DK's official statement on Unity Dinner ......3/24

[Desertrose]

http://kspidel.dailykos.com/story/2004/3/25/141549/408
I was given authors permission to post this....

Kucinich and the DNC's Unity Dinner
by KSpidel
Thu Mar 25th, 2004 at 14:15:49 GMT
As many of you know, Dennis Kucinich was not offically invited to the Democratic Party "Unity Dinner" this evening. There has been several misleading quotes from the DNC.

from:

"still campaigning and not preaching party unity"
to: "He was not invited"

Below is Dennis' OFFICAL response:
Diaries :: KSpidel's diary ::
Kucinich and the DNC's Unity Dinner

March 24, 2004

As former Presidential candidates and other Democrats rally for Sen. John Kerry at a Democratic National Committee-sponsored unity event this Thursday, the last remaining challenger, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, will continue to actively campaign.

He issued the following statement:

Dear Democratic Colleagues,

I congratulate Senator Kerry for his excellent showing in the primaries and caucuses. While the direction of the nomination seems certain, the direction of the Democratic Party remains to be determined. I look forward to being part of that process.

I will continue to call for unity in the Democratic Party around principles of peace, health care for all, fair trade and civil liberties. It is urgent that the Democratic debate continue and that every part of the Party is heard from, so that by the conclusion of the convention in July, unity will sweep across our Party in a powerful surge toward victory.

I continue to be dedicated to the primary-and-caucus process to demonstrate the possibilities of a new direction for the Democratic Party. It is critical that the Democratic Party is able to attract and energize those who stand for peace, healthcare for all, civil liberties and principles of social and economic justice in trade policies. We need those votes to win in November.

My campaign will continue to give voice to those principles and to those voters so that, come November, Democrats will be able to win. My campaign will continue to be the vehicle to bring people into the Democratic Party who might otherwise feel disenfranchised. That could well prove to be the decisive factor in victory.

As a Democratic candidate, I acknowledge and congratulate the Party in its call for unity, just as the Party acknowledges my intention to continue campaigning in more than a dozen states and U.S. territories that have not yet voted.

Everyone who has pursued or is pursing the nomination has already publicly stated our willingness to support the eventual nominee. I stand by that commitment and I also remain an active candidate.

Sincerely,
Dennis Kucinich

____________
there is also a poll at the bottom....
http://kspidel.dailykos.com/story/2004/3/25/141549/408
This is the way the first question should read...

Yes - should have gone, and let those supporters who do (know---> should read NOT) support this move go to Nader?

_____________
Peace
DR

[WI_DEM]

1. they should just invite him

what difference would it make?

[dolstein]

6. What difference would it make?

Well, it would mean that there would be at least one Democrat in attendance that hasn't announced their support for John Kerry. Hell, why not invite Ralph Nader and Zell Miller?

Kerry has secured enough delegations to win the nomination. All of the other candidates have endorsed Kerry and are actively supporting his candidacy -- everyone except Kucinich. If Kucinich had done what the other candidates for the nomination did, he'd have been invited.

[Desertrose]

7. I'd rather have Dennis stick up for some issues that mean something to me

than go to this *unity fundraiser schmooze pat each other on the back dinner*

Hell, why not invite Ralph Nader and Zell Miller?

well shoot, that's just plain ignorant...uhhh, do you realize those fellas aren't really Dems? :eyes: </sarcasm off>

At least give Dennis credit for staying & working within the party.


BTW...there are a LOT of dems who have not necessarily announced support for Kerry yet...our *chosen one*...and the convention is when...4 months away?


I seriously doubt the world will end if not every last living dem agrees to support Kerry...but thats just MHO

Peace
DR

[redqueen]

2. He's got my respect and admiration

What grace. :) He could have made a stink about this to try to get some free press.

:loveya:

[Zomby Woof]

3. class act all the way

And a platform I can be proud to call Democratic.

Peace.

Universal Health Care.

Civil Liberties.

Fair trade.

DeeKay is still the one.

[Desertrose]

8. Hey Zomby son....

:hi:

I am really proud of DeeeKaaay,too!!!!


:hug:

Hows the April 15th countdown coming?? I might actually get to see you Monday!!
YAY!!!!!!

:loveya:
D Mom

[Dhalgren]

4. I support Dennis Kucinich for President.

He's a Democrat and so am I (at least until I am run out of the Party)

[TheDonkey]

5. classy statement, still shouldn't be invited.

But he makes a strong point and should be proud.

[mzmolly]

9. *

"As a Democratic candidate, I acknowledge and congratulate the Party in its call for unity, just as the Party acknowledges my intention to continue campaigning in more than a dozen states and U.S. territories that have not yet voted.

Everyone who has pursued or is pursing the nomination has already publicly stated our willingness to support the eventual nominee. I stand by that commitment and I also remain an active candidate."

It doesn't sound like he was terribly interested in attending? I think it would have been an insult to invite him if he is still actively campaigning against Kerry.

[blondeatlast]

11. I am a Kucitizen, but I think you are right.

It's a tough call. Nobody wins, but nobody loses.

I think all did as they should have, and DK was classy in his statement.

[Sugarbleus]

16. Yes, I think DK is a great human being. I wish he had been

invited, but if he didn't want to attend then it's okay. I like that he is still out there putting a "fine Point" on the democratic issues.

