Your thoughts about Kucinich

[plurality]

Poll question: Your thoughts about Kucinich

Testing a theory of mine.

[sasquatch]

1. Kucinich is the best

of the canidates in my opinion.

[plurality]

2. I would like to keep this kicked so I can get as many people's votes

as possible.

[plurality]

3. people who voted other

What is your feeling? I would like to know specifics.

[CarlBallard]

4. I like his policies

But not as much as others. I haven't made up my mind but as I'm deciding "electability" won't be a factor. I wouldn't say I hate him, I like him plenty. Presently he's in the middle of the pack on who I'd vote for. I'm a bit worried about his stand on Abortion (I think his evolution on the issue is sincere, but I'm by no means positive). I'm closer to Kerry's view on NAFTA/WTO that we should amend them to include worker and environmental protections. Still overall, I think he'd not only be better than Bush, but a good President in his own right.

[plurality]

7. thanks

I'm just testing how large support him would be if everyone who agrees with him but goes elsewhere because of 'electability' actually put that behind them. I imagine that 'electability' would be no factor if everyone who agreed with his policies supported him.

[w13rd0]

10. If "electability" were a huge factor for me...

...the pad pundits likely would have had a greater impact on me, and I'd be supporting one of those tagged as "electable" a few months ago, namely, the DLC annointed ones...

[Sapphocrat]

56. I imagine you're right...

...and have always thought so. Kucinich is, frankly, my ideal president.

The primary presents a moral dilemma for me:

If I vote with my conscience, I vote for Kucinich. But if by some outside chance, Kucinich actually gets the nomination, I know he will lose the election (the electability factor). Since ousting * takes priority over everything now, I can't vote for Dennis in the primaries, just in case he does get the nomination.

If I vote for Dean, then I compromise my core values by about 15% -- but I will be voting for the only other candidate 1) I can support with a fairly clear conscience, and 2) who can win the election.

A Dean-Kucinich ticket would be the best of all worlds.

[IndianaGreen]

58. You should vote for the candidate that you think is best

You should vote for the candidate that you think is best suited for the office you are voting for, let the pundits and the pollsters worry about "electability."

[Sapphocrat]

63. Hey, IG...

Why do you think I'm having such a moral dilemma? In my early days here at DU, I was struggling with just such a dilemma regarding political affiliation in general. It was you, my dear, who gave me a long, very thoughtful response; you lit a bulb over my head and really helped me get my priorities straight -- which is why I rely so heavily on the phrase "core values" now. :)

See, it's all your fault, IG -- you made me think, and now I can never vote again without all this painful soul-searching! Blast you! :D

[IndianaGreen]

83. 2004 may present some soul-searching on my part

Many of my political colleagues are in a Anybody-But-Bush mode. Of course, none of them really expect the Democrats to nominate a Neanderthal Bush-Lite. I am not as certain as they are.

It is an undisputed fact in Leftist circles that we are in a national emergency. No one foresaw the amount of damage that Bush has done to this nation, and indeed the world, in 3 short years. Think of the damage Bush will cause were he to slide in the White House for another term, and what would happen to us if a Republican Congress were to pass Ashcroft's much-beloved "Victory Act," the new name for Patriot Act on steroids.

We may have to consider leaving this country if such a nightmare scenario were to occur. I don't plan to leave without first doing my humble, insignificant best to deny Bush another stay in the White House.

I will only say that the many comparisons we made in 2001 between the Bush regime and the Nazis in the early 1930s are no longer an intellectual exercise, but a living reality.

[plurality]

62. the thing is I'm not only talking about the primary

I seriously believe that Kucinich could win the general as well. If the people who support his ideas would support him, he could have the feet on the ground and the money needed to convince the American people that his vision is what America needs right now. I'm sorry but I don't believe that most Americans are set in a specific ideology. They are open to persuasion and when presented with the Kucinich vision and the Bush vision I think it would be a no-brainer if they actually had the opportunity to make that choice.

[Sapphocrat]

65. Yes, but (there's always a but)...

That's assuming a level playing field; i.e., unbiased media coverage, mandatory debates with tough, un-screened questions, no dirty tricks from the * camp, etc.

