The case for Kucinich

[slipslidingaway]

http://www.sfbg.com/printable_entry.php?entry_id=5231

"...Well, when I appear as a Kucinich representative at election forums, people answer those questions for me all the time in postmeeting conversations. They and their friends believe in what Kucinich says, they often tell me, but "he can't win," so they'll vote for someone who they think can.


Now let's be honest here and admit that those of us who get worked up about peace and justice issues are prone to complain a lot. We are ever bemoaning the influence of money in politics and the poor job the news media do in covering the real issues. But when we get to the point where a candidate is raising the important issues and we know we agree with him and we still won't vote for him, then the next time we start complaining, it may just be time to look in the mirror.


Casting a vote against the war in Iraq is a lot easier than marching against it or even writing a letter. But if antiwar voters won't vote for antiwar candidates, you have to ask why those candidates should go to the trouble of running and why the big-money candidates should pay any attention to the supposed antiwar vote.


Whatever else happens in this election, one thing is certain: if you don't vote in February for what you believe in, you won't get to vote for it in November. And then there will be no one else to blame."

[cali]

1. Just like 2004, he's run an incompetent campaign. Sad. n/t

[SnoopDog]

2. I would argue it is an incompetent citizenry...sad...

[slipslidingaway]

3. ........

:applause: :applause:

[cali]

9. You can't ignore Iowa. And essentially that's what he did. n/t

[slipslidingaway]

5. Corporate friends, money and being less marginalized by the

media would help as well, Kucinich threatens them too much.

You have to love the coverage he is given in the corporate press.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21548813

Russert discusses Dem debate

Clinton says she’s a Republican target

Obama stresses diplomacy, credibility

Edwards said it is time to stand up to the president

Richardson condemns U.S. ‘saber-rattling’

Biden: Giuliani “under qualified” to be president

Dodd says we should learn from ‘02

Kucinich says he saw U.F.O.

Clinton urges diplomacy with Iran

[lvx35]

4. Really good stuff. I've fantasized about writing a children's story...

That shows how three conspiring pigs got 1000 cows to vote against their own interests through introducing the idea of "electability". I feel like its childishly simple that somebody should vote for whoever they think best suits them in the primary, and then go on to back whoever wins...But the "electability" idea tells us that whoever the majority of Dems like is not likely to be prefered by the majority of the population, (who are roughly half Dem) so we shouldn't vote for who we like. Its an incredibly fantastic idea, but it works damn near every time.

[slipslidingaway]

6. It would make a great story...

and everyone is equal, just some more than others. :)

[Desertrose]

7. Good point about the antiwar voters......

"If antiwar voters won't vote for antiwar candidates, you have to ask why those candidates should go to the trouble of running and why the big-money candidates should pay any attention to the supposed antiwar vote."


"November is the month when you vote for what you have to vote for; in February you can vote for what you believe in. In November the halfhearted health plan of one of these candidates, which would continue siphoning scarce public funds away from health services and into the coffers of the private health insurance industry, will likely be superior to whatever scheme the Republican nominee offers up. But in the February primary you can actually vote for Dennis Kucinich's single-payer plan."

[slipslidingaway]

15. Yes and the same can be applied to other issues as well...

"...you have to ask why those candidates should go to the trouble of running and why the big-money candidates should pay any attention to the supposed...vote."

[Peace Candidate]

8. He is the only candidate upholding his oath of office

and then there is this

Dennis' stance on the issues
1. US out of Iraq * 12 point plan
2. Universal Health Care
3. Jobs and Withdrawal from NAFTA and WTO
4. Repeal the Patriot Act
5. Guaranteed Quality Education, Pre-K Through College
6. Full Social Security Benefits at Age 65
7. End the Drug War
8. Fair Elections with Paper Ballots
9. Environmental Renewal and Clean Energy
10. Restored Rural Communities and Family Farms

[rAVES]

10. Psh! He's just Shilling for the general public...

:sarcasm:

[slipslidingaway]

16. Agree. n/t

[robcon]

11. Vote your conscience.

I think Kucinich is stupid and naive (Dept of Peace.) He's the only Democrat I would not vote for in the GE.

[Zorra]

12. Republicans would just love it if you did that. n/t

[robcon]

14. As I said (and have said on other threads) vote your conscience.

That's my recommendation: don't hold your nose... write-in if you must. But never, ever, vote in a "strategic way." Vote as if your vote was your vote for democracy, rather than for the 'lesser or least of evils.'

I think Kucinich would be eaten alive by people who don't have his sense of decency... in other words by almost every leader in the world. Kucinich's "the good is the enemy of the perfect" attitude (shown on many of his Congressional votes as well as when he was mayor of Cleveland) is the very, very last thing you need in a president in an imperfect world.

I could never vote for Kucinich. Never.

[slipslidingaway]

17. Yes I intend to do so. n/t

[LWolf]

13. I predict that too many don't have the courage to look in their own mirrors.

I will be voting for what I believe in. In '08 and every other year I'm alive to cast a vote.

I'm immune to bullying, I'm not addicted to fear, I put issues before party, and I don't consider anything a "win" if it is not accomplished with integrity.

But that's just me.

[slipslidingaway]

18. Exactly! At what point in our lives do we decide to not go along

with those who have been chosen for us by the corporate media.

Accountability is a big issue for me.

:hi:

[LWolf]

20. I think we all come to that place at different times.

As a true "lone wolf," I come to it more easily than others.

The more fearful a person is, the longer it takes, from my observations.

[slipslidingaway]

19. Thanks for the K&R's and Happy Holidays to everyone....

taking a break until '08.

[inthebrain]

21. There are assholes that run this party who think they can string along along the left

while campaigning for the nomination. They slowly start to dump them once they get it and completely abandon them while in office.

Shitting on your base is bad practice for any party. A lot of the candidates running in this election have done time and time again. Even some of their supporters love to play this game. It's to grab them while they try to butter up a really bad vote for a bill that screws people then reversing their position to voice complete agreement with the shitty policy.

[ZombieHorde]

22. Good post.

I have a fake theory that some people only want to end the war on an intellectual level, but in their hearts, they are scared of the war ending. The terrorists are frightening. If this is true, then they are voting with their hearts when they choose a Hawk.