Breakfast at Kucinich's

[LWolf]

http://www.alternet.org/election04/19355/

<snip>

Once Kucinich sets his sights on an idea, he doesn't let up. That's why he ran his small but brave campaign to very end. And since officially endorsing Kerry last week, Kucinich has turned that same persistence that kept the primaries lively with an unflinching politics of social justice towards the general election and the drive to unseat Bush. "No one's going to divide us in November," he'll say when asked about his fundamental differences with Kerry on key issues like the war in Iraq and the Patriot Act. About the platform that his contingent failed to influence in Miami, Kucinich responded "the party platform is a political document. The living platform is the people in the party, and we bring a progressive message to the party by uniting behind John Kerry."

<snip>

This makes explicit what was the subtext of Kucinich's candidacy all along: Bring the third party fire into the Democratic tent. Despite the fact that Kucinich's policies put him well outside what has become the Democratic mainstream, he refused to run as an independent. "I'm a Democrat," he'd say without hesitating. "A progressive Democrat with a social vision." In Kucinich's view, the variety in the open primary was an asset, and he's clearly frustrated by the persistent questions emphasizing the divisions. "All the reporters come with their little notepads and ask about the disagreements," he said to one of the delegations. "But we're not going to let that get in the way of electing Kerry."

<snip>

Back out in the hall, Kucinich was surrounded by another group of reporters trying to get him to admit to hypocrisy by endorsing Kerry. "Yes, we disagreed," he said. "That we know. As they say in courtrooms, 'So stipulated.' Let's move on. That's what the primaries are about. And now we're going to take that same energy and apply it to the Kerry campaign."

And with that he was off, down the corridor, entourage just behind, spreading the word that the party is progressive, even if it doesn't yet know it.

[ashling]

1. Thank God for practical progressives

:)

[MsUSA]

2. I heard on MPR this morning, the Kucinich

delegates (8) are still undecided about handing over their votes to Kerry.....

[LWolf]

3. Some of them are.

Many of the other 70 or so delegates are not. A few are considering whether or not to cast a vote for Kerry at the convention; not whether or not to cast their vote for him in November.

As always, Dennis leads the way. He models how to work withing the process for the best possible outcome.

[GreenArrow]

4. If I were a Kucinich delegate at convention

I would vote Kucinich, with no second thoughts. The general election is a different game.

With the platform bland and safe as Wonder bread, I really hope that a least a few voices stand up.

[Desertrose]

5. me too, absolutely 100% for DK

Kerry has enough to get the nom & I feel it will do much more good in the long run for the Kucinich delegates to cast their vote for him and HAVE THOSE VOTES RECORDED !

It does not mean division but only that some other voices get heard.

God& Goddess, I do love Dennis Kucinich and his vision and heart.

:hi: LWolf :loveya:

[GreenArrow]

6. thank God there is someone else!

:hi: