I'm glad Kucinich is running.

He's moved the debate parameters about half an inch to the left, and that's a good thing. Does he have a chance in hell of winning the nom, let alone the general?

Well, no. He's short and funny looking (I know, it shouldn't matter that the man looks like Alfred E. Newman--but it does), and probably too much an old-line liberal to have a chance of winning any but the bluest of blue states, even in the primaries. But I don't think that's why he's running--I think his intention is both to move the debate a bit, and to increase his own stature as a national political figure. I think Kucinich would like to become the Joe Biden of the left: the go-to liberal for Sunday talk, etc. If nothing else, being a perpetual candidate for president gets you air time, and in a climate in which very few liberals are allowed on TV I think Kucinich is probably on to something, and is most certainly creating a space in the national discussion in which the views of the left can be heard. So, thanks, Dennis.

His thinking is far different from anyone in the race, his approach is completely different. And yes, he's probably in it mostly to call attention to Peace.

It would sure shake things up if he started to really gain ground in the primaries though.

Maybe if you changed yourself and got past Dennis' David-ness, you'd actually vote your conscience.

But I'm guessing it matters to the electorate in general. As indicated in the polling.

While we're at it, let's wait for a pink unicorn to pick us up and take us to the polls on election day.

I agree with the OP. I think that the fact that DK is running — despite the fact that, yes, he does not stand a chance in hell — is enough. The Democratic presidential debates are the furthest leftward of my lifetime — or at least as long as I've been old enough to be interested in primary debates (since the '00 election). And I blame this year's leftward trend entirely on Gravel and Kucinich. Without them, the Dems would be ranting about terror and freedom and fill-in-your-platitude=here, and we'd get killed by the GOP in the general.

Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one. -Albert Einstein

Reality is the name we give to our disappointments. -Mason Cooley

If the reality we find ourselves in is not to our liking, we can work to change it, or we can accept defeat and allow it to rule us.

I'd rather work to change it, myself.

All DK supporters - I have a message for you. Please contribute any little bit you can to DK's campaign! I have contributed myself and plan to contribute again today!

We the People CAN make DK's upcoming Presidential run a reality! YES!

:dem: :kick:

Kucinich vs. the GOP nominee:

Would DK lose any Democratic support?

Maybe, maybe not. I think any nominee has an equal chance of losing supporters for one reason or another.

Would he effectively address smear tactics?

Yes. He's proven to do it time and time again.

Would he win a debate?

Yes.

Would he pick up any crossover votes?

Yes. From the left and those on the right turned off by the hypocricy of their party.

He stands a better chance in the presidential election than in the primaries ONLY because people convince themselves he doesn't stand a chance.
It's been said before but if everybody who is not voting Kucinich because they are afraid to "waste" their vote would vote Kucinich, then he might very well be leading in the polls.
If everybody would bother to compare their sentiments on all important issues with those of the candidates instead of making it a horse race bet, there wouldn't be a need for primaries this time.

would pick up centrist or indy votes, let alone the votes of disaffected conservatives. I think in agneral versus Giuliani, Thompson or Romney Kucinich would do about as well as Dukakis vs Reagan.

We have conservatives calling in telling us that they are voting for him after having seen Sicko. Anything is possible man. You may not think it is probable and therefore it isn't happening but it is happening whether you want to be in tune or not.

I'll believe it when his poll numbers turn around. Hey, I'd love it if Kucinich could make a serious run at the presidency--I think it'd be great for the process and great for the country. But I'm pretty sure that neither the press nor the electorate are ready to veer from all symbol and no substance to all substance and no symbol. A great candidate has to offer both.

... are to the left of BOTH political parties. I don't think there's enough room between the two parties to accommodate all the people who say "what's the use?" and "they're all corrupt!" or "my vote doesn't count." Not by a long shot. If and only if the Democrats were willing to recognize this and engage in a very populist, working-class campaign would their increasingly silent 'base' get up off their cynical butts and vote.

If what you're suggesting were true, the Socialist party would be running the government. I really don't think there are vast oceans of disaffected lefties sitting out elections in this country.

:shrug:

Last time I voted in a presidential election, there were lots of other parties on the ballot: Libertarians, Greens, the works.

:shrug:

And if it's my sole vote in the 08 presidential sweepstakes, so be it.

so that when he talks about not supporting war in Iraq and wanting us out, you really know he means it; so that when he talks about impeaching Cheney, you really know he means it; when he talks of universal health care, you really know he means it.

It is ridiculous that people would only look at appearance to choose a candidate, though it has happened in the past; Franklin Pierce was considered very handsome, and his tenure in office was a total disaster.

It's not so much a matter of handsome vs goofy-looking; people want a president with an aura of command--someone capable of playing alpha male in photo ops. The only president in recent memory to lack that quality was Jimmy Carter, and his election was kind of a fluke (post-Vietnam, post-Watergate). So if you're 5'5" and you have a squeaky voice and you resemble Aflred E. Newman, and the guy running against you makes you look like a bedwetting pipsqueak in comparison, the subliminal message is clear. It's unfortunate, but I'm pretty sure it's true.

It gives me someone to vote for.

And Edwards --

I think I want Bobby Kennedy in there somewhere --

Anti-war from the get-go, no?

:shrug: