how. Or it did when it gave Bush the right to do this nutty thing of war in the Middle East. And NAFTA may have been a father Bush thing but why did Clinton sign it as it was? Crazy stuff like that seems to have got to large in the Dem party and this man can hardly fight it.

[Smarmie Doofus]

7. He can't win but I'm glad he's running.

Keeps the big boys... and girl... honest and keeps 'em from drifting too far to the right.

[cali]

9. I don't think he has the slightest impact on the "big boys.... and girl"

but I too am glad he's running, just because some of his positions get a little bit of notice.

[glowing]

8. Where's the I do... unelectable is bs... that's like saying America

is truly lost, and our corporate masters really do own us.

[cali]

10. It's not a poll for people who do support him.

And yes, he's unelectable and no it's not as simple as corporate ownership, though that's a component. Want to know something that bothers me about Dennis, even though I like quite a few of his ideas? He doesn't play well with others and he hasn't demonstrated leadership in the House. He doesn't write legislation or work to get it passed. Compare his tenure in the House with Bernie's, and ask yourself who was more effective re legislating change for working people.

[provis99]

12. Bernie isn't a Democrat. Why discuss him here at DU?

Only Democrats count, not commie-socialist Soviet apologists like Sanders.

[cali]

13. You're kidding, right? n/t

[cyclezealot]

14. That is likely why the did not post a for Kucinich option.

Like all DLC types, they are impressed by party hacks and no matter even if certain types would continue Bush policies, that's ok as long as it's by Democrats. Please watch the following Largest majority video of the last Democratic debate. If not for Kucinich, i'd see no reason to get at all excited by the other poseurs. What a bunch of has beens. DK is the only one who knows up from down.

http://www.jwharrison.com/blog/2007/09/27/new-hampshire-democratic-debate/

[cali]

16. Care to address the points I made about

his lack of leadership in the House? No? I thought not. As I said, really like some of his ideas, but I don't think even if he was elected he'd be a remotely effective President.

[cyclezealot]

17. If you watched his chairmanship of Waxman's subcommitte.

There is real leadership. Real bravery. Besides, where you been. Ever since he's been in Congress, except this past year; the GOP has ruled. Republicans don't allow consideration of Democratic sponsored legislation. No Democratic bill has been enacted since 1992. His leadership sure beats Hillary's leadership when it comes to issues like Kyl Liebermann. No thanks. we can do without that. Besides, you don't need to hassle me about lack of Kucinich leadership. The current Democratic Congress enjoys a 11 % approval rating. I say we need DK to uphold Democratic values, not the current crowd that brought us down to less than 20% approval.

[cali]

18. More like where have you been?

During the years the repukes were in power, Bernie Sanders got more of his amendments passed than any other member.

From an article in Rolling Stone

Sanders is the amendment king of the current House of Representatives. Since the Republicans took over Congress in 1995, no other lawmaker -- not Tom DeLay, not Nancy Pelosi -- has passed more roll-call amendments (amendments that actually went to a vote on the floor) than Bernie Sanders. He accomplishes this on the one hand by being relentlessly active, and on the other by using his status as an Independent to form left-right coalitions.
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/7539869/four_amendments__a_funeral

That's what effective legislating looks like. Something that Dennis hasn't shown he can do.

and you ask where I've been?

bzzzt. Try again.

[cyclezealot]

27. wow. America's most successful Congress member.

Bernie Sanders' the socialist who supports Kucinich's Health Care plan. He is so influential, why not then did Sanders not get Kucinich's health care plan passed , even with a Hastert- Bush government. Not dissing Sanders, I like him too. But still. It's only amendments , not hardly broke the back of the Bush regime.

[cali]

34. I'm simply saying one thing: Bernie was a successful

legislator in the House, who forged alliances wherever he could, in order to advance legislation. Dennis was not a successful legislator.

And anyone who says "only amendments" doesn't know much about legislation in the House.

[cyclezealot]

35. bet you your bernie would be more pleased to

cast his vote for Kucinich than many of those other jokers.

[cali]

41. I bet he wouldn't

Bernie will likely support Obama. That's a pretty well known in Vermont.

[cyclezealot]

45. I know, He is not captive to the Democrats.

But with his orations against lousy trade deals and Single Payer, I damned well know he would. That is why I like both Bernie and Dennis Kucinich. Their similarities it's like they are Siamese twins when it comes to issues.

