Kucinich Locked out of Texas Primary - Collins: "Chain, chain, chain …" Scoop

[autorank]

Link: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0801/S00152.htm

Collins: "Chain, chain, chain …" The Texas Primary
Saturday, 19 January 2008, 11:27 pm
Opinion: Michael Collins

Forced Loyalty Oath Locks Out Kucinich

Image

"Chain, chain, chain …" The Texas Primary

Michael Collins
"Scoop" Independent News
Washington, D.C.

Dennis Kucinich may not win the Democratic nomination for president, but he's leaving a pro-democracy legacy across the country. To begin with, this candidate actually discusses critical issues demonstrating his respect for voters. With regard to the voters' right to know, he just asked for the first recount in memory for a presidential primary simply because it makes perfect sense. The New Hampshire results need a serious second look.

Kucinich struck another blow for democracy by challenging the restrictive loyalty oath required by the Texas Democratic Party to get on the primary ballot. He actually reads the contracts he signs. When presented with the loyalty oath required to run as a Democrat in the Texas primary, Kucinich prudently edited the document to reflect the requirements of free citizens living in a democracy:

"I, ______________ of __________________, __________ County/Parish, _____________, being a candidate for the Office of President of the United States, swear that I will support and defend the constitution and laws of the United States. I further swear that I will fully support the Democratic nominee for President whoever that shall be."

Rules of the Texas Democratic Party
[br />Kucinich filed the marked up loyalty oath on Dec. 28 but wasn't informed that it was "defective" until Jan. 2, 2008. His campaign received verbal notice that he wouldn't be placed on the ballot unless he signed a clean copy of the oath. The new loyalty oath had to be faxed that day or no deal, according to the campaign. Rather than compromise, Kucinich said no. (Video at 3:59)
[br />In his initial Complaint for Declaratory Judgment and Injunctive Relief, Kucinich was joined by a Texas "qualified elector," Willie Nelson.


Willie Nelson stands
with Kucinich(Image)

The complaint argued that the requirement violates both the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." First Amendment

"1. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. (Sections 1 & 5 Fourteenth Amendment[br />
The concern expressed by Kucinich was simple. If the eventual Democratic nominee supports the Iraq War, signing this oath would require Kucinich to support that nominee and therefore the war. To make matters worse, supporting the war would negate his duty as a Member of Congress to protect and uphold the Constitution. Like a few others, Kucinich knows that this is an unconstitutional war since it was never declared by Congress (See Article I, Section 8, "To declare war"). What other choice did he have but to reject the loyalty oath? What justification did the other candidates have to accept the oath?

The complaint failed in the lower Federal courts and was immediately appealed to the United States Supreme Court on Jan. 17. A day later, the court refusedany intervention leaving Kucinich off of the Texas ballot.


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Democracy's Champion among the Candidates

Dennis Kucinich is the one consistent advocate for expanded democracy and measures to fight election fraud among all of the presidential contenders. Kucinich has a strong record as an advocate for working men and women by promoting civil rights, voting rights, and human rights at home and abroad. He's never shied away from taking both principled and practical positions on elections. These are, after all, the essential element to achieve his goals.

His call for a recount in New Hampshire was without rancor or negative speculation. He simply recognized the problem, invoked the right to recount, and paid the bill.

In Texas he's fighting a loyalty oath that would clearly restrict his free speech after the election. While the Texas Democratic Party leaders did their best imitation of apparatchiks, Kucinich answered with the simple truth in essence saying: You will not obligate me to support an illegal war by making me support a pro war candidate.

In the 109th Congress, Kucinich provided a solution to the problems of chaotic and highly questionable elections when he introduced a bill requiring the hand counting of paper ballots for the 2008 presidential election. The Paper Ballot Act of 2006 was elegant in its approach but profound in impact. Had it been adopted, we would not likely have the problems and questions we have right now:.
|SPECIAL RULES FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS:

'(A) The State shall conduct the election using only paper ballots
`(B) The State shall ensure that the number of ballots cast at a precinct or equivalent location which are placed inside a single box or similar container does not exceed 500.
`(C) The ballots cast at a precinct or equivalent location shall be counted by hand by election officials at the precinct, and a representative of each political party with a candidate on the ballot, as well as any interested member of the public, may observe the officials as they count the ballots. The previous sentence shall not apply with respect to provisional ballots cast under section 302(a).'

