Dennis Kucinich, the next President of the United States

[Padme Amidala]

Dennis is the only peace candidate running for President. He is the one candidate who always keeps his word. He has the full support of the peace community.

http://www.wtkr.com/Global/story.asp?S=5799257&nav=ZolHbyvj
Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich Plans To Enter 2008 Presidential Race

Dec 11, 2006 01:44 PM PST

CLEVELAND (AP) - Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich (koo-SIHN-ich) of Ohio says he plans to seek the presidency again in 2008. He says fellow Democrats are not doing enough to heed the anti-war message sent by the voters this year.

Kucinich says he plans to formally announce his 2008 presidential bid tomorrow. The liberal, anti-war congressman, who also ran for president in 2004, says he felt inspired to run again because he doesn't think his fellow Democrats are heeding the anti-war message he says was sent by voters this year.

He says they instead approved a proposal to spend 160 (b) billion more dollars on the conflict. The anti-war message was also the cornerstone of Kucinich's 2004 bid, which drew support from some Hollywood celebrities and was fodder for late-night comics.

He was re-elected last month to a sixth term in the U-S House.

[Tom Joad]

1. A Democrat. and he opposes the war? How novel. He's got my vote.

[mdmc]

2. Not in Corporate America

But that would be one great country. :kick:r

KUCINICH IS GOD

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

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

[mdmc]

13. welcome to DU

Most Dems take tons of cash from corporations. It gives them a fund-raising advantage. Corporations own both the parties.

God bless Kooch!

[Name removed]

16. Deleted message

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

[J Miles]

19. Oh yes they do

Personally I pay very little attention to corporate media anymore (and I'm sure most people here don't pay attention to it either), but the same cannot be said of the majority of Americans.

[brazos121200]

25. The corporate media "goes with the flow"

if they believe a particular candidate has mass appeal, they will play him up and give him air time. Like anyone else, they like a "winner". I saw this back in '92 with Clinton, and back in '76 with Carter.

[rman]

74. The corporate owners of the media decide what the flow is

If they don't like a candidate, he/she doesn't get nearly as much airtime as other candidates.

See the documentary "Spin"
http://mysite.verizon.net/res7dhyg/id3.html


Besides, the media are not supposed to act like they are nothing but an average citizen with a bull horn; they are supposed to report on what's out there, not just on what they (or their owners) "like".

[Doctor_J]

88. The corporate medai is overwhelmingly ultra-rw GOP

if they "went with the flow", there would be impeachment talk 24/7 on all the networks. Instead all there is is WH talking points.

You won't last long here posting Rove/Limpballs talking pts, BTW

[mdmc]

76. welcome to DU bro

peace and low stress

[newyawker99]

80. Hi J Miles!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[J Miles]

92. Thanks

Many thanks to you and everyone else for the warm welcome.

[lies and propaganda]

86. welcome to DU!

[Rockstone]

3. GO KU GO!

Kids - EAT YOUR CINICH TO GROW UP STRONG!

[More Than A Feeling]

4. My guess is he has more credibility this time than last time.

I'm certainly taking a closer look.

[jgraz]

5. Gotta go with my conscience

And that's Kucinich. I don't have a lot of hope that he'll get the nomination, but the longer he stays in the race, the better off we'll be.

[DemBones DemBones]

6. Wouldn't it be wonderful if Democrats supported Dennis Kucinich this time,

instead of the GOP-lite candidates they always do?

[rknryd]

38. It would be wonderful for a change

It would be a change for the best and for all. For Peace :thumbsup:

[NotGivingUp]

49. it would be a wonderful thing. it's what this country needs.

[bigluckyfeet]

54. Dennis Kucinich is the only

Politican I ever gave money to for him to campaign.I will vote for him.

[paulk]

97. your post illustrates why DK hasn't got a chance

most people don't respond well when their candidate gets called "GOP-lite".

[Mika]

8. If he runs, I'll put my money where his mouth is. Again!

It was the best several thousand I put up last time around.

He called me personally to thank me. :hug:

[PAdem2]

17. He called you personally

Because not too many people gave him thousands. That says something. Sorry, but you can't get too much darker of a "dark horse" than Dennis for President. That said, he might keep the rest of 'em a little more honest.

[Mika]

22. Yep. It was right after he blasted the media on a Ted Koppel special.

I knew that he would be ostracized after that, so I coughed up a second check (for $1000).

[NotGivingUp]

51. good on you!