[Naturyl]

67. I can't imagine why Sanders would support Obama

Very odd. I'm a huge Bernie fan, and I don't know why he would be behind anybody but Kucinich. Maybe he just figures Kucinich has no chance and he'd better settle for Obama from the start to avoid switching later. In terms of the issues, it's inconceivable that Bernie would favor Obama over Kucinich.

[cyclezealot]

74. So has Bernie endorsed anybody.?

I doubt he will. On trade and Healthcare he is in sink with Kucinich. Not being a Democrat, I doubt Bernie would feel it incumbent to endorse anyone. Trade and health care a huge with Bernie, why would he endorse someone who is not on the same page. I really don't think so . He'd do nothing first before he'd not endorse Kucinich. Politicians like Bernie care about issues, not personalities. now if Obama endorses the COnyers- Kucinich healthcare bill, that dynamic would likely change. Don't think Obama has or will do such.

[cali]

84. I don't know if he will come out and support Obama but

he's shown up at VT fundraisers for Obama and hasn't done that for anyone else. Bernie will absolutely support the dem nominee, and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he did support Obama within the next couple of months.

[cali]

82. No it's not inconceivable

Bernie and Dennis are very different.

From Seven Days:

<snip>

In addition to the outpouring of funds from Vermont voters, the state’s federal lawmakers also spoke in support of Obama, with senior Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) stopping just short of an official endorsement. Speaking in the Stetsons’ driveway, Leahy maintained that he and his congressional colleagues don’t take “formal positions” on presidential candidates at such an early stage in the race, but conceded, “Half of my campaign staff is working for him.”

Vermont’s two other congressmen also expressed glowing admiration for Obama. Congressman Peter Welch (D-VT), for instance, said the Illinois senator “represents hope and change.” Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) called him “a wonderful guy and a great speaker.”

<snip>

http://www.sevendaysvt.com/nc/columns/local-matters-news/2007/obamas-vermont-appearance-raises-hopes-and-more-than-250000.html

[cyclezealot]

89. he's not a Democrat

why should he even bother to get involved. As an admirer of Sanders, I am disappointed he'd support someone as wishy washy as Obama on trade. i read on another thread Sander's was just in Costa Rica. Just before 100,000 people turned out against Cafta. OBama does not call for the repeal of Nafta. Bernie sure sounded like he did to me. He once spoke in San Diego, he was a fire brand against Nafta. Blamed most of our current economic malaise on Clinton's trade deals.

[cali]

91. Look, I live here

i've met Bernie on more than one occasion. He's very practical, and believes in getting done what can be done. He may not be a dem, but he's been treated well by the dems. They didn't run anyone against him here; Dean and the DNC supported him. so did Schumer. Yes, he'd like NAFTA withdrawn, but my guess is he doesn't see Dennis as very practical, and Dennis has accomplished little in the House.

[cyclezealot]

94. sanders has his own Progressive caucus in the legislature.

Maybe the polls told the Democrats to seriously run someone against Bernie would only result in a Republican victory. Just to show up at a O Bama rally, does not mean endorsement? The crux of our disagreement is about issues. Maybe Sanders will favor the most progressive with a chance to win; but to say Sanders is ideologically different from Kucinich is just not wrong. Track them by issues rating organizations will surely tell a different story. For many of us we like Sander's positons and that is the reason we favor Kucinich.

[cyclezealot]

100. this displays dam impressive effectiveness .

I'll bring it to you, since you'll likely not go to it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c12QKr0bOUM

[cyclezealot]

95. does not make sense

Edwards positions are closer to Kucinich's in terms of trade and health care.

[GreenArrow]

29. I don't think there's a candidate out there

who could take Kucinich's positions and get anything done with them. It's not just the messenger, it's a willingness to hear the message. I suspect the message will be taken to heart around the time it's become too late to act on it.

[midlife_mo_Jo]

46. I disagree

It's more like saying change will be accepted and come incrementally. When Dennis talks, he acts like he's going to implement everything in his first term, and that just makes him seem highly unelectable. He's "Bush left," albeit friendly and not dangerous. He would veto incremental change if he didn't get his way.

[cobalt1999]

15. Hard to pick just one.

He has some great ideas, he also has some dumb & impractical ideas. He isn't serious about winning, nor does he even have a strategy to win the nomination. If elected, he would be totally unable to implement his ideas, and he is unelectable.

