Kucinich should just step aside and back Kerry.

[Cascadian]

There was a time when I was considering backing Kucinich once Dean bowed out. I must say that I have changed my mind.

I want to thank Kucinich for his stand on the war on Iraq and the many progressive issue he has champions. I also want to thank him for bringing these issues to the forefront of the presidential campaign, but the time has come to pull up the stakes and fold the tent.

I do wonder if Kucinich backers will support Kerry if Kucinich does bow out of the presidential campaign race? Or will they go to Nader? I hope they don't. They will give Bush carte blanche to get another four years if they run to Nader.

Please Dennis, step down and unite with the rest of us to get Bush out of the White House.

John

[ludwigb]

1. All in good time, my friend, all in good time

Kucinich deserves and should get all the spotlight he can. He's not going 3rd-party and I hope his supporters are just as smart.

[RebelOne]

2. Yes, I agree

As much as I would love to see Kucinich elected, I know he doesn't have a chance in hell. So I, too, would like for him to step down.

[kentuck]

3. Could he get 2 or 3% in November election ?

And would that make him the new "Nader" ?

[sangh0]

13. DK will 0% in November

because he has already said that he will support the nominee, and the nominee is NOT going to be DK.

IOW, DK will not be on the ballot in the GE. DK is running in the primary, and will NOT get the nomination.

DK's primary candidacy does not hurt Kerry at all. I see no reason for him to stop pushing his (and our) issues.

[Desertrose]

24. hello... he's a dem.....he won't go beyond the convention

what are you talking about??
DK will NOT GO THIRD PARTY......
the convention ends it & gives it to Kerry (unless a miracle happens)

He is not the new Nader...:eyes:

Peace
DR

[JI7]

4. it's not like he is hurting Kerry's chances against Bush

i have no problem with kucinich doing what he is doing. he said he will back kerry at the convention. even before kerry had the nomination and before the primaries even started kucinich mostly attacked bush and never really attacked the other democratic candidates running. why not let him go around and say what he wants to ? there are people who want to listen. i always supported kerry but also enjoyed listening to kucinich at times.

[eridani]

5. You don't get it

Kerry only has 45% of the vote. Without the Kucinich voters and their energy, he doesn't win, period. Without the Kucinich issues he doesn't win.

Carl Worden, conservative columnist for The Sierra Times, had this to say about Dean, not knowing that Kucinich actually had the position he was looking for. Want to get these voters away from Bush? Support the Kucinich platform and make Kerry pay attention to it.

http://sierratimes.com/03/12/29/ar_carlworden.htm

I am a Christian conservative who voted for Bush in 2000, and I write for a largely conservative and excellent Internet news and opinion publication called The Sierra Times.

The issue that I believe will put Dean right over the top will be his condemnation of NAFTA/GATT, free trade, and his pledge to end our participation in the World Trade Organization. If Dean wants to win by a comfortable margin, all he has to do is THAT. The massive number of red states that voted for Bush last election will turn to blue, and Dean will waltz into the White House like a halfback who strolls untouched into the end zone. End of game.

Many Kucinich supporters are Greens, independents and others who have not been involved in electoral politics at all. Particularly as that last group includes 50% of the voting age population, Democrats really need to pay attention here. To keep these people on board, the Democrats must pay attention to their issues. Kucinich has always been committed to working within the Democratic Party, but like everyone else, he has doesn’t have a clue about how to herd cats. This is the debate now going on among Kucinich volunteers.

From a Kucinich listserv 3/16/04

To whoever said Dennis is pulling a "Bait and Switch" tactic.

You seem to have not been paying attention to this campaign. First, Dennis is and always has been a Democrat. He is not interested in creating third parties, but strengthening the Democratic Party and invigorating its progressive base. That has always been his goal, along with waking the mainstream up to the abuses of both the Republican assault on the environment, the working people, and human rights around the world, and the DLC abuses within our own Party, pushing a "moderate" (read conservative) agenda. Dennis will support John Kerry, but on his terms, and with the backing of thousands, millions, of progressive Democrats who believe what he believes and want to change the party in the same ways.

That's us. Our role is not to drop out and join the Greens or the Naderites in their quixotic journey to obscurity. (This journey doesn't have to be to obscurity if they used a grass roots common sense approach of party building from below, gaining inroads in local elections and working up to multi-party State legislatures and eventually Congress, with great coalition possibilities).

But right now, third Party candidates for President can only hurt the progressive movement within the Democratic Party and Dennis' efforts at reform. And yes, help Bush be re-elected.

If you support Dennis, support his causes and issues, and help him change the Party.

If you also support the Greens, help them at the local level. It's a long process, but one that will pay dividends for all Americans (and the world as a whole).

Getting rid of George Bush is job one right now, along with our own efforts at strengthening the Progressive message within the Party.

If any of you are interested in this effort and creating a real organizing tool to effect it, possibly a PAC for (small d) democratic Action, please let me know.

