how come Kucinich gets no credit ?

[JI7]

why do you all think Kucinich gets no credit for opposing the war? i don't mean literally no credit as there are many who give him credit. but why doesn't he get more support because of it ? he not only voted against iwr, but he helped get others to oppose it and he attended protests. and he continues to oppose it and says to turn over control to the united nations. also, do you agree with kucinich when he says the occupation IS war ? the interesting thing is i can see kucinich supporting john edwards .

[Frodo]

1. Because correct policy positions are not enough...

... for people to think you are qualified to run for president.

Lot's of people love him and what he stands for but would never vote for him at that level.

[Hep]

2. I give DK credit

and I've poublicly stated my bristling at my candidate's use of the word "only" when referring to his opposition.

[Tinoire]

34. Why thank you Hep

I always knew, since our first civil run-in, that underneath some of your hasty words lay a heart and a head of gold. I think we ironed that out the first day but just wanted to say thank you again. That sentiment is MUCH appreciated and it is people like you with whom I look forward to working once these primaries are over.

:toast:

[GregorStocks]

3. Because the media hates him.

You should know that by now.

[Tinoire]

36. Welcome to DU GregorStocks!

:toast:

That's for damn sure...!

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

39. how true

Look at Teddy Craphole at the debates - they don't even try to be subtle. The "journalists" - by which I mean actors - freely admit they want to marginalize him.

I guess I'm surprised it's so open.

[JohnKleeb]

4. people think hes unelectable sigh

J17 I cant tell you how many times I've heard this "I like Kucinich and what he stands for but hes unelectable", sigh thats what gets me down. I am very young but I dont know of that happening in history people knowing and agreeing what a guy stands for but not supporting him. I think Kucinich if he withdraws could likely be an Edwards man, and to be honest, I like John too, Dennis had some nice things to say about him on the daily show and Elizabeth Edwards has a lot of respect for him as seen on the blog by a link given to us by an Edwards supporter. I dont know either. Its interesting, people rant and rave about the other congressional candiates not standing up to Bush but here we have a man who stood up to the patriot act, IWR, and more. Some of us here I know don't like our activities in Afghanstan, hes been quite critical about that. He speaks about the importance of libraires in a community. I dont plan to support anyone should my guy withdraw, it was originally Kerry but I've gotten stress from doing this and personally you guys don't want me, I am bad luck. If I had to choose today it would be Edwards or Kerry or perhaps Gephardt, I like what Gep does for labor a lot. I dont know the answers to your questions really but thanks.

[Hep]

7. What's wrong

with saying I like Kucinich but I perceive him as unelectable?

I mean, it's a horribly simplified statement, but it shouldn't be dismissed on its face. I like Kucinich, I think his style is perfectfor the legislature, but I think that if he were elected he would be a walking mandate and little more. I would find opposition to his policies to be even more heated than the opposition to Clinton's policies were.

[JohnKleeb]

13. Its just a cliche

that Ive heard far too much. It means to me people want to support him but they cant. I dont hate people for it, or avoid them, but I think when people are willing to throw away a chance, just a chance, before its already begun. I admit, its not the worst in the world but does it bother me, you better believe it.

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Hep]

24. Don't let this blow up

You can call this person on his/her unfair post without lowering yourself to that level.

[redqueen]

28. I should have, yes

I saw about four posts from that person on two different Kucinich threads, all about that same level. When I saw the "little Mr. Dennis" comment, I kinda went against my better judgment.

[Hep]

30. Well, I'm really not one to advise you on civility

but thanks for reading anyway!

[Hep]

23. Alright, that's was completely unfair

and I wish you wouldn't attempt to dress him down like you did.

His concern is legitimate. And Howard Dean's current status is proof that unelectible IS just a cliche people use when they don't have a more eloquent or substantial argument for not supporting someone.

[Hep]

29. Wow look at that!

My posts surrounded by "Deleted Message".

How screwed up are things if *I'M* the civil one?!?

[Tinoire]

38. Very, I'd say

;)

I missed the entire exchange but it must have been juicy. You're a good man Charlie Brown.

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Tinoire]

37. John Kleeb

You have more wisdom in your left little toe than most of us "adults" have in our entire body. You are one of the gems of DU!

:toast:

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

71. enough to drive you crazy isn't it?

It's like, "all liberals are unelectable, therefore I will vote for Bush" - what's the point?

