Kucinich, Sharpton and (sorta) Dean.

[Armstead]

After digesting for the months they have stumping, I have to say these are the three candidates that IMO are saying what needs to be said. And the rest of the Democrats ought to be listening,and emulating.

(I say "sorta" about Dean becauase he's a mixed bag and I have a feeling he could change his stripes when it gets closer to the wire.)

That's not to slam the rest. They're fine. But these three are the ones who are speaking in the language New Politics that could pull the Democrats out of the wildnerness, if there was a united effort put behind it.

It's not "leftist" They are talkling plain truth and they are talking in an honest way straight from the heart, without the stifling Beltway drone. It is updated mainstream, old fashioned liberalism of the kind that used to resonate with average folks as well as minorities and the disadvantaged. And could again it it was presented in the clear, unapologetic way that they are doing it.

In my opiniuon they are the future. People want something new and fresh, and that honestly addresses what most people already know, but have given up on. These guys are also offering hope again.

The rest are too cautious in their ideas and how they express themselves. And they are trying to court both the people and the corporate conservatibes at the same time.

No matter who gets the nomination, let's hope the rest of the Democratic Party listens and learns from these guys.

[DemBones DemBones]

1. I agree that the country is ready for a progressive candidate.

The party needs to wake up and realize that it's a waste of time to run someone who's only slightly to the left of Bush*.

Harry Truman said it : If a Democrat who acts like a Republican runs against a Republican, people will pick the Republican every time.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

2. that's the way i place'um too...kucinich, sharpton, dean,

[Droopy]

3. Like my avatar says

Peace. Kucinich is my favorite right now and part of it has to do with him being anti-war. And I think his Department of Peace is a great idea.

I haven't heard the candidates speak except in a few sound bites on the news. All I know comes from what I've read here and at their web sites. I really like Kucinich's platform. I haven't read Sharptons and we all know about Dean. If, like you say, these guys are speaking truth and not just playing politics, then honestly I see no future for them. It's almost as if people expect politicians to lie and tell them just what they want to hear. I was talking politics with an old man one day and he told me to never trust a poltician. They all lie.

[Armstead]

4. I don't think people want to feel that way

>>>If, like you say, these guys are speaking truth and not just playing politics, then honestly I see no future for them. It's almost as if people expect politicians to lie and tell them just what they want to hear. I was talking politics with an old man one day and he told me to never trust a poltician. They all lie.<<<

I believe most people want to feel like someone is protecting and promoting their interests in government. Conservatives feel that the GOP is doing that.

But many liberally inclined people and non-political middle-of-the roaders and liberals have become cynics because no one is making them feel that way. So they give up and become apathetic.

However, if there were more polticians who talk straight and seem like they'll be watching out for their interests, IMO a lot of peope would support them.

[plurality]

8. check out C-SPAN's website

they have videos online of major events like the AFL-CIO forum. I strongly reccomend watching the Kucinich Town Hall meeting with Tom Harkin. Very good.

[RichM]

5. I agree entirely. Just look at the transcript from grasswire's thread,

on today's DK interview on CNN:

================

BLITZER: Well, when you say corruption, Bush-Cheney corruption, are you accusing the president and the vice president of the United States of being corrupt, in terms of the problems that Enron had?

KUCINICH: Absolutely I am. There's no question that this administration was in bed with Ken Lay. They've covered up all the meetings that deal with energy policy. ...

================

If that's not a memorable shining example of the kind of direct talk we need, someone please tell me what is. Only DK or Sharpton could have spoken those words.

[stickdog]

7. Nice!

Keep it up, Dennis!

[Armstead]

9. Kucinich was great in that interview

I hapened to catch it, and Kucinich was great.

[tsipple]

6. It's a Wonderful Election Season...

...when at least one of your top three is doing well in the nomination contest, isn't it?

(OK, so I'm getting a little Monty Python "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life"-esque here, but it could be a LOT worse. Lieberman could be doing well. :-))

[LWolf]

10. I agree.

Sorta.

I like the energy Dean has generated, but I just don't trust him to be truly progressive.