----Stick With The Dems Advocate #1

It is imperative that the Democrats move toward a Progressive agenda to keep the party together and to
add to its base of motivated voters and campaigners, i.e. former Greens, after their supposed "Quixotic
journey to obscurity" or their giving into Democratic fear mongering.

Only the Democrats can help the Democrats. If they choose not to move toward a progressive agenda then
the Democratic Party has no one to blame but the Democratic Party if they once again fail to blow a
moron (and now proven liar) like Bush out of the water and the race. The last time they had this chance, with incumbency in their corner, they failed to win several states they should have won, including Gore's home state. The Gore campaign pulled the money out of Ohio just when things were moving forward. Gore allowed Florida to be the "deciding" state. And from this they tried to blame the Greens and Nader who were standing for the things that the Democrats should have been standing for. And hence the onset of their supposed "quixotic journey to obscurity."

No I don't believe Kucinich plans to leave the Democratic Party. But I do know that I will not support any other Democrat candidate for President but Kucinich. I would support him as a Green or anywhere
if he chose to run as one in the future. But I will not follow him in support of Kerry and the downfall of
America.

A choice between war and war is no choice.
A choice between draft and draft is no choice.
A choice between NAFTA and NAFTA is no choice.
A choice between WTO and WTO is no choice.
A choice between Patriot Act supporter and Patriot Act supporter is no choice.
A choice between an elite and an elite is no choice.

I also believe that if the Democrats do not take a Progressive stance on these issues of great importance
this will be (to steal a phrase) their quixotic journey to obscurity. And possibly the end of US Constitution
and America.

----*Bleep* The Dems Advocate #1

A choice between pro-choice and pro-life IS a choice.
A choice between pro-environment and pro-pollution and the end of our world as we know it IS a choice.

----Stick With The Dems Advocate #2

Kerry is sponsored by corporate American just like Bush. So why should I expect any difference from Kerry than what Bush has done? I don't know about Kerry's choice stance. But if you think one reason is enough to vote for Kerry then go for it. But ask yourself why did you support Dennis if that is all you cared about? One issue is not enough for me to accept war, debt, lies, US Patriot Act, etc.... It is reasoning like, one issue politics that keeps the Democrats drifting right. If this group is turning into an I want Kerry group I will be leaving soon.

----*Bleep* The Dems Advocate #1

I was ready to vote for bozo the clown to get rid of Bush when I went nominee shopping. I was floored that Dennis Kucinich existed and threw my soul into working for his campaign. He is a dream come true.
Unfortunately, Kerry got the 50% of the delegates needed to win the nomination.

Scientists are saying that the #1 world threat is global warming. Kerry's environmental record is exemplary. For this reason alone, I'll vote for Kerry. It's a plus he's pro-choice. Is he my ideal candidate? No, he isn't. Does the Skull &Bones thing bother me? You bet it does. Regardless, I trust him on the environment. I absolutely do not trust Dubya. If I thought voting 3rd party would unseat old Georgie boy, I'd vote 3rd party but I know the current system is not set up for a 3rd party to win, therefore I will vote for Kerry - for his environmental record and pro-choice stance - and I will work to get the party back to the left. I am running for State Legislator this year. How about you? Wanna take a stab and do the same?

----Stick With The Dems Advocate #2


Do you want the advocates for the Democratic Party to win this debate, or at least carry a lot more people with them? It’s really easy to do. Support Kucinich delegates all the way to Boston. Incorporate issues we advocate into the platform, especially health care for all and fair trade.

[caledesi]

6. It's about time for Kucinich to endorse Kerry. nt

[mmonk]

7. He doesn't need to

just Nader IMO.

[LWolf]

8. Wrong.

Dennis Kucinich should not step aside. That would be out of character, since he made a committment to supporters like me to go all the way to the convention.

Dennis is doing vital work for the democratic party. If he weren't spending himself to change and improve the party from within, more of the disenfranchised dems would be looking elsewhere. He is revitalizing us, and keeping our issues on the front burner.

When you call for Dennis to step aside, you are also calling for all of those people who are supporting the work to step aside. That's a big gamble at this point, IMO. Are you so sure you can beat * without us? That doesn't exactly smack of "uniting."

Kucinich supporters will back him all the way, and most will join him after the convention when he backs Kerry. Since he has already stated publicly, numerous times, that he will back Kerry, calling on him to back Kerry is a waste of breath, IMO.

Most of us will be with him when he backs Kerry; I can't speak for all of the independents and 3rd pary people that flocked to support him; they may not stick with the dems for Kerry. Some will, out of desperation to evict *. A few may choose principle over pragmatism. You can keep that number down by working with Dennis on the issues that drive us, if you are concerned about it.

[Kanary]

9. All of you Kucinich attackers

are getting very polite and thoughtful replies from Kucinich supporters, ..

Over and over and over...

Are you willing to LISTEN?

Or, is the attack what runs your motor?

Do you ever think about the damage you're doing with your attacks?

edited to ask... why are ATTACKS on Dennis Kucinich allowed in GD, but a supportive post of DK is NOT allowed on GD?