And I truly want to believe that, given the opportunity, Americans are capable of making a reasoned decision based on the issues alone. But every time I allow my optimism to rear its silly little head, the American people disappoint me again; if they weren't so damned gullible and easily wowed by image alone, there wouldn't have been so much revolting gushing over *'s aircraft landing... and I wouldn't be wasting a moment's concern right now about the ridiculous notion that The Ah-nold stands any chance at all of becoming governor of my state.

If we could kill all the televisions and force candidates to campaign through whistle stops alone, then I'd have no doubt Dennis would stand a very strong chance indeed in the general election.

Like Mom used to say, "It's not you I worry about -- it's the other drivers on the road," it's not that I have any doubt in Kucinich -- it's that the bad guys will use every trick in the book to slay him.

[plurality]

67. look at Dean

and what he's accomplished. The media didn't really pay him much attention until all of the support he recieved MADE the media pay attention.

Granted the media has a big influence, but the internet now has the ability to counteract that influence, and the organizing capabilities of the internet can get people on the ground to inform and influence those that aren't connected.

[Mairead]

73. We can level the field. Door to door. Retail politics.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

5. Other.

Other. I agree with him on some issues but support someone else I'm more excited by the other candidate.

[w13rd0]

6. Your voting options...

...are as skewed as a Fox News poll ;)

"I hate his policies..."

How about "Like most of the candidates, I agree with some of the things he says, but disagree with much of what he says as well. Though I applaud his championing of causes of social and economic justice, the approach he seems to favor (broad sweeping use of presidential edict, executive orders, etc) doesn't jell with my views on seperation of powers. I am glad that he is out there, bombastic and confrontational, and unafraid to call Bush a liar and a thief, but I'm not confident in his ability to be President or optimistic about the likelihood that he'd get his agenda advanced."

That would have been the one I would have likely voted for...

[plurality]

8. fixed n/t

[Trek234]

39. I trust you are aware

Most of the executive orders that he proposes would correct the already blatantly unconstitutional executive orders and legsilation this administration pushed on us?

I see nothing wrong with using executive orders to quickly and effectively undo the damage of a corrupt regime.

[dansolo]

70. This covers my feelings as well.

"the approach he seems to favor (broad sweeping use of presidential edict, executive orders, etc) doesn't jell with my views on seperation of powers"

Bush has displayed incredible arrogance in his overreaching use of presidential power, well beyond what I believed was the framers intent. I don't support a Democrat relying on the same abuse, merely because I may agree with their goals. As we are so fond of saying here, the ends do not justify the means.

[plurality]

9. so far if 'electability' wasn't a factor

Kucnich would have 74% support. How do you feel about that?

[Nederland]

12. America is not DU

Kucinich would have 74% support. How do you feel about that?

74% of DU. What makes him unelectable is that DU is left even within the Democratic Party, let alone the country as a whole.

[plurality]

13. i see a good representation of the party on DU

and America can be convinced, after all a good amount of them were convinced that Bush would be a good president.

[Nederland]

16. Wrong

i see a good representation of the party on DU

DU does not come close to representing the Democratic party. At the height of his popularity, 30% of Democrats said they had a favorable opinion of Bush. If you can prove to me that at any time 30% of DU members held a favorable opinion of Bush, I'll eat my hat.

[plurality]

20. and how many of those 30% do you think are real Democrats

as in vote in primaries and pay attention to what's actually going on.

[Nederland]

28. Irrelevant

Those poll numbers count only likely voters. Sure, they might not be primary voters, but they are general elections voters. As for your claim that they are not "real Democrats", that is also irrelevant. The goal is to get as many votes as possible from all the people who vote, not as many votes from "real Democrats".

[Feanorcurufinwe]

22. I'd like to see that poll

I'd like to see that poll - you're a contributor, why don't you do it?

Have you at any time in your life had a favorable opinion of GWB? Yes/No

[Nederland]

29. I think you're right

I'd like to see it as well.

here goes...

[w13rd0]

15. Well, it's a self-selected poll...

...and as such, you are not sampling a cross-section of likely voters. 74% of those that choose to answer a poll question by a Kucinich supporter geared to demonstrate support for Kucinich isn't exactly...um, reliable...

[plurality]

18. so I tricked those people

into saying 'they agree with his issues but support others because he's unelectable'. Gee, I knew I was smart, but never would have guessed I could control minds through the internet. Really you give me much too much credit.

[sendero]

94. if pigs could fly....

