Dennis Kucinich Supporters Only -- Write an endorsement for your candidate

IMPORTANT: Please read this before you post

The Iowa Caucuses are on Monday, January 19. That day, Democratic Underground would like to run eight articles on our homepage in support of each of the eight candidates. (Two are not competing in Iowa, but we think it is only fair that they are included.) Please submit your article to skinner@democraticunderground.com before 4:00PM ET on Sunday.

There is an announcement about this here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=122356

This discussion thread is for supporters of Dennis Kucinich ONLY. The purpose of this thread is so that they can write an endorsement for their candidate, free of disruption from supporters of other candidates. Any posts by opponents of Dennis Kucinich which try to disrupt this thread, will be deleted by the moderators.

Skinner
DU Admin

hey ZombyWoof, is there any hot coffee?
Kleeb, how about some pie, got enough to share?

I asked for this thread to get started, but I do NOT want to be responsible for writing an endorsement alone. I know there are many much more talented writers here on DU in support of Dennis that will do that. Please let them know by pm to come in and add their touch.

Keep in mind Skinner wants this for the DU frontpage, and he's picking ONE for each candidate. If any of you talented folk are going to take on this task on your own, great! The contributors of this thread are willing to add our voice as well. I just want to see the best endorsement for the best candidate in this race on the front page monday.

I am open to ideas and suggestions to get this started. Add the issues, points of views, and your ideas you'd like to see represented, and also misconceptions about DK you want corrected. It's a collective effort, so your voice counts.

this could be fun.

peace,
dp

For starters, I am going to stick in part of an email message I received last week from the leader of our local (very small town) Kucinich supporter group. I found it really was rejuvenating to me, a real pick up.

So here it is.

> • While it is hard to withstand what seems like a constant barrage of negativism from the press, and waves of "he's not electable" from folks we otherwise agree with, it is crucial that we keep focused on the reasons why we support Dennis.

> • Take a look at the issues and the clarity he brings to every one of them.

> • Remember he is not a corporate lap dog.

> • Please remember that there are people dying in Iraq, in Afghanistan, because of the policies of the Bushites. Dennis is the only candidate that has presented a clear and workable plan for ending the war while continuing the need for US help in reconstruction--- sans the presence of US troops, US exclusive contracts and US control.

> • We have always said the message is as important as the candidate.

> • Plus, no votes have been counted and I, for one, feel that there are some surprises coming in this primary season.

> • Hang in there! Hang in right here where we are! It is much too early to be hanging or drifting towards the political center. That tendency to drift centerward or rightward, does not deal with the fundamental issues of our time.

> • Corporate power and greed, will not be seriously challenged by any leader that is basically in their pocket.

> • A health care plan that embraces a for-profit system will not address the needs of those that can't afford health care now. 

> • Keep talking to each other. This is a tremendous time for educational opportunities- for chances to talk to people we don't usually speak about political change with.

> • It's damn exciting!

............

We have been sending postcards to Democratic voters in Iowa and New Hampshire, and are about to start doing the same to the 6 (I think it is 6) states where primaries or caucuses happen in early February.

Here are some bits and pieces from my postcards:

It's Not "CUT 'n RUN" to leave IRAQ!
Dennis has a clear and workable PLAN to
get us out of Iraq quickly! NEW rebuilding
contracts! Competitive bidding, open to Iraqi
companies too. No more sweetheart deals!
UN supervision! US pays the costs!

••Congressman Kucinich••
Has clear understandable and
workable solutions on ALL the issues.
No Other Candidate Does!
Please vote for him in your pct caucus!

I printed this sort of thing on stickers for the postcards in order to save space. Besides my handwriting is probably not very legible when I try to crowd too much in. I did hand write all the addresses and added this sentence hand-written:
"I have been engaged in politics for over 40 years.
I have never been this excited about a candidate before!"

.....
I am offering this stuff just to stimulate ideas. Looking forward to seeing what the other DK people here at DU come up with.
If anybody has questions or wants to chat, PM me.

I am a liberal person who believes in human rights for all persons on this earth. After reviewing each of the candidates, Dennis Kucinich has the most realistic platform for the realization of the great american dream for all people.

I trust him implicitly with my country's future, my familys future and that of all i love about america. He is the only candidate i can honestly vote FOR in this coming election.

He has the track record to win a runoff election in a closely contested area, and is not at all marginal as portrayed by the corporate media.

