Kucinich Still Wants To Influence Dems’ Platform

[twilight]

Saturday, March 13, 2004, 6:30 p.m.

By Bob Roberts
WBBM Newsradio 780

(Chicago) -- Although John Kerry appears to have sewn up the Democratic presidential nomination, don't tell that to Dennis Kucinich, who is campaigning across Illinois until Tuesday's primary.

Kucinich tells voters he's not worried so much about attracting delegates as he is influencing the Democratic platform.

"While the nomination may be a foregone conclusion, what we stand for as a Democratic Party is not a foregone conclusion," Kucinich said.

In a highly-charged speech Saturday to the Rainbow-PUSH weekly forum, the Ohio congressman said he has "dragons to slay" and issues to present.

"I could have helped George Bush find those weapons of mass destruction," Kucinich said. "He could have just come to the neighborhoods of any city in America. We could have helped him find the weapons of mass destruction because poverty is a weapon of mass destruction."

link to story ...

http://www.wbbm780.com/asp/ViewMoreDetails.asp?ID=35584



"While the nomination may be a foregone conclusion, what we stand for as a Democratic Party is not a foregone conclusion," Kucinich said in a highly-charged speech at the Rainbow-PUSH weekly forum in Chicago yesterday. He was introduced by Jesse Jackson at the forum.

:dem:

[maisey03]

1. Thanks for the article.

Go Dennis!

[twilight]

2. Welcome to the DU maisey03!

:hi: :hi: :hi: maisey03

and welcome to the Democratic Underground!!! :D



:dem: :kick:

[Kanary]

3. Hi maisey03!!

Welcome to DU, and welcome to the world of Dennis! :)

:hi: :hi: :hi:

:toast:

Kanary

Another Delusional Diehard for Dennis!!

Kucinich 2004!

[Padraig18]

4. Welcome to DU, maisey03

:hi:

[maisey03]

14. Thanks for the warm welcome, all!

:-)

[flaminbats]

17. Nice to have another Kucinich backer on board...

this battle is not just another forgotten cause, but a test to demonstrate if Kerry will help us become a democratic party.

[newyawker99]

20. Hi maisey03!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[redqueen]

22. Welcome to DU, maisey03!

:hi:

So lovely to see a new Kucitizen!

[diamondsoul]

5. And he's absolutely right on the money

as usual. So far I don't see a lot of hope ahead. That's not to insult Senator Kerry's record except from my perspective he seems to be stepping away from it very quickly and sorry, Kerry supporters, I'm troubled by it.

There are issues on the table in this election that are life and death to too many people, and not enough of us are taking the stand such a situation deserves. Dennis does and does it every time. I don't like the notion that some of my fellow Dems are saying "Democrats want health care for every American" when only one of them has had the courage to submit a bill providing it to the House. When every other candidate for this Party's nomination has stood up there and said they wouldn't provide health care for every American they'd just slap bandaids on the same destructive and deadly system we have now.

I don't like that people are saying "Dems want to get us out of Iraq as soon as possible" when they candidates themselves won't even estimate when that will be. Furthermore has it ever occurred to those supporters that "as soon as possible" probably varies depending on who our next President IS? Maybe it would take someone like Howard Dean 10 years, Someone like Kerry 5 years, and just MAYBE Kucinich really could have pulled it off in 90 days. But hey let's go with the longer occupation and more dead, shall we? I mean really why bother to strive for what we really want when we all know we can't have it anyway, right?

Well I have something to say about all this before the hammer comes down on me. I know Kerry is pretty well the nominee. I know the brokered convention is shot. I know I won't get what I really want. But guess what, gang? I'm not going away. I'm not shutting up. I'm not walking away from the one guy who has shown absolute massive brass cajones in the face of this mess at every turn. Why? Because he's still out there knocking himself out so he can go to Boston and BE MY VOICE to John Kerry and the Party Leadership. Because he's the only one who accepted the chance of losing and never quit JUST so he could peak for me and every other American like me!

Because for once there's someone in my Government who actually cares about the issues I struggle with, and people like Kanary and yeah, even people who didn't support him because he's a "loony lefty". It's YOUR job, YOUR health, YOUR family who runs into financial crisis and can't pay the mortgage on time, it's YOU he's busting his butt for.

