Are the Polls Wrong About Kucinich?

[greyowl]

That's the headline of an article at Utne.com that shows that the www.kucinich.us website is the second most read presidential campaign site, and which presents other reasons to believe Kucinich's low ranking in some polls is misleading. Here's the article.

Yesterday, www.kucinich.us disappeared from Google and other search engines. We have reason to believe that someone sent very numerous requests to search engines requesting that the site be listed (which it already was), and that as a result it was removed. Google considers programs that submit to hundreds of search engines at once as spam and removes sites using these tools from its indexes. It's unlikely but conceivable that this was even done by an overzealous supporter.

The last thing you should do is contact the search engines. We're doing so. But you should do this right away: put a link to www.kucinich.us on any website you control, and make the link use the words "Kucinich for President," and put the www.kucinich.us address in the signature of your Emails. Despite this setback, the site had its biggest day ever yesterday, so this is no time to get disheartened!

WHAT ARE PRIMARIES FOR?

The Democratic caucuses and primaries are the time to support the candidate who has the best chance of defeating George W. Bush. Clearly, that candidate is Dennis Kucinich. The primaries are not the time for supporting the candidate who you think has the best chance of winning the primaries. That's exactly as useful as staying home. Why is Dennis the one to beat Bush?

1.-Dennis' platform fits his record. He opposes the "PATRIOT Act" now, and is the only candidate who voted against it. He opposes the war now, and is the only candidate who voted against it or who opposed it from the start. And he is the only one who will bring our troops home in 90 days.

2.-Dennis cannot be attacked for planning to cut services or raise taxes because he is the one candidate with the guts to cut the bloated Pentagon budget and end the occupation of Iraq. He makes proposals and explains how he will pay for them. And his tax plan is laid out in detail at http://www.kucinich.us/taxes_under_kucinich.php

3.-Dennis and most Americans want single-payer universal health coverage. President Bush and most other candidates want to keep the HMOs and private insurance companies in charge.

4.-Dennis is the only candidate with a plan to end NAFTA and withdraw from the WTO, replacing these corporate trade agreements with fair bilateral trade based on workers' rights, human rights, and the environment. The other candidates side with the current President in wanting to maintain NAFTA and the WTO.

5.-Dennis has a history of attracting swing voters and "Reagan Democrats" in winning elections against better-funded Republican opponents, it is Dennis Kucinich. He has repeatedly defeated entrenched incumbents. He beat a Republican incumbent for mayor in 1977, for state senator in 1994 (overcoming the national right-wing tide) and for Congress in 1996.

6.-Dennis' Congressional district includes the suburb of Parma, Ohio, described as "one of the original homes of the Reagan Democrats." An Ohio daily calls it a "conservative Democratic district," which he carried by 74% in 2002. Being a success there may be a better predictor of national success than holding statewide office in a liberal stronghold like Vermont or Massachusetts.

7.-Dennis, unlike some other candidates, opposes the death penalty, will end the war on drugs, supports the Kyoto treaty, will take us to 20 percent renewable energy by 2010, and will back no justice who will not uphold Roe v. Wade.

8.-Dennis attracts third party voters and Ralph Nader supporters.

9.-Ohio has 20 electoral votes. It is the state that is key to national victory; only two candidates in the 20th century have won the presidency without carrying Ohio.

BRILLIANT COLUMN IN DES MOINES REGISTER: http://desmoinesregister.com/opinion/stories/c5917686/22992327.html

POST YOUR COMMENTS ON KUCINICH SITE:
http://kucinich.us/i-switched.php

COME TO IOWA AND NEW HAMPSHIRE:
http://www.kucinich.us/doortodoor2004.php

[HFishbine]

1. We'll know soon

If they are, hurray for Dennis. If not, we are damn better off for having had SPecial K in the race.

[Kanary]

2. Please fix the subject heading so your post can stay up!

While you can still edit, redo your all caps, before this gets locked. It's a good thread, and worthy of discussion!

Kanary

[greyowl]

6. Thanks.

I thinks its stupid as it was only title in caps...but in the interest of keeping the discussion open.

[Kanary]

12. You're very welcome. Them's the rules. n/t

[INTELBYTES]

3. This must be resurrect Kucinich day!

He, Braun and Sharpton needs to just drop out. Let the media attention focus on the viable candidates.

[Kanary]

5. Thanks for your ever-so-gracious post

[INTELBYTES]

11. LOL, I'm here to serve!!

...and to make sense....
:eyes:

[AnAmerican]

14. Make sense??? Afraid not

n/t

[Kanary]

18. And slap down others who don't share your view

[INTELBYTES]

23. slap down others?

I believe the question was asked on the title of this thread and being this is a "discussion" forum, isn't that what is expected?

:eyes:

[Iverson]

7. Get the liberals out before anyone votes?

I just can't agree that Ted Koppel was right.