Dennis Kucinich, you are the heart and the future of America.

God Bless you Dennis.

is going to be tough to keep this thread kicked, so bookmark it if you want to find it again.

pm another DK supporter to get onboard the thread,
thanks

dp

May the luck of 10,000 buddha's forever bless the life of dennis kucinich and all who support him.

namaste,

-sweet heart

This is of great service. I'll try to be back and contribute unless I just get in my car and go to Iowa, which I'm seriously considering.

and you can send what you will from wherever you can get logged on.

i'm pm'ing others, and checking back to keep this kicked.

if you go to Iowa, look for Pitt. He may want to jump in too.

peace,
dp

Kucinich offers the vision I believe in, he has some great idea. Plus he is just inspirational.
I'll add more later.

and let some others know. I'm thinking by sat/sun there will be a goodly amount of voices here to join in.

dp

and i think my link to this thread is bad, i c/p'd it from Skinner's start, but checked it from the pm and i didn't get here...:(

it's going to take awhile seeing how it's friday nite, etc.

just bookmark it and keep checking back.

i was thinking also about an angle to this you are going to have to contrib to. The underage endorser. Why DK. Do you have friends around your age that talk about him? I have 2 daughters about your age, they are both DK (one is secondary Dean). They tell me politics turns them off, but they've heard more about DK from me of course, but their few friends that pay attention to politics too. I didn't ask them why their friends do, just said coool, and let it go at that.

anyway, i've sent a half dozen or more pm's, going to have to get some dinner and stuff. Will check back.

d

I will think on this for a while. I am certainly not a writer, others do so much better but I will go through some of my favorite articles and try to put something together. Thanks, this is a cool idea (to Skinner).

if we all put some ideas together, it's not going to be hard to come up with 1000 words in convincing praise of DK.

dp

the easiest thing in the world.

But coming up with the words won't be hard.

DK is an experience...a happening...a walking embodiment of his words, ideas and beliefs. We are all gonna need a larger and more colorful pallete.

DK Bio Issues Vision should do the job...but it's well over 1000 words....could you condense it?

:)

what's the most important to you?

dp

If ONLY Skinner would give us THAT much room on the front page! Giving this some thought and will PM you in a few minutes...

For this purpose, is a "supporter" one who definitely plans to vote for Kucinich, or could it also be one who respects Kucinich and might vote for him?

Thanks in advance.

edited to remove a computer-added symbol

as a supporter. This is intended to present a collective effort endorsement to DU for the homepage.

what i'm saying if you support him, great, add why in your own words.

I don't think the supporters here would want anyone's negative voice/view in the article/endorsement. So feel free to add your endorsement. In fact, if you are one who respects and might vote for him, tell us what you need to convince you to vote. That may be the inspiration to many like-minded people to vote for DK, and should be in the endorsement.

i know you asked this of Skinner, i pm'd him to get him to answer you. I don't think he's keeping an eye on this thread-he's got enough to keep up with on the forum alone.
:)

dp

Vote Kucinich and get it over with ;)

You know that's where your heart is!

I appreciate all you do to keep DU fair and open for all of the candidates. :donut: Coffee (or your favorite beverage) for your hard work!

and so it's up to you, us, now to do something with this idea. I want to go and watch a movie with my kids, and check back here before bedtime to see if anyone else is in on this.

I just would like to note a few ideas to think over.

1)This thread started due to Skinner's call for candidate endorsements for the DU homepage for Monday during the Iowa caucus. It's pinned at the top of this forum for all to see. Last i checked, it had 8 responses, 3 of mine, 3 of Skinner's and 2 kicks from others. He has the benefit of the pin to keep it there, we don't. If this can happen and there is a glowing, well written endorsement for Dennis Kucinich from our effort, or someone else's work, I'm going to be really happy to see that on the DU homepage. I imagine many of you would too. Adding to the creation is part of this process. Give it a shot.

2) It's going to be a kick if by Sun 4pm Skinner receives this endorsement, and what? no other candidates endorsements??? Most other posters on this forum appear to be churning away on the usual threads, but unless they are writing a lone endorsement, no one else has asked for a thread for a collective endorsement at this point. That may be a minor point now. But it may be a major indictment of where the election process is: scattered and disorganized and schizo and loud and ...well, seemingly futile. At least to me sometimes. So that's why I wanted to get this started. Working together, and adding our talents (and we all have them in various flavors) to get an endorsement written for DK on DU would be a great example of how the process should but doesn't appear at times, to work. But everyones voice included is what I think Dennis would like.

