Dennis Kucinich: the real soul of the Democratic Party? [View All]

"The best-kept secret on the Democratic presidential campaign trail ignited St. Paul’s Central High School auditorium August 16, bringing the almost 1000-strong crowd repeatedly to its feet, cheering. Supporters of Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) defy definition, spanning independents, Greens, veterans, students, peace activists, consumers and environmentalists. Doubts about his “electability” are greatly exaggerated—Kucinich won by 70 percent in 2001 in a traditionally Republican district. Willie Nelson is recording campaign ads for him and doing concert fundraisers with Ani DiFranco in Des Moines, Iowa, in early September. Grassroots campaign organizations are spreading like smoldering prairie fire across the country."

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"While other Democrats tinker with cosmetic changes, Kucinich is the only candidate proposing universal, single-payer healthcare, including dental, vision-care, mental health and long-term care. JAMA’s study announced last week that 8,000 doctors agree that Kucinich’s plan is the only solution for both containing costs and alarming health disparities."

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“This continued military build up will be the DEATH-knell for our democracy. They’re SUCKING OUT THE OXYGEN that’s needed for the economy!” he concluded. Kucinich is ranking Democrat on the National Security Committee. Vowing to cut military spending, “I’ll correct this direction. We’ll have a strong defense, but we ALREADY had that before 9/11. My concern is that we understand that education is part of national defense, Healthcare is national defense. Having good jobs and full employment is national defense. Making sure veterans have the full benefits we promised them when they said they’d serve is national defense. This is a moment for fundamental and deep change and my candidacy represents that."

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"Historical perspective also challenges pundits’ premature judgments: At this point in the campaign process, Bill Clinton had 6 percent and Jimmy Carter didn’t make the polls at all, yet, both won the White House. Kucinich is polling 7 percent in Iowa, even without media coverage. Some call Kucinich the "Seabiscuit of 2004."

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"Deeply ethical, hard-working, informed by facts and empathy, impishly humorous: These are some impressions of the livewire Congressman from Ohio who’s kept the courage with which he began his political career. Burned through war-induced despair and Bush-generated fear, Dennis Kucinich inspired hundreds of people to imagine victory."



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