[judy]

5. Because most people, even smart people,

still believe BushCo's hogwash about the "war on terror".

In their minds, Kucinich is a dreamer, not in touch with reality. They think he was against IWR because he is a peacenik, not because of the accuracy of his vision.
They don't give him credit, because they only want a candidate who was against IWR, but who will continue waging the so called "war on terror".

This is why I support Kucinich above all others. He seems to be the only one who knows that you cannot wage war on a state of mind, and that terrorism thrives on war. The more war, the more terrorism. It's a proven fact. Just look at the results of Israel's own war on terror.

However, not to worry, I am ABB all the way :)

[Nadienne]

6. He terrifies corporations.

He terrifies the media.
He terrifies all those who undermine democracy.
Perhaps because they are so powerful, supporters of other candidates don't have confidence in the power of the people, the power of Kucinich.

[xultar]

8. I love DK and JK. Next to clark they are my favorite candidates.

I hope JK gets a VeeP nodd because he's FANTASTIC. DK, I hope gets a high administration post.

[dpbrown]

9. I can see Edwards and everyone else supporting Kucinich

Kucinich was anti-Iraqi invasion before being anti-Iraqi invasion was "cool" - way back in February of 2002 - more than a year before Bush illegally invaded that country.

So of course Kucinich should be getting major credit for that, along with identifying the ills holding this country and its potential back, and having plans to remedy them without breaking the bank or dedicating the entire "Bush tax cut" to do it.

Kucinich is so obviously the heir to the legacies of Wellstone and, to some extent, FDR, that's it's a tribute to the power the corporate dollar and bought-and-paid-for media hold over the process today that people are not, right now, in the streets demonstrating to make Kucinich the nominee.

If people were allowed to see the issues clearly, without the rope-a-dope hype about polls and Newsweek cover stories and other "who's taking who to the prom" garbage, we'd already be planning out how the lives of our children were going to be exponentially better with universal health coverage and basic education through college as part of the legacy we were going to be able to leave them through the groundbreaking work done by President Dennis Kucinich.

Fear Ends
Hope Begins
Kucinich 2004

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota

[JI7]

10. agree about wellstone

and i remember reading about how wellstone was a huge opponent of the first iraq war also and he was very active in opposition like kucinich is. didn't pappy bush call wellstone a "chickenshit" ? he must have really got to them.

[no name no slogan]

35. Yeah, that's true! Pappy did call him that!

I knew Paul Wellstone in the '80s, before he was a Senator, when he was still a college professor. He's the main reason I got active in the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party here in MN.

Paul helped out on a local state leg. campaign in 1988 that I worked on that unseated a really awful conservative Republican named Allen Quist. Paul came over and helped rally the troops on my campus (about 70 miles west of Northfield, MN, where Paul taught) and really inspired a lot of young people to get involved. As a matter of fact, we had TWO delegates to National that year from one of the two college precincts-- which I believe was a record at the time.

Wellstone and Kucinich were friendly with each other, and were kindred souls in congress. Supposedly Kucinich was up in MN in 2002 campaigning for Wellstone, too, before the plane crash, which would have made perfect sense. Their positions on the issues were very similar, and largely identical. They did have a few differences, of course, but they were quite close in that respect.

And that's the main reason I got into presidential politics again. I see in Dennis a lot of what I saw in Paul: the humility, the honesty, the genuine concern for the country, the selflessness.

And it's also kind of funny, too, that Dennis is being dismissed by many of the party elite as "unelectable". Paul faced the same kind of criticism back in 1990 when he first ran for Senate. He was not even supposed to be the nominee, as the party apparatus had settled on a safe, suburban "moderate" lawyer to carry the party banner. But Paul upset them all starting with the precinct caucuses, all the way through to the state convention.

I was a (Wellstone) delegate to MN state in 1990, and got to hear Paul's acceptance speech from the floor. My county was seated in the center, about 50 feet back from the stage. It was one of the most memorable political moments in my life. What a great year that was.

[Green4Dean]

45. I worked for Paul in 1990

Most exciting campaign I ever worked on...From the Bottom up!! I am one of those that loves Dennis, but after attending Dean and Kucinich meetups i realized that a genuine bottom up grassroots campaign was thriving in the Dean camp, while Dennis's meetings were the same friends that i work with in all my activist work. His campaign has not caught fire and I want a candidate that is growing the party ranks and ready to shrink the influence of the DLC. Dean is the vehicle to take the party back...Kuccinich for director of the Department of Peace...