John Kerry can be the nominee, but he'd best not be expecting a free ride from me. He shot any chance of that when he sneered at the man who asked him the wuestion I wanted asked on a Nationally televised debate. That sneer was personally directed at me by extension and if he wants my vote in November he'd best set about making up for that in a BIG way.

[Kanary]

6. Yes, Dennis is the only one I can count on to do everything possible

to keep me, and so many others like me, alive. You're so very right about that.

Which is why I'm right behind Dennis, working away until Boston... and beyond!

If I didn't have Dennis right now, speaking up for me, I know I'd be despondent, indeed!!

Diamondsoul, I really do KNOW that one day the people who are so happily bashing him now will come to understand what he stands for, and just how hard he's working -- NOT for the heck of it, but for the people he so very much cares about!

Someday, people will know how much we need Dennis!

I hope I get there with you.

Kanary, so very grateful for the unstoppable Kucinich!

Another Delusional Diehard for Dennis!!

Kucinich 2004!

[no name no slogan]

8. Hey Kanary, don't worry: "buyer's remorse" WILL set in after Boston

I experienced much the same thing in 1988 after Dukakis won the nomination. Although I knew he wasn't going to change much, he seemed electable and I thought he'd be able to beat Bush I after eight destructive years of Reagan.

However, after the convention, I had some big second thoughts-- and that was after I worked my butt off for him in the primaries-- even went to my state convention as a Dukakis delegate! Unfortunately I saw he wasn't really even trying to change what was wrong, but was just a friendlier face on the same failed ideas of Reagan/Bush.

But just wait, after the nomination. DK will finally get some attention for what he's been saying, and he'll look like an elder statesman. It always happens this way. We'll be stuck with a mediocre nominee, who we'll hold our nose for when we vote because the alternative is worse. And we'll be wondering why our party didn't pick somebody who wasn't afraid to be an outspoken liberal.

Feels like deja vu all over again. :(

[Kanary]

10. Your story is such a true illustration

I hadn't thought about it, but I'll bet you're right about Dennis looking like an elder stateman (of course, he is young, and looks young, but... hehehe)

That's why it's so important to keep our connections and ties, and keep the organization strong.... there'll be more on the way... :)

Thanks for the reminder.... it really does help....

Kanary, who really appreciates your Port Huron statement!

Another Delusional Diehard for Dennis!!

Kucinich 2004!

[no name no slogan]

27. We definately need to stick together past Nov 2, 2004

...and prepare to work our asses off in 2008. Although I hope I'm wrong, I honestly don't think Kerry is going to win this thing. I don't see a lot of enthusiasm for him where I'm at, more of a sense of ABB than "pro-Democrats".

For the White House, that may work, but it won't do us much good for Congress or state houses and local races. We may get the Presidency by a tiny margin, but Kerry won't have the coattails of a candidate who seeks to "re-enfranchise" center-left and left-leaning voters.

The closest comparison I can come up with for DK would be Jesse Jackson in '84. He didn't do spectacularly well, but he got new people into the process, and reinvigorated the debate. He didn't get the nom, but he kept his national organization together. So, come 1988, he was up and running and was "the one to beat" after his suprise showing in Iowa.

And glad you like the Port Huron statement! I just added another which I think is also quite relevant... :D

[redqueen]

28. Love the new one, NNNS

I'm so jealous of youz guys. Here in Dallas I feel so lonely. I was one of TWO people to show up at my precinct convention, and when I called the guy doing the setup for the Senatorial convention that's coming up he sounded so glad to hear from me and so desperate to get help ... Texas truly is not the best place to live. :)

*sigh*

Ah well, at least I'll be there to caucus for the best damn candidate I've ever had the honor to support, right? :D

[no name no slogan]

33. You've got a great attitude redqueen!

My sympathies re: Texas. Unfortunately, if our current Repub (mis)administration continues in MN, we could very well end up as a colder Texas.

Just think about your caucus, though: with low turnouts, you could easily become a delegate to the state convention, right (I assume you go from precinct, to county/state senate dist, then to congressional district and state?)? Who knows, you may get to go to Boston!

And you're right about having the best damn candidate-- it's great to get to vote for a candidate, and not do it because he's only the "evil of two lessers", even if it is just the primary.

:hi:

[redqueen]

45. Thanks

I sure try to stay positive, but it's tough!

