Dennis Kucinich

excerpts from the Iowa Daily Report

November 2003

Where’s Kucinich?

Congressman Dennis Kucinich is in California campaigning with his lefty friends Danny Glover and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D., Calif.), who co-chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the largest caucus in Congress. They will join Kucinich at a town hall forum in Oakland on Nov. 2. (11/01/2003)

Producer Kucinich

The NY Times reports in Political Points from planet Kucinich:

Now Mr. Kucinich was laying out his own vision for a campaign ad for someone on the other end of the conversation. "The thing that occurs to me is running that one sentence from my opponent and you freeze frame it as I walk onto the screen," Mr. Kucinich said, "and I say, `Wait a minute! This isn't true! Don't we already have enough problems with one president lying about the war?' " (11/02/2003)

Bring troops home now

Kucinich called once again for American troops to come home after the loss of life in the downing of an American helicopter in Iraq yesterday:

"Iraq will not find peace or stability until the U.S. occupation ends. For almost a month, I have promoted a plan to bring our troops home and turn control of the transition over to the United Nations. The sons and daughters of the U.S. are dying in increasing numbers for the benefit of war profiteers with close ties to the Bush Administration. There was no basis for a war in Iraq. It was wrong to go in, and it's wrong to stay in. No weapons of mass destruction have been found. We should not be sacrificing the lives of our brave men and women for the profits of Halliburton, Bechtel, and other corporate interests. This disastrous mission must be ended before any more lives are lost. It is urgent for the United States to go to the U.N. with a new resolution which contains the basis of an exit strategy. It is time to bring our troops home. It is time to get the U.N. in and the U.S. out of Iraq." (11/03/2003)

Rock the Vote

Democrat Presidential candidates went on CNN’s Rock the Vote and here are some of the clips:

·        Edwards, Dean and Sen. John Kerry said they had used marijuana in the past. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, Wesley Clark and Al Sharpton said they had not. Sen. Joe Lieberman said he had, although he apologized for it. Former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun declined to answer.

·        Kerry of Massachusetts drew the Red Sox question and was asked whether he would have removed Boston’s starting pitcher at the critical point in last month’s Game 7 of a playoff series with the New York Yankees. He said he would have — that he was “throwing things at the television set” urging the manager to do so.

·        Clark, asked about gay and lesbian rights, said he would give homosexuals “the opportunity to serve in the U.S. armed forces.”

·        "I understand the legacy of racism in this country, and I understand the legacy of bigotry in this country," Dean said. "We need to bring folks together in this race, just like Martin Luther King tried to do before he was killed. He was right. And I make no apologies for reaching out to poor white people."

·        "When Bill Clinton was found to be a member of a white-only country club, he apologized. You are not a bigot, but you appear to be too arrogant to say `I'm wrong' and go on," said the Rev. Al Sharpton, the New York civil rights leader and presidential contender.

·        “Teresa Heinz Kerry is right: nine podiums on a well-lit stage do not make a substantive debate, not any more than nine candidates in frantic motion make a serious primary campaign” -- Eileen McNamara, Globe columnist. (11/05/2003)

Personals:

Dennis Kucinich took last night’s 'Presidential Candidates Forum on Women's Issues' in Manchester, New Hampshire as an opportunity to offer his personal want ad for a possible future wife in response to the question, “Describe the role of first lady, first man or first friend.”

"As a bachelor, I can just fantasize about my first lady," Kucinich said. "Maybe Fox wants to sponsor a national contest or something ... for a working partner, a dynamic outspoken woman who is fearless in her desire for peace in the world and single payer health care system and, oh, don't forget the economy." (11/6/2003)

Ranking health care proposals

The advocacy group Iowa for Health Care has ranked the Democrat Presidential candidates health care proposals, and Kucinich’s is the best. Gephardt came in second. You can visit their website at http://www.iowaforhealthcare.com. (11/6/2003)

D.C. no more

Joe Lieberman, John Edwards, John Kerry, Dick Gephardt and Wesley Clark each delivered letters on Thursday stating their intention to withdraw from the Jan. 13th Washington D.C. Primary. But Dennis Kucinich -- true to his maverick ways -- is going forward, according to his press statement:

"As someone who works in the District of Columbia, and as a member of the Government Reform Committee, I have a close relationship to the District and a special obligation to the people of the District. I've been there whenever the District has needed help in Congress. I am running in the DC primary and in support of DC statehood," Kucinich said.