And, no, I didn't "alert".... it never gets a response.

Kanary

[Gin]

10. I didnt know DK was still running...didnt JK get the nomination?

why continue? By the way..I was a Dean supporter..once it became obvious he was out...I haven't paid a whole lot of attention to the others in the running.

JK will get my vote though.

[sangh0]

14. The nominee is named at the Democratic Convention

which is when the delegates actually vote. Kerry is, for now, the PRESUMED nominee.

[Kanary]

15. Maybe your admitted lack of paying attention

would answer your question.

Again, I ask, what do you accomplish by attacking Dk and his supporters?

Do you really think attacking us wins us over, and makes us enthusiastic supporters?

Oh yeah, I forgot.... that tactic is working Sooooo well in Iraq...

Kanary

[sangh0]

18. More hysteria

Where did Gin "attack" DK?

[sangh0]

11. Your hysteria is unjustified

I see no reason to describe a post which THANKS DK for what he has done as an attack. From the OP:

"I want to thank Kucinich for his stand on the war on Iraq and the many progressive issue he has champions. I also want to thank him for bringing these issues to the forefront of the presidential campaign, but the time has come to pull up the stakes and fold the tent"

[LeahMira]

19. Not so fast...

I want to thank Kucinich for his stand on the war on Iraq and the many progressive issue he has champions. I also want to thank him for bringing these issues to the forefront of the presidential campaign, but the time has come to pull up the stakes and fold the tent

It will be time to pull up the stakes and fold the tent when Kerry endorses the principles that Dennis Kucinich champions. If Kerry wants those votes, let him earn them!

[sangh0]

21. I agree with you, but you missed my point

I think DK should stay in until the convention. I like DK and have no problems with him continuing to speak out. My comments were meant to point out that the original post is in NO WAY an attack, and that Kanary was over-dramatizing the post as she is wont to do.

Similar to the way you assume that my post was a call for DK to drop out even though I've specifically stated that he should stay in.

[Earth_First]

12. No...

they don't. This is highly ironic from a political demographic attempting to attract voters during an Presidential election cycle. Kucinich is doing great work, and without adopting issues and platform ideologies at the convention, you have no Kerry. You make it sound like Kucinich is threatening his chances at the nomination at this point, which couldnt be any further from the turth. The fact is that Dennis said he will stay in the contention until the convention, Dennis is a man of his words, I look forward to hearing Dennis at the convention in Boston and look forward to his endorsement of John Kerry when he recieves the endorsement from the DNC. Those of you who are Kucinich-hating currently either have elementary knowledge on the political process, or are just out to bitch about the sky being blue.

[sangh0]

22. Who attacked DK?

Where is this "Kucinich-hating" you refer to?

Or are the people who post "constructive criticism" about the other candidate suddenly opposed to free speech?

[Zero Gravitas]

16. At least

he is participating in the Democratic party process. Let him continue until the convention at which point I'm sure he will back our candidate fully, just like Dean & Clarke etc. have. I have respect for Kucinich for trying to make a difference and pushing progressive ideals with in the party, unlike certain other people who do more harm than good (you know who I mean).

[leesa]

17. He will. Don't worry about it. I think it is very important that he stay

out there pushing for the end of this travesty and the withdrawal of troops. He is a very brave man and very smart. He also has very excellent points about corporate control of our government, which is a very weak point for Kerry. Let him get some reality out there before he backs the one the media chose for us.

[sangh0]

20. If DK's supporters don't like attacks, why do they attack

Let him get some reality out there before he backs the one the media chose for us.

The media didn't choose my candidate, and it's insulting for you to ignore the REAL support Kerry has EARNED. If you HONESTLY don't think attacks on Dem candidates are appropriate, then you should refrain from innuendo that tars a man who thousands and thousands of Dems voted for as being picked by the media.

[Desertrose]

23. I wish Kerry would bow out & back Kucinich

How does that make you feel?

Thank god Kucinich is staying in and gong to the convention- maybe we'll get a slight nod to the more progressive issues. I sure as hell hope so.

Why do you feel the time has come for DK to bow out? Seems to me we need all the dem voices speaking up for us as we can get. I don't understand why supposed dems feel the need to shut down other voices than Kerry's....and by the way..where is he? what is he addressing these days?

No, I for one am damn glad that DK is still out there and still working hard for people.
Why doesn't Kerry go out & talk to the people one on one like Dennis is doing? Why has he quit campaigning?? How are people supposed to know who and what he is? and don't give me the bull about his past record...he needs to talk about what he WILL be doing.....so far I am not too impressed with Kerry and many people I hear talk are not too thrilled either....


Peace
DR

PS I really really want bush out too.....I just want to replace him with something/someone better/different.

[pezcore64]

25. uhhh

well, if he was hurting anything maybe id agree...but since he isnt...

hes not hurting anyone by keeping his campaign going, so long as he can bring people from his camp that consider themselves indies to vote for the democratic nominee ;)