[greyowl]

24. That was exactly my impression as well...

[AnAmerican]

13. Still practicing that old hit and run I see

:eyes:

[INTELBYTES]

20. I'm still here so say what you gotta say.

I already said I'm not bashing kucinich. Facts are Facts. If my candidate was running that low in the poll, I'd suggest the same thing for him. Why aren't you crying so much for Braun or Sharpton? I appreciate the fact that your dedicated to your candidate. There is a lot I like about kucinich myself, but it's time to taste reality. And that seem to be a hard pill for you to swallow.

Oh by the way, GO CLARK!!

:bounce:

[Kat 333]

19. Ah ...

"viable candidates"

Do you mean those that you would or do support ?

Yeah Right

lol


on edit: Thanks for the post and links greyowl

[Tinoire]

28. Aw... the little man next to your profile fell asleep.

What a tragedy :(

Let me guess, "We have no king but Ceasar"?

How does Clark manage to attract such strange types?

[INTELBYTES]

31. Huh??

My little man might fall asleep unless you make a little sense to him.

Oh, so were on to the Clark bashing now are we? I didn't say anything bad about Kucinich. I'm not into those silly games. Got anything else for me?

:+

[Kanary]

4. Hi greyowl!

Welcome to D.U.!!

:hi: :hi: :hi:

:toast:

Kanary

[greyowl]

9. Thanks

I've known about for awhile but this place is so crazy. So many people posting. Its cool but makes it hard to follow the many discussions taking place. But it does show there are still a lot of Dems out there.

[Kanary]

22. Crazy would be a mild term.... ~~gigglesnort~~

[Old and In the Way]

25. Welcome onboard Greyowl!

I'd have no problems support DK if he can win the primaries.

I doubt he can, but if he does, I'll happily support and contribute.

OTOH, this race has raised his profile and I think he is our answer to Tom Delay. Love to see him controlling the show in the House!

[Jose Diablo]

8. IMHO the polls are cooked. n/t

[Kanary]

10. People are hungry for some *real* answers!

Word is getting around, and more and more people are wanting to know about Dennis' ideas and background. Since his policies are so much different from the others', there's something of substance to read there. Not so surprising he's getting more attention from people who want to know more.

He appeals to a broad spectrum of people, and will do well once he is more well-known. That is happening now, with his success with Diebold, standing up to Koppel, etc.

Good links!

Kanary

[Zorra]

15. If DK is elected

I will volunteer for a year of domestic national service, because I will finally live in a country that has the right priorities, a country that I can believe in.

[PSR40004]

16. The dating game?

OK I've been leaning Dean, but don't like the records under wraps issue and can't commit with it... I was impressed with Kucinich in the last debate for taking on Kopple but still that whole dating game thing he has going on keeps me from taking seriously.... I'm afraid it's getting done to the end and I can't feel great about any Dem so far...where's Hillary?

[Mairead]

21. Would it help to think of the 'dating game' as a way --about the only way-

for him to relax? He's working 2 jobs: full-time congressman, near-full-time campaigner.

[Kanary]

26. Levity

As you've probably noticed from his appearances and speeches, what Dennis is talking about is serious... *very* serious indeed. The whole "dating" thing was a response to criticism that he is single, and a single man can't win the white house. It adds some humor and light-heartedness to his campaign, which is a good counter-balance to the very serious nature of what he is saying.

I don't know if you saw his appearance at the Florida convention.... when one of the questions was from a woman who wanted to let him know she is "available", he motioned her up to the stage, and responded to her in a very warm and yet very appropriate way. It definitely showed that he is able to take a potentially embarrassing moment and turn it into an acceptance of another human being. Maybe that's not sticking with the issues per se, but it does show something about the man, himself. Yes, it was lighthearted, but I enjoyed it.

Heck, come to think about it...... I respect him enough.. hmmm, maybe I should let him know *I'm* available?

Naw, living in the white house wouldn't be my cuppa. ^_^

Kanary

[tsipple]

17. Sadly, No

But the polls are imperfect measures of a moment in time, at best. And they also change.

[Kanary]

27. ummm, I dunno...

I think the polls reflect that most people haven't yet heard of him, and don't know what he's about.

Kanary

[goodhue]

29. yes

polls reflect lack of media coverage

[snoochie]

30. Yes, they certainly are

There are too many people now with unlisted numbers and who screen calls. I know I do. Also there are a lot of people whose numbers change frequently, so even if they were registered Democrats and voters, they might not be on any of the 'lists' these pollers use.

I think the situation with his 'date' is providence -- Gennifer Flowers brought name recognition to Clinton. Kucinich's lighthearted joking around about the 'first lady' question has resulted in his chance to gain some name recognition. I think this only helps, because at least now people have a chance to find out what he stands for.

I got a holiday / supporter appreciation card from Wellstone Action today, and would like to share the message inside:


"The future will not belong to those who are content with the present. The future will not belong to the cynics. The future will not belong to those who stand on the sidelines. The future will belong to those who are willing to work hard for what they believe in. The future will belong to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

Paul David Welstone