... you could get a pork sandwich by air mail :)

Candidates like Kucinich make me face some hard realities I'd rather not face. I like his politics, but for more than one reason (none having to do with his politics)I just don't think he has much of a chance with the rank and file.

I can wish all day that average folks would concentrate more on the message and less on the appearance and oratory skills of the messenger, but this is America in 2003. Someday that might change but today my number one numero uno top of the list priority is to get Bush* out of there before he does more damage..

I'm asking myself if he would make a good VP. I haven't answered myself on that one yet.

(this is just my opinion, I'm in no way trying to 'bash' him, I like him and I apologize in advance to those who take exception with the pragmatism of my approach :))

[wheresthemind]

11. He inspires me like Paul...

and theres so much good he could do.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

87. he also inspires me like Wellstone read..Kuncincih/Blitzer transcript

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=158859&mesg_id=158859

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

14. Dennis is my third choice

so I voted "I agee with some of his policies.."

My first choice is Sharpton. Followed by Mosely-Braun.

After that, Dean, despite some significant policy issue differences, I can still hold my nose and vote for the guy.

After that, should we be unfortunate enough to be stuck with any of the rest, it's Green for me.

[brokensymmetry]

17. I had some hesitation at first.

But the more I read about Kucinich, the more I think he IS electable. We really have to ask ourselves what we stand for; are we progressives, or are we just a group of people that will do whatever it takes to get elected?

[IndianaGreen]

19. I agree with him on the issues but...

I agree with him on the issues but I support Howard Dean because I think Dean would make a better President than Dennis. I can only say that if Dennis were to win the election, which will be tough for any Democrat, he lacks the experience and the skills necessary to succeed as President. Kucinich will have more troubles handling things than he did on his first term as Mayor of Cleveland.

I also don't trust Kucinich's epiphany on abortion. Abortion is one of those issues were conversions are rare, and they have always been from the pro-choice side to the pro-life side. Dennis's flip flop on abortion raises some disturbing questions about his level of commitment to critical issues. Is Dennis demagoguing abortion to gain the support of liberals? Or, did Dennis lied when he said he was against abortion and he is now showing that he can tap dance as well as those other Presidential candidates that he loves to attack?

[plurality]

21. why can't someone go pro-life to choice?

I was pro-life until the age of 18, based on knee-jerk religious justifications. But after thinking about the issue more and the full ramifications of overturning Roe I changed my mind. DK hasn't made an anti-choice vote in more than 2 years so that's not exactly a 'sudden' flip-flop. Is it impossible that he could have undergone the same thought process as me?

And what about Dean's change on the death penalty? Do you think that was out of a true change of heart or political expediency? Flip-flops on that issue are very rare and usually going from pro-death to anti-death not the other way, so that looks very supicious to me.

Also, as far as his ability to govern. Why do you think he will have troubles and Dean won't? Do you think Dean would be able to garner Republican support that Kucnich couldn't? Or is the job so difficult that Kucnich couldn't possibly handle the pressure?

[IndianaGreen]

25. Kucinich believed that human life begins at conception

Kucinich was not 18 years old, he was a mature adult. If one really believes that human life begins at conception, one would be hard pressed for explaining why one would not protect human life in the womb, while opposing the death penalty and war.

It takes a bigger leap of faith to go from human life is sacred, to human life is sometimes sacred.

This is the same problem the Right to Life movement has. They oppose abortion but they have no qualms about the death penalty or about dropping napalm on a village in Iraq.

The true pro-life position is to oppose abortion and wars and the death penalty. The Pope has a true pro-life position.

How can you explain Kucinich going from a true pro-life position to one of moral relativism? Either he lied then, or he is lying now.

[plurality]

26. I don't personally agree with abortion

as far as a personal choice I would not encourage it and would urge anyone considering it to not get one. That being said, I realized that my morals and beliefs aren't neccesarily everyone's and that it's not my place to push those morals and beliefs on others, especially through the power of the state. From my understanding of it, Kucnich explains his change of position in much the same way.

[IndianaGreen]

32. I think that abortion is the snuffing out of a human life

but I also believe in what Lenin did in 1921 when he legalized abortion. It is not the role of the State to tell women what their reproductive choices ought to be.

It is the role of the State to facilitate and provide choices for women to make. There are many things we can do to minimize abortion without infringing on the right to choose: National standard for adoption, national adoption database, taking adoption out of the hands of the money makers, free universal health care for all, free contraception and pre-natal services, etc.