From his first days on the national stage, Kucinich has stood for the people and against the interests of greed and exploitation. In return for his efforts, he's been ridiculed and marginalized. Most recently, MSNBC went out of its way to make sure he couldn't take part in a televised presidential debate.

The network simply formalized the increasingly obvious rule of network and other mainstream media outlets: the closer a candidate is to truly progressive positions, the greater the media blackout. The corollary to this rule entails limiting what little national exposure occurs to only those reports that ridicule and demean the candidate.

When an intellectually honest history of the Great Bush Decline is written, the role of the Kucinich platform and campaigns will stand well above the rest as the path of reason that the "leaders" were afraid to walk.

END

This article may be reproduced in part or whole with attribution of authorship and a link to the article in "Scoop" Independent News.


Link: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0801/S00152.htm

[demnan]

1. That's why I support Kucinich

I don't want the blood of innocents on my hands.

[dorkulon]

2. That's some bumper sticker! /nt

[autorank]

3. There you go. He faces facts and talks about the dead and injured.

The ONLY candidate among the Democrats to do so, openly and honestly.

[Elspeth]

4. Kicking for Dennis

:kick:

[autorank]

6. "He's the 'person'!"

Didn't start out to be this article, but the guy has done so much for democracy. He gives politicians
a good name.

[Elspeth]

8. Someone's got to fight this crap

:kick:

[autorank]

21. The guy is a warrior.

He's not a small guy from a small town, he's a big guy from a big city. He knows how the muggers work and he's got the courage and stamina to hang in there, not quit. I have such admiration for him.

[Indi Guy]

5. K&R...

Kucinich is the only pure straight talker in the bunch -- and the fact that his voice is being stifled is patently and exasperatingly un-American.

[autorank]

7. "stifled" Thank you - that implies intention on the part of the stifelers

And that would be correct. What a chicken s... move, what a load.

What is this, the damn Soviet Union?

[Indi Guy]

42. Yes -- America has become the latter day Soviet Union!...

Where secrecy is king, transparency dies.

Where there is no transparency, there is no democracy.

[slipslidingaway]

9. Great article....

Yes

"...The corollary to this rule entails limiting what little national exposure occurs to only those reports that ridicule and demean the candidate..."

Thanks K&R


And when they do not even mention your name as a candidate in some polls is it any wonder that your name and then message does not reach the people. Every little bit can either help or hurt.


And in case you missed this interview...love his plain talk. No need to try and decode, correctly or incorrectly, his message.

http://www.alternet.org/story/74268?page=1

[KittyWampus]

10. Kucinich seems to want people to make exceptions to the rules just for him.

Texas Dems have a good reason for the rules (top keep GOP from controlling the party).

[Indi Guy]

12. Then every state should have this rule...

...albeit that it's unconstitutional on its face?

[Freddie Stubbs]

37. Was it unconstitutional in 2004 when Kucinich signed the pledge?

Or is this due to a new constitutional amendment?

[kas125]

14. Um, it's Texas who wants to make exceptions to the rules -

the rules that are otherwise called The Constitution.

[Indi Guy]

16. I just don't understand how people can justify trashing the Constitution...

...for expediency's sake. That's the same shit Cheny/Bush has been doing for friggin' years!

[autorank]

17. The "other people" lacked the guts to assert OUR Constitutional Rights

Just like they do every single time they vote for the unholy carnage of the Iraq war by funding it as
though they have no other choice.

Those "other people" are complicit in the deaths of all the Americans who lost their lives, including
the 120 suicides a week by Iraq War veterans.

Those "other people" are complicit in the deaths of 1.2 million Iraqi civilians who have died as a
result of the civil chaos that is Iraq due to both the invasion and the ongoing carnage of the
occupation.

Those "other people" are responsible for the 5.0 million Iraqi children who are orphaned RIGHT NOW,
nearly 20% of the population.

Kucinich chose not to swear the oath because he knew that we'd likely have a "funder" chosen meaning
he'd have to endorse a war funder and enabler. This would have violated his very consistent
humanitarian principles and his oath as a Member of Congress to uphold and defend the Constitution.

There's blood all over this war and it's dripping off the hands of those who started and those who
supported it, all the time knowing what was happening.