I spoke with an election official at the precinct convention, and he said that he wasn't participating specifically because he coulnd't make it to state -- that those slots are reserved for long-time activists in the local / state party I guess. :( Doesn't mean I won't try though!

Courage, America! Onward! :toast:

[Kanary]

44. It's pretty clear the lack of enthusiasm is going to be a problem

The stalwart worker bees have some enthusiasm, but the folks on the ground are... well, it's not lighting any fires.

I think pretty much it's up to us to "keep the national organization together", but....around me, I see enough of that enthusiams that it shouldn't be too hard to do. I have some ideas, and I think others do, too. I'll be excited to talk to others about it.

I just talked with one of the Sisters of Loretto here yesterday, and as I thought, they are mostly behind Dennis, and they are a force to be reckoned with! :) So, yes, I think there's gonna be lots of action later. I think I'll take them some buttons today, and they'll keep spreading the word. Your comparison with JJ is appropos. I just hope I'm around to see it.

Your new quote is going on another picture I'll put up tomorrow night.... thanks for providing me with plenty of material! :hi:

Kanary

Another Delusional Diehard for Dennis!!

Kucinich 2004!

[redqueen]

48. "I just hope I'm around to see it."

Awww, Kanary. This tears me up. I hope this happens faster than any of us could have ever imagined. But we have so much work to do...

:hug:

[no name no slogan]

53. Can't wait to see that picture!

That sounds very cool Kanary! I hope your event w/Dennis goes off well in April. He may be coming back to MN again, later this spring, to discuss the future of the movement, and what we should do next.

I have a feeling there may be an article or two (maybe even a book?) about the MN Kucinich campaign. Out of the 50 or so serious volunteers, there were only a couple of "experienced" politicos involved. We did quite a bit with almost no money, not much press, but a lot of love and enthusiasm. Maybe they'll use the HI, MN and the other active states as models to set up something nationally?

:hi:

[no name no slogan]

7. Well said DS

And you are definately NOT alone in this. This campaign is just the BEGINNING of our efforts, which will not cease after Boston, or after November 2 for that matter.

Here in MN, DK supporters are already getting elected to positions in the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. We have a number of precinct chairs, some State Senate district officers, and even delegates to state-level committees. Not to mention the numerous delegates to the state and congressional district conventions, too!

We are planning to stick together, as a group, after the nomination is done, and continue on with our work of transforming the Democrats into a true party of the people, and not just the moneyed class.

www.minnesotaforkucinich.com/action.php

[diamondsoul]

11. For now, I'm focused on delegates

for Dennis. He's counting on me and others like me to get enough to be heard.

After the convention, I'm contemplating making t-shirts. I have a couple of different slogans and designs in mind, just to get his name in peoples' heads. My gut says he'll run again in '08 or '12, and by G-d I intend to have a head start on that one!

What I do after the Convention depends on what Dennis decides to lead his base to do. I'm in as long as this man draws breath and wants to remain my voice in the Government, period. Shoot, I may YET move to Cleveland just so I can say he really IS MY voice in Congress! LOL

If he stays with the Party, I suspect I will too. If he's tough enough to keep battling the beast from within, he's going to need a LOT of help. Heres one of my t-shirt slogans, spin-off from my sig line

"Dennis Kucinich is my President, the media just forgot to tell you." on the front, and on the back "Dennis WHO??":evilgrin:

[Kanary]

12. Meet ya in Cleveland, ds!

:) :) :) :) :)

:hi:

Y'mean, I'm not the only one who had that thought? :)

Although, I'm afraid I'd miss my beloved mountains.

What's that saying about in for a pound? I'm THERE!

Kanary, truly a...

Another Delusional Diehard for Dennis!!

Kucinich 2004!

[diamondsoul]

13. *snicker* I have this vision now

Kucinich runs to retain his House seat with 96% of his disctrict vote instead of 76%, all because a butt-load of supporters decided to move there! ROTFL

Whatcha think of starting up a souvenir t-shirt shop for Kucinich supporters over the next 4 years? We can get the whole country ready for another run before he even announces!

[Kanary]

21. You spurred my thinking yesterday with this thought

However, this isn't exactly friendly territory, so rather than invite more abuse, I'll PM you with what came to mind.