The officials connected with the effort to bring attention and statehood to D.C. were vitriolic in their response to the other candidates’ withdrawal. (11/8/2003)

The Doctor is out

Rep. Dennis Kucininch has a page on his website where supporters can give testaments about why the switched to Dennis. The testaments Kucinich seems to be really interested in is the ones where new supporters have dumped Howard Dean. The top of the page reads, “The Doctor is out -- Dennis is in.” (11/9/2003)

Milking Iowa

The Des Moines Register reports Iowans are not only sought after for their votes, but their money as well. Candidates are required to file quarterly reports with the Federal Election Commission. Those reports require candidates to report the names of contributors giving $200 or more and pertinent information about the contributors such as occupation. The surprise in the story is that records show that trailing candidate Dennis Kucinich has 46 contributions from Iowa totaling more than $20,000 -- more than he's collected in such states as New Jersey, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Dean has collected 107 reportable contributions in Iowa through Sept. 30, bringing in $35,000. Dean's campaign is famous for its groundbreaking fund-raising by Internet. He has collected 55 percent of all contributions from non-reportable contributions according to the Campaign Finance Institute.Rep. Dick Gephardt has received 40 large contributions in the state of Iowa -- totaling $23,550. Bush has picked up 220 large contributions in Iowa totaling more than $228,000. (11/10/2003)

Kucinich goes ethnic

Rep. Dennis Kucinich announced two new websites. One is for Blacks and the other is for Latinos. On his African Americans site, there are quotes from actor Danny Glover and Congressman John Conyers. It also offers the following issues as reason to support Kucinich:

·        A Study of the Best Means by Which to Make Reparations for Slavery

·        Immediate Statehood for the District of Columbia

·        Abolition of the Racist Death Penalty

·        An End to the Racist War on Drugs

·        Tougher Gun Control Laws

·        Creation of Affordable Housing and a Crackdown on Predatory Lending

·        Protection of Workers' Rights

·        Universal Health Coverage

The Latino site is in Spanish and appears to be his main page.(11/11/2003)

Liberals congregate

Liberal’s continue to flock in endorsing Dennis Kucinich’s campaign. While some pundits have tried to write Dennis Kucinich out of the presidential race, he keeps gaining grassroots support and the support of celebrities. Today the campaign announces a host of new endorsements:

Tim Reynolds of the Dave Matthews Band, Ani DiFranco, and Michelle Shocked have joined a list of musicians endorsing Dennis Kucinich that already includes Willie Nelson, Pete Seeger, and many others. Joaquin Phoenix, Shelley Morrison, and Staceyann Chin have joined a list of actors and performers endorsing Kucinich that already includes Danny Glover, Ed Asner, James Cromwell, Mimi Kennedy, Hector Elizondo, Roy Scheider, Elliot Gould, and many others. Wendell Berry, Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, and Michael Males have joined a list of authors endorsing Kucinich that already includes Howard Zinn, Studs Terkel, Barbara Ehrenreich, and many others. Berry also joins a growing list of leading environmentalists backing Dennis. Ambassador John W. McDonald, longtime U.S. and international diplomat, has also thrown his support behind Kucinich. (11/11/2003)

Planet Kucinich

Dennis Kucinich, in an interview with the Des Moines Register, once again proved why many refer to the Kucinich campaign as hearing from the planet Kucinich. In another world like conversation, Kucinich faced some of the real world truth that he was a long shot to win the nomination. However, he still talked about an upset, despite discounting TV ads and saying he wasn’t changing anything about his campaign:

"Obviously, my campaign is seen as being way back in the pack right now," Kucinich, an Ohio congressman, said in a meeting with reporters and editors of The Des Moines Register. "But you know what?" he said. "Some people are starting to say they like the fact that I'm a long shot, and that's why they're backing me… "They want to create a surprise, and I think my campaign is in a position to be the surprise of the 2004 primary in Iowa." (11/12/2003)

The draft is coming, the draft is coming

Dennis Kucinich is telling high school students that the Bush administration is going to draft them. It certainly was one way to quiet down a group of students who were making a lot of noise at his presentation at Valley High School in West Des Moines, according to Radio Iowa. Radio Iowa reports:

Kucinich accuses the Bush Administration of lining up staff for local draft boards. Kucinich says 85,000 new troops are being sent in to Iraq so the troops who've been there a year can rotate out and another 43,000 Guardsmen are being told to be at a readiness status. Kucinich says those numbers indicate to him that there's "no question" a "draft is in the offing."  (11/13/2003)

Kucinich’s date

Dennis Kucinich fantasized to Judy Wodruff in a Presidential debate regarding his ideal mate. Now, PoliticsNH.com has taken the candidate up on his offer, sponsoring a national contest to help him find the perfect first lady. The political site is posting profiles and photographs of interested single women from all over the world, and if Mr. Kucinich sees anyone he likes the site will fly the lucky lady to New Hampshire and treat the pair to dinner. (11/14/2003)

Kucinich and Cuba

"Even though both houses of Congress had passed identical amendments eliminating funding to enforce the ban on traveling to Cuba, the ban remains in place. This is because a conference committee meeting behind closed doors overruled the Congress and took out the language which would have removed the funding that enforces the ban.

"The United States' Cuba policy is a failure. The unilateral embargo must be lifted The persistently hostile and aggressive rhetoric must cease. We must lift not only the trade embargo. We must also lift the travel ban. We must cooperate with Cuba on issues of national security…
"It is time to create a new era in Cuban-American relations," Kucinich concluded. (11/15/2003)

What’s a liberal to do?

Dennis Kucinich’s week is going to be filled with taking up the mantle of the ultimate-liberal in America:

Kucinich to Address National Congress of American Indians - 60th Annual Session
"Sovereign Nations, One Enduring Voice"
Monday, Nov. 17, 9:00 - 9:15 a.m.
Hyatt Albuquerque Hotel, 330 Tijeras, NW, Albuquerque, N.M.

Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich will address the National Congress of American Indians on Monday.

Fundraiser with Ehrenreich, Gilliam, and Schamus
Friday Nov. 21, 8:00 pm
Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, 68th Street between Lexington and Park Avenues, New York, NY
Local Contact: Stephanie Locker, 212-791-1660, nycfordennis@yahoo.com

Author Barbara Ehrenreich and Anthropologist Angela Gilliam will lead a campaign fundraiser in New York on Nov. 21. [Kucinich's presence dependent on Congressional schedule]. Ehrenreich is the celebrated author of "Nickel and Dimed: On (not) Getting by in America." The host and MC for the event will be James Schamus, Academy Award-nominated producer and screenwriter of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."

Dialogue in East L.A. with Danny Glover, Hector Elizondo, Shelley Morrison, and Tony Plana
Sunday Nov. 23, Dialogue: 12:00 noon; Ribbon Cutting: 2:30 p.m.
Dialogue: Griffith Middle School, 4765 E. 4th Street, East LA, corner of Mednick. Ribbon Cutting: 3617 Cesar Chavez.
Contact: Susan Mainzer, 213-840-0077, smainzer@kucinich.us

Danny Glover, Hector Elizondo, and Shelley Morrison will lead a Dialogue in East Los Angeles, followed by a ribbon-cutting at a new Kucinich campaign office. [Kucinich's presence dependent on Congressional schedule]. Glover is a noted movie star, film producer, and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador. Elizondo is a Tony and Golden Globe winner and a well known star of stage, television, and film. Morrison, an actor whose career spans more than 40 years, plays the feisty El Salvadoran housekeeper on "Will and Grace." Actor and Director Tony Plana will moderate.

