Kucinich NOT invited to Dem party's Jefferson-Jackson dinner; winnowing the field? WTF??

[babylonsister]

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=news-000002621744

Craig Crawford’s Trail Mix: Winnowing the Field without the Voters
By Craig Crawford, CQ Staff

Silly season is over. Presidential candidates with no viable chance of winning the White House are finally getting shunned.

Democrats are leading the way when it comes to not waiting for the voters to winnow the field. Last week, their party’s number one 2008 gadfly, former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel , was excluded from a debate. This weekend it appears that Iowa Democrats will be adding Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio to the unwelcome list, making a point of not inviting him or Gravel to the party’s Jefferson-Jackson dinner in Des Moines that the six other Democratic contenders are expected to attend.

Republicans would probably like to give maverick Texas Rep. Ron Paul the same treatment, but it turns out he has raised too much money and gained enough support in early-voting states such as Iowa to justify showing him the door. And hopeless GOP cases such as former Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback and former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson have already taken themselves out of the running.

With both parties fast approaching crunch time for picking a nominee, it is not surprising that they would want to focus on the feasible contenders. But it is always sad to see the also-rans leave the stage. Perhaps because they have so little hope of winning, they tend to be more blunt and thought-provoking than the competitive candidates.

[MADem]

1. Well, while neither candidate will win, that's kinda mean. IMO. NT

[babylonsister]

2. Mean? Seems undemocratic to me. nt

[MADem]

7. It's not really undemocratic if you look down the long road. Neither one is gonna win.

They will barely be a blip on the totals. The only people who don't see that are the few who support these candidates and have a very different view from what the vast majority of the nation sees.

What it is, is mean. They're in it, they're contributing to the discussion, and they could put out two lousy plates. Even though they don't have a hope in hell of winning, and they aren't gonna win.

[LakeSamish706]

10. And there in lies the major problem with our so called Democratic system....

The people that should be in the race aren't, but those that should not be are... What more can I say?...

[MADem]

27. It's a question of popular support.

It's not meant unkindly, but the presidential nominee has to be a "package.' People can complain about that all they want, but that's the way it is.

A lot of people like some of the Gravel/Kucinich ideas, but they don't like the PERSON touting the ideas. Gravel is a crazy-old-man-crank, and Kucinich is an obstreperous elf--amusing at times, with a wife that is too hot to trot to be a first lady (I'm being frank, this is the popular perception) but not a consensus builder and TOO SLIGHT of build for the good Old USA. At least that's how the bulk of America sees them. Again, this is not meant unkindly--it's just blunt, and it is true.

See, people can SAY they like what this one or that one says, but the truth of the matter is that they don't want a loose cannon, they don't want anyone who is too far left or too far right, and they want someone who won't shame us on the international stage (that's a new requirement since the last two stolen elections--we haven't had a president this dumb since Harding--and he could put a sentence together, anyway).

If these candidates had more support, they'd have more cash on hand. But they get the weak and waffly support of the amused, who dabble in the idea of their candidacy, but then, when the curtain closes, these supporters pull the lever for a more mainstream candidate.

They don't achieve critical mass. That's why those guys never get past single digits.

[LakeSamish706]

3. God forbid a Republican should have any chance of wining.. I would want it to be...

Ron Paul! Not likely to happen, but that would be my choice....

And as far as dumping both Gravel and Kucinich... I certainly think that it is far too soon for that...

[fed-up]

28. Ron Paul was one of 2 that voted NAY on Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2007

The guy would never, ever get my vote.

[bicentennial_baby]

4. Even though he polls better than

Biden, Richardson, and Dodd in some polls. That's f'd up. x(

[gateley]

5. It seems unjust to "winnow" before the first caucus and primary! It's the

money thing again. It's always the money.

[pstans]

6. Kucinich hasn't campaigned in Iowa

It is a Iowa Democratic Party fundraiser and Kucinich hasn't been campaigning in Iowa, so why should he be invited.

[cyclezealot]

8. I can think of several Kucinich appearances in IA of late.

And, if I were an Iowa Democrat, it would mean I'd boycott.