[dpbrown]

52. Kucinich has the highest percentage of small contributions

By percentage of supporters, Kucinich's campaign is far more "bottom up" than any other Democratic candidates'.

https://www.kucinich.us/contribute.php

The BFEE is the problem - Kucinich is the answer.

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota

[Green4Dean]

53. not just talking about money

Dean is bringing in new blood...Kucinch still only has hardcore progressives...sure there are some new people in Dennis's camp, but for Dean its tens of thousands...

[Tinoire]

75. Are you that comfortable with Dean's postitions

on Israel/Palestine? Gun control? Free trade? The Occupation? Attacking Syria? I am curious about that. If you prefer to PM me please do.

But your point is valid. Have no fears though- we are going to change that and I look forward to the day you cast your Primary vote for Kucinich because I see the Primaries as getting the nomination to who best represents us and not a popularity contest.

I'm going to the prom with the geek this time ;)

[dpbrown]

80. Dean turned the Democratic Party into a niche party out of power in VT

Your perspective is going to be different from mine on this, but then again, I'm not going to just make bold, unsubstantiated claims about Dean like "not caught fire" and "only hardcore progressives" support Dean.

The first comment I made contradicted a claim Dean supporters generally make with nonchalance, and that is that Dean's fundraising is more small donor than any other candidates'. False. Kucinich has the highest percentage of small donors of any candidate.

And in Vermont, Dean took a 74% re-elect rate in 1992 and whittled it down to just 54% in 1998, and just 50.4% in 2000 before deciding to "run for President" instead of getting beaten by the Republican candidate. He let his Lt. Governor get beat instead.

Under Dean's governing of Vermont, the ranks of "progressives" swelled as Dean ignored their issues, and they ran increasingly strong campaigns on issues that their constituency really cared about.

Ironically, the ranks of Republicans swelled as well, as they came to understand that they could elect a "real" Republican instead of the Democratic niche player temporarily governing the state due to the death of Governor Snelling in 1991. (Dean's still never beaten a Republican incumbent - Kucinich's beaten three.)

After a dozen years under Dean, Vermont's Democratic Party was a niche party, out of power, overwhelmed by both the Republicans and the progressives.

No elected position Dean ever held in Vermont is held by a Democrat today.

This isn't what I call "bringing in new blood" but I'm sure people who define that phrase differently see something I don't.

If Dean is the nominee, we are going to see exactly the same thing in the nation that Dean's legacy left in Vermont - an inspired and growing third party movement finally justified in their stance by a Democratic Party run by Republican-voter-loving conservatives masquerading as "centrists" that clearly and decisively turned its back on the undeniably populist leanings of the majority of the nation's population, and a power-brokering Republican Party able to cement its hold on the Congress, the military, the media, the banks, and moving rapidly to privatize whatever is left of the public infrastructure of the nation as they cannibalize it for parts.

There are a lot of people who are excited about Dean's chances, but there are millions of people who harbor deep-seated anxiety about a Democratic Party that refuses to take up the banner of traditional, liberal Democratic positions like workers' rights, and universal health care, and an end to the death penalty that only candidate Kucinich is espousing.

So, from everything I see, Dean's campaign is less grassroots than Kucinich's, Dean has fewer coattails, Dean was unable to cement Vermont as a Democratic stronghold, and every position Dean is elected to ends up in the opposition's hands.

This is a) not someone I find remotely similar to Paul Wellstone, and b) not someone I want at the helm of the Democratic Party so he can crash it into the ground like he did in Vermont.

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota

[no name no slogan]

77. Right message, wrong messenger

Dean has a made a career out of triangulating himself-- IOW, reaching for the lowest common denominator to get the most support. If indeed Dean is the nominee, you may get a change in who is heading the party-- but you'll just be replacing one set of pro-business moderates with another set of pro-business moderates who will continue to support the status quo: a corporate healthcare system instead of a truly 100% universal coverage system, continued out-of-control pentagon spending, a continued "war on drugs", and continued domination by big money/big media in this country.

I see no evidence in Howard Dean's record that he would make any real changes in anything, much less the Democratic Party. I find it hard to believe that a centrist such as himself would go out of his way to fill the party leadership with liberals and progressives. I'll still vote for him if he gets the nod, but I'll do so in the same way I held my nose and voted for Clinton in 1992.