[eridani]

65. That's exactly the reason you should support him

Everybody who thinks that

1. We can no longer afford to be an imperial power stomping around the world to conquer a diminishing energy source, and instead should be throwing all of our efforts into inventing the next economy.
2. We need universal health care--everybody in, nobody out.
3. We need to stop the deindustrialization of America and push for fair trade.

--and a whole bunch of other worthy agendas (www.kucinich.us) ought to be supporting him now. Even if he doesn't win, with a wide-open contest in both parties, we can push the Dems closer to where they ought to be.

[MrSlayer]

9. I'm a big fan of The Kooch.

I voted for him in the primary last time and I'd have no problem voting for him again.

[nam78_two]

10. k&r.NT

[Gman]

11. They're all peace candidates now

even the republics

[Douglas Carpenter]

28. but Dennis has the record

Peace Majority (composite of a variety of organizations working to reduce military spending and who favor diplomacy over military intervention – see list of sponsoring organizations of Peace Majority) link:

http://www.peacemajority.org//index.html

To see a breakdown of how this score is tabulated:

Link: http://www.peacemajority.org/scorecard/scorecard.jsp?person_legislator_ID=241

Representative Dennis Kucinich:

Final Score: 151.0/152.0 votes=99%
_____________________

Senator Hillary Clinton:

Final Score: 75.0/133.0 votes=56%

Senator Barack Obama:

Final Score: 38.0/68.0 votes=56%

Senator Evan Bayh:

Final Score: 46.0/133.0 votes=35%

Senator Joseph Biden

Final Score: 70.0/133.0 votes=53%

[Gman]

64. Past tense

they all do now.

[Freddie Stubbs]

87. He also has a record of being pro-life

[Canuckistanian]

12. He's got to defeat the Vilsack juggernaut

But I think he'll do fine IF he's able to get his message out on time and isn't slimed like Gore or Kerry.

[Freddie Stubbs]

82. Kerry didn't slime him last time

Perhaps his campaign had some fundamental problems which could not be overcome.

[SaveElmer]

14. The safest prediction for the 2008 election so far...

Dennis Kucinich will not be the Democratic nominee for President of the United States!!!

[Tom Joad]

21. I have little doubt you are right. The big boys in the Dem Party like

war and economic injustice as much as the big guys in the Repuke party.

[SaveElmer]

23. Yeah that's it...

Did you hear that DU'ers...anyone who doesn't support Dennis Kucinich in the primaries likes war and economic injustice!!!

[Mika]

26. Where did Tom J. say that?

I saw NO such posting. Why would you try to create such a distortion?

[SaveElmer]

29. "The Big Boys in the Dem Party like..."

"war and economic injustice as much as the big guys in the Repuke party"

Hmmm ...who could he be talking about do you suppose?

And if the big boys like war and injustice doesn't it follow that anyone that supports them would too?

[Selatius]

33. No.

[Tom Joad]

42. Distortion city. No logic necessary.

[QuestionAll...]

24. oh come on now...

it's a gentler, kinder war and economic injustice. and they smell and spell better.

;)

[dweller]

69. no, it's just a typical Kucinich thread

it brings out the fear in the meek.

be fearless in your dreams.
dp

[bigluckyfeet]

55. I Tell you right now

If Hillary is the nominee,I will stay home.

[SaveElmer]

57. Feel free...if Kucinich is the nominee...

I will gladly vote for him...

Being part of the loyal Democratic base - you know, one of those that doesn't walk out on the party when I don't get my way every time - I know Deniis Kucinich will be vastly superior to any Republican alive...

[ronnie624]

79. I certainly hope you would vote for him.

There is no logical reason not to.

Principle alone, might prevent one from voting for most of the other Democrats.

...he doesn't think his fellow Democrats are heeding the anti-war message he says was sent by voters this year.

He says they instead approved a proposal to spend 160 (b) billion more dollars on the conflict.

I would have a difficult time voting for anyone, prepared to spend even more money on the Bush administration's militarism in the Middle East.

[SaveElmer]

98. Of course there is reason not too...

His record as Mayor does not appear to have been stellar. His temperament I do not believe is ideally suited to being President. He does not have a history of working well with opposition, or indeed with idealogically different members of his own party.

Kucinich has many fine qualities and I certainly would vote for him. But to say there is no reason to vote against him is not true.

[QuestionAll...]

15. What a lovely thought. :) makes me smile. nt

[WiseButAngrySara]

18. I sincerely wish! He is wonderful! ....n/t

[GreenPartyVoter]

20. Lurve ya Dennis!

[tritsofme]

27. He has as much chance of being the Democratic nominee

as Alan Keyes has being the GOP one.

