Kucinich Woos Hip Hoppers -- 'Yo, I Love This Fool'

[Karmadillo]

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=146-10062003

"Go, go Dennis; he ain't no menace. Run, run Dennis; he ain't no menace," raps Joel Tyner, a hip-hop activist who is backing Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) for president.

Kucinich, a Midwestern vegan who has already pocketed the endorsement of country singer Willie Nelson, is looking for a little street cred among hip-hop's urban minority youths, who are largely overlooked by mainstream candidates.

Tonight, Kucinich will team up with 2000 Green Party nominee Ralph Nader and hip-hop artists and D.C. activists Head-Roc and Noyeek the Grizzly Bear at the African Methodist Episcopal Church along M Street. The event will promote D.C. statehood, affordable housing and healthcare for all, among other issues.

<edit>

In November, Kucinich plans a "Representin' Tour" to reach hip-hop communities in 75 cultural hot spots in 200 cities, according to Sekou.

Several attendees said Kucinich received an enthusiastic reception. "Yo, I love this fool,'" Sekou reported some clubbers saying.

G-Stack told Kucinich: "Dog, I hope you become president and I am votin' for you.'"

David Swanson, Kucinich's spokesman, said it is not unusual for Kucinich to reach out to a largely minority constituency. He grew up poor, moving from house to house and even living out of cars in poor neighborhoods, where his neighbors were black and Hispanic.

more...

[Brucey]

1. Get down DK!

I hope it's not taken as a rap against Dennis.

[JohnKleeb]

2. Thats where I am going should I say tonight or tommorow

So yeah I am going. I bet he had a wide range of diversity of neighbors. This should be interesting. Go DK this seems great.

[Gingersnap]

4. have fun

Will this be your first live DK experience? Do let us know how it goes and whether there is a big enthusiastic crowd.

[JohnKleeb]

9. Yes

It will be. I was going to see him in Baltimore this past June but he wasnt there he had to fight for medicare in congress. I may not be able to go tonight :( I just found out because my dad who takes care of my nana cant find someone else to do it. Rats :cry:
*takes off frown* All right I am going, I will likely tell about it tommorow because I got a big philosophy project to work on, I hope that they are selling Kucinich and Terkel's book.

[Fenris]

3. "Representin' Tour" LOL!

Go Dennis!

[LWolf]

5. Download an MP3 here:

You can download Tyner's "Go Go Dennis," as well as a whole list of others. Just keep scrolling down til you find the list!

http://www.wewantkucinich.com/

[diamondsoul]

6. There is no question we have some seriously talented

people in this campaign! I love Joel's song ans Bob's song, Bob's is the Kucinich for Peace one. The guitars in Bob's are awsome!

[no name no slogan]

7. Yeah, I'm working on one myself

Unfortunately, my home studio is in disarray right now. I've actually put out CDs before so I have a little experience in this realm-- even got a little rotation on the local music shows too :). Something with a Spanish/Latin American feel to it, with a good beat, so you can dance to it too LOL! :D

Now if I can just wrangle the bandmates together for a day or two over a weekend.... :)

[lastliberalintexas]

8. What a great article!

Good for Dennis. I'd love to see him and his campaign catch fire! Good luck guys!

[GreenPartyVoter]

10. Glad to see

Dennis and ralph are still working together. :^)

[JohnKleeb]

11. unfortuenly some wont

and they'll get labled working with the enemy, Kucinich supported and worked hard for Al Gore in Ohio in the last election, he like I agrees with Nader on the issues and respects. Seriously I think if we want you guys back, we need guys like Kucinich.

[dpbrown]

12. I'd love to see Dennis totally click with a diverse crowd

I don't see any other candidate who has such empathy for where real people are coming from.

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota

[JohnKleeb]

13. The crowd in Baltimore was just that

Shame he didnt make it that night but it was a diverse group. I still feel like an Irish person in 1960, man lol DK is a South Slav just like me :) and hes a great guy and has very terrific issues. He grew up even more humble than my grandparents, believe me my grandparents growing up in Johnstown, Pa during the depression didnt have it easy. Dennis remembers as do they, I cant forget my humble roots and Dennis doesnt forget his own literal roots.

[genius]

14. Whatever it takes. The future of America is riding on Dennis

getting the nomination. None of the others will stand up to special interests.

[veganwitch]

15. what do you mean...

"special interests?"

its kinda like "family values." you hear it and the red light goes on.