In many countries women choose abortion out of poverty, not because they don't want to have a child.

This is a rather complex subject...

[plurality]

38. no problems here

and it is this reasoning that should be used in the debate. Believe it or not when I worked on a 2002 Congressional race I was actually able to convince several pro-life voters that pro-choice was an acceptable position using the reasoning I did above. Unfortunately that is not the reasoning that is used in the current debate. In fact I would go as far as saying that there is no real debate on this issue, it's devolved into everyone choosing their sides and yelling about how right they are and how wrong the others. No effort is really made to try and convince pro-lifers that pro-choice is the right way to go. Evidence, the people who refuse to believe that Kucinich has actually changed his mind on the issue and think he'll sneak into office and overturn Roe v. Wade.

[DemBones DemBones]

42. It is indeed a rather complex subject and Dennis Kucinich knows

that. He would, I think, agree with what you said above -- that abortion ends a human life but that the state can't tell women how to manage their reproductive life. He's still concerned about lives being ended and supports better education about, and availability of, contraception, and economic assistance for women who feel forced to abort for financial reasons, but he has taken the position that abortion must be legal so that women will have equal rights in society.

Yesterday you posted an article in which NARAL's director, Kate Michaelman,
said that she believed Dennis Kucinich is sincerely pro-choice. I believe that, too. I was disappointed when I first heard he was repudiating his pro-life stance but then learned that what he is saying is what I have been saying for years. I still call myself pro-life because I want to emphasize that abortion does end a life and therefore we (society as a whole) should try to prevent the need for abortions, but keep abortion legal and not judge those who choose it.

Edit: Due to the complexity of the issue, we should probably stop using labels like pro-choice and pro-life entirely but people love shorthand descriptions.

[Sapphocrat]

59. Geez, are you and I ever on the same page...

I was firmly pro-choice, without question, until I reached my 30s. It took a decade to resolve the issue between mind and heart; the upshot is that I found I'm actually morally and ethically opposed to abortion, but remain politically pro-choice because it's "not my place to push those morals and beliefs on others, especially through the power of the state."

So, I too can accept Kucinich's change of position.

Well said, plurality.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

55. The Pope Approves Just Wars

but he's consistent.

All human life is sacred

Human life begins at the moment of conception

Therefore abortion is wrong

And the death penalty is wrong too

[AnAmerican]

64. He still does

Personally, that is. He is against abortion personally, but wise enough to know that forcing his opinion on others is wrong. He will work to minimize the occurence of abortion through education, through making sure families can afford children through a "livable" wage.

He will not work to outlaw abortion, he will not FORCE his ideas in others.

He will work to keep abortion legal, and he will also work to make it rare.

The entire abortion issue has become too politicized. I am sure most of us would like to see the sheer number of abortions fall. Does that mean we want to see it outlawed? Do we want to see a return to the back alley for the women of our country? I think not.

For myself, I would urge any woman I know to think hard before undergoing the procedure. But I would not support outlawing it.

I believe Dennis is of the same mind. He is a supporter of working to limit abortions, not through the justice system but through other means, which, in the end, will prove far more effective.

[Mairead]

74. um...

"For myself, I would urge any woman I know to think hard before undergoing the procedure."

If you're ever in that position, I would strongly suggest that you say nothing. Because she will already be 'thinking hard', and your input will not be viewed as helpful.

(That's not meant as a slap, only as truly heartfelt advice)

[AnAmerican]

84. My apologies Mairead,

I meant no offense....what I SHOULD have said is "if she asked my opinion....."


My bad.

[DemBones DemBones]

37. Kucinich was only 31 years old when elected mayor of Cleveland

but had the courage of his convictions and kept his campaign promise that he would not sell the city utility, Muny Light. The banks and media, having supported selling Muny Light and increasing the income tax rate, then launched a campaign against his re-election and he was defeated. But Kucinich had done the right thing, saved the citizens of Cleveland money, and thwarted a bank-supported corporate takeover being pushed by the city's "shadow government." (More on this below.)

Kucinich will be 57 years old this fall and has served in the Ohio legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives, in addition to being mayor of Cleveland, and serving on Cleveland's City Council, to which he was elected at the age of 23. I believe that his skills and experience are more than enough to bring him success as president of the United States. It's important to understand that he truly believes in helping the American citizenry, rather than in continuing to sell us out to protect big business interests.





