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If Kucinich looked and talked like JFK, would he be the front-runner?

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trumad Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 04:48 PM
Original message
If Kucinich looked and talked like JFK, would he be the front-runner?
Just askin?
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JI7 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 04:49 PM
Response to Original message
1. no
i think he is attractive in his own way. he has a nice smile. and why isn't edwards far more ahead if it's just about looks ?
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Wetzelbill Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 04:58 PM
Response to Reply #1
11. Speaking of Edwards
that guy has some serious political skill. He, DK and Kerry are my favorites. Watch Edwards though. He'll catch fire at some point. Bet on that.

Anybody out there like a Kerry-Edwards ticket? I think that one would be absolute money.

Dennis is still my boy though. I actively endorse that guy. I wear my Kucinich shirt and pin with pride, not to mention the sticker I have on my bag too.
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JI7 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 05:00 PM
Response to Reply #11
14. i love edwards
kerry is my first choice but i love edwards also and would be happy with him as president too. and you are right about his skills. the guy is great. one problem is that he doesn't get attention.
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AP Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 05:17 PM
Response to Reply #14
25. The problem is the first look. But once he gets the first look...
...people like him.

Clinton had the same problem.

In some ways, the sex scandals during the primaries probably helped Clinton. He got that post-Super Bowl interview with Walters which the Republicans probably thought would bury him. The opposite happened. Millions of Americans thought, hmmm, interesting guy.
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AP Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 05:15 PM
Response to Reply #11
22. I think Edwards is the shoe-in for VP. He's the future of the party.
The only thing that will stop him from being VP is if he wins the most delegates in the primaries, which is a distinct possibility.
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liberalnurse Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 05:15 PM
Response to Reply #1
23. Well, I'd like to date him....
and ya just never know.....

I think he just oozes kindness which maked him less desirable for President.
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diamondsoul Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 11:40 AM
Response to Reply #23
39. Which one, Kucinich or Edwards?!
No honestly, I'm looking for some validation here, and the ability to finally say that even if I AM a freak, I'm not alone in it!

I have the worst crush on Kucinich! Fortunately I'm old enough and sane enough to know it for what it is, but man, I'd go out with Kucinich in a New York minute! He's the embodiment of everything good about humanity, and I'm a sucker for that.
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JI7 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 11:54 AM
Response to Reply #39
43. i think kucinich is cute
he has a certain thing about him. he has a wonderful smile. i remember one appearance in iowa i saw on cspan where kucinich was just wearing a plain black shirt. just a regular all black tee shirt. but he still stood out in it. but he looked great in that shirt. you should try to get a picture of that if you can.
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Kool Kitty Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 12:48 PM
Response to Reply #43
55. He is cute.
And he seems to have a wonderful heart and soul.
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MuseRider Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 12:14 PM
Response to Reply #39
50. You and me both!
I am not looking but his humanity is really something to pull at your heart strings. That and the feeling that you can trust him.
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Desertrose Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 01:11 PM
Response to Reply #50
56. His "energy" really gets to you
or charisma or aura...whatever it is ...its quite powerful but he keeps it "damped down" or he'd probably bowl over a few folks here & there...

when he smiles he just glows......:loveya:

...IMHO better than JFK cuase he's a little more together I think....JFK was so young when he was pres...
hey...DK has a bday next week!!!

Peace
DR
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Wetzelbill Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 04:51 PM
Response to Original message
2. he'd be the biggest danger to the status quo that ever existed.
Not sure if he would be the front runner, but every politician and corrupt big business that ever existed would be terrified of this guy.
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JohnKleeb Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 04:53 PM
Original message
yeah but I think they already fear him
Why do you think he is seldom mentioned in the press and that kucinich.com(a site that basically bashes DK and has been in circut since 98)
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directinfection Donating Member (75 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 02:03 PM
Response to Original message
68. what???
who are the lame people who put up that website?
If hes such a longshot..why are they so afraid of him?
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JohnKleeb Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 02:10 PM
Response to Reply #68
71. Some people in Cleveland
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JohnKleeb Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 04:51 PM
Response to Original message
3. I would think so
I think one of the "problems" is that people are superficial about his looks which really is down right immature. Actually if you have seen him speak elsewhere he sounds good. I am biased honestly but I think one of the reasons why some dont support him is their own superficalness. Thats my opinion and I could be wrong but I think theres some validness.
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Hawkeye-X Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 04:53 PM
Response to Reply #3
4. Problem is that Kucinich is no JFK
and neither are the candidates.

