Why Democrats should get as many Kucinich delegates to the convention as p

[eridani]

A handout for my local legislative district meeting tonight.

Dean and Kucinich (and to some extent Clark) are the only candidates that actually have self-organized volunteer bases. Many, particularly those backing Kucinich, 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, particularly with Nader now polling 7%. 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.

[boobooday]

1. As a Kucinich supporter

I am hanging in there, in the hopes that some of Dennis' policy ideas will be included in the Democratic platform.

To me, he represents everything the Democratic party should stand for. There is no need for a third party, if we just get back to our roots.

http://www.wgoeshome.com

[damnraddem]

2. At my Dem caucuses last Saturday, we elected ...

a Dean delegate and a Kucinich delegate to our later Congressional-district caucus, where national delegates will be elected. Enough Dean delegates were elected in another district in my state to enable the election of at least one Dean delegate from the state. I don't know about my own district yet. Small potatoes, but they can add up to a voice through the time of the Convention.

[revcarol]

3. AT some different-level caucuses, you can introduce resolutions!!

Many caucuses around the nation have already voted for resolutions for one or more of DK's Ten Points.We CAN have the progressive voice of DK represnted, both by the resolutions to the PLATFORM COMMITTEE of your state's party and THE NATIONAL PLATFORM COMMITTEE, as well as as many delegates as possible.