[rinsd]

13. He's only had 9 events total in IA.

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008-presidential-candidates/tracker/candidates/dennis-kucinich/states/ia/

[cyclezealot]

15. That's plenty

What does he have to do, set up residency. Iowan's think they own the country and maybe expect all presidential candidates to live next door; but, its a big country and some of the rest of us expect an ocassional visit too.

[subsuelo]

18. anyone with half a brain can see

this has nothing to do with campaigning in Iowa.

It's about marginalizing the candidates that threaten to disrupt the status quo

[rinsd]

19. But here's the thing. Iowa is built for a Kucinich candiacy.

It all about retail campaigning and devoted supporters, something that I would think would be a strength with Kucinich.

[cyclezealot]

34. unlike some Dem. candidates who get cash from the likes of Murdock

and Big Pharma/ . I am proud to say Dennis Kucinich does Not. It's probably a part of the reason DK goes out to California so much. Reality is. Iowan's dont own DK. So many progressives in California , they support him with Cash. Small time donor's as compared to Hillary's. DK once lived in California and worked as a writer. I find this really disappointed for Sen. Tom Harkin. I thought he had a degree of fairness in his soul.

[flvegan]

40. He's busy much of the time doing his job as an elected congressperson. Unlike

many of his fellow candidates.

[tammywammy]

14. nevermind, see post 13

[mmonk]

9. Kucinich is dangerous. That is why he is attacked by both sides

in demeaning ways. Truth has many enemies in this sea of power, prostitution, and lies.

[LakeSamish706]

12. I'm hoping that you meant that in a good way.. "Kucinich is dangerous"

And I am giving you the benefit of the doubt... Yes Kucinich is very dangerous to those would be candidates that have no other agenda other than to be elected to the (used to be high office) of President. He speaks truth to most issues, where many of the other candidates don't, he has absolute balls, where many of the other candidates don't... (Exceptions accepted of course with Hillary) And frankly not only are the Democratic candidates fearful of him, so are the Republican candidates... So sad...

[cyclezealot]

16. He is his own man

Money can't control him. that is his legacy. That is what the American people sorely need.

[tritsofme]

23. Money cannot control him and means nothing to him.

As proved by his disastrous mayoral tenure.

[fed-up]

25. and what was disastrous about his mayoral tenure??? nt

[tritsofme]

26. Oh I don't know....bringing the city to the brink of bankruptcy?

The first major US city to default on its loans since the Great Depression...all real good stuff I look for in presidential candidates.

[fed-up]

29. please educate yourself on the issue-he stood up for the PEOPLE of Cleveland and WON

http://ontheissues.org/2004/Dennis_Kucinich_Corporations.htm

Cleveland's bankruptcy was hard decision but right decision

Q: The one time you had executive responsibility, as mayor of Cleveland, the city went bankrupt. Some will say that you'll do for America what you did for Cleveland.
KUCINICH: In Cleveland, that default ends up being a badge of honor for me, because I stood up for the people of Cleveland against a takeover of our municipal electric system by a utility monopoly. Now imagine a president who's willing to stand up to the Enrons of America. Imagine a president who's willing to stand up to the monopolies in energy and in health care and in transportation and communication. Imagine a president who comes from the cities and will fight for working men and women and will fight for the poor. I have every expectation that I'll be the next president of the United States because when the test came, I put my career on the line to save a municipal electric system for the people of Cleveland. And today people of Cleveland know that I did the right thing. And soon America will know that as well.

[tritsofme]

30. He can claim the first default of a major city

since the Great Depression as a badge if he wishes, I suppose he has no other choice.

But the people of Cleveland didn't seem all that keen on the idea, and neither do I.

[fed-up]

31. If you haven't noticed we're almost there-We need someone willing to work to FIX this mess nt

[cyclezealot]

38. you need inform yourself of the truth.

It was a manipulated bankruptacy. Banks that had interests in owning the municipal called in premature bonds forcing bankruptacy. Kucinich should be congratulated for not caving to extortion.

[cyclezealot]

35. it would have been disastrous if he had caved to political extortion.

So Clevelanders later showed their appreciation by the mayor honoring his bravery after a council declaration of appreciation.

