KUCINICH: how he plans to make it work

[Mairead]

from http://lessig.org/blog/

Yesterday, Rob asked several questions:
1) It is almost certain that you will be working with a Republican-controlled Congress at least initially during your tenure. Given that, do you believe it likely that you will be able to get the Congress to pass bills authorizing programs for national health care, withdrawal from NAFTA and WTO, reversal of the Bush tax cuts (which will probably be permanent by then), and dealing with other hot-button issues that the Republicans have been so steadfastly against. You can’t just declare these things by executive order; and I don’t see how you can get such “radical liberal” programs passed. That makes many of your 10 key issues non-starters.

My nomination will set the stage for a Democratic Congress. In 1932, when president Franklin Roosevelt was nominated, he ran on a platform of broad economic reform, which excited people to come out in vote in their own enlightened self-interest. As a result, FDR led a Democratic sweep, which resulted in a pickup of 90 House seats and 13 Senate seats. {emphasis added} This was accomplished because he represented profound change. He represented jobs, he represented rebuilding America, he represented a hope for popular control over predatory corporations. My nomination will reverse the results of the 1994 election when the Democrats were unable to regain the House and lost the Senate principally because the parties’ ties to corporate interests muted the differences between the parties and discouraged the Democratic base. My nomination will excite the Democratic base, will broaden the reach of the party, and will engage third party activists to join us in a mighty effort to reclaim our government.

[stopthegop]

1. "My nomination will reverse the results of the 1994 election "

no disrepect to Mr. Kucinich...but that's delusional...ain't gonna happen...

[Dhalgren]

2. Oh, well then,

Dennis probably didn't check with you first. I'm sure, now that he knows you have decided what will and won't happen, he'll just shut up and sit down. Thanks for saving us all this pain and effort.

[diamondsoul]

4. Nothing delusional about it.

The Congressman has listened to the disenfranchised third parties and the throughly disillusioned Democrats. He knows if he is nominated those people will have a reason to get out and support the Dem party in this election, and it'll happen across the board.

There are thousands of us across the country that would do exactly what he says.

[CWebster]

3. I like Kucinch

He would be an excellent secretary of state.

[Mairead]

5. Me too

And he'll make an even better president. He even looks the part, these days:

[lastliberalintexas]

6. Or Senator

if he does not get the nomination. He'd really be another great voice in that body.

[mmm]

7. Great post

WOW!

[genius]

8. Kucinich is awesome

I believe he will be the next FDR.

[JackieO]

9. When the people elect President Kucinich

it makes sense that there will be sweeping changes in Congress, too.