They don't womanize.

Hawkeye-X
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JohnKleeb Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 04:56 PM
Response to Reply #4
10. lol
so that excludes FDR too I bet. Was Bobby one because of the Kennedy brothers Bob is my fave.
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trumad Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 04:53 PM
Response to Reply #3
5. And I say this with all due respect to DK
and you're right JohnKleeb...WE do live in a superficial world and that's a damn shame because DK is awesome....
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Wetzelbill Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 04:54 PM
Response to Reply #5
7. exactomundo
the guy has my vote.
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JohnKleeb Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 04:55 PM
Response to Reply #5
8. its true
Edited on Thu Sep-25-03 05:00 PM by JohnKleeb
and its what has me asking why. Seldom do I see DK bashed here because of his views, it happens, the reason people are skeptical is sick, his looks again folks no beauty paegant, his last name hey we aint all anglo saxons I know I aint and you know what I am proud that my great grandfather's name was Kovalcik instead of Brown or Smith, and his height, this is silly and to be honest hes only two inches smaller than Dean. Why do people think like that? we cant be so judgemental honestly. If we play on our superficialness and ignore the great that comes out of DK's mouth we play a republican like game. I tell you it is more often than not that DK is I dont know the word here not for his politics but for things that are completely irrelevant. We cannot play that game if we want America back. I have plenty of reasons for supporting the peace candiate who is Dennis Kucinich. I am only 16 years old yet 3-4 wars by my country in my young life, I cant be drafted even if they bring it back because of a heart condition but those who will be my peers the guys I grew up with. I want peace and justice.
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Wetzelbill Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 05:15 PM
Response to Reply #8
24. Wellstone and DK give me hope
I'm short, ultra-progressive and won't be winning any beauty pageants anytime soon, but I would like to have a political career. I'm more humorous than DK, but still, when people cut somebody that wonderful down, it makes me wonder what the world may have in store for regular guys like me who want to be in public service. When people are shallow and trite it hurts our country and the world because it makes guys like DK difficult to elect. Pure stupidity.
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no name no slogan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 12:05 PM
Response to Reply #24
47. I'm with you on that
Some of the best politicians are not the people we'd even imagine being politicians.

Most of your big-name politicians are the professional sort: doctors, lawyers, corporate bigwigs, etc. Wellstone was a college professor. Kucinich worked in a variety of gigs (television, energy consultant, college teacher). IMHO, these people make better better leaders than most lawyers, as they have a different background and have different experiences in life. They've actually been in tough financial situations, and couldn't rely on the family $$ or their connections to get by.

It's a little-publicized fact that Dennis actually campaigned in MN for Wellstone in 2002, going door-to-door on at least one occassion. However, Dennis doesn't bring this up, as he's a very humble person. I see a lot of similarities in Dennis and Paul, more so than any of the other nine candidates.

And that's what gives me the most hope for this party, and our country.
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dansolo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-27-03 01:17 AM
Response to Reply #24
82. Kucinich is no Wellstone
Wellstone didn't antagonize people, and yet was still able to be a passionate advocate for progressive causes.
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AP Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 04:53 PM
Response to Original message
6. Just remember -- Kennedy talked like an anti-communist
but he did speak up for Democratic principles...especially equal opportunity and a level playing field, and he went after the profiteers with a vengeance.

I'm thinking about the speech about the steel companies raising prices -- he went on the air and shamed them. They had to lower prices. This is why Kennedy was a threat -- he didn't need to play the DC political game and trade favors to get things done. He could go on the air, talk directly to the people, and the people would get pissed about what he got pissed about, and would love what he loved.
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JohnKleeb Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 04:56 PM
Response to Reply #6
9. thats true
I read somewhere that he said privately my father was right all businessmen are sobs, I chuckle at htat.
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Wetzelbill Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 05:00 PM
Response to Reply #9
15. My hotmail signature is that Kennedy line :)
"My father always told me that all businessmen were sons of bitches, but I never believed it until now." -John F. Kennedy
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JohnKleeb Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 05:01 PM
Response to Reply #15
16. thats the one
and lol I kinda believe it.
Kleeb- A guy who is one of the few in his grade who doesnt consider getting in business, I wanna write or somethin.
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twilight Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 01:39 PM
Response to Reply #15
62. who would have known better but Joseph Kennedy?
Thanks for that quote! Sounds like old Joe Kennedy alright! :evilgrin:

I think that DK has a GREAT chance myself. I've heard a few words silently whispered that the Green Party plans to endorse him sometime after Oct. 30, 2003!