[JohnKleeb]

16. vegan were you there tonite

at the church in DC because boy oh boy do i have something to tell everyone,

[veganwitch]

17. yeppers

i was the gal with the short hair in front of the the dennis table. i was wearing my kucinich shirt with DC statehood/green sticker.


did you see the calendars the dc greens were selling with the protest art?? i bought one. they are soooooo nifty.

[JohnKleeb]

18. Wow then I might have seen you

I was wearing a flannel shirt with khaki pants, and had dark hair with blue eyes. I was mostly walking about. Yes I saw the DC Greens and the speakers were great. I enjoyed Conyers as well as DK. I am not positive but I may have seen you there.

[goodhue]

19. Yo . . .

As Dennis said on C-SPAN yesterday when the moderator brought this story up.

[JohnKleeb]

20. heh

You know one of the things I like most about Dennis, his life story is an amazing tale one of childhood poverty yet one of a man who doesnt give up. He talks about social and economic justice, Ive been reading RFKs old speeches from the 60s and he sounds simliar.

[KittyWampus]

21. Heard About This On Dennis's Cspan Moment Yesterday

:D I love the way he smiles...

I think he's best in interview and townhall venues.

He's a man of peace and I think when he debates the competition brings out the shrill side and he looses his cool.

But he has some serious COOL though!

[JohnKleeb]

22. You should have seen him in DC on Tuesday

I met him. Hes a great speaker and if you really look at his words CS, I seriously think of RFK.

[snoochie]

29. I agree he's best in those venues...

but I think he managed to sound compelling and not shrill tonight. He asked Dean pointedly about supporting $87 billion more to keep troops in Iraq, but I thought that was a valid question. From what I've read most Americans don't think we should spend all that money without more work towards getting help from allies through the UN. Or maybe that's just me. :-)

I also agree that he has a wonderful smile. He comes across as genuine and that's something I think he alone posesses among these candidates. And if you think, as I do, that many people vote more often than not based on who they *like*, not who they agree with ... then that might really count for a lot in the long run.

I think the reason he's so great in those venues is because he's plainspoken and honest. He sometimes seems to veer off onto another topic but it never seems like he's avoiding answering a question. I can't stand that dancing around a point thing that I think some other candidates do. But then I'm biased I guess.

One more thing I thought was great on Washington Journal was when he commented on hip hop, saying that he had different musical tastes, but that there were all kinds of voices in the America's choir and he wanted to be sure he heard them all... beautiful!

Dennis rocks! :-)

[JohnKleeb]

30. I think I know his musical tastes lol

Polka.

[diamondsoul]

31. I cracked up when I heard the "Yo" on C-span...

and then I laughed so hard I cried trying to imagine a Polka fan trying to find enthusiasm for hip-hop!*ROTFL*

[JohnKleeb]

32. heh yeah me too

[Wetzelbill]

23. G-Stack told Kucinich: "Dog, I hope you become president and I am votin'

for you.'"

This busted me up. :)

[JohnKleeb]

24. That was cool, didnt see that

but seriously I think Dennis could appeal and his vision appeals to the people most screwed by Bush, the more poor. Dennis grew up poor and is a living example of the value of hard work and the American Dream. He is now the most experienced yes I am not lying of all the candiates now that Graham has left, before the house he was a state senator, mayor, and a city council man. He fights for the people daily, and I for one believe he could inspire the people a lot.

[Il_Coniglietto]

25. Man, I wish I could've gone!

Two of my favorite things together: hip-hop and Kucinich. My dream would be for The Roots to play a benefit concert for him. Then, no matter what, I'd BE there. No way would I miss that!

[JohnKleeb]

26. I was there and I am not a fan of hip hop but still

Oh yeah and I met him, hes a great guy and nice as well.

[Il_Coniglietto]

27. I've seen him speak before so it's not that bad

but wow, is he amazing in person! He always sounds fantastic when speaking on TV, but it's on a whole 'nother level when you're right there. Unfortunately, he seemed to be very busy (rightly so) so I didn't get to meet him but he was standing about a foot away from me for half an hour! :P

"Congressman Kucinich, can I get your autograph?!"

He rules! Have you seen the article in GDF about him and Sharpton? *finds link* http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=16929

[JohnKleeb]

28. Very cool though

I felt like I met a great hero and that he is. Go Dennis.,

[goodhue]

33. listen

http://www.friendsofkucinich.com/JoelTyner-Go-Go-Dennis.mp3