[sangha]

11. Armstead

there is an Op-Ed piece by Bob Herbert in today's NY Times that I think you'd like to read. I don't have a link

[RichM]

12. Here's the link. And you're right - it's a fine piece, on Gore's speech &

the fact that it hasn't received the attention it deserves:

The Art of the False Impression

[Armstead]

14. Thanks

I agree with it. The fact that the deregulated media has allowed news to deteriorate into a tabloid circus is a big part of the fundamental problem today.

I wonder what would happen if an Arnold were a staunch liberal who were saying what Dennis Kucinich and Sharpton are saying. Or even what Gore said. Would the media presstitutes ignore him and paint his views are "marginal" or would it give a megaphone to them because it is a big manly movie star saying it?

I dunno. But Media Reform needs to be a key issue, because it is a large part of what is stifling democracy.

[Desertrose]

13. The dems should be thankful DK & Sharpton speak out

It is WAAAY overdue to have some one speak up for the people who can tell the truth!

I was glad to hear Gore speak out,,,but what took him so long??
Where has he been all this time since we hear how even tho he wwasn't running he would continue to speak out for us...wasn't that back in Dec or Jan?? Did he speak out against the war?? I'm sure he must have....but it didn't stick in my mind like DK's statements did....
I like Al G (Sharpton, too) & hope he continues to speak out & support the dems...

But for truth telling....Dennis Kucinich has the guts to do it. (Sharpton too but the fact DK is in Congress, he seems to have more opportunity to do something about the crazy stuff the repugs are trying to push through)

Dean...well, I just don't feel he is what so many want & hope him to be & at some point, have a feeling there will be many disillusioned Dean supporters...hope they can let it go & support another candidate.....

Peace
DR

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

15. Old fashioned liberalism

"It's not "leftist" They are talkling plain truth and they are talking in an honest way straight from the heart, without the stifling Beltway drone. It is updated mainstream, old fashioned liberalism of the kind that used to resonate with average folks as well as minorities and the disadvantaged. And could again it it was presented in the clear, unapologetic way that they are doing it."

"Old fashioned liberalism" is now regarded as communism by many. Thanks to the rightwing media who have been successful in their labeling campaign. Unfortunately, the Democrats have generally bought into it, twisting themselves into pretzels to be "moderate" on every issue. The DLC and it's adherants remind us of the "danger of being captured by the left".

But, as you say, it's good to hear some Democrats holding liberal viewpoints without crumbling to the outcries of "divisive", "unelectable", "too liberal", and the like, while telling us that we must "unite" behind the "moderate" candidate that they believe will be nominated and that can beat that other "moderate" Bush.

Well, I'm not a moderate. I'll be voting for a liberal in the primary (Sharpton, Kucinich, Mosely-Braun, maybe Dean). If one of them don't get nominated I'll still be voting for a liberal/leftist - only he/she probably won't be a Democrat.

[Armstead]

16. Shouldn't be forced to do that

>>>Well, I'm not a moderate. I'll be voting for a liberal in the primary (Sharpton, Kucinich, Mosely-Braun, maybe Dean). If one of them don't get nominated I'll still be voting for a liberal/leftist -only he/she probably won't be a Democrat.<<<

It'll be tragic if the Democratic Establishment forces people like you to make that choice. That is what is so frustrating about all the debates about being "too left," because those candidates aren't pushing some whacky or Soviet agenda.

It's more that the country and the Democratic Establishment have gotten off track and taken the country into a whacky Right-Wing Twilight Zone. And into a Corporate Soviet Union.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

17. The irony is

that the DLC types have been successful in convincing many that moving to the right is the only way to win elections. This despite that tactic's obvious failures in '00 and '02. My rep voted against the war, despite the public support, and won handily in '02, as did many others who opposed Bush. While those that supported Bush lost all over the map. Yet the "moderates" continue to try and sell us the swill that "only moderates can win".

I don't get it.

[Mairead]

19. What makes you (or anyone) think that the 'moderates' are really Dems?

Just because they claim the label?

Serious question.

[Mairead]

18. "they are trying to court both the people and the corporate conservatives"

And that, captured in a single sentence, is why they are toxic. Bravo!

Their messages always assay out to a little for the people and a lot for the elites. Anything for the people is always put together in such a way as to keep the hands of the elites in our pockets. It's really beautiful, albeit in the same way a copperhead is beautiful.