You need an "All of the Above" option.

[Red Zelda]

19. Thanks for this poll

Kucinich is a major joke. It's hard to take the debates seriously when he's involved.
With several Dems lining up to beat him in his own next primary, his shelf life is very short.
Maybe he can just go back to Cleveland and set the river on fire. Or count the Super Bowl rings. Or ... just go AWAY, Dennis.

[saltpoint]

21. A liberal in John Boehner's Ohio district might absolutely love the idea of Dennis

Kucinich as his or her Congressman. Same for nearly any district represented by some dunderhead like Boehner or Blount or Vern Buchanan etc. That's a key hinge -- would a liberal in such a district want to swap for Kucinich instead of who they have now. I'm guessing most would, and likely overwhelmingly.

Ohio isn't exactly like the whole country, but in some aspects, there is resonance. Kucinich's district is pretty firm blue turf, but down in SW Ohio, it's gets a lot redder. There the suburbs and hillsides are speckled with Boehner voters and Mean Jean Schmidt voters -- not the kind of voters Kucinich voters are comprised of up in his district.

Kucinich is a long-range visionary with well-defined goals and possessed of a kind of visceral, sleeves-rolled-up strength and energy and dedication to public service to enact those visions and goals -- and this is exactly what spooks the herd. A Mean Jean Schmidt voter or a John Boehner voter is frightened by Democrats less liberal than Kucinich, and are mortally terrified of Kucinich.

What I like about Kucinich is that he doesn't give a damn whether the Mean Jean Schmidt voter likes him or not; he has an urgent mission to accomplish and sets about accomplishing it.

What isn't working with his campaign for the presidency is that there's been no evident or apparent change in the failed campaign modalities from 04. I'm seeing the same failure to get noticed, the same failure to break out of that 2 to 4% support levels. He did better in Hawaii and Minnesota in 04 than in other states, but didn't crack 10% in his own home state of Ohio, owing to attempts to graft his vision onto the Mean Jean Schmidt voters' landscape and because voters statewide were choosing -- and did in fact choose -- Kerry and Edwards as their first and second choices.

Democratic voters, given the choice of Kucinich's true heart and the visions and campaigns of other Democrats on their ballots, are choosing those other Democrats in very substantial numbers and in one election after another.

To me, that means a change of strategy is indicated, and I just don't see it in Kucinich's plans and proposals. Dennis is magnificent on the issues and I like him big lots, but he needs to sack that campaign team this minute, hire some inventive, energized, and imaginative replacements, and move ahead with improved odds for connecting. If he can't get through to Democratic primary voters, he has zero chance at all with the Mean Jean voters.

The Kucinich campaign is ideologically VERY attractive but is not (apparently) supported by a political strategy to make it effective and resonant.

Right stuff, wrong staff.

[cali]

22. Good analysis but you're assuming

that Kucinich seriously aspires to the nomination, rather than simply disseminating his policy ideas.

[saltpoint]

23. I am. I take the man seriously. You're right, cali. I think the presidency

is serious beezwax and I take people at their word who seek its attendant privleges and responsibilities.

If Kucinich is in the ballgame, I think he needs a new line-up to get his ideas onto the public tongue.

I respect his earnestness and dedication but see no political apparatus in place that will propel those ideas and policies to critical mass.

[ChipperbackDemocrat]

40. OC is feeling what I'm feeling

I worked for his campaign in '04 and what struck me about his team is the lack of imagination. They are trying to run Kucinich's effort like every other effort, but Dennis Kucinich isn't like any other effort.

Dennis's people have to take a page from the Paul Wellstone playbook, We aren't the traditional candidate...so why run a traditional campaign.

Our program is a whole new direction. Why sell it in the same old way?

[saltpoint]

57. Hi to you, ChipperbackDemocrat.

I'm late on this, but please accept a welcome to DU.

And thank you for invoking the example of Paul Wellstone.

Not very many people gave him much of a chance against Rudy Boschwich (sp?) but he ran an inventive, dynamic, unpredictable campaign and whupped Rudy good.

I was in Dinky Town (near the Univ of Minnesota) and was told in coarse, hard terms that Wellstone didn't stand a chance. The clerk in the bookshop for FOR Wellstone, with all his heart, but was quite clear in dispelling me of any notion of a Wellstone victory.

Agree with your allusion to Paul Wellstone and agree that it would be enormously useful for Kucinich's campaign.