Cleveland Magazine offered this summary: “Kucinich refused to yield to bankers who gave him a choice: Sell the Municipal Light System to the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co. or the city will go into default. The mayor said no.”

When Kucinich refused to sell Muny Light, the banks took the unprecedented step of refusing to roll over the city’s debt, as is customary. Instead, they pushed the city into default. It turned out the banks were thoroughly interlocked with the private utility, CEI, which would have acquired monopoly status by taking over Muny Light. Five of the six banks held almost 1.8 million shares of CEI stock; of the 11 directors of CEI, eight were also directors of four of the six banks involved.

By holding to his campaign promise and putting principle above politics, he lost his re-election bid and his political career was derailed. But today Kucinich stands vindicated for having confronted the Enron of his day, and for saving the municipal power company. “There is little debate,” wrote Cleveland Magazine in May 1996, “over the value of Muny Light today. Now Cleveland Public Power, it is a proven asset to the city that between 1985 and 1995 saved its customers $195,148,520 over what they would have paid CEI.”

When Kucinich re-launched his political career in the mid-1990s, it was on the strength of having saved public power. His campaign symbol was a light bulb. “Because he was right!” was his campaign slogan when he won his seat in the state senate in 1994. The slogan that sent him to Washington two years later was “Light Up Congress.”

In 1998, the Cleveland City Council issued a commendation to Dennis Kucinich for "having the courage and foresight to refuse to sell the city's municipal electric system."

[diamondsoul]

50. Hello, fellow Hoosier.

I'm sorry to tell you this but Kucinich is not the first person to alter his PL position to being legally PC. I did it myself many years ago.

In principle Kucinich is still very much Pro-life, however, he's come to the conclusion that removing the legal right of abortion is not really going to save lives. In order to do that, you have to address the causes of unintended and unwanted pregnancy. He hasn't changed his core beliefs, merely his approach to dealing with abortion numbers.

In point of fact, his change is an almost exact duplicate of mine only it happened later in his life. If anything I view this change in stance as a positive one. It took place a full year before he announced his intention to run for President (the earliest recorded votes I've found were in March 2002 and those were reported by a PL organization), and what it shows me is that he isn't afraid to listen to the people he represents and re-examine his central duty to his elected position.

You see he isn't in the House to push his own agenda, he's there to speak for those who elected him even if he disgrees with their wishes. He sees a more constructive method to at least lowering the numbers of abortion that happen. Isn't that a good start towards ending it altogether?

[Mairead]

72. Please consider

that Dennis was 'president' of a political division with a population the same size as and much more diverse than Dean's Vermont.

Please also consider that Dennis's conflicts came from bucking the machine that got Cleveland into the mess it was in. Had he chosen to 'go along to get along', would he not be just another spineless Dem we excoriate today?

Note, too, that the head of NARAL believes that most conversion are from anti-choice to pro-choice, exactly the opposite to your assessment. And she believes in Dennis's sincerity.

Also note that the term 'flip-flop' is usually used to mean a switch and then switch back. That's not what Dennis did.

And as far as his motivation, I think that he simply construes it differently: he's still clear that he's personally opposed, but he construes it as a Constitutional-equality issue for women.

[plurality]

23. So far it seems

the only thing make Kucnich 'unelectable' is some people's political pessimism.

After 55 votes 76% agree with the Kucinich view of America.

[goobergunch]

30. This poll won't be reliable until tomorrow afternoon...

DU is always quieter on weekends.

[FreeperSlayer]

24. Dude, it's the "hair"

eom

[DemBones DemBones]

44. The hair? This from someone with a sig line from Eisenhower,

the hair-challenged Republican? :7

Hmm. . . Kerry has the best hair so I guess you're supporting him?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

57. Edwards Has The Best Hair

I don't know if Kerry's hair is real.

There's alot of it and I don't see his scalp.

Can someone give me the poop

Is Kerry's hair real

[Fovea]

27. kick

nt

[RichM]

31. I support DK 100%. My main question is whether the US deserves

(or can even live with) a leader of this quality in high office. Our country has degenerated into a thoroughly dishonest cesspool, filled with thugs, looters, liars & hypocrites. It's very hard to imagine a lousy society like ours being led by an honest man with a truthful accurate "big picture" analysis of things.