I will always be grateful to him; still, it would have made a big splash, in my heart, if I could have seen him onstage with all the other current and former democratic personalities.

Bless you DK. :hug:

[rucky]

12. Agreed. He's not outraged. Nobody's outraged.

it's a silly dinner photo-op thingie.

DK is there for Dems who haven't warmed up to Kerry. He'll bring 'em in at convention-time.

[goodhue]

14. well put

[blondeatlast]

10. Very classy statement. I look forward to hearing him at the

Convention; firing up my fellow Kucitizens to beat the Chimp-in-Chief.

[Paradise]

13. emailed the dnc, and kerry,

under 'contributions' (they're sure to read that!). not inviting kucinich to the 'unity' dinner is divisive, not unifying. :thumbsdown:

[juajen]

15. I respect what Dennis is doing

He is a hero in my book. I do wish he had been there just because he is so much a part of all of the hopes and dreams of the Democratic Party. I missed his wonderful face that shines with integrity and passion for his beliefs and for the progressive beliefs of all of us. BRAVO, Dennis, BRAVO. Carry on.

[DaveSZ]

17. Dennis is the man

:)

I think in a general election against Bush I'm sad to say, he'd only have gotten about 25% of the vote max.

[LWolf]

18. Class.

Dennis has the issues, the attitude, the energy, the integrity, and the courage to help us bring a fine, strong, democratic administration to the WH.

[no name no slogan]

19. I still have questions about this whole "Unity Dinner" thingy....

For example, what kind of "unity" are we preaching when it cost $25k to get into the damned thing?

That's more than many working people (i.e., our "base") make in a whole year. It's like we're saying "unity is great, but you're locked out if you can't afford the cover".

Sure, they broadcast it on CSPAN and whatnot, but what kind of message does this send to our natural constituency, who could EASILY put us over the top in November? "You're important, as long as you're willing to pony up $25,000 for a rubbery piece of chicken and a few rah-rah speeches by the party elites."

I believe Clinton's first inaugural ball was a "backyard barbecue"-type affair that cost $5, IIRC. Although I disagreed with the way Clinton governed, I have to hand it for him for doing something that plain folks could participate in.

These type of "Unity Dinners" do more harm to our image with our core constituencies than good. And unfortunately, I think it speaks volumes about where our party is at.

[MaineDem]

26. I'm positive it didn't cost $25K to attend

The max donation for any individual is $2000 to begin with.

I think it was $1000. This was a fundraiser after all and it brought in over $11M to the Democratic coffers.

[revcarol]

27. $25,000 for two tickets.

The max contribution to an individual is $2000. But the rules haven't taken effect yet about PARTY contributions, is my take. Someone clarify.

If I were Kerry, I would be a lot happier that he made $10,000,000 in INDIVIDUAL contributions than I would for this bash.This fits right in with Kerry's original campaign, in which he was running around having $2000 dinners in high-priced hotels. He didn't care about individual contributions until his campaign started to founder.Maybe George Soros should have plunked down $25,000 so that two people without health insurance could attend.

This was no UNITY dinner any more than Bush's cheering section appearances are UNITY rallies. THIS WAS A FUNDRAISER!!

[cyclezealot]

20. DK will be a unifying force.

He is too peaceful a soul to be a bitter force. Even after the convention his principals will be a positive force to bring about a positive Democratic Party..
The party has not the foresight to think having DK there would not welcome in the collective energy behind DK; that is their lack of vision...Where DK goes, we his supporters will follow. Not blindly, but proudly...For we are a determined force behind DK that tell him to continue the fight for Peace, Health Care, and protecting American jobs. Whether it is now, after the convention, or after Jan. 20, 2005.
The party does not appreciate a force that has collected $10 million dollars to forge a better America, then so be it.

[robbedvoter]

21. I was disturbed by his not being invited

and by Kerry's not mentioning him and saying "we did it fast". fast indeed. before anyone got a chance to think about it. I like DK's statement and he is perfectly entitled to campaign as long as the primaries continue.

[jenk]

23. Kucinich is still campaigning AGAINST Kerry

NO way should he be invited, Kucinich has his own issues and has developed quite an ego.

[WitchWay]

25. There needs to be some respect

Hmmm...you are accusing Kucinich of having Ego? Sounds disturbingly familiar.

Could you elaborate what sorts of "issues" that you believe Dennis has?

I guess it's easy to throw around vague accusations that someone has "ego" issues instead of really debating the issues and discussing things politically.

But, I see you also think that throwing things like pies in someones faces, which is physical assault, is somehow an appropriate expression of political viewpoints. I find the enjoyment of that sort of behavior to be facist bullying and mean spiritedness, not real democratic discourse.

[wyldwolf]

22. When Kucinich quits actively campaiging against John Kerry...

...then he can consider himself unified.

[cyclezealot]

24. DK has handleded himself with class and Style

The whole season..He can be proud of himself...For those of us who have uncompromisible issues-war, health care and jobs; there is not compromise..An issues campaign...The Democratic platform is lacking,our enthusism for Kerry will suffer,but we still will be Democrats. I am sure DK will be the solid party person..
Health care platform too much a a compromise- then I will follow DK only so far. He has never once attacked any one in the mean/nasty manner Dean/Gephardt did...No reason for bitterness here.