[bigdarryl]

11. If Dennis launches a independent 3rd party run the party is in trouble

they better not piss this guy off to much this is fucked up he should be included in all the debates and anything else the candidates have

[LakeSamish706]

24. You got my vote on that... n/t

[tritsofme]

17. Why now? And not a few months ago? Its time for the vanity candidates

to exit at stage right and let the people with an actual shot at the nomination or being on the ticket have some sort of serious debate without the just for fun candidates taking up time.

[MadHound]

20. Gee, I love how Democrats are so undemocratic

Hey, how about letting we the people decide who needs to be winnowed instead of the party hacks. Besides, if Kucinich and others don't have a shot, what in the hell are you so worried about.

I'm fucking sick and tired of this whole entire press to get behind one of three candidates before a single primary has even been held. Sounds to me like the desperate push to insure that corporate candidates get the nod, while the conscience of our party, and the one man who is right on all of the issues gets excluded, probably for making the rest look bad.

You know, if your type of undemocratic thinking had prevailed in earlier elections, we wouldn't have had the nominations of McGovern, Carter or even Clinton. Think about it.

[hfojvt]

36. they already had a forum, sponsored by AARP in Iowa

that excluded Gravel and Kucinich, and was skipped by Obama. It was broadcast on PBS.

[cyclezealot]

37. vanity my azz

it's speaking to issues the rest of the Democrats are too chicken s*** to touch , fearing it will dry up their campaign cash from special interest groups. And so, probably all you want left on stage is Hillary, Obama, and maybe Edwards. all the rest are vanity candidates. Two of those will cause us to take the rest of the campaign season off. And would watch Homer Simpson instead of those cut and dried types.

[Basileus Basileon]

21. Kucinich isn't a real candidate at this point. I'd love to be able to say otherwise,

but, well, he gone. I expect to see him in the debates, sure. But I'm not at all surprised the Democrats aren't considering him viable. He isn't. He polls worse than anyone but Ron Paul and Mike Gravel. And unlike Dodd, he doesn't have any friends in the party. He's simply made too many political enemies to be effective--which is why I wouldn't support him for President. He's got good ideas, but he's no leader.

Dodd's done too, IMO. Biden looked like he was circling the drain a while back, but he's shown there's still some life in his campaign with his surprisingly solid debate performances.

Gravel's exclusion? Good. Every minute that Gravel is occupying time with some disjointed ramble about "fantasyland" is a wasted one.

[rjones2818]

32. I have an idea...

everybody shun Iowa except Hillary! That way, they get the person who's been anointed as nominee and they'll be happy.

[Basileus Basileon]

33. The Iowans are the only ones making a race of it.

And Hillary hasn't been "anointed" by anyone. She's the front-runner because more people support her than any other candidate.

[fed-up]

22. contact info for Iowa Democrats dot org to call and demand that DK be invited

http://www.iowademocrats.org/ht/d/CommitteeDetails/i/21590/aboutus/true/pid/315118

Iowa Democratic Party
5661 Fleur Dr
Des Moines, Iowa 50321
515.244.7292
515.244.5051 (fax)
[e-mail]
http://www.iowademocrats.org

at least they still have DK on their list of Presidential Candidates

http://www.iowademocrats.org/ht/d/sp/i/999803/pid/999803

Dennis Kucinich
www.kucinich.us
PO Box 110145
Cleveland, Ohio 44111
[phone]
[e-mail]

I just called and spoke to the night phone person and she suggested I call back tomorrow and ask to speak to the Political Director or the Communications Director...

I hope other Duer's do the same

[LWolf]

39. Not inviting all the candidates is a really stupid decision.

How can Democrats expect to get support at the polls in a year from those they've already excluded?

[2rth2pwr]

41. Kucinich needs the time to figure out how to make

conference calls.

"Nationwide call-in on Cheney impeachment short-circuited by heavy volume of interest
For Immediate Release - Monday, November 5, 2007

Washington, DC - Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich is planning to re-schedule a nationwide conference call to discuss Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Richard B. Cheney after tonight's planned event encountered technical problems stemming largely from the overwhelming volume of calls from interested citizens."