I don't find him to be in anyway less attractive than any of the other men running, but he sure isn't as pretty as Carol Mosely-Braun! :D I frankly do not care, it is a job that needs to be done, not a damn beauty contest! Dennis Kucinich is the best PERSON for this job!



Dennis Kucinich for President in 2004!!!

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genius Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 02:09 PM
Response to Reply #6
70. The Rent-a-thugs shouted JFK was a communist
I guess they didn't read any of his speeches.

I think that the problem is that to the right wingers, everyone is a communist. Look what the right-wingers in our party have tried to do to Dennis. His policies are very mainstream, centrist. Yet they try to paint Dennis as being to the left when the truth is that his critics are just so far to the right that they are out of the mainstream.
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AP Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 04:48 PM
Response to Reply #70
79. If they're going to shout that you're a communist, you're going to have to
campaign like you aren't.

The modern equivalent is willingness to fight terrorism. The Republicans are going to shout that you aren't a patriot and you're going make America weak. So the Dems have to do the equivalent of what JFK did vis communisim.
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blm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 04:58 PM
Response to Original message
12. Kennedy was a moderate who used moderate language
and allowed his liberal leanings to show which comforted those on the left. Kinda like Clinton.
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cosmicdot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 04:59 PM
Response to Original message
13. you mean with a Boston accent?
my family loved JFK's accent - it was all part of the charisma

you didn't mean the exact words which came out of his mouth - because that was 1960-1963 - we had different things going on then, i.e. "the Cold War" ...

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JohnKleeb Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 05:02 PM
Response to Reply #13
17. I think he sounds not literally but in what he says like Bobby
Bobby I like the best of the brothers.
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trumad Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 05:10 PM
Response to Reply #17
19. My post mean't to reflect just looks and sound...
not ideology... Now if we could throw in Jackie O then DK would win by a landslide..;-)
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jeter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 05:08 PM
Response to Original message
18. No he wouldn't
Edited on Thu Sep-25-03 05:11 PM by jeter
Aside's from Kucinich saying what you want to hear what sense does he make?

Cutting 15% of the military budget and giving to early childhood development (WTF)? A 7.5% tax on companies to pay for Health Care.

Boo Hoo. He always goes for what is easy instead of what is right.

He has no concrete plan. Only more drivel.

And I say this as a liberal. That's why the left in the US never do well. Because of people like Kucinich. Who appeal to their base and no one else. I don't mean sacrificing ones principles. I'm talking about a concrete plan that would benefit everyone.

Where you can point to it and say - this will benefit everyone and that's why I support it. Bush only cares about corporations, true. Kuchinich only cares about his crowd too.

What makes him any better.

P.S. His ideas on Free Trade were horrible.

Let me remind you that the GATT and WTO were created by Democrats and liberals. There are problems sure. What about specific solutions to making them better. That would require some work and effort.
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trumad Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 05:11 PM
Response to Reply #18
20. Kuchinich only cares about his crowd too?
You mean like the American people? :wtf:
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jeter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 05:29 PM
Response to Reply #20
28. No I mean college lefties
Those who don't work for a living.
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JohnKleeb Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 05:34 PM
Response to Reply #28
31. what are you smoking
Not all Kucinich supporters are college lefties. I think you are really generalizing a lot.
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Lydia Leftcoast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 11:38 AM
Response to Reply #28
37. Ahem!
I'm a middle-aged self-employed person. When I attended the rally in St. Paul, about half the crowd was middle-aged or older.

Some of them might have been long-term unemployed :-), but they were not college students who had never held down a job.

