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mgc1961 Donating Member (874 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-18-04 11:06 PM
Original message
Kucinich paradox?
A question for Kucitizens.

Thinking aloud with my co-workers on a variety of political topics, I I’ve presented Dennis Kucinich to them and I want some input as to whether you think this is an accurate assessment.

I’ve noticed a genuine interest on the part of others to vote for an “outsider” candidate. This is a sentiment with which I can whole-heartedly identify. In fact, that was the primary reason for my initial interest in Dr. Dean. However, I decided in the end to back Dennis. I recently asked myself why? What concrete or intangible aspect of Mr. Kucinich made me reach this conclusion? Here, I think is part of the reason.

Dennis’ platform and person stand clearly apart from the other candidates on so many fronts that in my estimation he is, in essence, an “outsider” despite the fact that he holds an elected position. Therefore, my general impression has been that he’s a activist working from the inside.

Is that an impression with which you agree? Please feel free to explain within the confines of this space. I'll check back later.

Power to the people!

:-)
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codegreen Donating Member (827 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-18-04 11:12 PM
Response to Original message
1. he isn't a corrupted 'insider'; he's in there fighting the good fight
he's been a progressive radical in congress compared to many others.

he's an outsider on the inside, because he doesn't quite fit in and he stands up for so many things others refuse to.
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revcarol Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-18-04 11:15 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. P. S. the only other one I can think of in the House
is Bernie Sanders.
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codegreen Donating Member (827 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-18-04 11:18 PM
Response to Reply #2
3. yes, Sanders rules. i listen to him on Thom Hartman sometimes
Dennis is a gem and quite a rarity for the party and the people. i think he would make the best president.
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cosmicdot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-18-04 11:23 PM
Response to Original message
4. people identify with those talking to their corporate angst
Dennis is closer to the heart of matters than corporate america wants people to know.

imo
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dpbrown Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-18-04 11:39 PM
Response to Original message
5. "Activist working from the Inside"
That's a very apt description.

I like to think of Dennis as representing everything the Democratic Party is supposed to stand for, if it's supposed to stand up for real people. He's dedicated his entire career for fighting for the "little guy" and to making real people's lives better in specific, pragmatic ways.

His view of society and government as interwoven and able to provide for the basic dignities everyone deserves, while understanding how it makes all of us better to lift up the least among us is one of the core philosophies making him the candidate I'd walk through fire for.

But your description, of an "activist working from the inside" is a very appropriate summary and something that yet-to-become-Kucinich supporters will be able to work their heads around.

DPB
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corporatewhore Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-18-04 11:41 PM
Response to Original message
6. At the campus greens convention he said he was doing missionary work
for the dem party
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MuseRider Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 12:03 AM
Response to Original message
7. I like that
and I think it aptly describes him. He is always for us, ALWAYS.
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ThirdWheelLegend Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 02:54 AM
Response to Original message
8. I like that assessment..

He leads the progressive caucus in the house of reps. Dennis never stops fighting for us, the people.

He has been in Washington long enough to make contacts with a lot of people, but he never takes money for corporations. Dennis steers himself clear of owing something to a corporate body. So' Activist on the Inside' works in some sense :)

TWL
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LWolf Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 08:55 AM
Response to Original message
9. That's a good assessment.
The "outsider" part is obviously seen in the way his own party marginalizes him.

The "activist" is visible on any day of the week. His house website is a goldmine.

An activist working on the inside is a powerful force for change.
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Loonman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 09:01 AM
Response to Original message
10. He speaks quietly, seriously and deliberately
Kucinich doesn't need to scream and yell. He doesn't have to prove he's some kind of rabble-rouser.
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Mairead Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 11:16 AM
Response to Original message
11. I agree that 'insider activist' is actually quite a good thumbnail
Edited on Thu Feb-19-04 11:17 AM by Mairead
He's an insider--he's been in politics as an officeholder practically since his teens.

But he's never sold out, I don't think. As far as I can tell, his ideas are still pro-working-people, not pro-keep-them-quiet.

I still have a little fear about where he'll go to get the money--the standard Dem deal is to always reach into our pockets to pay, whence the 'tax and spend' label. So I still have some fear. Not a big fear, but some fear. The idea that any politician would actually be willing to take the profit out of healthcare and stop pouring every dollar into the pockets of the owners of the war industry is still something I can't quite wrap my mind around completely--I know it's right, but it feels as though I must be dreaming!

Insider activist. Practical idealist. That's oor Dennis!
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