Tinoire just pm'd me a great idea to keep this idea rolling. Look for a post to follow.

peace,
d

I just got home from work here on the west coast. I'm not sure what or how to contribute, but I can write an endorsement for Dennis.

Here it is:



Please join me in making 2004 a year of hope by supporting Congressman Dennis John Kucinich for president. I have spent the last year researching his life, and I have discovered the leader that America is looking for.

Why Dennis Kucinich?

• He is a champion: of democracy; of social and economic justice; of peace; and, most of all, of THE PEOPLE.
• He is a staunch, outspoken leader in the opposition to the Bush Administration and its agenda of war, fear, and greed.
• He walks his talk—count on it.

Dennis has an incredible record and platform. Visit his website. It reads like an encyclopedia of solutions for America. He will provide health care, not “coverage,” to 100% of America. He will work to make peace and diplomacy the organizing principle of our nation. And he will bring our troops home from the quagmire in Iraq.

I've never in my life voted "FOR" a candidate. I've always voted against a particular candidate, or for the lesser of bad choices. I've never campaigned for anyone, or anything. I just didn't believe in them.

But I'm campaigning for Dennis Kucinich. For the first time in my 43 years, I'm casting a vote for a candidate I believe in. 2004 is truly the year that we can light up America with hope.

I know the folks who have supported him will find the words and give Skinner a good article :hi:

and now i'm voting for Dennis in the upcoming NY state primary. I have not voted since the early 80's as i've increasingly felt the electoral system represents no choice.

I have formed and managed businesses in California and New York and have been reticent to endorse the Democratic party until recently, and am still a member of the libertarian party.

I was scheduled by my marketing manager in london to attend a special conference on financial software protocols (www.fixprotocol.org) at the windows on the world restaurant on September 11th 2001, and cancelled in advance to avoid the transatlantic travel. As it turns, i am very fortunate indeed, as ALL my collegues who attended are now dead.

In this regard, i am quite familiar with the political views of some people who were killed in the world trade center. The wish, as i interpret it, is for a world of fair free trade, where western economics are used to benignly engage the world's people rather than militarism. America should be a city on a hill, an EXAMPLE of a free educated society where liberty and justice are for all, and not just for a select few who can afford to buy government attention.

Dennis Kucinich is a vote that i am very lucky to cast in this forthcoming election, as it represents to me an honest political awakening. This ex-republican swing voter has seen the light, and has no more time to dilly dally.

Not every Republican/Reagan supporter is a knuckle dragging lunatic freeper. Those that can think will easily recognize an honest politician and rare opportunity. He will sway Republicans in large numbers. Its true.

This is the endorsement I wrote for the Kucinich volunteer folder on "Why I support Dennis", but as Dennis says, "feel free to rip, mix or burn" anything I write about him.

Opposition of the Iraq invasion brought him to my attention, and then I read his position statements.

What I saw was something I've been searching for my entire voting life- a candidate who understands the word Justice and all it means. Dennis Kucinich comprehends the amount of injustice we're all seeing on a daily basis. Its a common theme throughout all of his policies from my perspective. The drug war is rampant with unjust arrests, prosecutions, and sentencing. Dennis is the one with the clearest response to that charge- an unequivocal "Yes it is, and I want to change it!".

Healthcare is rampant with injustice in it's preference for those with money over those without. Kucinich again says "Yes it is, and I'm prepared to stop that!"

Our trade policies are rampant with injustice, causing wide-spread suffering among people from other countries and costing our own citizens needed jobs. Again we hear Kucinich loudest and clearest- "Yes they are and I think we should scrap them and start over!"

I support Dennis because the phrase "With Liberty and Justice for all." has always been my favorite segment of the Pledge of Allegiance. As a child I would get chills down my spine when we reached that phrase. I spoke it loudest and strongest of all the lines in the Pledge because it meant something to me.

I BELIEVE with every ounce of my being that the United States can live up to "With Liberty and Justice for ALL.", and Congressman Dennis John Kucinich brings that line to life in one candidate. The one most likely to make that a truthful assessment of this country.

By his presence in our lives we are all supported, enriched, and challenged to manifest our highest good, our own truth and our destiny as individuals, as a nation and as a member of the human family. From this Truth we derive our courage for this journey...this great adventure. DK is just one more Frodo for our times....as is anyone who responds to the wisdom of the heart and the longing for truth.