The local Minnesota for Kucinich organization has a teenager running its website (DU's own wheresthemind), but most of the rest of the regulars are thirty or older.
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no name no slogan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 01:59 PM
Response to Reply #37
66. And, might I also add
that most of the leadership of the MN Kucinich organization is women! This was brought up jokingly at the last campaign volunteer meeting in St. Paul, and I thought you'd appreciate it, too!

"Another Wellstone Democrat for Kucinich"
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diamondsoul Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 11:54 AM
Response to Reply #18
44. Hoo BOY! Where should I start?
Point for point I guess, so here goes-

"Cutting 15% of the military budget and giving to early childhood development (WTF)?"

Ever heard of education? It's what helps produce productive citizens. How about elaborating on what's so horrible about this idea?

"A 7.5% tax on companies to pay for Health Care."

Indeed, less than the average 8+% they are paying now for less healthcare. Again, care to tell me what the problem is with this?

"Boo Hoo. He always goes for what is easy instead of what is right.
He has no concrete plan. Only more drivel."

Dude, whatever you're smoking, share wouldja? Let's see just from the debate last night on this "easy instead of right" crap-
1.End the Federal Death Penalty
2.Withdraw from NAFTA and the WTO
3.Establish a Dept. of Peace to make war an archaic concept.

Where is the easy part of ANY of the positions laid out so far?

"Where you can point to it and say - this will benefit everyone and that's why I support it. Bush only cares about corporations, true. Kuchinich only cares about his crowd too."

Once more, what ARE you smoking?! Tell me how true Universal Healthcare won't benefit EVERYONE. You can't, and that's exactly why I DO support it and the only candidate who has actually introduced the legislation that would provide it. Now what was that about not having "concrete" plans again?

You're right about Kucinich caring "for his crowd"- That being the human race in toto.

"P.S. His ideas on Free Trade were horrible.

Let me remind you that the GATT and WTO were created by Democrats and liberals. There are problems sure. What about specific solutions to making them better. That would require some work and effort."

You don't hear too well, do you? You cannot change GATT/NAFTA because the WTO restrictions prevent it. If you try to change GATT/NAFTA, you nullify your participation in the WTO. It's called legalities, and the fastest, simplest way to get around it is to begin withdrawal procedures and write out new trade agreements to be submitted before or when the 6 month withdrawal notice expires.

Kucinich has explained repeatedly that the WTO does NOT allow us to make changes to GATT/NAFTA and that is his reason for wanting to withdraw from both and start with new agreements.
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Blue_Chill Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 02:52 PM
Response to Reply #44
76. Where is the easy part of ANY of the positions laid out so far?
Dude, whatever you're smoking, share wouldja? Let's see just from the debate last night on this "easy instead of right" crap-
1.End the Federal Death Penalty
2.Withdraw from NAFTA and the WTO
3.Establish a Dept. of Peace to make war an archaic concept.

Where is the easy part of ANY of the positions laid out so far?


You misunderstood what was meant by "Easy". Easy as in - easy to promise everything the left wants, without having a way to actually make it happen. Not a plan mind you, but a method to actually get those ideas turned into reality.

Hell I can get up on a stage and promise that I will tax the rich 99% and give it all to poor people but I know and you know it isn't going to happen.

1- End the federal Death penalty.

What a great idea. I kid you not I support this 100%. But I'm a realist and it's obvious we as a country are NOT ready to take this step. You could never get the support needed to pass such a ban. Period.

But it certainly is easy to promise such wonderful things.

2.Withdraw from NAFTA and the WTO

Have you given any thought to how many jobs will be lost, how many people will go hungry if you simply walk away from these things? It takes a long time to get new deals written and agreed to, and that is ignoring the assumption that companies and other nations will go for DK's agreements.

3.Establish a Dept. of Peace to make war an archaic concept.

While this sounds great, but added to the fact that he wants a instant 15% military budget cut, I suddenly don't trust DK with our security. He seems to hate all thing related to war and the sad reality is that not all wars are entered into by choice. I want a STRONG military that is FAR BETTER equiped then any other. The latest and greatest EVERYTHING.

I want the US to have the ability to put it's foot down in a negotiation with a nation like North Korea. Would they respect DK? Or perhaps would he allow them to continue developing a nuclear program knowing full well the man in charge is not hindered by worries for his people security.





