10 feet away when Kucinich announced today

[AWD]

...just a quick report before I go to bed tonight.

Today, I was in Cleveland for Dennis Kucinich's announcement. I went up with a friend who was recently hired by the national HQ to be a campaign worker, so we managed to grab a pair of seats in the front....BIG leather executive chairs used by members of the Cleveland City Council. Sittin' in sytle from the first minute. 10 feet away when he announced.

I might be on camera...we sat in front of the bay of television cameras.

EVERY single word of that speech was amazing. When DK entered the room, we gave him a 5-minute standing ovation. My arms still hurt from all the applause.

This is the first minutes I've had in front of my computer (or the TV) today, so I don't know if the entire event was broadcast for your enjoyment. But the entire event was pure magic. I'll try to post a full account of it tomorrow (unless it's been posted already), but suffice to say, it felt damn good to be there.

JohnKleeb, I have a copy of the program for you if you want it. I can't think of anybody who would cherish it more than you. It's all yours.

on edit - Favorite moments......

- State Senator CJ Prentiss proclaiming that one more job loss needs to occur. Bush's.
- Kucinich (loudly) announcing "no more sweetheart deals for Halliburton!" (I was first one to my feet for that)
- An AMAZING song...her name escapes me, but she had one HELL of a voice.
- DK introducing his daughter, who had a look of pure admiration in her eyes as she blew a kiss to him.
- Sitting two seats over from a 78-year old African-American woman who praised every sentence as if she were in church hearing the gospel.
- Mimi Kennedy saying that she "is a Kennedy, and supports a politician even though she's not forced to by her husband."

[Cha]

1. Thanks AWD...that was an awesome report, too!

And good for Dennis! :kick:

[WillyBrandt]

2. Kucinich is inspiring

Watch the Kucinich speech on C-Span. I disagree with the guy a lot, don't think he'd be a good candidate--but, but... why is there so little place in our political culture for a set of views like his? Whether or not you agree with all of his beliefs, they are animated by a basic decency and concern for ordinary people.

He's an inspiring guy. I snickered before, but I now see why people support him. No more snickers from me.

[MuseRider]

9. You know

that is a very nice thing you just said. Watch out, this is how it started with me!

[LWolf]

17. Thank you.

I only caught the last 5 minutes when I got home from work, but then I've met him, spoken to him, and heard him speak in person. I read the whole transcript. And cried all the way through it.

That basic decency and concern for ordinary people is what pulls us in. And the fact that he is an ordinary person. Which is part of what makes him less popular media fodder.

When we take the nation, the government, and the media back from corporate rule, there will be plenty of room in our political and social culture for Dennis Kucinich!

[no name no slogan]

18. Thanks for the awesome words Willy

When I first heard of him, I thought he was a crank, but even after seeing his speeches on video, I was convinced he was the Democratic presidential candidate I could wholeheartedly support in a LOOOONG time.

His announcement today in Minneapolis was mentioned on the front page of the Star Tribune. We had planned for 1,000, but we will probably break that goal easily (last time he was here in August, we had 800 show up on just word-of-mouth advertising!). I'll be playing with the musical "ensemble" tonight before and after his announcement-- I can hardly wait!!!!!

:yourock:

[JohnKleeb]

3. Thanks AWD

My sound sadly still isnt working but when I get it back. BTW just call me Kleeb more. I met him you know. You know its interesting AWD, how the admiration for DK Ive seen with people who totally dont get along here, its interesting. Go Kucinich and peace unite us in the coming century. :yourock: you and DK, good luck in your races,

[AWD]

4. Oh, and by the way....

I met his daughter today. She is BEAUTIFUL!

[WillyBrandt]

5. Does she...

have a boyfriend? :)

[AWD]

7. She was alone today....

[Dover]

6. I didn't know he HAD a daughter OR was married. You'd

think I'd have picked up this info somewhere along the way since I've kept up with Kucinich for about two years now.

So give me the personal info. Who was/is he married to? What's his marital status now and how many kids?

Did you take any pictures today? Was his daughter shown by the cameras during his announcement?

[AWD]

8. Here

Married Sandra Lee McCarthy in 1977, Divorced in 1986. One daughter (Jackie, I believe is her name).

I took only a few pics, they are on my friends' camera.

I don't know if she was shown when DK spoke of her...I have seen no film of it, but I was pretty close to her when he asked her to stand.

[JohnKleeb]

15. Hes been married twice and currently has a Croatian girlfriend

This is his only.

[JohnKleeb]

13. Yeah I saw a picture of her

She doesnt look much like him being more like a red head or somethin but she is a beautiful girl.

[MuseRider]

10. I just saw it

on CSPAN. I can't imagine what it would have been like to be there. I am so glad you got to go. Thanks for the report.

[0rganism]

11. Something about that speach brought tears to my eyes

I saw it on C-Span after DK got rolling, got interrupted by a phone call for about 5 minutes, but listened to from there to the end. I cried. I don't think it was so much what he said that moved me, as it is the grim certainty that it would be rejected out of hand in a general election.

He seems far too decent to be a politician. And that is a national tragedy.

[tlcandie]

20. Well stated Organism and that is a downright shame!

Too decent...who would have ever thought this could be a reality? :(

[wheresthemind]

12. hes great!

Today hes coming to Minnesota!

Will time the 5th time I have gotten to see Dennis! WHOOOO!

[JohnKleeb]

14. hey Alex, I finally met him last tuesday

[Forkboy]

16. lmao... you go Mimi!!!

that's a great line!

[blm]

19. The Mimi Kennedy line was great!

Dennis' speech was pure Dennis. Soulful and truthful.

[tlcandie]

21. I just wish he would hurry up and get to Florida and speak to ALL

here!! Get everyone here to ride the KucinichTsunami2Win!

[neebob]

22. I'd vote for Kucinich

Here's a candidate with the courage of his convictions and a very specific plan I can get 100 percent behind. Here's the guy who isn't just another power animal, who really wants to do what is needed - i.e., transform the government - before it's too late. Here's the candidate who was not afraid to vote against the war and doesn't have to lie about it now. And as far as I know, he's not attacking the other candidates. Wow.

If only I hadn't heard the line about the goddess of peace in his announcement speech. What was that about? Is he trying to lose?

[LWolf]

24. I need to reread the transcript to be sure;

I didn't notice "goddess of peace." I think that was a listener's interpretation.

Dennis speaks frequently of a sculpture on one of the pediments (south?) of the House; a mother figure holding a protecting arm over a child reading. The title of the sculpture is "Peace Protecting Genius." I think that is what the reference refers to.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

23. I was undecided before I heard Dennis speak

but what I had decided was that I would go hear all the candidates who came to they Twin Cities.

I saw a poster in my neighborhood, so two weeks after moving back to Minneapolis, I found my way to St. Paul Central High School and was surprised to find that I had to park two blocks away.

Once Dennis started speaking, I found that tears were coming to my eyes. I had been waiting thirty years to hear a candidate speak so frankly about how this country needs to change direction.

He is truly an amazing speaker with a great sense of humor and an excellent sense of how to build rapport with an audience. Go hear him if he shows up in your neck of the woods.

The week after hearing Dennis speak in St. Paul, I went to the local Minnesota for Kucinich meeting.