Dennis Kucinich to give keynote address and receive Heart of Humanity Award at annual multi-denominational event.
Sunday, November 23, 3:00 pm
Agape International Spiritual Center, 5700 Buckingham Parkway, Culver City, Calif.

Dennis Kucinich will receive the "Heart of Humanity" Award at Peace Sunday at Agape International Spiritual Center. Previous recipients include Dr. Robert Muller and the Dalai Lama. Peace Sunday is an annual event started by Leland Stewart, founder of the Unity-and-Diversity World Council, Tahdi Blackstone of the Institute of Noetic Sciences, and Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith, founder and spiritual director of Agape International Spiritual Center. Members of 15 religions will each light a candle under one roof in the name of peace. [Kucinich's presence dependent on Congressional schedule]. http://www.peacesunday.org (11/18/2003)

Planet Kucinich

Rep. Dennis Kucinich continues to gain the mantle of the ultimate liberal with a press release that is more a who’s who of liberal biographies. The release is so long that you have to go to his website to view it. Kucinich also has come out against vouchers and managed to wait until the third sentence in the press release before bringing up opposition to the war. (11/18/2003)

Kucinich gets it

Dennis Kucinich continues to be the candidate for liberals and his release on the Massachusetts court ruling proves he understands the issue:

"The right to marry is a civil right that should not be denied. I support federal legislation for civil marriage between same-sex couples. Civil Unions do not provide equal rights to LGBT Americans. According to a 1997 GAO report, civil marriage provides at least 1,049 legal protections and responsibilities from the federal government, including the right to take leave from work to care for a family member, the right to sponsor a spouse for immigration purposes, and Social Security survivor benefits that can make a difference between old age in poverty and old age in security. Civil unions are a kind of limbo with regard to governmental functions performed by both state and federal governments, such as taxation, pension protections, and provision of insurance for families," said Kucinich. (11/19/2003)

Kucinich again

Kucinich was critical of Bush attack of Afghanistan in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks was not justified and has proved to be a “disaster” and a “nightmare. He realized that he misspoke when he realized that he voted to authorize military action. Of course that didn’t stop him from being critical, according to the Washington Post article:

U.S. military action against Afghanistan in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks was not justified and has proved to be a “disaster” and a “nightmare.” U.S. military action against Afghanistan in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks was not justified and has proved to be a “disaster” and a “nightmare.”  (11/20/2003)

Kucinich as an Independent

There is talk of Dennis Kucinich running as an Independent after the primaries. This of course presupposes the obvious that Kucinich is not going to win his party’s nomination. There is one drawback to his doing this and it come from the fact he would have to give up his Congressional seat that he is also running for -- or maybe the Democrats in his District wouldn’t be mad at him for destroying their Presidential candidate’s hopes. They certainly haven’t forgotten Ralph Nader. Here is what MSNBC First Read says:

On Kucinich’s USA Today comments that the Democratic party “doesn’t have a compass” and that he rejects “where the party has gone,” embed Karin Caifa gets this elaboration from the campaign press secretary: Kucinich’s remarks were “not an attack, but an attempt to reform” the party. “He believes that in order for the Democratic Party to win, it has to reclaim what Senator Wellstone called the ‘Democratic wing of the Democratic Party... Democrats are not going to excite third-party voters or attract blue-collar Republicans if they stay ‘Republican-Lite.’” Caifa notes Kucinich has been actively courting third-party voters, receiving endorsements from members and leaders of the Natural Law Party, the Green Party, and the Libertarian Party. Kucinich insists his run for the presidency will be as a Democrat and only a Democrat, but some supporters have told Caifa they hope to see him further his bid past the primaries by being an Independent. (11/22/2003)

