Why Does Anyone Take Dennis Kucinich Seriously?
January 22nd, 2007 at 08:29pm Geraldine
Unlike 2004, when he at least had a unique policy position by being so strongly anti-war and significantly to the left of the rest of the field, he has no such claim this year. In fact, of the front runners, both Obama and Edwards have genuine claims to representing the left of the Democratic Party. Now, the only thing makes Dennis Kucinich unique is that he’s a kook. Look at this video of him singing “16 Tons” in the middle of a speech (This is the highlight reel and this is the whole thing.) He’s quoted here implying that animals should have equal rights as people and has stated that he’s “running for President of the United States to enable the goddess of peace to encircle within her reach all the children of this country and all the children of the world.” This guy will eat up 1/8th of the time allotted in every Presidential debate between now and next year. What a waste. At least Mike Gravel has one unique issue with his desire for national referendums and initiatives. The only thing that’s unique about Kucinich is that he’s nutty and really goofy looking. But then again, according to his website, his “courageous and visionary presidential campaign excited a new generation of young Americans to involvement in the 2004 Democratic Primary elections.” Who knew that eight white kids with dreadlocks constituted a generation?
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Entry Filed under: President 2008, Dennis Kucinich, Mike Gravel
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7 Comments Add your own
1. Marcos | January 23rd, 2007 at 12:03 am
Wow… we are in trouble when somebody that voted not once, but three times for the most draconian “Patriot Act” has a genuine claim to be the “left of the party”… that could only happen if we think that the party does not have a right wing (DLC). Yup, I’m referring to Obama. Check his voting record, for a “taste” there is a post in the Kucinich forum with Obama’s Congressional Record ().
Edwards, now, is talking a nicer story. But… will he walk the talk? We will know by June. The situation in Iraq will deteriorate, and there we will see who is consistent and who’s not. While most of the candidates are falling into Bush’s trap (talk about increase on troops instead of a fast redeployment), is Kucinich the one with a clear plan to get out of Iraq *now*.
I hope the discussion about the candidates will be about issues and not “ad hominem” attacks that, honestly, seems more appropriate in the Rush Limbaugh show
Peace, with Justice
Marcos
2. Marcos | January 23rd, 2007 at 12:06 am
ups.. I made a mistake with the html tag…
to check Obama’s record, the URL is: http://kucinich.us/node/2192
sorry! (btw.. how about a “preview” mode for postings?
3. Rex | January 24th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Let’s see if we can remember what Kucinich brought to the last round of Democratic primary debates. Universal health care? Kucinich continued to bring it to the forefront while other “serious” canidates hemmed and hawed and proposed peacemeal, worthless policies. War in Iraq? Kucinich was almost precienct on this subject, being the only candidate to continuously advocate the position of bringing the troops home immediately, a position that many of the “serious” candidates this election are now advocating (a bit late, IMHO). Global climate change? Kucinich treated it as a serious issue while other candidates mentioned it as an afterthought.
No one thinks Kucinich is going to get the nomination, not even Kucinich. The Democrats lost last election because they were obsessed with playing it safe and playing to the center. It is now often remarked that the Dems victory in the midterm elections and their chances in 2008 hinge on them playing to their base and advocating the types of positions that Kucinich advocated in the last election. Obama stopped being a left candidate when he stopped being a state senator; the guy is now one, big eloquent equivocation. And while I support Edwards, and will work hard for his election, I also support a guy like Dennis jumping in there and advocating positions without a thought as to how it will affect his chances.
And BTW, 1% is not “eight white kids with dreadlocks.”
4. darrelplant | January 24th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
Edwards is claiming that he wasn’t duped by the Bush administration about his vote for the Iraq war resolution in the New Yorker article that came out a couple of weeks ago. He says that as a member of the Intelligence committee, he had access to information that made him think Saddam was an actual threat, and that his vote wasn’t based on cooked intel from the WH or because he thought invading Iraq was just a damn good idea.
Of course, the problem with that is, that any intel he had that Saddam was a threat to the US was still wrong, nor did Edwards mention what the heck it was. Not only that, but a majority of the Democrats on the Senate Intelligence committee (5 of 9) — who would have seen the same intel as Edwards — voted against the resolution, along with another 16 Senate Democrats and more than 120 House Democrats.
I’m glad Edwards has seen the light on Iraq. But hindsight’s easy. It’s harder to get it right before the mistake is made.
5. burt | January 26th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Kucinich is no nuttier than Harkin.
6. Tomi | September 22nd, 2007 at 11:11 am
When I read that Kucinich brings nothing new to this year’s campaign, I am appalled–perhaps the author simply watches main-stream media and does not read what goes on in Congress? Perhaps he does not know that Kucinich has brought a bill to bring healthcare for all Americans, without profiting insurance companies, or to impeach Cheney first, or a Department of Peace? Dennis Kucinich is a candidate who is not owned by any corporations, and owes no one any favors; Would he not make the best President, one with integrity, spirituality, common sense and intelligence? He went to Syria to introduce the potential for peace in the Middle East. No one else has the courage or compassion he has. He brings a great deal to the debate, and if the media gave him the same opportunities the other candidates receive, Americans would see they have a real choice, not just to vote for the lesser of the evils. Dennis Kucinich 2008!
7. Iowa Progress » Bil&hellip | October 16th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
[…] tack to the left was his recent hiring of Dave Rogers as his political director. Rogers worked on Dennis Kucinich’s Presidential campaign and was reported by reliable sources to be staffing Kucinich at […]
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