Kucinich in Santa Ana

[LWolf]

It was a long trip there and back to meet DK, but well worth it.

The event was well-attended, and very informative. I already knew where Dennis stands on the issues. Today I met him and got a one-on-one answer to my biggest question.

Some items of significance:

Dennis was calm, relaxed, and in a great mood. He was passionate and dynamic about issues and very sincere and *real* with people. He brought an electric energy that really fired up the crowd. He went from passionate speaking about issues to gentle support of one particular speaker. He has a good sense of humor. He knows his stuff.

I'll share his reaction to one speaker. The speaker's name is Jesus Suarez. He is the father of a young man killed in Iraq. He spoke passionately (in spanish, with an interpreter) before Dennis arrived. He spoke of his son's experience, and what he's learned about his son's death. He said, "The real truth is that we need to live in peace." After Dennis had spoken, Mr. Suarez asked to speak to the crowd again. He was in tears. He spoke eloquently in spanish, then switched to broken english. He said, "What do you want? You want your boys or you want some gas? Choose him (pointing at Dennis). Please. Choose him." Dennis put his arm around the man and spoke quietly to him. Then he spoke to the crowd, saying that Mr. Suarez' suffering is the suffering of our nation. That never again should our young people be sacrificed for a cause that is not "righteous." He said we honor those who have given their lives in service to our country by working for a time when the service of our sons and daughters will always be a celebration of our highest priorities. There was not a dry eye within my sight.

There was plenty more. My question for him concerned public ed...his position on high-stakes testing. I can't quote him, I didn't write his response down. He held my hand and leaned forward, looked me in the eyes and told me clearly that he doesn't support the testocracy. That he does support addressing the root causes of our problems, and that he intends to fully fund education, preschool through college. There was more; the priority was in supporting both schools and families in their efforts. Then I came home to hear him address the same issue on CSpan. A public repudiation of the testocracy. (my term).

Before you decide on a candidate, be sure to meet this man. Go listen to him. Go talk to him. Then make your decision, and help us kick the transformation of America into high gear.

[Frances]

1. A great summary

I have not yet made up my mind about the person I will support. But I want all DUers to know that we have a number of good candidates to support. I think we should consider ourselves fortunate.

[Sushi Bandit]

2. I too meet him today in Santa Ana

What a great Rally!!!

Passion, commitment, courage... Dennis was wonderful and it was great to meet him and have our picture taken together.

When he took the platform with Loretta Sanchez a group of about 8 anti-Sanchez protesters tried to take center stage. It got a little touch and go there for awhile while she did a great introduction for Dennis. The crowd was taken back a bit with it all and things settled down after he began to speak.. and speak he did.. he took charge of the audience and raised the passion of what this election is all about.

After the rally ended we went to the reception and I had the pleasure to talk to Loretta. She (like Dennis) was un-phased by the commotion and was said that these protesters were hired by republicans!

I came away with a new passion for why Dennis should be our next president... and while i'm thinking about it... Loretta should be our next governor too!

Mahalo

[Tinoire]

7. Mahalo!

So where are the pictures? Can you share them? Would LOVE to see them! I'm so happy for you that you got to see him!


But why the protesters? I mean what were they "supposedly" protesting?

peace

[LWolf]

9. I think it had something to do with the INS.

I could have this wrong...but I think Sanchez supported a closed border and they wanted it open.

[The Sushi Bandit]

13. And then there was the Lyndon LaRouche protestor...

... that sneeked into the reception and caused a little co-motion. Where did these people come from???

Why dont the INS and LaRouche protestors go mess with the republican events??

[LWolf]

16. If you saw the LaRouche guy, you must have seen me!

After I got to talk to Dennis, I actually moved aside and let him take my spot, not knowing what he was up to. I stepped back in front of him when he got started, and some others "walked" him back behind me.

[The Sushi Bandit]

17. I was up front..

.. wearing a colorfull tie!

Im sure I saw you!

[The Sushi Bandit]

15. As soon as I get them developed I will post them..

after scanning.

[Sushi Bandit]

22. Here are some pix of Saturday in Santa Ana

Loretta Sanchez and Dennis Kucinich


Dennis with young girl

[JohnKleeb]

23. Thank you sushi

Go Dennis, keep up the fight, and lead us towards greatness.

[LWolf]

24. Great shots!

I must have been standing nearby the whole time. I wish I'd known it was you; I could have said :hi: in person.

I hear Loretta is considering a recall run if Feinstein doesn't step up to the plate.

[revcarol]

3. Wasting the lives of our young people for oil & empire...

Not a dry eye in this household, either.

And testocracy...I lived in Texas when the TAAS Texas Assessment of Academic Skills was started, and prepared lessons for social studies teachers to use in teaching the skills that would be tested. Prepared them for up to eighth grade reading level for testing in the 11th grade for high school graduation.
Even eighth grade reading level was too high, they watered them down.Started urging non-English proficient students to drop out and get a GED (no state testing for GED.)Then troubled students were urged to drop out. Then borderline almost-special-ed students were urged to drop out.Then the tests were watered down again, and whole days and 6 whole weeks during the school year were exclusively for test-taking skills, and how to write a paragraph, and how to guess the answers to math problems.Then Bush came in, and standards were lowered again. People who failed the 11th grade "graduation" test were urged to drop out so test scores would be higher(even though they would have 2 more chances to pass), and schools would avoid "failing" grades,so they would get full funding.