Kucinich would close School of Americas

Dennis Kucinich release points out that over the next three days, thousands are expected to protest the School of the Americas in Fort Benning, Ga. (The school has been renamed Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation.) Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich today released the following statement:

"I stand against terror and violence and in solidarity with the victims of the School of the Americas graduates. I support nonviolent demonstration against the SOA. The United States' ability to persuade other nations to investigate terrorism will be strengthened by the closing of a US school that has trained over 60,000 Latin American soldiers to wage war against their own people, against union organizers, religious workers, teachers, and student leaders. As president I will close the School of the Americas." (11/22/2003)

Kucinich responds to Republican ad

Kucinich points out that a press release from the Republican National Committee states:
"'After 10 months, Democrats running for President have coalesced around policies that are wrong for America. They unanimously oppose the President's policy of pre-emptive self-defense. They unanimously support massive tax increases. The RNC will continue to highlight the differences between the two parties on policy after policy that will provide the American people a clear choice in the next election,' said Ed Gillespie, Chairman of the Republican National Committee." The release provides this text of an advertisement:

PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH: "It would take one vial, one canister, one crate slipped into this country to bring a day of horror like none we have ever known."
ON-SCREEN TEXT: Strong and Principled Leadership
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH: "Our war against terror is a contest of will in which perseverance is power."
ON-SCREEN TEXT:: Some are now attacking the President for attacking the terrorists.
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH: "Some have said we must not act until the threat is imminent. Since when have terrorists and tyrants announced their intentions, politely putting us on notice before they strike?"
ON-SCREEN TEXT:: Some call for us to retreat, putting our national security in the hands of others.
ON-SCREEN TEXT: Call Congress Now
ON-SCREEN TEXT: Tell them to support the President's policy of preemptive self-defense.

Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich today released the following statement:

"I agree with Ed Gillespie. We need to highlight the differences between our two parties. Not all of the Democratic candidates are doing so, and most of them are supporting the President's policy of keeping our troops in Iraq. I oppose this policy and have a plan to quickly bring our troops home. I also intend to repeal President Bush's tax cuts for the super wealthy but leave in place those small cuts we managed to win for ordinary Americans. The Republican National Committee is using money that derives largely from the wealthiest few in America to pay for advertisements aimed at keeping all Americans scared. We will not be frightened into submission. We will not forget the lies we were told about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. We will not forget that Iraq had nothing to do with 9-11. We will remember that for the hundreds of billions we are spending on an unjust and destabilizing occupation in Iraq, we could have an investment in American education that would include free pre-kindergarten and free college tuition. We need to get our priorities straight and not give in to the fear-mongering. I offer America the hope of a new approach and a clear choice in the next election." (11/22/2003)

Planet Kucinich report

Dennis Kucinich’s latest campaign tactic proves that MoveOn.org should hire him after the campaign. Kucinich has Americans walking to Cleveland spreading peace and love. Here is his press release:

WHAT: Peace walkers, inspired by Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich, are crossing the nation from Maine to California by foot. The walkers are approaching Cleveland where they will celebrate Thanksgiving, serve the community, walk local routes, be welcomed at a house party, and host a public rally and press conference on Nov. 28.

WHEN and WHERE:

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 26
12:00 noon: Walkers reach Berea Falls Scenic Overlook, Rocky River Reservation, Valley Parkway Dr.
4:00 p.m.: Walkers meet supporters to walk final 5 miles into town from Cuyahoga County Public Library at 21255 Lorain
5:30 p.m.: End route at Kucinich for President National Campaign Headquarters at 11808 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland

THURSDAY Nov. 27
2:00-4:00 p.m.: Serve meals at St. Herman's at 4410 Franklin Blvd, Cleveland
5:30 p.m. Thanksgiving Dinner, Campaign Intern House at 3317 W. 119th St., Cleveland -- opportunities for one-on-one interviews for media
7:00 p.m. Coffee, Desserts, and After Party at 3317 W. 119th St., Cleveland