I take it you have not been to any Kucinich meet-ups lately. At the last Minneapolis MeetUp in December, we had over 20 new people show up. NONE of these were people who were previously involved in peace/justice work or party politics. We may not get the media attention that Dean does, but we are here in large numbers and we are growing.

[dpbrown]

51. G.H.W. did call Wellstone that

And Wellstone was a member of the Progressive Caucus that Kucinich co-chairs.

They really were the most alike of any comparison between Wellstone and one of the candidates running.

https://www.kucinich.us/contribute.php

The BFEE is the problem - Kucinich is the answer.

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota

[redqueen]

11. Media

The mainstream media is where most people get their information. Most don't watch the primary debates, or fall asleep 20 minutes in or change the channel.

When just about every mainstream media outlet characterizes him not by relating his policy stands, but mainly by marginalizing him -- what other result can you possibly expect? I guarantee if more people heard 'end free trade agreements and fund universal healthcare', instead of 'single vegan looking to meet chicks' we'd see much different poll numbers & fundraising totals.

Also, you have to examine how the mainstream media makes nearly NO effort to distinguish the differences between Kucinich's stances and other candidates' stances. To most in the public, the other candidates' 'almost universal insurance' is allowed to remain virtually indistinguishable from 'universal health care'. Factor in that no mainstream media source will bother to tell people that as long as insurance is in the picutre, people will go without good health care. Similarly, to most in the public, the media's refusal to describe the truth about free trade (that it's investor protection, not 'good for our economy'; that it can't be reformed meaningfully; etc.) results in many people who feel strongly about that issue being unaware of the details of the issue.

With just those two tactics (marginalizing & not communicating issue differences), the media is able to decide for us who will run the country. Wonderful system isn't it?

[Desertrose]

16. I agree...absolutely- its the media

they choose everything for us anymore...how we should look, what we should eat & drink, what to think, when to think , when to be afraind ( all the time anymore), how to FEEL and
#1 who to vote for.

Damn sad, isn't it?

I have found that most who support Dennis Kucinich are those who have awakened from the hypnotic slumber of our state controlled media....

Peace
DR

[blm]

32. Media knew EXACTLY what they were doing. Push the FAUX antiwar guy and rob

the true antiwar voices of any credit and any legitimate focus.

That way they can pull the rug out from under the LIAR DEAN as their corporate masters determine.

[PissedOffPollyana]

56. Exactly! It's a repeating cycle if we let it be.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why GE, AOL/Time Warner, FOX, Disney, et al want to be able to get away with distracting us from reality and the real differences between policies and platforms. What do they have to gain by bringing up subjects that will inevitably cost them money and market dominance (power & money)?

Dennis Kucinich is a scary proposition, no matter how you slice it. To give any time to his campaign in any other light than as a "fringe/vegan/flaky/peacenik" sort of thing might prompt people to actually look into his proposals and find they are not so far out after all. They are meat and potatoes issues that will do better for working Americans than anything since FDR. Unfortunately too many seem to still buy into the mindset that the American people are as partisan as the shrieking demagogues on their TVs. In my experience, people look beyond party lines in the interest of real improvement in their lives and wallets. If they hear about REAL universal health care and the REAL cost of so-called "free" trade, they might also read about all sorts of things that the media has been keeping out of your sight... and why would they want to do that?

What troubles me is seeing them succeed in doing it. It seems there is a perpetual mindset that the media is corrupt, unless of course they are reporting about the Presidential election and the issues/ideologies that will determine the tone. Why do we let them steer us in such overwhelming numbers?

ABC/CNN/FOX/NBC yadda yaddda don't know a thing or give a damn about what people actually need; they are there to sell you what they want to make you think you need. Evidently, this year (like every year) we need to determine our leaders by nebulous non-factors that are determined by Ted Koppel et al and the fine folks with their hands up their backs.

The sad question is, how many of us are still buying?

[curse10]

12. I really love DK

he's a great man and a great politician. But I happen to support someone else more. I would have no problem voting for DK either in the primary or general election if my candidate of choice was no longer in it.

[JohnKleeb]

14. DK is your number 3 now, thats great

I have a good deal of respect for Kerry too.

[curse10]

15. I'm thinking about moving him up to number 2

I'm really disappointed in Clark's inability to vocalize any of his domestic issues. He might drop to 4 and Edwards move up to 3 again.

