...about the Democratic Party having a backbone - Kucinich

The only major-party candidate to stump in Montana speaks to enthusiastic audiences.

In Helena:

Even though Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts has earned enough delegate support to be considered the Democratic nominee, Kucinich said he's still pounding the campaign pavement for the sake of his party.

''My candidacy is about the Democratic Party having a backbone,'' Kucinich told the cheering crowd in the Capitol rotunda. ''If people can't tell the difference between Democrats and Republicans, that isn't going to help Democrats.

http://www.helenair.com/articles/2004/05/25/montana_top/a05052504_01.txt


In Missoula:

Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich is realistic about the chances of winning his party's nomination - nil - but he's confident he still has the power to influence the party platform, he told enthusiastic supporters in Missoula on Monday.

Entering the packed Wilma Theatre to a huge round of applause and a standing ovation, the only major-party presidential candidate to visit the state so far said simply, "Wow."

"They said, 'C'mon to Missoula; we've got a small group of people who want to meet with you here,' " Kucinich said. "Wow!"

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2004/05/25/news/local/news02.txt

The Backbone Campaign: http://www.backbonecampaign.org/

And Kerry in Seattle sets state fundraising record:

The Seattle trip was worth it for the Massachusetts senator. Kerry's fund-raiser last night generated nearly $2.2 million, campaign officials said, about $500,000 more than Bush raised on his last visit. Campaign officials said the number was a record for any candidate in Washington state.

Kerry also scored huge applause from the 1,300 people who attended a separate event at the Westin, where he condemned the Bush administration's handling of foreign policy.

"It's important to stay the course but if the course you're on is the wrong course and it's heading for the shoals, it's pretty smart to turn the rudder and change course. Staying the course is one thing, but if it's the wrong course, it's not a sign of strength, it's a sign of reckless stubbornness," Kerry said

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/175216_kerry27.html

then they're not well-informed

thanks for clearing that up

Kerry would be very wise to ensure that Mr. Kucinich lands a very senior position, with power to effect real change, when he wins the election. He would be a fool not to do so.

I hope Kerry can get past his ego and work with Dennis. That be nice for a change.

DK rocks.....on & on...amazing!

Peace
DR

Go, Dennis!

http://www.everyweek.com/News/News.asp?no=4075

But the substance of Kucinich’s speech was largely responsible for the candidate’s enthusiastic reception. Kucinich believes—and has introduced legislation to accomplish—the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, and he told press conference attendees that if he is successful in his bid to carry influence into the Democratic convention, his first priority in leveraging that influence is ending the war. Kucinich has proposed a cabinet-level Department of Peace to actively encourage global non-violence, which is just goofy enough to be winning. He thinks the USA PATRIOT Act should be repealed, and he has offered legislation to that end as well. He suggests—and, again, has proposed legislation to accomplish—universal, single-payer, not-for-profit health care. He wants the U.S. out of NAFTA and the World Trade Organization (because they hurt American workers and discourage human rights), and back on board with Anti-Ballistic Missile treaties and the Kyoto Protocols on global warming (because we should get out of the weapons business altogether and prioritize international cooperation on environmental issues). He wants to offer a state college education free to any citizen, and he wants to do it with money cut from the Pentagon budget.

He mocks the reception such proposals receive in Washington: “How are you going to pay for it?” Why does nobody ever ask that question, he wonders rhetorically, when the expense is war, or massive tax cuts? “You’re already paying for it,” he tells the audience. “Do I have your attention? You’re already paying for it. You’re just not getting what you paid for.”

I just read about his visit to Montana. It is very inspiring! I gave another $25 and Im keeping my fingers crossed. LETS SHOW SOME F-ING BACKBONE!

He may never be the president, but he has a mission. There are people who come to this planet with a mission, and DK is one of 'em. Then there are others who just float to the top and pretend...

Totaled 100 people. :D

....and most of his supporters tend to be working class-- i.e., working 60 hrs a week just to keep the wolves from the door.

Not bad for a campaign which has been ignored by the media, ridiculed by the right-wing, and trivialized by mushy-spined DLC "neoliberals" (whatever the hell that means).

One of the many things I love about Dennis Kucinich. He values people. He values his supporters. He's not counting their income, their donations, or their numbers. He doesn't weigh their political influence before he meets with them. If people are interested, he responds.

He treats every person who approaches him the same. He gives them his full attention, listens respectfully, pauses, and responds sincerely. Whether they support his campaign or not. And he does the same for groups that want to hear him.

This man is a class act, and democrats are fortunate to have his efforts on behalf of the party.

Where does it say 100? Please use a reference when spreading your propaganda.

Did you ever try to draw a large political crowd in Missoula?

He links to a Helena, Montana news story. http://www.helenair.com/articles/2004/05/25/montana_top/a05052504_01.txt

In the firast paragraph it says that DK spoke to about 100 in the capitol rotunda.:hi:

It sounds like he's saying: It's important to stay the course, except when its a bad course, but I'm still going to stay the course, even though we're on the wrong course. Make up your damn mind Kerry!!!

Right now everyone wants to get rid of Bush. I think its so sad that we have to nominate a moderate and tell the liberals to fall into line instead of nominating a liberal who will really make dramatic change and expect the moderates to fall in line. Bush is going to lose big time and its a shame we didn't nominate someone who represents more change for America than Kerry does.

and the same is...we coulda had Kucinich!

I doubt things will change much with Kerry.....damn,,,

Peace
DR

kind of negates anything progressive he could say for me.

He told his supporters that, if they were not viable as a Kucinich caucus, they COULD go in with the Edwards folk and try to get elected as delegates there. Some did, but many other DK supporters did not.

I live in a caucus state (MN), one where the leadership of the Dean folks encouraged their people to caucus for Edwards after Dean "suspended" his campaign. In the straw poll the state party used to apportion delegates, Dean got about 2%, while Edwards got about 25%. Since Kucinich and Dean were the ONLY two campaigns with any real presense in this state before the caucus, you could argue pretty safely that many of the Dean folk "threw their vote" to Edwards-- the "war monger" as you called him.

As a matter of fact, I'd wager that most of the Edwards delegates in MN were in fact originally Dean supporters. I know of at least one Edwards delegate who is a DK supporter, but who got elected as an Edwards delegate because his congressional district didn't have 15% for Kucinich. I also would not be suprised if this were the case in Iowa, too, where there are probably Kerry or Edwards delegates who supported DK in their caucuses.

Politics is like sausage-- it's not pretty watching it being made, but it usually comes out okay at the end.

I guess poor progressives like yourself are SOL.