To paraphrase Jack Nicholson, the US can't handle the truth -- about itself, about its relations with the world, about its internal relations. US society has powerful elements that would very much need to destroy truth tellers like DK, if he ever got elected. They'd probably arrange to have him assassinated after his first move to cut the Pentagon budget.

[DemBones DemBones]

47. I also support him 100% and agree with your comments about

whether this country can deal with facing the truth. There will always be some Americans (and this is likely true in every country, really) who prefer the bliss of ignorance to facing reality, making them able to vote for charlatans and mountebanks. There are people who will accept whatever they are told so long as they think a candidate seems "nice."

[Crowdance]

33. Since you asked...

"other" because DK is not prochoice. Reproductive rights are human rights--and I don't vote for candidates who don't support human rights.

[diamondsoul]

51. Um, he IS Politically pro-choice.

His voting record since March of 2002 has been PC. He DOES support legal abortion AS a human right. I don't think you've done your homework on Congressman Kucinich. He took a year off from voting on abortion issues and studied it. He spoke to women all over the country about it. And he LISTENED. He's come to the conclusion that removing abortion rights won't do anything to save human life and that addressing the causes of unwanted pregnancy are more constructive than criminalizing it.

Crow, I honestly hope you'll really dig up the facts about this. I did, because I had my doubts about the change. I cannot find a single thing to suggest to me that Kucinich has ever been dishonest in his stands on the issues. For that reason I have a difficult time believing he would lie now and not about other things.

And WHY lie about this so close to the announcement of his candidacy? Do you realize this has planted doubt in people on both sides of the abortion issue? Why would he pander to choice when he's lost just about equal numbers of us as he has PLers because of the switch?

[PunkinPi]

34. I like Kucinich a lot - his message is right on,

but I don't think that he should give up his seat in the House, especially because I don't think that many "mainstreamers" are ready for him yet.

[diamondsoul]

54. Oh yes they are

they're just scared to commit. They love everything he says just as much as we do, but they've been stuck in that cynical shell so long they can't quite believe somebody this~~~genuine could possibly be real. Too good to be true syndrome.*sigh* I think that's one reason I feel like I know him personally, I get the same reactions from people.

[JohnKleeb]

35. Just what I suspected

Jeez guys if you think he is unelectable, lets make him electable if you appreciate his views, but I did suspect this honest to god, playing the DLC game on Kucinich it seems, dont worry I am actually pretty pleased with these results.

[dand]

36. He is unelectable

:beer: We need Clark

[robbedvoter]

40. Other: some of his policies disturb me greatly

i.e- the burning flag amendment, the anti-choice votes, the promise to unilaterally sismant;e international agreements (NAFTA). There's no one yet with whom I agree completely, and he is still in my higher bracket of preferences - but it's a mixed bag. I like a lot of what he says, I disliked his presentation at the last forum. Still considering.

[Sapphocrat]

66. Oy! Thanks for reminding me of that...

...the flag-burning amendment. Now that is something I have a serious problem with, re Dennis.

robbedvoter, did I read you right -- you're in favor of NAFTA? (Just curious -- not a challenge.)

[Mairead]

75. I have a problem with his flag-desecration (not burning) vote too

But, when I think about it, I realise

a) it's a vote to put the issue up for ratification, nothing more

b) it's not a vote that kills or maims anyone,

c) it's not irrevocable, and

d) it's a way to disarm a cheap-ass GOP criticism. (Marcy Kaptur also voted for it)

But I mailed him with my strong opposition. If others do the same, he'll get the message.

[GCP]

41. He's unelectable

Lincoln himself would have been unelectable these days. Unfortunately you have to be telegenic to win. This is an indictment of our 90 second attention span in this country, but there is no way Mr and Mrs Middle-of-the-road-America would consider voting for him. He just looks too weird.

[diamondsoul]

68. Wrong.

I and my spouse ARE "Mr. and Mrs. Middle-of-the-road-America" and we're BOTH in favor of Kucinich and planning to vote for him. My spouse has never even looked at the candidates before a Primary until Kucinich came along. Now we're both campaigning for him.

[Paulie]

71. I don't follow

Bush is anything but telegenic, if anything, it makes his simian ancestry even more observable. He's twitchy, smirky, arrogant, and has some not so small problems with the language. All hat, no head.