[Jcrowley]

30. Keep singin' the sweet music

What makes someone "unelectable?"

How is that determined before the presidential race even begins? Is he/she cosmetically undesirable? Not tall enough? Speaks too clearly, honestly and believes public policy should benefit the disadvantaged?

Maybe being unelectable means hasn't sold his/her soul to the highest bidding political action committee. Maybe being unelectable means not having a cadre of special interest lobbyists. Maybe unelectable means willing to speak truth to power and criticize the Pentagon. Maybe being unelectable means the entirety of US politics has swung so far to the right that conservatives are mislabeled centrists and someone who has even a mild social agenda is seen as a whacked out lefty (which we need more of BTW).

Of course the truth of the matter is that Kucinich will not get anywhere near the White House. What does that tell us about how completely perverted is the (s)election process? Who decides? Is the game rigged? If so what are our proper responses if we are serious about real change rather than altering the window dressing?

What role does the media play in all of this? What role is played in the internal workings of the upper caste of the party?

K&R

[eridani]

66. But we can change the process by supporting him

Way too many disgruntled independents and alienated lefties of various stripes have stayed out of electoral politics for too long. We are just now beginning to fill up the pipeline of local officeholders again.

[ronnie624]

81. All of those things make a candidate "unelectable".

And if a candidate has been found to be "unelectable", the corporate media simply pulls their coverage, just as they did to Kucinich in 2004. Very effective.

Dennis Kucinich attempts to engage in political debate, outside the framework which was long ago established by our corporatist political system. Criticizing or questioning the foundation for legislation and foreign policy will not be tolerated by the ruling class.

I have to agree with your assessment: It is highly unlikely Kucinich will ever be president, even though he is exactly what this country needs, at this time. But I will support him anyway.

[bowens43]

31. Kucinich will never be president.

If he gets the nomination(he won't) the republicans win.

[clu]

70. it all depends on presentation

dennis is a powerful speaker and a smart guy. if he was given the air time, he could give a few good and concrete examples illustrating his policies. outline how the dept. of peace may have defused conflicts in the past... focus on a clear cost comparison for private vs. socialized healthcare.

i've mentioned before that dems. should back away from the gun control issue. he has an anti-assault weapons stance and this pains me, but i still got love for him. i don't wanna make a gun sub-thread, but honestly, lots of normal people want to own high-powered rifles. as long as assault-type weapons are semi-auto, they won't necessarily do more damage than a standard semi-auto hunting rifle. this is a wedge issue that we can defuse. introduce tough legislation for gun show sales and more restrictions on purchases. i gotta admit i'm ignorant about those details.

if we could provide real and simple statistics about tax raises and cuts for certain brackets, that message would resonate with the "moderates". i doubt he'll get sufficient coverage though.

i donated to his last campaign and i'll donate again. he's got any vote i can give him.

[rman]

75. ...and wether or not his presentation gets a podium

You know what happens to candidates that aren't liked by the big corporations.

[poverlay]

32. He has my vote... n/t

[Stevepol]

34. Kucinich understands the voting machines steal elections.

That's the sine qua non now for all candidates. If they recognize this, they will understand that the results are skewed and why they're skewed.

I'm going for K all the way this time. Last time, I bought this argumment that he cdn't get it for this or that reason.

This time I'm for him from the beginning as long as he's in the race. He's in it for principle I believe, not just personal ambition. And I just feel better supporting somebody I can believe in unreservedly and not have to suppress my doubts and suspicions about the guy's honesty or integrity or whatnot.

We're all flawed so I can't guarantee anything about anybody else, but I know I feel better when I put myself on the side of right principles.

[NNadir]

35. As the next President of Lesotho, I can't wait to my first state visit to President Kucinich.

[smoogatz]

36. Um, I'm a member of the "peace community"

and frankly I wasn't aware that we'd already picked a candidate to support--as though we were this big, monolithic voting bloc. I like Kucinich, don't get me wrong--he's a terrific Congress-person. But he's not exactly my first choice for pres.

[WI_DEM]

37. I still don't understand why when two big offices in Ohio, Senator and Governor,

were up in 2006--a big democratic year, especially in Ohio, DK didn't try for one of those? It would have given him more experience rather than just being a member of the House and given him more credibility as a future presidential candidate. Members of the house, frankly, don't get elected president in this day and age.

[smoogatz]

39. Because his house seat's a lock and he has considerable seniority.

And because he wouldn't play as well in a statewide race, most of Southern and Central Ohio being center-to-far-right. Which tells you something about his chances in a national election.

