If we could focus on the issues, then a truly progressive candidate like Kucinich could win

[Matariki]

not 'charisma', not 'electability', but where candidates are on the ISSUES.

If we can't do that here amongst the reasonably politically well educated, well it's just not going to happen.

[lovuian]

1. Kucinich is the Man and debates he will kick butt att

:woohoo:

[benny05]

2. It could happen except

DK needs some resources to put together a montage, or get folks to put him on Google video, Vsocial or YT.

Dennis is honorable and he is a damn good Congressman. I chose Edwards though because he wasn't a one issue candidate and he was highly articulate in explaining to me what his positions were (and still are) when I saw him in debates on TV with other Dems.

[Earth_First]

3. I agree! n/t

[MaggieSwanson]

4. Kick for the Kooch

...and he's decidedly not a one-issue candidate. From civil rights for all to universal single-payer health care to fully funded education K through college, he has a slew of pragmatic, populist, progressive plans.

Go Dennis!

:kick:

[Nutmegger]

5. K and effing R!

:kick::thumbsup:!

[Pyrzqxgl]

6. Dreamer, we can't even stick to the issues here in DU

how can you expect those in the real world to?

[Matariki]

17. LOL - you're not kidding. That's really what I was trying to say.

and i am actually surprised to find that people actually responded to this post ;-)

[BlooInBloo]

7. Not if he blocked people from replying to his threads on Cowards Underground.

[TahitiNut]

8. I'm afraid most people give lip service to principles and behave like it's American Idol.

I find that disgusting. Kucinich is, imho, unquestionably the closest and most consistent advocate of the principles I see espoused on DU ... yet garners far too many of the Junior High School locker room slams.

That said, he's no Tennessee Ernie Ford. :silly:

[LoZoccolo]

9. You really don't need the politicians to do the focusing, though.

I see a lot of people getting frustrated with the people running for not bringing up this or that issue, but that doesn't really keep you and I from discussing all that with people ourselves. Another aspect of that is that if people here got other people to agree with them on particular issues, then none of the candidate could ignore those issues.

[Matariki]

18. BINGO

That is precisely what I'm talking about. Not the candidates but the discussions ABOUT the candidates going on here. So few of the recent threads about the candidates are focused on issues and are more along the lines of: "well, I just can't stand so & so" - with nothing of substance to back that 'feeling' up. Either that or just a repetition of unfounded slurs and rumors.

I'd love to see a pinned list of where all the candidates stand on ISSUES as the election approaches. Not just what they say, but their voting records and actual accomplishments. Also who is endorsing them and who their major campaign contributors are. What do y'all think?

[Morgana LaFey]

10. Issues are only part of the equation

And I'm not even talking about electbility or charisma.

THe presidency isn't just all about issues. It's important to have someone who has the issues right (or mostly right, since you're never going to find someone perfect), but leadership is critical too. Although the last couple of TV appearances I've seen with him have been better (brief tho they were), I have a lot of trouble seeing Dennis Kucinich -- the man, not the issues -- as the leader of the free world.

I just do.

I think he's a fine man, but I just don't see him standing up to some of the people he'd have to stand up to. Good God, he's let TV pundits walk all over him -- what about a crazy man with a nuke (North Korea)????

:shrug: He doesn't do it for me. Sorry.

[Matariki]

19. yeah, and it would be nice if we could evolve a little further along from primates

Primates seek out 'leaders' and 'alpha males'.

We need REPRESENTATIVES.

And to find out who will represent us best - we need to look at their RECORDS. What have they accomplished? Have their legislative records matched their rhetoric? Who's sponsoring them? And so forth. And to look at those records we need information, not rumors and innuendo.

This shouldn't be difficult, it's not rocket science.

[Morgana LaFey]

24. Excellent point. Reminds me of what Molly Ivins said re Bush

I think this may have been in her forward or maybe Chapter 1 of Shrub, a book so horrible I couldn't read it. Well, it's a GOOD book, just horrible information and I didn't start until he'd already been elected.

Anyway, she said there are three ways to judge a politician: his record, his record and his record.

IOW: look at what he's done, and that's what he'll do.


Think about it. George Bush presided over more executions than any other governor? Wellll, that's just a nice prelude to all these renditions and Abu Ghraib, not to mention Iraqi civilian deaths. And so forth.

[Rosemary2205]

11. Good luck with that

I have not seen an issues centered presidential race since I started voting nearly 30 years ago and now that the swifties have entered the equation I don't see how an issues debate will ever happen in THIS presidential race.

[Pharaoh]

12. Instant run off voting!

Need I say More?

[chknltl]

13. D.K. is the one MOST likely to prosecute the criminal repukes...

...for their crimes imho. I want to see the depleted uranium issue brought out into the limelight and dealt with for instance... I only see senators McDermott and Cantwell working on this and neither are running for POTUS. I can only hope that those two can keep up the investigations but I fear without stronger leadership they will not get far. If Kuccinich were to lend his weight here..... and if not him then which other POTUS hopeful even remotely has the needed kahunas to do this? (Sorry no intended slight on HK here...even if she DOES seem to have a big enough pair to keep up with the pack and may indeed wind up pack-leader)


Yes I realize the depleted uranium horror may take down a few dems as well but so be it!

[Recursion]

14. And if a frog had wings...

...he wouldn't bump his ass a-hoppin'

[LWolf]

15. Good point.

I've been busy, and DU and I are moving in different directions. I've always put issues before party, and knew that DU puts party before issues.

I'm not playing the game this time around. I'm a Democrat, and I'd like to nominate and elect a good Democrat. I'm not "getting in line," though. Not now, not ever. If the Democrats are interested in earning my vote, attacks, name-calling, threats, derision, ridicule, etc.. ought to be off the table. That's not the way to win disenchanted voters or retain the loyalty of disenfranchised party members. If the party wants my vote, the party will field candidates with strong records and positions I can support on the key issues that drive my vote.

[mdmc]

16. it is not gonna happen

but :kick: and recommend for Kucinich. He is God.

[eridani]

20. We have to create a political culture where more people are paying attention first

Supporting his candidacy is a means to that end.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

21. Don't be silly -- who has time for issues...

:sarcasm: And if the DEMAND for the candidates to elucidate on how they would tackle those issues were increased, by God we might really accomplish some good for this nation and planet. Great commentary kineta.

[magellan]

22. I'm supporting Kucinich for so many reasons

He, more than anyone, represents my views on the issues going back to the '04 presidential primaries. He isn't afraid to speak out and doesn't play the popularity game. As I said on another thread, I plan to re-register as a Dem (I'm an Indy) just so I can vote for him in the FL presidential primary next year. Here's hoping he makes it that far!

[shadowknows69]

23. I'm with you.

Dennis announced his candidacy like 3 weeks ago and I think I've seen one interview with him among the 100 or so bio pieces on Hilary I've seen.