Your humble t-shirt shop has grown.... ~~gigglesnort~~

Kanary

Another Delusional Diehard for Dennis!!

Kucinich 2004!

[Desertrose]

29. love the idea of the souvenir t-shirt shop...

been wanting to do some kick ass graphics soon as I get the chance :)

I agree with all you guys...we are just starting here with Dennis...I will from now til I draw my last breath, a supporter of Dennis Kucinich and all he represents.

We have a lot of work to do and yeah...there is a growing number of us who will be keeping a close eye on Kerry......

Lets keep the DK energy flowing!! It can only add good stuff to the mix!

Peace
DR

[Mairead]

34. Anyone else have the horrible feeling that we're going to need a

'Don't blame me, I voted for Kucinich' tee? :(

Maybe we can use an enlarged (pixelated and all) copy of the :shrug: icon.

[Zorra]

16. That's a really great idea.

[MaggieSwanson]

26. Great news

Kucinich supporters in my county are doing the same. Saturday was our county convention and I will be going on to the District...and hopefully be there in Boston.
As long as Dennis keeps fighting the good fight, I will be right there with him. Good to know my neighbors in MN will too!

[no name no slogan]

51. Alright maggiefaye!

Glad to hear your going on to the CD and state level!

It looks like DK will end up with eight (or possibly nine) delegates from MN. However, we could actually getting more DK "leaners" as delegates since a lot of Dean's people here went to Edwards, but we definately get 8 for sure.

I'm hoping I get to the state convention this year. The last one I made it to was in 1990, as a Wellstone for Senate/Perpich for Governor delegate. My county delegation was seated just to the left of the speaker's podium, halfway back, which meant I had an excellent seat for Wellstone's acceptance speech. Absolutely unforgetable!

[jsw_81]

9. Good luck

It won’t be easy to influence the convention with only 15 delegates (compared with Kerry’s 2100+).

[youngred]

23. how could we ever have a kucinich thread

without you pissing in it

[jsw_81]

49. I'm merely pointing out the fact that Kucinich will be powerless in Boston

To influence a national convention, you need to have at least 200 delegates. Kucinich will be lucky to have twenty. All this we hear about Kucinich and Sharpton shaping the party platform is complete and utter nonsense.

[redqueen]

50. He has 23 now, actually

Honestly I do not see why people make it such a priority to pound on Kucinich. He's doing very well considering how the media and HIS OWN PARTY treat him.

And I just love that Kucinich came in second in Kansas with 10.2 percent, Dean came in third with 6.7, but Dean gets a delegate.

*sigh*

[redqueen]

52. And what the heck happened with Maine and Washington?

zero delegates from each? WTF?!

[Mairead]

54. "Dean came in third with 6.7, but Dean gets a delegate."

And there are still actually people--even around here!--who treat this whole thing as though the process is an open one and all outcomes are natural and appropriate.

Wishful thinking, willful ignorance, or mindless fear, what do you think?

[redqueen]

57. No idea

But it sure pisses me off. :grr:

[GreenPartyVoter]

15. Yay Dennis!

[HalfManHalfBiscuit]

18. No problem. Unless he brings up contrail and psychotronic weapons BS

Then he will get no play.

[diamondsoul]

19. Get some new material, eh?

:boring:

[Why Knot]

24. Kucinich has answers!

Kucinich is the only candidate that I would vote for, rather than Nader. In Alaska (where I'm at), if Kerry is nominated Bush will win, simply because Kerry is a "Bush Lite" candidate. Kucinich offers the only real alternative.

At our local Democrat caucus, we went 4 or 5 Kucinich, 1 Kerry, and 2 undecided. I hope Kucinich carries Alaska. He can beat Bush, although I do hope that anyone else does.

Too bad there's not a choice: "Anyone but Bush!"

[redqueen]

25. Welcome to DU, Why Knot!

:hi:

Glad to know your caucus goers liked Kucinich's answers!

[redqueen]

30. I love that picture!

But is that lady picking her nose? What bad timing! ;)

[goodhue]

31. Yes

Its a great picture. I particularly like the two guys standing in back with raised fists.

[ModerateDem]

32. How?

How will he influence the convention without any delegates? He may say that he doesn't need any delegates but it was only a few months ago when Dennis thought that it would be a "brokered convention", and that he would "emerge" as the antiwar nominee. So much for that scenario, huh?