[ChipperbackDemocrat]

63. Wellstone...Dang, I miss him!

Hi OC!

Wellstone's campaign for the Senate is the type of thing DK needs to do. Dennis Kucinich has a lot of strengths:

1. He has convictions and not many politician have those anymore.
2. He has an American agenda for the 21st century. Nobody in this race is seriously talking about our country's place in the world in the years ahead. Dennis Kucinich's whole discussion is centered around that.

But to play those strengths out, he has to be as bold as his platform..and not just in Washington, but where people can see him.

Get entrenched in Iowa and New Hampshire, but don't do the "grip and grin" circuit.

The Kucinich campaign has to reach out to the people who feel they don't have a stake. I'm talking about the young, the poor, the minority communities, the peace and justice communities, the "I'm working so damn hard and falling behind" community. DK needs to reach out to the people who aren't voting. That is where our energy has to be.
Another thing is the campaign at times has to be "in your face". Remember the Wellstone, "Where's Rudy" Ads. They were magic He painted Rudy Boschwitz as out of touch, arrogant and not for the citizenry.
Rather than pouting at not being not being invited by the AARP forum...Dennis and he people needed to be outside the forum with signs that said...If you want real health care reform...YOU AREN'T GOING TO HEAR ABOUT IN THERE -- Would you like to know more?

Instead of pouting about not being inviting to some BigWig Steak Fry...Dennis needed to have his own "Brown Bag Picnic" somewhere...invite the workaday crowd and talk about their concerns..

That is what I want to see from Dennis. I want see somebody who is a creative, walking repudiation of $2,000-a-plate politics. That's the "traditional way". You know the traditional way? Candidate tells Citizen Me to 'Give Me Your Vote' and then the Candidate turns around and sells me out to whatever K Street Checkbook is the biggest.

What made a guy like Paul Wellstone a winner was he wasn't just running to "speak truth to power", he realized that the only way you are going to speak truth to "Power" is if you whip "Power's" butt.

[Smarmie Doofus]

73. "It was a time I can't forget, for the sorrow and regret."

>>>What isn't working with his campaign for the presidency is that there's been no evident or apparent change in the failed campaign modalities from 04. I'm seeing the same failure to get noticed, the same failure to break out of that 2 to 4% support levels.>>>

Learned more about the K man in your mellifluous post than the rest of the thread combined... and it's a pretty good thread.

[rucky]

87. Here in Boehner's district,

the major employers are industrial and trucking. Demographically, it's more similar to Cleveland than one may think. The guys at Delphi - we all know what they're going though. Honda's hiring supplementals and pushing out the old-timers before their pensions mature. Trouble is, they all go to church, and a decent number of the churches around here preach hate. They vote on "values" then buy into the anti-dem, anti-labor messages that come along with it. Beyond Clinton's NAFTA, they really don't make the connection between GOP policy and their personal work situations. There needs to be a coordinated effort in districts like mine to make that connection - this would entail whipping them into a frenzy by and focusing on the problem and the source of the problem. They're not ready to buy into the Dem solution, but it'll disuade their support for Boehner.

[saltpoint]

99. Hi, rucky. I didn't realize you were in Boehner's district. As far as I'm

concerned, that makes you a martyr of our age.

THANK YOU for sloughing through the heaps of bullshit he shovels onto the public street hourly.

I hear you on the demographics, but I look at the officials running the show there in SW Ohio generally, and am coming up with Mean Jean and Boehner -- and before that, long ago, Buzz Lukens, and Walter Powell and other Nixon-type droids. Scary bunch.

Agree with you on the hate-filled churches of that area. Have had unfortunate experience with more than one of them, including the one just up the highway on I-75 that features "Touchdown Jesus." Republicans are at least as scary as the people in churches like that, and people in churches like that are damned scary.

I endorse your notion for connection-making hope to see it happen. The fewer Boehners and Schimdts there are in the Congress, the better off we all are.

Have a LaRosa's pizza for me. Best pizza sauce anyplace, IMO.

[GreenArrow]

24. for those who voted impractical, WTF are you talking about?