Dennis is orders more presentable.

[Mairead]

77. Perhaps you should look at the most recent photos?

He looks perfectly normal and ordinary to me. Easily as good as Kerry, and better than Graham and Lieberman. Not as wonderful as Edwards, but then again no one does.

[Deja Q]

43. Forget "electability", vote for him if you like him - that might make him

ELECTABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:eyes:

[plurality]

45. that's my point in this poll

That if all people who supported his ideas supported HIM, then electability would be a moot point. Hopefully, this poll will help illustrate that point.

[JackieO]

46. He's electable

I'm voting for him.

[diamondsoul]

52. AMEN! n/t

[LWolf]

48. I support him.

He comes the closest to my take on most issues.

Honesty, integrity, and remembering who he serves puts him at the top.

[diamondsoul]

49. THANK YOU!

People just look at the results of this poll! THIS is what those of us who voted the first option have been trying to tell EVERYONE!

[Terwilliger]

53. Other: I support him (nearly) 100% but I know he won't make it HOWEVER

What I saw on Wolf Blitzer today looked good, and if he can build a support base, he has a real chance.

[Itascapark]

60. yes...

.

[Darranar]

61. KUCINICH FOR PRESIDENT!

N/T

[dansolo]

69. I don't trust him

I am very disturbed by his prior positions on abortion and a flag-burning amendment. Even if I believed he is sincere about his change of positions on these issues, I am very uncomfortable about someone who supported infringing upon other people's rights based on their own personal/religious beliefs.

[Mairead]

76. I don't know that I 'trust' him either.

But what is true is that (a) he's the most forthright of all the candidates apart from Sharpton, and he's evens with him, (b) his current set of positions are all pro-peace, pro-freedom, and pro-working-class, and (c) we know he'll go to the mat for us, because he's already done it once, and there is nobody else of whom that's true. Not even Dean, because while Dean risked his political position, Dennis risked his entire livelihood. That's an enormous difference--Dean's wealthy and didn't need the job. Dennis did need it, yet opposed people who could (and did!) blacklist him. That takes a tool-steel backbone.

I don't think we're going to be offered a better choice than that. So, while I don't 'trust' him in the sense of surrendering my critical judgement, I'm happy to go with him as long as he looks the best choice.

[plurality]

78. couldn't have said it better myself n/t

[plurality]

79. After 160 votes we have...

75% support for the Kucinich vision of America.

Isn't it about time we started disregarding the DLC/Corporate media mindset of who's electable or not?

[CSI Willows]

80. Agree on some but others represent my views better

<------I support him, Dennis Kucinich is my #2 pick

[SyracuseDemocrat]

81. I agree with him on the issues,

but I support Kerry because Kucinich is unelectable, imo.

[plurality]

82. look at how many other people say the same thing

combine them with those who support him and it shows that the whole Kucinich is unelectable argument isn't true. If all the people who agreed with him supported him, we could get him elected. All it takes is fighting for what you believe, and not letting fear of losing beat out your hope out what is possible.

[Egnever]

89. Sory but no

You can not elect someone based on only the democratic/liberal vote.It will take grabing a large portion of the center also. And sory to say it but Denis is too liberal for a large portion of america.

Yes he could win the primarries where only dems are involved but in the general election he would get trounced.

[plurality]

91. funny how you use the same argument that DLCers use against Dean

on Kucinich. You seem to believe that Dean and his grassroots support can convince the country that Dean is right but that Kucinich couldn't. I disagree, I think if given the chance, Kucinich could create a movement in this country that would last for decades, ala FDR and the New Deal.

[plurality]

85. kick for more votes

[UTUSN]

86. Kick all the way to the top nt

[ElsewheresDaughter]

88. another kick..read Kucinich/Blitzer transcript

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=158859&mesg_id=158859

[UTUSN]

90. I Love DK Like I Love ALL Dems, but He Can't WIN

I want to KICK Shrub's FAKE SCRAWWNNY ASS TO HELL. So, we need somebody who WILL. Thank you.

[diamondsoul]

95. The number in this poll prove you wrong. n/t

[plurality]

92. morning kick

everyone who hasn't voted, vote. and please keep this kicked through the day.

[graywarrior]

93. Kucinich may not be what we want...

but he's definetly what we need.