[JohnKleeb]

20. Well then cool

:)
:hi:

[Hoppin_Mad]

17. DK is my favorite candidate !

And it pains me to admit that I feel he is 'unelectable' - just too far left to capture any swing voters or undecideds.

In a perfect world he would be my President in 04.

[Mairead]

49. He's not far left at all...the guy's a REAL centrist.

Just like FDR...he's someone who will save Capitalism from itself.

[Green4Dean]

54. Dennis would not call himself a centrist...

Dennis is progressive and proud of it....I

[redqueen]

61. Yes but he would quickly point out

That he really isn't far left, and that the fact that he's characterized that way is a testament to how far right this country has moved.

I think he's actually said that, now that I think of it...

[corporatewhore]

68. i think that dk and sharpton are the only moderates sometime

cause i believe tha letting the poor die becaue of not being able to afford treatment in the name of fiscal conservatism is radical
takin us jobs over seas and given to SLAVES in maquildoras is radical
I believe thathaving a bloated pentagon budget while our schools are failing is radical

[Mairead]

82. Exactly, CW -- you nailed it.

Anyone who really believes that it's good when working people are insecure, unhealthy, and poor should undergo psychiatric evaluation. People who think the exploitation of other people is a good thing are NOT emotionally healthy.

[FloridaPat]

18. You forgot to mention he tried to stop the war with a lawsuit.

He is one of my favorites because he actually heard what the people who voted for him had to say.

As for his being electable - there is a real interesting article on

http://www.democrats.com/

An Analysis on Kucinich Electability.

He beats Bush. I think the perception that he is unelectable is from our wonder news media.

[jsw_81]

21. Kucinich beats Bush when Hell freezes over and pigs fly

In other words, never.

[Nadienne]

25. At this point, it seems more likely for Kucinich

to beat Bush than for Dean to beat bush.

[jsw_81]

40. In what universe?

Not this one, that's for sure.

[Nadienne]

42. You think Dean's chances are so great?

You can just keep on dreaming. The more people dreaming your dream, the more support Dean will keep. It's a race against reality, for you. That's why you're in such a hurry for everyone to join the Dean bandwagon.

[jsw_81]

43. I think Dean's chances are excellent

He's raised more money than any Democrat in history, he's won ten elections in a row (including eight statewide), he's won more congressional endorsements than any other candidate besides long-time Congressman Gephardt, and he is now the clear front-runner for our nomination.

Kucinich, on the other hand, is at one percent in the polls and can't even raise enough money to buy a ham sandwich.

[Nadienne]

46. Ah, finally, specifics!

But then again, Bush has raised more money than ANYONE in history. He has more endorsements (and bigger endorsements) than Dean. He has the media on his side (Dean, on the other hand, does not), and, as pResident, gets all kinds of free media attention.

If money, endorsements, and past victories are the game, Dean will lose to Bush.

Can you come up with a better argument for why Dean has excellent chances?

[Tinoire]

74. Actually, that was rather eloquent

compared to previous posts in this thread, especially the deleted ones. We should at least be applauding the improvement; it might encourage... thought- something sorely needed for these Primaries.

[redqueen]

47. People might take you seriously

If you made your comments more reasonable. Using over the top rhetoric like : "can't even raise enough money to buy a ham sandwich" makes you look uninformed.

Do you know his ranking in terms of fundraising? Do you know his trend in fundraising? (i.e. has he gone up consistently, or wavered; what have other candidates done?) Knowing this would mean you would not have made that statement.

[Mairead]

57. Dean's chances are mediocre

His election record was gained in a 'state' with a white-bread population the size of Cleveland, and at only 2 levels: part-time legislature (= city council) and governor (= mayor). That's the sum total of his experience.

In contrast, Kucinich estimates that he's won 20 of the 30 elections he's participated in, has won legislative office at 3 levels (big-city, big-state, and federal), a functional management office equivalent to 'Secretary of State' in Vermont, and the office of chief executive in a major, highly diverse city the size of all Vermont.

Moreover, Kucinich faced down powerful special interests and saved the city's public power company, worth $300M and counting to Clevelanders. His rock-solid integrity cost him his very livelihood and 15 years on the shelf. What challenge has Dean ever faced that compares? Nothing that I know of.

[Tinoire]

41. Ah... another insightful post from jsw

Here's to the day "when Hell freezes over and pigs fly".
It's coming sooner than you think.

[jsw_81]

44. You seriously think that Kucinich is going to be the next president?

If so, that's pretty sad. You're going to be very, very disappointed this spring.