Impractical is what we're doing now. Impractical is for profit health care systems. Impractical is spending obscene amounts of money on "defense" while cutting social and infrastructure programs. Impractical is invading countries that have offered us no threat in order to steal their resources and test our weapons on populations of people that to most of us, simply do not matter, do not count as human beings. Impractical is the drug war, and a country that has more prisoners than any other in the developed world. I could on. Next to nothing that Kucinich suggests is impractical, and most of it is necessary. None of it is a question of practicality, It's a question of will, and when compared to the puerile drivel and pap the other candidates are throwing out, it pretty evident that none of them have either the vision to see the problems we face nor the courage or will to face up to them.

[slick8790]

26. No, Impractical is voting against SCHIP because he feels it doesn't cover enough

kids. Frankly, under Bush's regime, I feel lucky we even have the possibility of renewing it at all. And Kucinich is refusing to vote for it because it's NOT ENOUGH? Hey dennis: some kids insured is better than none, which is the alternative right now.

Impractical is voting against a withdrawal plan because it doesn't end the war RIGHT NOW. Hey, who cares that it would take 6-10 months to move 139,000 people halfway across the world safely?

Impractical is wanting to take away handguns from everyone except the government, like he has proposed. I don't know about you, but as long as bush and his regime are in office, i feel safer with regular americans having them too. i know i sure don't want them being the only ones with guns.

THAT is why Dennis is impractical. He deals completely in absolutes, and as such, would never get anything done as president. He's a liberal version of Bush's "my way or the highway" attitude. Sorry, I prefer some progress to no progress and snowy white ideals.

[cobalt1999]

28. very well said.

None of his ideas would ever pass through congress and the compromise versions would probably be unacceptable to him.

[GreenArrow]

30. no, impractical is not fighting for Universal health care

Why should we not cover all children? It can be done. I guess it's fine if some children aren't covered, so long as it's not your own.

Impractical is voting for an invasion against a country that did not threaten us in any way in order to steal their resources. I guess it's equally impractical to ask impertinent questions about oil laws, and reparations

I'll agree with you on the guns. Guns are like a dependence on a pacifier that many Americans have to or may never outgrow. Legislation won't help.

I tend to think that only people who deal with things on the extreme ends of things get things done, and affect change, either in attitude or action. None of the political flacks vying for the job of President has any intention of changing the status quo in any way...except to make it even more the status quo.

[slick8790]

48. Don't get me wrong.

I'm all for universal single payer. But now is not the time to fight for it at the expense of a decent intermediary program. There is zero chance of getting UHC with Bush in office. In the extreme unlikelihood we could get it through congress, it certainly would not be able to overcome bush's veto. I'm saying SCHIP is the best we can get right now, so we need to support it, at least until we have a realistic chance of getting something better (I'm thinking January 2009).

[Greyhound]

36. When the problem is that you have a big pile of shit on the floor,

how is piling more shit on it a "practical solution"?

Once again, you've bought into the reich-wing frame, and you do it so often that it appears to be Pavlovian. Are you sure you're in the proper party? You might more comfortable with the other side, they will never expect you to reason anything out and are more than happy to tell you what to think and what to do.

[slick8790]

47. Right, so now i'm a republican because I can recognize that Kucinich has done next to nothing

in terms of legislation? Ideals are great. But what fucking good do they do America when we have the choice of either doing something to help, or doing nothing for the sake of purity? The day Kucinich gets something done, then we'll talk.

I'm sorry i'm in favor of getting something done, rather than simply holding ideals at any cost.

God, Kucinich supports can be almost as bad as hillary supporters. Anyone who doesn't support dennis's hyper-idealistic vision is a republican. nice.

[GreenArrow]

56. see, the trouble with what's getting done now

is akin to building a Potemkin village. It looks like there's something there, but when examined from behind the facade, there isn't. Or like having a house with no roof, and sitting under umbrellas while proclaiming them a roof. (Though I suppose if the people sitting underneath the umbrellas are willing to accept them as a roof, I guess they'll learn things the hard way and figure things out as the house collapses around them).

When you start from an ideal position, and have to compromise down, you're still likely to get something decent out of it. Instead, we have a bunch of status quo corporatists who begin with weak compromise positions and then have to compromise down from there. Getting something done is only of value when it is something worth getting done to begin with. And you'll get nothing of value if you aren't willing to fight and work for it. With few exceptions, this congress, and this crop of candidates don't seem willing to do either; but rather, take the road of least resistance, again and again and again...