Dennis leads and resonates with Truth...like a note that is perfect in pitch and clear in tone. He has revived trust and is a light in what seems a particularly dark age. Beyond his sound policies and forward looking ideas for this country and the planet as a whole, which have been outlined on numerous occassions on DU, it is the quality and integrity of the man which moves me most. Even if I disagree with DK on some issue, I know he is being authentic in his own commitment to a cause or policy, and yet will listen to alternative views. He is open, yet firm and courageous in his cause.


So much to say.......so VERY late at night... Back later.

In the not-quite-a-year since Dennis Kucinich agreed to stand for election to the Presidency, I've personally read or heard endorsements of him by thousands of people.

Most of these endorsements start out in the same wistful way: 'Wouldn't it be wonderful if...'. The words might be slightly different, but the meaning is always the same: 'DK's vision for our world is just like mine, but I know I can't have it. So I have to be "pragmatic" and accept what They want instead of what I want. Because I've already lost and They've already won.' And those endorsements always end the same way: 'so I'm supporting X instead'.

No chains are needed around our ankles as long as They can chain our minds and imprison our hopes. But it's also true that no acetylene torch is needed to free ourselves from mindchains. We can snap the chains, walk through the bars. All we have to do is decide to do it. They're only made of newsprint, and smoke, and sneers, and our fear.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if this year we all decided to have what we want instead of what They want?

I think the one for DK should focus on reasons why people who like his policies the best should support him in the primaries/caucuses. Especially in the early contests, remind people that even if he doesn't win keeping him in the race is good for everyone. For people like Dean being labeled as a far leftist, Kucinich makes him look like more of a centrist. For anyone concerned with BBV, Kucinich has done the most on exposing this issue. The list goes on...

This is a piece, a marketing piece to be honest. If someone wants to know Dennis' policies and such, they can read his website. Likely this piece is more for a voter wishing to be informed, not only to his policies but the strong impulses that have lead people to support dennis.

Like a moon shot, the rocket leaves from "somewhere" and the point of view of the reader cannot be separated from the peice... i mean that we are writing the endorsement for the most likely converted audience more than ourselves.

I agree that this audience would most likely want to know deep down that dennis appeals to:
1. centrists
2. to people who have moral concerns about abortion
3. Business people
4. Women, men, blacks, asians, hispanics, (all) and disabled people
5. To people with deep concerns about security!
6. To people with profound concerns about civil liberties.
7. Fiscal conservatives
8. And to people who are serious about getting america back on track.

I think his strong (already strong) points are 4 and 6.. and that the endorsement derivative should emphasize his pragmatic ability to WIN and work both sides of the aisle.

If the resulting peice addresses these most common doubts and finishes with some of the more emotive endorsements, all the better... but i'd start with a doubter's perspective... and convert them.

You want someone in the White House who has a grudge against entrenched power and wealth. When you have to sleep in a car or two while growing up, you get a little pissed off and angry edge to you. I want that working for me in the White House.

is the easiest and most effective & respected form of leadership. Dennis Kucinich is a living example of what a leader should be. The first step of leadership is to listen to the people. Dennis has organized a grassroots campaign of supporters whose dedication will trump the money usually needed to take a candidate through the entire electoral process. Dennis' platform is the best for America, because it transcends the tit-for-tat style of politics and guides itself off of a higher goal. This goal is a vision of America that sees far and wide, inclusive of the entire world and the next generation. And in the here and now, it is inclusive & respectful of all Americans, facing each problem head on, and always looking for a cure.


gotta work on it s'more, but i don't wanna lose this work, so - posting!

I'll just throw a few things out here...

To me, Dennis Kucinich brings something back to politics that's been missing for a very, very long time. He is fearless in a way that many pretend to be, but his true fearlessness is in speaking the truth, even when you know it's not popular to mention it.

If he had had a 'traditional' campaign manager, would he still have spoken out against the war and occupation as strongly as he has? Hell, no. They'd tell him it would be 'suicide' and he'd have 'toned it down'. But no. He knows he was right, and so he's not shutting up. God bless him for that.

Would he be speaking out on behalf of single-payer insurance? It's been portrayed in the media as 'socialized medicine' for years, and most politicians would still not advocate it, despite the public being clear on this issue. It seems the insurance and pharmaceutical industries have more pull in our government than even we do, and do we care?