[Green4Dean]

58. easy now...

I made the jump from Dennis to Dean....everyone has the right to believe in who they want. Dennis is worthy of the support he has, if his campaign caught on I would go back to Dennis in a second...

[Desertrose]

64. Welcome Green4Dean and a little thought here....

Did it ever occur to you that if you ( and all the others who say the same thing) would go back to Dennis that his campaign would take off-more than it has already that is!

Just a thought...I mean the primaries are the time we can pick and choose and the general election is when we may have to suck it up and vote for what someone else chose for us....


Peace
DR

[Green4Dean]

67. I said that so many times in the past

Dessertrose said: Did it ever occur to you that if you ( and all the others who say the same thing) would go back to Dennis that his campaign would take off-more than it has already that is!


Its too serious this time...we can't continue to beat each other up...the writing is on the wall...Dennis doesn't have enough time to catch Dean...I never voted for Clinton or Gore, always went with the progressive...Bush scares me too much to vote with my heart...I'm using my head this time...I also think Dean is a good vehicle for pulling the party back toward its roots and away from the DLC...

[Nadienne]

70. I, for one,

Am going to hold the line, thank you. If Dean is as good as everyone seems to think, the absense of support from lil' ol' me is not going to matter much. He'll get my support after the primaries, if he gets the nod.

[Tinoire]

76. We are talking about the Primaries here though

not the General election. What is the purpose of voting for someone you don't believe in as much? That is my huge stumbling block with people who say I prefer Kucinich but I'm voting for Dean- it makes no sense to me. It's not as if Bush is running inthe Primaries.

[Green4Dean]

81. I don't want Clark, or Gephardt

Dean will beat them dennis won't...

[Tinoire]

88. Neither do I & I understand your quandary however

I refuse to be forced to vote against people in the Primaries. This is how the establishment prevents us, we the people, from getting anyone who will bring real progress into office.

Progressives should watch the Primaries and see how they go before jumping into the "Stop the DLC" mode. Let's watch the first states and see how the chips start falling.

Yes, I understand your pain.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

86. As I said in another thread

it's like high school, where you reject the prom date you really want and go with the one that the popular kids approve of.

I'm saving that for the General Election.

[Tinoire]

73. No I think Hell freezing over and pigs flying

have more to do with you than with either candidate but if I spoke my mind, I would probably get a moderator warning and your astounding "insight" isn't worth it.

I find the beliefs you express pretty sad.

Here's to you being very, very disappointed this spring :toast:

Here's to hell freezing over :toast: :toast:

And here's to flying pigs :toast: :toast: :toast:

[Raya]

27. Kucinich is the REAL peace candidate

Dean campaign co-opted my Kucinich action group and it has been
nothing but angst and doubt since. If Dean was as real progressive it would have made sense for them to work together. But sadly, he is a real novice to the movement.

[Hep]

33. Noviceto the movement?

What movement is that?

[Green4Dean]

50. True

I am no novice to the peace movement...I agree that Dean is...i still support him because he has built the best organization...Its not enough to be best on the issues if you can't get your message out...Dean overcame the asterisk in time to win the nomination...Dennis is still an asterisk and there is not enough time to change that before the voting starts...

[Nadienne]

55. Welcome to DU

and you raise a good point about getting the message out. Perhaps I am too optimistic, but I'm hoping that a good showing at Iowa's caucus and NH primaries inspire people to wonder why they haven't heard of DK... Could it be that the media didn't want us to know? Then, maybe, hopefully, there will be a surge in DK's direction...

But, such a thing is not probable unless, even in these last few days, we Kucinich supporters do what we can to get the message out in Iowa and NH

[Hep]

60. What makes you think Dean is a member of the peace movement?

Is being against one military flightof fancy tantamount to being a member of the peace movement?

[Green4Dean]

62. exactly...

i agreed that he was new to being anti-war..I agree he is not...but the most anti-war thing we can do is beat Bush...Dean is the only one with the organization and grassroots surge to do it...

[adadem]

31. Dennis

always stands up with integrity. It is a shame that he isn't given credit for the bravery he shows when he stands alone.

[TeacherCreature]

48. because people don't like him for other reasons?

What is your point? People aren't supporting Kucinich and this is a big problem for you as a Kerry supporter.

