Kucinich is important in this election because......

he has the balls to get up and call Bush a liar. He did so from the beginning long before it become the "in" thing to do. He has the balls to say he would withdraw from Nafta, WTO and would abolish the death penalty. Kucinich has the sand to say he would start a Department of Peace. (many of you think that is odd, however, the concept is vastly important to us all) Kucinich is for a single-payer health system. He has fought, as a mayor, against deregulation and nearly lost his career for it. Kucinich is important to this election not because he:

is short
not a male model
took time to evolve into pro-choice views
has little chance to win
gets attacked for superficial reasons.

He is important because he brings up vital issues that nobody else would and he stirs debate. Of course, the world would be a better place if he were President, but, at the very least,this election will be better simply because he is in it.

I believe that in my heart.

I've said it often; not going to repeat it all now. But I totally agree with you. Kucinich and Sharpton both stand apart from all the rest, & offer valuable things that none of the others do.

He is only unelectable if people who believe in him don't vote for him for those reasons or any other. He is a viable candidate with a platform based on love and confidence in humanity.

as I said earlier, and you know what some people who havent been the best to the campaign agreed completely. This superfical nonsense has gotta stop if we ignore a man because we think hes not good looking enough to win, or hes small, or what ever that is a shame and a reason why I am sometimes very bitter its not really bitterness its more like "why is that"

It took me some time to believe he is serious about changing his views on choice, but I do believe him without reservation.

I agree with him on all the issues.

While I don't subscribe to the hype about his supposed unelectability, I don't believe he'll win the nomination. That is a loss for liberals of all stripes but we all gain from his courageous and principled participation in the process.

To me he epitomizes Ghandi's famous quote, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

embody that quote. God, how often can you say that about a politician?

I think he's valuable to this campaign because he is coming at it out of true compassion and belief in humankind. And it's sort of nice if those motivations rub off on the rest of the candidates. Not only does he get out there and attack Bush with no reservations, he also is not afraid to dream and propose dramatic positive change.

be in Congress so we won't lose him entirely. Yes, the Ghandi thing gets to me. I would much rather have someone in office who holds a personal view against abortion but after much thought and reflection decides that for the good of our country it is needed then changes his policy. I'm not sure I would always buy that but DK is a guy who means what he says and does it. I take him at his word on that. It is nice to trust him and he is the only one I feel that way about.

You can make a case either way, in all honesty. I think a truly educated and honest person has to wrestle with the idea of whether it is wrong or not. It is not easy to deal with such an ambigously moral issue. I think DK wrestled back and forth on it and came to, what I consider, the proper decision in the end. I, too, wrestle with the my abortion views. I am pro-choice, but some very compelling arguments are out there. A caring person like Dennis is going to be touched by arguments on all sides, so nailing down your final view is never a concrete process. It is just an issue that isn't easy anyway you put it.

I also hate that abortion is necessary for many. I think, but it has been a while since I looked, that he plans to make it less of an option by education and providing contraception. You know, someone is always going to get knocked up even if they knew better. If that happens to fewer people because they know and have contraception available then it becomes less of a problem for those of us who feel conflicted about it. I am most assuredly pro choice but I wish it didn't have to be a choice so often. He does address it on his site, I would recommend looking it up instead of taking my word on it.

is what totally validates Kucinich's change of heart in my eyes. I too came to my pro-choice stance after a massive internal struggle to overcome the conditioning of my childhood. To this day I don't know if I personally could have made the decision to end a pregnancy, but the realization that one's own personal qualms on *any* issue shouldn't impact others' lives, destinies and beliefs is a sign of humility and compassion.

His contribution to the national dialogue is essential.

especially this election.

I did not watch the debate, and do not intend to, as I seldom ever watch TV. Yet, I am glad to hear that the candidates are speaking well.

I have seen enough of the "simian-faced idiot unqualified to mow his own lawn, much less lead the free world," (as described in Ted Rall's great article on smirkingchimp.com today "Why We Hate *".) to know why qualified Democratic candidates are important as well.

None seem more qualified than Kucinich, and we are fortunate to have his voice being raised.

for the long haul.........

Let me tell you something about Dennis Kucinich, he first ran for political office at 21 and lost but he came back and won the next year. Most probably dont know this, hell most of the public doesnt know him or the other candiates at all which gets me thinking THIS IS STILL ANYONE'S BALLGAME. Sorry for the yell. He does come back and knowing his tale of being mayor of Cleveland is very telling of this. I dont want to be told to wait, maybe they dont realize it but we really like DK for who he is and what he does. He is a man of great courage it just stings when superficalness takes over reality, which I got people to admit was a factor.