[WI_DEM]

40. Well that pretty much backs up what I believe. If DK can't win his

own state he can't be elected president.

[fujiyama]

43. And it's not as if his state is very red

It's tilting more and more Democratic as indicated by the recent elections.

If he couldn't have won a statewide race in a year like this, there is little evidence he could do it later.

[Bjorn Against]

63. And what evidence do you have that he couldn't win a statewide race?

He did not even run so everything you are saying is pure speculation. He wins by huge margins in his district.

[MonkeyFunk]

44. Because...

frankly, he probably couldn't have won either of those seats. He got <4% of Ohio delegates last time he ran for President.

[Freddie Stubbs]

89. The state party wouldn't let him run a half-hearted campaign

Unlike his Presidential campaign, he would have had to give give up his House seat to pursue those offices.

[oldlady]

41. Hurrah! My 'the kooch' lunch box is back in style!

I could believe in America again....if only....

[B Calm]

45. Dennis Kucinich is Mike Malloy's choice!

[MaggieSwanson]

46. and mine, too.

:toast: to Dennis Kucinich!

[J Miles]

47. And mine as well

At the moment he's the only Democrat I'm even mildly impressed with.

[B Calm]

95. Mine too

[slay]

48. Oh man that would be wonderful

Unfortunately he is not a 6 foot tall statuesque kind of fellow - it's too bad people aren't just elected due to their intelligence and their actions or Dennis would indeed be president. These days you gotta be all pretty (or a Republican.. ahem). I'm soooooo glad he's running no matter what though! Dennis rocks! :patriot:

[eridani]

67. Leave the six foot tall statuesque thing to his wife

She does it very well, and has lovely red hair as well.

[NotGivingUp]

50. i would love to hear those words...'dennis kucinich, the next president'

[LittleClarkie]

52. The only peace candidate running for president

Considering that most of them haven't announced yet, I'd say that's sorta premature.

[Douglas Carpenter]

59. Dennis has the record and the substance

Peace Majority (composite of a variety of organizations working to reduce military spending and who favor diplomacy over military intervention – see list of sponsoring organizations of Peace Majority) link:

http://www.peacemajority.org//index.html

To see a breakdown of how this score is tabulated:

Link: http://www.peacemajority.org/scorecard/scorecard.jsp?person_legislator_ID=241
_______________________________

Representative Dennis Kucinich:

Final Score: 151.0/152.0 votes=99%
__________________________________

Senator Hillary Clinton:

Final Score: 75.0/133.0 votes=56%
_________________________________

Senator Barack Obama:

Final Score: 38.0/68.0 votes=56%
________________________________

Senator Evan Bayh:

Final Score: 46.0/133.0 votes=35%
_________________________________

Senator Joseph Biden:

Final Score: 70.0/133.0 votes=53%
_________________________________

Senator John Kerry

Final Score: 61.0/104.0 votes=59%
_________________________________

[goodhue]

53. He has my full support

Way to go Dennis!

[BlackVelvet04]

56. My prediction

for the Democratic presidential nominee is either Warner or Edwards.

Republican nominee: Pataki

[karlrschneider]

61. Didn't Warner take a Sherman a couple months ago?

It's still way too early to get any handle at all on what the field will look like though.

[BlackVelvet04]

78. I don't really know to be honest......

I just did a prediction based on who has attended the Bildeberg conferences in the last 3 years. The movers and shakers always like to get one of their boys in office.

[Freddie Stubbs]

84. Warner's Statement: "I Have Decided Not To Run For President"

http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2006/10/warners_stateme.html

[Freddie Stubbs]

83. Warner has already dropped out and

Pataki is not conservative enough to win the GOP nomination.

[johnnie]

58. Don't Discount Dennis

That should be his campaign slogan.

I've lived in Cleveland my whole life and remember when he was mayor. I was a kid, but thought he was pretty cool even back then. He is honest and doesn't take shit. That might make it hard for him to get elected, but I would sure love to see someone like him in there for a change.

I'll vote for him.

[karlrschneider]

60. I would happily vote for him if he got the nomination

but he won't.

[Zomby Woof]

62. Not going to happen

I love DK, but he will never be the president.

I won't argue with true believers though - they come from the supporters of both parties. I recall back in '87 the fundie I worked with taking a picture of Pat Robertson out of his wallet and telling me HE was "going to be the next president of the United States". :eyes:

[Constitution]

68. I'm looking forward to his inauguration.

It's definitely going to happen.