Also, would he be advocating the decriminalization of marijuana? Others call this the 'gateway drug' (laughable old pseudo-science though it is), yet they are still 'electable' candidates? How many children are losing their parents to the prison industrial complex, due to drug crimes? How long will we waste valuable taxpayer money fighting an obvious fraud called the 'drug war'?

Does anyone notice that the government is starting to use the 'war on terror' weapons on the enemies in the 'war on drugs'? These are US citizens! They have committed the same crime that most society folks did when they routinely violated the law during prohibition! What kind of country are we becoming? Sorry... got off track there.

Anyway, this ability of his to focus on what is important for the poeple of this country, rather than allow himself to be guided into some irrational but 'politically popular' position in order to advance or secuire some career goal, is, to me, the reason I, and many people I know, respect him more than any other politician in Washington today.

Everyone's contribution to this thread has been great!
We have compiled the endorsements so far and are currently working on a rough draft, which should be available later today/evening for your viewing. Your comments and suggestions will be appreciated.

To view the Endorsement, send a pm to me and i will send you the instructions on how to view.

If you add to this thread later, i may or may not get back to see it, so please contact me if you want to add to the group endorsement.
keep in touch,

peace,

The Democratic Party has many candidates in the 20004 Presidential Primary of which we can all be proud to support. Although they may differ to a certain extent on various issues, they all nevertheless represent the Party’s core values of fairness, justice and compassion.

One of these candidates has distinguished himself from the rest by his unrelenting determination, despite opposing odds, to carry the banner of progressive liberal ideology. That candidate is Congressman Dennis Kucinich.

In a knight errant fashion he courageously jousts the windmills of healthcare, free trade, the war in Iraq, balanced budgets and environmental righteousness. He hurls down a gauntlet to all (Republican or Democrat) that dare to compromise the liberal tradition to the expediency of politics. Where others soften or negotiate their rhetoric to pander to the audience at hand, Dennis provides a consistent and clear voice for those who’s voice has been so long ignored.

To those who see Congressman Kucinich as “unelectable” because of his hard-line idealism, I recall the words of Cervantes:

“When life itself seems lunatic, who knows where madness lies? Perhaps to be too practical is madness. To surrender dreams -- this may be madness. To seek treasure where there is only trash. Too much sanity may be madness. And maddest of all, to see life as it is and not as it should be.”

Dennis Kucinich speaks not only for the people but as one of them. He is integrity, passion, caring and honesty all rolled into one. He doesn't pander, he only speaks from his heart. People call it yelling, I call it passion. When you so badly want to change the system and help people of this country and the world, sometimes you may have a tendency to get loud about it. :)

He has the best stance on almost every issue in the race. He also covers more issues than anyone else. His incredible issues page is here:

http://www.kucinich.us/issues/

Take a gander... His knowledge on a vast amount of issues that effect us all is amazing.

Universal Health Care, Repealing the unPatriot Act, canceling NAFTA, protecting American jobs, protecting the envrionment, promoting worker's rights, Department of Peace, cutting military spending, protecting civil rights, etc.

The list could go on...

The vision to lead America to a place of prosperity and hope and away from war and FEAR.

I'll just leave it at that.

TWL

:kick:

Dennis Kucinich is the most principled man running for the President of the United States of America. His views are in line with most of Americans, though they may not know it. Often derided as too liberal and too out of the mainstream he represents the ideas of the American people on education, health care, economic growth and freedoms for people. The very first candidate to oppose the Iraq war, Mr. Kucinich has been a consistant critic of Mr. Bush in his horrible mistakes on international affairs, public policy, human rights, and economic policy.

Dennis Kucinich is the progressive chance for the American people to turn their back on and defeat the policies of George W Bush and his disastrous policies

I have been so concentrated on the campaign that I haven't been able to be here much lately. My husband sent me the link to this when Skinner first put it up so I emailed him my endorsement. Now I look at the original note he pinned up at the top of GD 2004 about statements for candidates and see it needs to be 1000 words max. I think what I sent might be a tad too long. Rats!

Looking forward to seeing the result.

and read your endorsement supporters.

:kick:

peace,

dp

Well done! And the only piece with links! :bounce:

!!!!

GO KOOOOOOCH!


TWL

is linked on the www.Kucinich.us site, in the DENNIS IN THE NEWS section.
:kick: fwiw,
dp