Those "other people" don't even have the guts to admit or discuss this catastrophe. They don't have
the guts to talk about calamitous climate change and the need to focus on it. They just play
political Kabuki - I'm the change guy = I'm the experience gal - I'm the populist." OK, now
folks, you want to explain all those dead and orphaned people, all those suicides?

Just wait until the American people find out these figures. There will be Hell to pay. They don't
know them, but they will and they're not going to give anybody a pass. Even those who once supported
or currently support the war NEVER signed up for this. Kucinich has to be marginalized or the public
might know what "they" are doing in our name. That only works for a while.

[TahitiNut]

30. Well, that's what the authoritarian wing of the party would say.

:puke:

[Desertrose]

11. Thanks, Autorank. K&R

"From his first days on the national stage, Kucinich has stood for the people and against the interests of greed and exploitation. In return for his efforts, he's been ridiculed and marginalized. Most recently, MSNBC went out of its way to make sure he couldn't take part in a televised presidential debate.

The network simply formalized the increasingly obvious rule of network and other mainstream media outlets: the closer a candidate is to truly progressive positions, the greater the media blackout. The corollary to this rule entails limiting what little national exposure occurs to only those reports that ridicule and demean the candidate."

[autorank]

18. It's my privilege to contribute just a piece of this ethical journey.

The media is "outed" and it gets worse for them every day. The Sean "of the dead" Hannity pursuit by
the Paulies was, in many ways, the reversal of the tide, the first spontaneous action against the
liars. There will be more.

:hi:

[bleever]

13. "He's leaving a pro-democracy legacy across the country."

The process is much better for having him a part of it.

Thanks for this article.

:patriot:

[Indi Guy]

15. If only the "rock star" candidates had Kucinich's backbone... n/t

[Kucinich4America]

19. Kick for Dennis.

God bless Willie Nelson and God damn the DLC.

[autorank]

20. Kucinich is a true patriot.

So is Nelson and damn, that guy is entirely too cool. I love that pic.

[FogerRox]

22. KNR of course.

[autorank]

23. Get the 'fore-and-aft' ready Admiral

You're being pressed into service.

Can you believe how hard Kucinich has worked for us. He never complains and I've taken his
presence for granted. Working on that.

:hi:

[FogerRox]

32. I'd like to see a debate with Kooch, Obama & Edwards.

Heave Ho !

[autorank]

35. Never happen. Too much truth would overwhelm them.

Avast the mainsail

[FogerRox]

36. I know. But I can dream, can't I ? . . . LOL

[autorank]

47. They say you're a dreamer but you're not the only one;)

[althecat]

24. KnR

:kick:

[LWolf]

25. I hope his supporters write him in anyway.

I would.

I'm glad I'm not in Texas.

Not that my May 20th primary is likely to have any impact this year, lol.

[Breeze54]

43. You would? Then do it !! - What the H is stopping you?

I'm voting for him! I want change! I want sanity, I want peace.

Vote Kucinich and give the M$M the bird!!

TAKE A STAND!

You do have the courage.

[puebloknot]

26. Dennis Kucinich is *so* 1776. And may he live forever, as a force...

...to be reckoned with in the political landscape of these formerly United States of America.

Wouldn't it be amazing if truth and honor were a part of our national discourse, here at the start of the 21st Century!

[autorank]

29. I think he's got one more term, a memorable one & then radio/tv.

If you watch that video referenced above, he handles Hannity. He was great, very poised. He could do
a lot of good on the radio or TV.

If he were 1776, he'd have been from Philadelphia which had an active left wing in favor of real
democracy - everyone voting, laws to promoted the common people, etc.

They've been after him since he saved public power for Cleveland, which was turned in to a one sided
slam against him. The media has been in the pocket of "management" for decades.

[puebloknot]

31. I've always felt he would eventually do a lot of work with the UN.

He's bigger than America!

