Kucinich's supporters ARE making a difference!

[no name no slogan]

I was priviledged to attend MN's 5th Congressional District Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party's convention on Saturday as a delegate. The 5th is solid Democratic territory, encompassing the city of Minneapolis and several areas of its first-ring suburbs. We're known for our overwhelmingly liberal values (in a fairly liberal state), and have a long history of sending great Democrats to national offices.

Our elected representative, Martin Olav Sabo, is a good Democrat with a good voting record. He's done a good job representing us, and we're grateful to have such a man working for us in D.C.

At our convention, Congressman Sabo announced, in his endorsement acceptance speech, that he is signing on to H.R.2459, which is Dennis Kucinich's bill to establish a cabinet-level Department of Peace.

Much of this is due to the determination of CD5's delegates, who asked Mr. Sabo to support the bill when contacted by Sabo before the convention.

Sabo called all the delegates and alternates to the convention, asking for their support for the endorsement (which he gets every year, because he's so good!). And each Kucinich delegate asked him to support the bill when s/he spoke to him. Considering that pro-Kucinich delegates made up over 25% of the delegates, he was probably asked this at least 60 times!

So we've made another step toward getting a Department of Peace. The more sponsors, the better the chance the bill gets heard. And don't forget that even the smallest journey started with just one step!

:D

:toast:

[Frances]

1. Will someone explain to me why Nader supporters don't work

for Kucinich? It seems to me that Kucinich is so much more honest than Nader.

[Kanary]

5. Actually, that may be an assumption on your part

Having worked in a Kucinich campaign, I can tell you that there are MANY Nader people working for Kucinich.

Remember, some of what you're hearing here on DU is people having been badgered and attacked so much for supporting Dennis, and attacked for their (our) views, that out of frustration they may say they'll vote for Nader in the GE. You need to understand just how much pain has been inflicted here.

cheers......

Kanary

[KoKo]

2. Thanks for the Heads Up on this. A Department of Peace is well worth

looking for! And, without Kucinich who would even be talking about this?

[no name no slogan]

3. Yeah, it was a GREAT moment!

When Sabo said he'd support the bill, I'm proud to say I was the first person on my feet for the standing ovation. We had the ENTIRE delegation up for that one-- all 200+ people, supporters of every candidate.

At the Q&A afterwards, our state coordinator gave Marty a poster we used to get out the vote, signed by all the CD5 DK delegates, alternates and activists. It was a great moment-- and definately one he'll remember I'm sure!

:D

[Kanary]

4. Oh, how I envy you, being in such a supportive atmosphere!

I'm not exactly in a desert, but certainly nothing like what you're describing.

Thanks so much for describing this... I can feel the excitement!

And, thanks for all your work, and the efforts of everyone concerned.

Kanary

[G_j]

6. this was posted in LBN

by Jane Eyre (thanks) concerning the NC caucus,

<snip>
Today's caucuses were a test to see who could turn out their "true believers" to the polls, and I would have to say that the Kucinich people won in that area. They recognized an opportunity to get their candidate a delegate or two in the process because of the low turnout, and they organized and planned to make that happen. Not only that, but they submitted 8 resolutions to the local county convention held this afternoon and had all but one (NAFTA and WTO) passed. I believe that there was an organized campaign to push these resolutions through at all the 100 county conventions held today, which gives them some clout later this year at the national convention. All the resolutions dealt with issues dear to the Kucinich campaign.

Many people here have said that the caucus idea was dreamed up as a way to hand Senator Edwards the home state win. OK, that did happen. But I think that special recognition goes to the Kucinich supporters for their willingness to organize and push their issues. For the record, I didn't vote for Kucinich and can't be classified as one of his supporters though I do agree with him on many issues, but I do admire his supporters and congratulate them on a job well done.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=post&forum=102&topic_id=493394&mesg_id=493514

[KoKo]

7. And, here's my post about Kucinich in Wake County's caucus....

Wake Country Here: Less than 5% of Democrats showed up at the polls. There was very light turnout in African-Amercian Districts, Heavier turn out in "newer organized precincts (Dean-Kucinich voters were organized and covered the "thrown together" Caucus sites. (NC has NEVER had a caucus, so this was a new thing.)

Anyway here are the numbers: Sharpton, 33 votes; Dean 155 votes; Kucinich, 165 votes; Kerry, 345 votes and Edwards 1,074 votes.

We were there working for our Dems all day. First at the polls where NC'linians voted a straight vote by "paper ballot" at our polling place.

Then off to the "Wake County Convention," where we Precinct Chairmen/Ladies...et all were to vote on the Resolutions we had proposed from our meeting a month ago where we would vote on resolutions we wanted to propose.

Our Anti-War Resolution got trashed because "States don't have the right to "declare war." Dean and Kucincich were recognized for "Energizing the Party" over Edwards.

A Resolution to "Recommend a Kerry/Edwards Ticket for PRES/VP" got trashed and voted Down....with STRONG ATTACKS by Dean/Kucinich activists.

For NC's "Favorite Son" this had to be a BIG "WAKE UP!"

I'll leave this here....because most folks don't want to read over three sentences or a paragrap about this stuff on DU anymore.

But, hopefully, I'll hear from other NC DU'ers about how the "rest of the state went." 's

[LWolf]

8. The so cal Kucinich groups are still working.

Still meeting monthly. I haven't gotten to meetings since the school year started, since they are on week nights more than an hour away, but I get the minutes, reports, and conversations.

The focus now is on taking issues to the convention. If you haven't yet signed these petitions, please do so today. They are the 5 top issues identified by polls on the DK site.

http://www.kucinich.us/VolunteerAction/petitions.php

The Kucinich Campaign wants to make sure that Bush is defeated this year. But a weak Democratic Party that fails to meet today's challenges won't win the election.

To help align the party platform with the values of most Democratic voters, we are collecting signatures for 5 petitions, reflecting our most urgent national priorities:

Iraq,
Health Care,
The Patriot Act (Civil Rights),
A Department of Peace and
Jobs/Trade, (NAFTA/WTO).
Our goal is to present a million signatures to the Democratic Party Platform Committee when they meet at the end of June, as a complement to our efforts on the ground at the Democratic National Convention in Boston.

Please sign these online petitions and email the links to others on your list.

Click on the link for the petitions.

[Desertrose]

9. So great to read everything on this thread

This is so exciting and so heartening to hear about so many Kucinich supporters still going strong for Dennis...how can we not? The man and his vision totally rocks!!!

:hi: to all DK supporters!!!
:grouphug:
Peace
DR