FRIDAY Nov. 28
12:00 noon: Meet the Walkers Rally and Press Conference at Public Square, NW Quad, downtown Cleveland -- Joining the walkers will be: Kucinich for President National Campaign Manager Dorothy Maver, Ohio State Representative Dale Miller, Cleveland City Councilwoman and Cleveland Treasurer Fannie Lewis, and Dr. Jim Misak of the Catholic Worker Movement.
12:30 p.m.: Depart for walk to West Side Market
2:30 p.m.: Rally at park across from West Side Market at West 25th and Lorain Avenue, Cleveland

WHO: Jonathan Meier, age 21, has a BA in Religious Studies and Philosophy from Iowa State University. He began the walk in Portland, Maine, on October 17. Clara Wilson, age 25, left Lexington, Kentucky where she practiced massage therapy to join the walk in New York City. Former management consultant Tom Schmitz and his son Tak Schmitz also joined the walk in New York City. The four walkers plan to arrive in San Francisco, Calif., on February 29. They travel each day to new communities to advocate for peace and raise awareness about Kucinich's presidential campaign. In New York City the walkers held a vigil with supporters in Central Park at the John Lennon memorial and rallied at the United Nations, around the 'Swords into Plowshares' monument. They commemorated Veteran's Day in Washington, D.C., at Walter Reed Hospital with DC Veterans for Peace, and lobbied their Congress Members to endorse Kucinich's bill to create a Department of Peace. (11/25/2003)

They want the out-there guy

While Rep. Dennis Kucinich may live on his own planet, there are lots of women who would be agreeable to living out there with him. Kucinich responded to a question at the Nov. 5 Planned Parenthood Federation of America forum about what role the first spouse would play in their administration. Kucinich, a twice-divorced bachelor with a grown daughter in college, didn't waste time getting to the point.

The Web site PoliticsNH.com, which covers New Hampshire politics, set up a contest for a date with Kucinich. Now 80 women are vying on the website contest for a date with Kucinich. The website plans to fly the winning woman to the state next month for dinner at a vegetarian friendly restaurant with Kucinich, who agreed to the date.

The Associated Press story reveals some of the suitors’ passions for Kucinich:

"There are thousands of us that are in love with you and would give our left arm to have a few moments alone with you. That's our fantasy!" wrote Margie of Milton, Wis.

Annie of Chicago wrote that she was attracted to Kucinich's platform, presence and passion. "I share your dream of finding a true love who would team his talents with mine to make the world a better place," she wrote.

While it may be good for dates it may not be good for politics as the Associated Press reports:

Robert Schmuhl, who studies personality and politics at the University of Notre Dame, said using humor in campaigns can be a successful political tool, but it also could backfire.

"In this instance, Congressman Kucinich has been successful," Schmuhl said. "But one wonders whether it is helpful in portraying a presidential image." (11/26/2003)

Dates worked – Why not adoptions?

Dennis Kucinich was so successful in gaining romantic interest from the opposite sex, why not try adoption? The adoptions will not be legal formally but the Kucinich campaign wants contributors to send in money to support the campaign interns.

A young lady’s picture ascribed to be Amy K from Michigan has quotes under her picture stating, "Adopt me if you care a lot about the youth outreach of this campaign and if you're particularly interested in the Steps for Peace walk across America."

According to the Associated Press, the 22-year-old from Ann Arbor, Mich., said, however, "it feels weird to have my face on a presidential campaign… "But it's all in the interest of getting a very important message out there so I'm willing to do what it takes," she said.  (11/27/2003)

Can’t find me love

Rep. Dennis Kucinich told ABC's "This Week" that he hasn’t found love on the campaign trail: It seems the Democratic presidential candidate has been standing up the many requests for a date -- his campaign for the White House hasn't left much time for matchmaking. (11/30/2003)

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