AND THIS IS EDUCATION? And no one ever kept track of those who "dropped out!!"

I agree. We must fight this testocracy.

[jbou]

4. Politics is all about shifting public opinion

I wish Kucinich's views were the views of the political center in this country, but in all reality we progressives don't hold enough sway in this country to counter the right wing megaphones that permiate our country.

Our progressive goal should be to start a tv station like Fox News, start a talkradio show like Rush Limbaugh has, and we need to come up with quick and easy bullet points like the right has to attack us. Right now we are losing the war against the right wing agenda. We need to stop all the infighting amongst ourselves and gather together and appeal to the rich/progressive folks to start ourselves a media megaphone of our own, till then, an honest heartfelt, smart politician like Kucinich will be considred unelectable.

I'm backing Dean right now, because he has a strong record of keeping ideolouges in check, and passing bills that solve problems but please no one 100 percent(with congress the way it is we'll need a leader like that). I think a Dean Presidency along with a real effort to achieve a media voice stronger then a few magazines will lead us to being open to voting for real progressive candidates like Kucinich. I have a plan, I hope it can come to fuition. So you know I'm not talking out of my ass I work in politics already, and I've spoken with others about my plans.

[Tinoire]

8. I've never understood that the Dems didn't have their own

news channels. It's something that's made me a little suspicious and sad. Good luck to you in that venture because we REALLY need it!

[genius]

11. Kucinich's views are the center

He just has to refute the lies about his being two far to the left. One of the best lines in the 12 year old girl's poem was:

"Fearful candidates hope he'll go away.
'Unelectable' they lyingly say."

[JohnKleeb]

18. even if they are too "left"

They are logical. You know Dennis right, we can get universal single payer health care and we know from our buddies up north that can work and thats hardly a radical agenda imho Harry Truman tried that, also universal pre school and college education need I say I like that a lot. It will prevent a lot of poor kids, the latter will from joining the military in desperation. Universal pre elementary education will make the children smarter and more in tune. Dennis has so many good ideas, I dont mind Dean and his campaign, but I can see myself telling the kids as an old man about DK much how the old people know revere FDR.

[Desertrose]

5. Oh LWolf, I 'm so glad you got to meet Dennis!!!

Thanks for the great write up too!!!

This is so exciting...I wonder how many of us here on DU have actually met & spoken with Dennis...? He is pretty amazing to meet in person and to hear him speak ...for me it is always very inspiring!!!

saw the C-span speech too...love your term testocracy....and it is disgraceful!!

SO glad you got to go!!!!
:loveya:
DR

[Tinoire]

6. Wow LWolf!

Thanks for that great report! Jesus Suarez story and how Dennis dealt with it is touching! People can smell genuine and Dennis has got it!

He held your hand?! Looked you in the eyes?!! OMG. Wasn't that great?! You fortunate person lol!

His message is the clearest, the best, and the most geuine! And that hand holding is a great personal touch- you can tell this man really LIKES and cares for people!

I had one TERRIFIC morning with him that I will never forget and plan to drive however far it takes to follow him during this campaign- telling people about him everywhere I go.

The Transformation of America!


On edit: I'm thrilled for you! :)

[LWolf]

10. Transformation!

That's what Dennis is about. That's what his supporters are about. I am so glad I made the trip. Americans who want to take part in transforming our nation are behind Dennis. I know more and more will join us as they learn more about who he is.

[blm]

12. Thankyou all...

for seeing the person I see.

[dpbrown]

14. I met Dennis in St. Paul

Just looking into his eyes I knew I wanted him to be our President.

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota

[LWolf]

19. Me, too.

I've heard people talk about his looks; what they don't seem to notice in photos is his physical presence; it's kind of like stopping by the gate to chat with a neighbor. A man just like every other man you may run into. No pretension. No performance. And other things:

People have mentioned his passion; that is evident. So is his com-passion. He is actually present, paying attention to the actual real people around him, and responding to them, not like a prospective voter, but like a neighbor; a member of the American community. When you look into his eyes you can see the caring.

And he knows his stuff. You can see him thinking about what he is hearing, and he gives a thoughtful, detailed response to all those "off-the-cuff" questions. One of the things that really impresses me is his recognition of the interconnectedness of things. He doesn't treat each issue in isolation, but sees how they all go together to make the whole.

He also has a great sense of humor, and a great smile. With all of the intensity of his passion on the issues, he can laugh at himself as well.

And every single one of his positions on the issues, and his plans to address them, lead directly back to benefitting the average american.

It's a mistake to discount his determination, his courage, and his tenacity. The more people that learn about the real man, the more his support will grow.

[Sushi Bandit]

20. What is the name of "the Man" that introduced Kucinich & Sanchez?

He identified himself as a Green.

[LWolf]

21. Blase Bonpane

http://www.speakoutnow.org/People/BlaseBonpane.html

I think he's the one you mean!