[autorank]

33. Good point.

Ambassador Kucinich. Sounds good;)

[Freddie Stubbs]

27. Another Kucinich flip-flop. He had no problem signing the pledge in 2004

[autorank]

28. "Flip flop" - didn't Rove invent that? 2004 v. 2008 different fundamental goals

"This term was used extensively in the 2004 U.S. presidential election campaign. It was used by critics as a catch-phrase attack on John Kerry for "flip-flopping" his stance on several issues, including the ongoing war in Iraq. Famously, on March 16, 2004 during an appearance at Marshall University Kerry tried to explain his vote for an $87 billion supplemental appropriation for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan by telling the crowd "I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it." <1>"Wikipedia

In 2004, there was a consensus that we had to get out. And there was a supreme urgency to stop Bush, period in terms of all he'd do. Now the two front runners are rattling their swords and won't promise to be out by 2013. He's making his choice in a different context. 1.2 million dead in Iraq, 5.0 million orphans, it's an outrage of paramount importance. Rigidity is what we've had for 7 years now. People can actually value relative principles depending on the historical context.

Always a nice encounter when you come by.

[Freddie Stubbs]

34. No. The term was in use for many years before that:

http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/61650015.html?dids=61650015:61650015&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Sep+11%2C+1992&author=SAM+FULWOOD+III&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Gore+Attacks+an+Apparent+Bush+Flip-Flop+on+Taxes+Issues%3A+President's+new+vow+never+to+OK+hikes+wasn't+a+pledge%2C+Fitzwater+says.+Democratic+hopeful+sarcastically+offers+his+thanks+for+%60interpretation.'&pqatl=google

[autorank]

38. Right, good citation - '82. I should have said it reminded me of Roves use of the term.

I hear it and think of all the crap that they said about Kerry.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

39. Yes. How DARE Democrats Expect Their Democrats To Support Democrats.

God this is stupid, and I actually think less of him for crossing that section out. I say that not only because it was completely illogical and almost childish for him to do so, not only because he's now hypocritically already signed it in the past, but also because it shows that his only concern is pandering to the far far left, regardless of how he truly feels. That's all this and the NV recount thing was about; is trying to desperately pander to his support group of 2%. That's my initial perception of those actions anyway.

I also did laugh a little at the whole "The New Hampshire results need a serious second look" statement in the article. I mean, they just sooooooo really didn't lol.

[Breeze54]

41. Your perception? How about facts? The TX DEM loyalty oath was shot down by the Courts in 1985!!

Who isn't upholding and honoring the law here? DK or the TX's DEMS?

Are you for real? :wtf:

Bush required loyalty oaths but the Dems??

Where the hell do you live anyway?

Stupid...and built to stay that way

January 19, 2008

http://intellectualize.org/archives/012836.html

Just in case any of y’all are wondering why the Texas Democratic Party is such a (&^%$#@ mess, consider this sorry saga to be Exhibit A. Whether or not you support Dennis Kucinich, the man has a right to be on the Texas Primary ballot. His supporters deserve to have the opportunity to vote for him. THIS is democracy??



The idea of a “loyalty oath” is something that any clear-thinking person should find abhorrent. This is the Democratic Party we’re talking about here, not J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI. I applaud Kucinich for refusing to cave to a collection of pinheads who seem to have forgotten what the definition of democracy is. Kucinich and his supporters deserve better.

I think most committed Democrats would agree on the need to support the party’s eventual nominee. That’s really not a terribly difficult concept to grasp. What is difficult to grasps is why Texas Democrats feel the need to require a loyalty oath. Are they afraid that, if left on his own, Kucinich will be out campaigning for a McCain/Lieberman ticket? Uh, have they bothered to listen to Kucinich’s stump speech? And who wouldn’t want his hot young wife campaigning in their town?

Isn’t it about time that the leadership of the Texas Democratic Party removed their anteriors from their posteriors? Or perhaps they like the view from there. Whatever; this is a perfect example of the idiocy that has helped ensure that no Democrat currently occupies an elected office in state government. The Texas Republican Party may be home to all sorts of uber-religious zealots and nutjobs, but at least they can win elections in Texas. If this sort of lunacy continues, Democrats will continue to be an insignificant political force in Texas for years to come. Then again, if this is how they plan on defending democracy, they probably deserve it.

[Freddie Stubbs]

44. Really? Because all of the Democratic candidates for President signed this oath in 2004

Even Kucinich.

[Breeze54]

46. Things change.

We don't have the same candidates running.

[Breeze54]

40. Thank You, autorank!

:yourock:

Peace and prosperity for all is sooo outdated!! :sarcasm:

To late for me to recommend :( but I sure can :kick: it!

[Echo In Light]

45. K&R