[Greyhound]

71. I didn't say you were a Republic, I only suggested that you might be happier as one.

There is only one major problem with the health care system in America, it is that it has been taken over by corporations. The people on the delivery side are abused, overworked, and prevented from doing what they know needs to be done. The recipients of the care are neglected abused and denied the care that they need. The only faction doing well are those stealing the money from both sides of the system.

Your willing acceptance of this incredibly over-priced, under achieving, piece of corporate welfare just demonstrates that you don't like to think about such things very much.

[slick8790]

78. Whatever.

Enjoy not getting any results with Kucinich. I'll be supporting someone who can.

[GreenArrow]

53. it's a lot easier to dump shit on the floor

than it is to pick it up. It's maybe even easier to pretend the shit doesn't exist, or as Ronald Reagan told us, to believe that with all that shit, there must be a pony somewhere. Sadly, all there is is a room filled with an ever deepening mound of shit.

[Greyhound]

85. Easy, yes that's it, isn't it? We have become a nation that, if it isn't easy,

it is impossible.

Very sad... :cry:

[cyclezealot]

96. Example. I rather just let the present healt care system fall apart

over impliment some half azz , insurance industry suck up plan that keeps us under the thumb of HMO's. Let it fall apart and we will get what the American people deserve, not what Hartford wants.

[Moderate Dem]

31. He's just way too far to the left for me.

I'm supporting the more centrist candidates like Hillary and Joe Biden.

[Clintonista2]

32. He makes promises he knows he won't have to keep

[stimbox]

33. I think you forgot this choice Cali.

Dennis Kucinich opposes Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. He believes there can be no peace in the Middle East without justice for the Palestinians. He has even taken part in a teach-in to his fellow members of Congress to counteract the influence of AIPAC, the pro-Occupation lobbying group. He is the only one of the Democratic candidates to hold this view.

[LWolf]

38. Another reason to support him! n/t

[Desertrose]

59. Hear hear!!

:hi:LWolf

[LWolf]

60. Hi, friend.

Hope your world is well today.

:hug:

[LWolf]

37. I do support Dennis Kucinich.

His ideas are better than the rest.

His record of opposing republicans, the rw, the corporatists, is stronger and more consistent than the rest.

His record of walking his talk is better than the rest.

He's just head and shoulders above the rest of the pack.

[defendandprotect]

39. Actually, I think Kucinich would have a shot at winning if we all supported him ---

It's going to be a vanity thing for the nation re his looks --
America votes for the tallest guy --

Tho . . . .
they engineered height for Bush vs Kerry by showing them shoulder to shoulder in shots --
so the shorter guy supposedly got the vote -- supposedly, I say -- supposedly!!!

[cyclezealot]

75. I saw a poll not long ago.

Guliani /Kucinich. Guliani was like 49 and Kucinich 40 %. And Kucinich would pulvarize Guliani in a debate.

[defendandprotect]

90. I think so, too -- and Kucinich is getting better every day -- !!!

[Ron Green]

42. I'm disappointed there are 48 people (so far) on DU who don't support him

or who don't understand the question.

[cali]

43. And I think that says something

about the campaign he's running.

[cyclezealot]

97. how about a poll on Hillary

maybe 48 people won't support her either. The Murdock smoozing, the big corporate DLC cash she's raking in, the Kyl Liebermann Iran vote and lousy health care plan approved by the likes of Aetna.

[Ediacara]

44. He's an uncharismatic woo-woo without a gram of leadership skills in his body

Although some of his policy ideas are very good, many are very bad, and none of them have any real chance at implementation.

[Yukari Yakumo]

49. Because the SOB is a complete and total phony and a joke

He says things that'll please the choir, but does he really believe in them? He was pro-life and against stem-cell research until one week before announcing his candidacy on '04. Can he really be trusted on the issues?

He "campaigns" in Hawaii, California, and Florida, and yet he has no staffers or offices in Iowa. And then lies about it when AARP indirectly called him out on it. Integrity? Puh-leaze.

SCHIP vote. This man needs to be hung by his testicles. But this proves that he does not work well with others. Compromise is a word Kuch does not know. When he doesn't get his way, he'll veto it and then he'll throw a hissyfit and go on vacation. He's a left-wing version of Chimpy.

Speaking of which, he's good friends with Fox Noise Channel. 'Nuff said.