[askew]

59. Exactly.

While I admire Kucinich's stance on the war, I don't agree with many of his positions, which is why I don't support him for Democratic nominee. I find many of his views to be too extreme for most of America and he strikes me as inflexible. I have never agreed with Kucinich being the next Wellstone. I was a huge supporter of Wellstone and while they share some of the same views, their personalities seem very different. Of course, if he gets the nomination, I will work my butt off to help him get elected.

As for Dean, I admire his stance on the war, but I support him because I agree with the majority of his positions, which is why I am working to help him secure the nomination.

[redqueen]

63. I'm confused

If you were a huge supporter of Wellstone's, how is it that you agree with Dean on the majority of his positions?

Did they govern similarly?

[Green4Dean]

65. I worked for Wellstone

now i am supporting Dean, because he has the organization to win...i am ABB and think we have to unite to do that and only see Dean as having what it takes to unite us...

[askew]

84. On the issues that matter to me they don't.

Obviously, Wellstone and Dean didn't agree on every issue and there are some issues that I agree with Wellstone on and some that I agree with Dean on. However, they have similar positions on abortion, the war, etc. What I find similar about both candidates is their flexible mind and attitude, something that I feel is missing from DK. Also, there is a big difference between the type of candidate that I want in the White House and the type of candidate I want in the Legislature. I don't think it is good for our nation to have a President that is too far out of the mainstream. We have a President right now that is way outside of the mainstream by being too right and I don't think the best way to correct this problem is to elect someone who is too left for the country. Which does not mean that we can't elect a President who is liberal or conservative, they just can't represent views only shared by a small portion of the country, in my opinion.

[Terwilliger]

69. what reasons? and how should that affect the fact that he's the real...

anti-war candidate?

[Tinoire]

66. Dennis gets a lot of credit and will start getting even more

More credit than the corporate machine wants people to know. His campaign is truly grass-roots and his supporters are going to make sure that the corporate media doesn't win this one.

The first thing we are going to do is put to rest the myth that Dean is or was anti-war. The second thing we are going to do is make sure that the "Dean is too Liberal" myth is laid to rest as well.

If Dean wants to mis-represent himself AND mis-represent others, then he should face the consequences and there should be no whining when he does.

And yes the occupation IS the war. Just ask the Israelis and the Palestinians. To say one is anti-war but pro-occupation is ludicrous.

[LWolf]

72. He gets plenty of credit from me.

And from people all across America.

I want to see the media give him credit!

[IndianaGreen]

78. Perhaps it is because Dennis doesn't have the looks of a Tom Cruise

Americans have been conditioned by decades of commercialism to judge a package by its cover. We would rather vote for a tall handsome moron than for a short unattractive man of substance.

Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt would have never been elected by today's standards.

[JI7]

87. tom cruise does nothing for me

i'm 25 female and tom cruise does nothing for me. in fact i find him to be fool . most of my friends feel the same way. but many of them love kucinich.

[Dookus]

79. I don't really know...

but it's terribly unfair. I wish all the candidates would give him props on this issue. I love DK for his principled stand against the war, and I see nothing wrong with crediting him for it.

[stickdog]

83. Because he is the personification of the Repuke's ultraliberal bogeyman.

Tough on guns.

Soft on defense.

Tough on crime.

Big on big government.

Strident, angry and radical sounding.

Plus, he's a Representative. Who was the last Rep to be elected President?

[diamondsoul]

90. Going over your list-

"tough on guns"- True

"soft on defense"- False

"tough on crime"- False and what the heck are you talking about?! Since when is abolishing the Federal DP and decriminalizing marijuana "tough on crime"??

"big on big government"- False, let's remember he's the one who wants to cut the Pentagon budget and make them answerable to regular accounting standards.

"Strident, angry and radical sounding"- Sometimes true, sometimes false. The recent interview on the sattelite station is an example of him being perfectly calm, reasonable and polite sounding.

"Plus he's a Representative, who was the last Rep to be elcted President?"- So freaking what??? It's happened before and it can happen again. This is one of the most inane arguments I keep hearing to oppose Dennis.

[arewethereyet]

85. you're right, only Kucinich has CONSISTANTLY been against it

whats that line Rodney Dangerfield always say ?

Oh yeah, "I can't get no respect". Congressman Kucinich must feel that way.

[Clark4VotingRights]

89. Kuchinich should get a heck of a lot more credit and attention

On that, and many other issues.
He's a great man, a great congressman, an uplifting and inspiring
presence.