Dennis will have far less influence than Al Sharpton on the platform, and Al Sharpton won't even have that much. It's hard to have a lot of influence with John Kerry on track to win close to 3500 of the ~4300 delegates at stake.

[revcarol]

35. Welcome to DU.

I hope you are in a learning mode, because you have a lot to learn about Dennis.:)

[ModerateDem]

36. Thanks for the welcome,

but I know all I need to know about Dennis Kucinich. I live in his congressional district. I've met him several times at events, and he lost most of my respect when he flip-flopped on the abortion issue. And he did flip-flop, so please don't deny it, ma'am. Dennis was not always for legalized abortion. Supporters on here may say that he was and try and spin his voting record, but Dennis Kucinich voted for the partial-birth abortion ban act numerous times, and voted to cut off international funding to organizations that talk about abortion. He also voted to ban human cloning and he was against stem cell research until only very recently.

If I want someone who will always protect my reproductive rights(and I do), then that candidate is John Kerry, not Dennis Kucinich. Dennis Kucinich has proven that he cannot be trusted with an issue as important as this one.

[snoochie]

37. They ALL flip flop, BUT...

Dennis is the ONLY one you'll find that has the courage and integrity to tell you honestly WHY.

Everyone else just tries to explain it away.

That's why, flip flops or no, he's the only candidate for me.

And welcome to DU. :)

[Dookus]

38. what's to learn?

DK has 23 delegates, and is unlikely to improve much upon that number, if it all.

That's abo0ut one half of one percent of the delegates.

Kerry and his supporters will be writing the party platform, NOT Dennis Kucinich.

[ThirdWheelLegend]

39. letter change now!

TWL

[Dookus]

40. I don't know what that means

but I am correct. The nominee dominates the platform. People with half of one percent of the delegates have little influence.

[DaveSZ]

41. Dennis

Was the only honest candidate running.

Too bad he couldn't win. :(

[revcarol]

43. You have forgotten the progressive base/Nader factor.

The progressive base would be abandoned by Kerry, and some might just stay home or vote for Nader.
Those who would vote for Nader reluctantly are looking for a reason NOT to vote for Nader.

I would not be surprised at all, IF KERRY HAS ANY SENSE AT ALL AND WANTS TO WIN THE ELECTION, to see at least one of Dennis' Ten Points appear in the Democratic platform.Probably TWO, if we can keep the pressure on.

Kerry just shouldn't want a major part of his base slipping away, plus attracting voters ON THE ISSUES.(Even the FReeps want to do away with the Patriot Act, although they wouldn't vote for Kerry, although independents and greens might, on the issues.)

So, keep on keepin' on, Dennis.:yourock:

[redqueen]

46. Is it just me?

Or does it seem like some Democrats actually want Kucinich to fail to change the platform?

I mean really... imagine if Democrats took the same 'it's just reality, i'm not trying to be mean or hurtful' attitude wrt the bush v. kerry situation:

"You know, Bush is just going to kick Kerry's legs out from under him after the convention. The media is going rough on bush now but just wait, we all saw what happened last time so why not admit to ourselves that Kerry will be Gored and since Kerry won't even co-sponsor Graham's paper-ballot bill, he'll probably have it stolen anyway."

Is that helpful? IMO it's not. It's just oh woesy woe Eeyore talk and it's really starting to work on my LAST nerve.

So... is it just me? Or are these people actively working AGAINST ANY of Kucinich's ten points making it into the platform, by their constnant nattering negativism? (;))

/rant

[Kanary]

47. No, it's not just you

The irony is that DU started as a place for more progressive Dems to speak their minds. Now it's a place for more progressive Dems to leave or be constantly harassed.

Kinda like the state of the Union in miniature, eh?

Kanary

Another Delusional Diehard for Dennis!!

Kucinich 2004!

[Mairead]

55. The problem, though, is that the platform doesn't mean squat

It's all Motherhood, The Flag, And Apple Pie ('Baseball' used to get in there somewhere, too)

[revcarol]

56. Not unless WE push Kerry kicking and screaming into progressive

positions. He probably would love to be reborn into the liberal he used to be, and we can help him...

just like we can help our nation to become the nation most admired around the world because of liberty and justice for all...and isn't this what ALL Democrats want?

[Zomby Woof]

42. DKickin'!