[slick8790]

52. These are exactly the things i've been saying.

But apparently, according to St. Dennis's supporters, i'm a republican because of it.... :eyes:

[DemocratSinceBirth]

50. Why Hasn't He Ever Run For Statewide Office?

eom

[fujiyama]

51. A combination of many of your choices

He's absolutely right about some issues like health care and withdrawing the troops from Iraq. However many of his ideas are impractical.

He has not proven he can win a statewide election. Win a statewide race in OH to show you are the least bit viable then you'll have a chance in convincing me you can win 270+ electoral votes.

[ooga booga]

55. In my opinion, Dennis Kucinich has never had or ever have

a snowball's chance in hell in this or any other US presidential race. He doesn't have the look or sound of a "marketable" candidate. He doesn't have the following to get anywhere close to the necessary tipping point.

He's a good guy, and he seems to have some good ideas, but he's a political gadfly who has some crucial influence on the issues while he's able to say out there as a candidate. When the primaries start happening, he'll be forced to bow out. He may end up campaigning for the nominee in the home stretch of the 2008 campaign.

Sorry Kucinich supporters that's my honest take on him.

[ChipperbackDemocrat]

65. Ooga....That's exactly why I want him..and why I think America needs him.

"He doesn't have the look or sound of a "marketable" candidate."

That's why I'm voting for Dennis. When I hear most of the "marketable" candidates, the message I get is..."My fellow Americans, I just want the nice crib on Pennsylvania Ave..the plush bling-bling Limo...I want helicopter ride..and use of that Big Ol' Air Force One. I don't want the work..I WANT THE PERKS, BABY.

Dennis Kucinich wants to roll up his sleeves and actually do the work of the office.

The look of Dennis Kucinich? His "look" is the look of a man who's had to struggle...When I met the man, I saw someone who could relate to seeing your parent scratch and claw to make a better life for the kids...because he lived it!
I saw a man who stood tall for thing bigger than himself. In his past, I see a man who had his moment of truth and he stood tall and yes, he paid the price.

That's the look of a person who is fit lead.

Look at our current President. What did he do with his moment of truth? Look at most of people running...What do they do in their moments of truth? Many of them recently had more than a few...A moment of truth like voting on the IWR or the Patriot Act....To me those moments were no different from a bank telling you, "Do it our way OR we'll let this city wither on the vine."...

The person who stands on prinicple and has the grit to take the hit, that's what looks Presidential to me.

[lligrd]

76. That Is What I Used To Think

But the more I listened to the other choices, the more Kucinich's views resonated. And do progressives still take looks into consideration? I feel like I have grown tremendously by accepting Kucinich as a viable choice.

[ileus]

58. He's not hillary, now isn't that simple??? n/t

[Jed Dilligan]

61. This week I decided to support him

in the primaries, with money if I can, despite his poor prognosis. I decided not to vote strategically, at least not in the primaries. I hope many, many others will do the same. The ASSHOLE "moderates" need the fear of god put in them.

[cyclezealot]

98. It's a happy day

Kucinich met his monthly fund raising goals and not a penny from Rupert Murdock.

[Guaranteed]

62. A little bit of all of the above. I think he goes too far with some things.

I don't think he has the commanding presence it takes to be President. And I don't think he'd win.

[gateley]

64. Because I'm supporting Joe Biden. Wholeheartedly. nt

[2rth2pwr]

68. He wouldn't scare a single hostile country. He has no

credibility to lead our military.

[lligrd]

77. Credibility To Lead The Military Like Our Current AWOL Chimp

in command does, you mean? You have got to be kidding me! Did I miss the sarcasm tag?

[2rth2pwr]

79. No. nt

[GreenArrow]

83. well, no, he wouldn't start or support wars of agression, choice,

conquest and plunder, that's for sure.

[burrowowl]

72. Not voting on this poll

because: He is the only Real DEMOCRAT, so vote for him in the Primaries so that at least some of his planks get on the platform!

[rucky]

86. You forgot "He's short and has big ears."

something we hear plenty about around here.

[SaveElmer]

88. Combination of the last three...

He has shown no leadership ability, he prefers political posturing to actual legislating, and the ideas he does have are impractical and could never be passed...

He is simply a poor candidate...

[jmp]

92. Maybe more should. (nm)

The front runner may look like "winners", but I'd just as soon pass on the lot of them.

[Imagevision]

93. I love Kuscinich, the msm will never allow hi equal time because the fiix is in for Hillary CNN

FOXnews, Msnbc sell more popcorn promoting Hillary issues..