[Freddie Stubbs]

90. Satan is sharpening his ice skates

[Nutmegger]

71. DK understands what's at stake

He is a person who has a record. During this primary, you are going to hear a lot from the others but it's all going to be crap. If they can't come out on an anti-war stance then I see no reason why I should support them. Espically after all we know now about the cooked intelligence and DSM. DK is the man for the job, the person who can "undo" most of the crap that Bush Inc has implemented.

:kick: for

[jwdeviant]

72. He would make a good VP

He doesn't have the charisma and mass appeal to make him an effective candidate.

In the USA we don't elect people who show intelligence, we elect people we like.

For a lot of us, Kucinich is both someone with intelligence and someone we like, but he would be better in an auxiliary role.

After Cheney it would be nice to have a smart VP who doesn't suck the souls from children.

[eridani]

73. If you want a kitten, ask for a pony

I'm not as terminally perky as the OP, but in the primaries I'm going to go for what I want, namely a candidate who

1. Sees the need to quit wasting all our resources on trying to conquer a diminishing resource, and put that money into education and inventing the next economy.

2. Stands for universal health care; everybody in, nobody out, no exceptions.

3. Understands that the deindustrialization of our economy and deskilling of our work force is one of the most serious security threats we face, and is foursquare for fair trade and against outsourcing.

4. Wants to reform or get rid of the PATRIOT Act and restore our Bill of Rights.

5. Is unequivocally against the War on Some Drugs, in favor of medical marijuana, and for defunding the prison-industrial complex.

6. Favors paper ballots for presidential contests, and full election transparency for other tabulation methods.

7. Favors full equality for everybody, including marrriage equality for LGBT people.

8. Opposes further concentration of the media and favors the fairness doctrine.

---and just about the whole laundry list of stuff that 85% of DU membership is in favor of when those subjects come up. No waffling, no triangulation, no substitution of feel-good rhetoric for concrete proposals. Of course our corporate elite is going to mount a non-stop slander campaign that people who support his issues don't yet have the organization strength to counter, but backing his campaign is part of the process of building it. In the primaries, I'm going for what I actually want. If people refuse to ask for this stuff, how in fucking hell are we ever supposeed to get it? In the general election, I'll support whoever we get, confident that if it isn't Kucinich, that candidate will have been made better at both campaigning and governing than if Kucinich had not run.

[AbbyR]

85. Universal Health Care

out of Iraq, out of the WTO, repeal of the Patriot Act - Dennis thinks like me, and I think he's beautiful. How about having him on the ticket with Gore? There's a dream to love.

[thingfisher]

93. So what's not to like?

Prhaps Dennis K. will get a little more exposure now that he has declared. A lot can happen in 2 years, and perhaps he will be able to make himself more electable during that time.

I am totally turned off by those who consider themselves political realists and make their decisions based on demographics, poles, fund raising abilities, and dozens of other criteria that relate more to playing the political game than to elucidating principles and policies that will reflect the desires of Americans who are disgusted with the usual political soup.

Why settle when you can select?

[G_j]

77. I'm with you ALL the way DK!

just as I was the last time.
I hope our (those who believe in Peace) time has come

:yourock:

[Danger Mouse]

91. Ahahahaha...

hahahah...*snort* hahaha...
ahh.
so.

[Anakin Skywalker]

94. He's Not Handsome Enough! 'Murkins Only Vote for Good-Looking People!

No I am not being sarcastic. It's THE TRUTH.

[Kelly Rupert]

96. Dennis Kucinich has approximately the same chance of being elected

president that a dog does.

[Algorem]

99. Listen to this morning's Cleveland public radio D.K. interview/with callers-

he's the newest candidate for president - Congressman Dennis Kucinich joins us Wednesday morning at nine on 90.3.

>Download in MP3
>Listen to Dan's interview with Dennis Kucinich

http://www.wcpn.org/mp3/2006/1213soiKucinich.mp3

http://www.wcpn.org/soi/2006/1211.html

[Algorem]

100. "Once again, a presidential run with a conscience"

Once again, a presidential run with a conscience
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/dick_feagler/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1166003315125610.xml&coll=2

Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Dick Feagler
Plain Dealer Columnist

We have little to laugh about in this town. But let's not laugh at the fact that Dennis Kucinich is running for president again.

In 2004, his candidacy was greeted here with scorn. But not in this space.

I knew he would lose, but he was saying things nobody else was saying. And now we know that the things he was say ing have all come true.

Iraq has become a quagmire. That wasn't a popular idea back then. Dennis was ahead on that one. Too many people in his own party didn't have a clue...