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RichM Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 05:11 PM
Response to Original message
21. His positions are much better & more courageous than JFK's --
but since he doesn't suck up to the Pentagon & the corporate oligarchy, even looking like JFK wouldn't make him the front-runner.

DK is a serious opponent of the status quo. He is a threat to entrenched power. If he ever got near the throne, they would kill him.

Look what they did to JFK, who wasn't nearly the threat to them that DK is.
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Wetzelbill Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 05:18 PM
Response to Reply #21
26. yeah, think "Plane Crash"
I may add that JohnKleeb might be my little brother we are so much alike. Write! Write! Write! I live it and love it.
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JohnKleeb Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 05:32 PM
Response to Reply #26
30. lol thanks
I dont get what jeter is saying, "DK only cares about his people". What a crock of shit and btw just because you arent employed doesnt make you a bad person, I am a student but I am trying to get a job.
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spindoctor Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 05:38 PM
Response to Reply #21
32. The perfect solution
Should Kucinich become the next president, he better have Al Sharpton as his running mate. That way they will think twice about any assasination attempts.
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JohnKleeb Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 05:39 PM
Response to Reply #32
33. shrug I like Al Sharpton
but I think John Lewis of GA a personal hero of mine would be great.
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denverbill Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 05:27 PM
Response to Original message
27. Yes, imo.
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Armstead Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 05:30 PM
Response to Original message
29. Kucinich ought to be the future
Regartdless of his prospects as a presidential candidate, he represents the only real hope the Democrats -- and this nation-- have to reclaim its soul.

Okay I exagerate slightly. But if you listen to DK in a real interview, he makes perfect sense and is very level headed and is telling THE TRUTH about what has happened to this country, and what we need to do to fix it.

Until an equally principled liberal opposition forms en masse and reclaims our side of the spectrum, this nation will continue to be headed for the dumpster.

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spindoctor Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-25-03 05:41 PM
Response to Reply #29
34. I agree
He is the only one out there that I actually trust to do the right thing.
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chadm Donating Member (480 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 11:38 AM
Response to Reply #29
38. He is the future, if there is to be one
He represents the Age of Acquarius that we are entering...an age where we shed superstitions and embrace our own god-like powers to take care of each other and our earth...an age where we understand that we are all connected and that is the only religion we need.

If we fail to get to this future, we will continue our steady path to destruction.
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curlyred Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 11:32 AM
Response to Original message
35. Absolutely
What an unfortunate thing.

All candidates should run with a paper bag on their heads until after the election.
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chadm Donating Member (480 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 11:35 AM
Response to Original message
36. I love Kucinich, but I admit
that his language is too Berkeley and Green for the average American. I don't think people know what he's talking about when he goes into "sustainable economies" or "fair trade".

To the brainwashed masses, he just "doesn't sound right" because he's not saying the same things as CNN. So I realize that he doesn't have a chance and I place a fair amount of blame on my fellow American people for our tragic condition.
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lostnfound Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 02:05 PM
Response to Reply #36
69. There's only 1 of him not 10 or 100
Edited on Fri Sep-26-03 02:14 PM by lostnfound
And if we unemployed college lefties -- oops, I mean we middle-aged white color types -- that support him had the money to throw around to create think tanks to produce Dennis clones for the next 10 years the way the right wing has done..maybe the public wouldn't be so danged incapable of understanding fair trade. Heck, the London Financial Times covers fair trade.

The people we have in office -- Cheney-Rumsfeld-Ashcroft-Perle-Wolfowitz-Poindexter are much more extreme to the right than Kucinich is to the left. It doesn't feel that way, though -- but only because places like the American Enterprise Institute and Heritage have spent a billion or two making their "ideas" mainstream.

And unfortunately, I don't have a boss handing me six-figure bonuses while 'suggesting' that I donate $10,000 to Kucinich's money machine..nope, that's Tom Delay's game here in Bush country.
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Padraig18 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 11:40 AM
Response to Original message
40. Since you're 'just askin'...
...no.
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Lydia Leftcoast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 11:50 AM
Response to Original message
41. Even if Dennis could temporarily borrow
the face of some glamorous Hollywood type, he would still be ignored or ridiculed because it's not his looks that are disagreable to the Establishment (remember Ross Perot?) but his ideas.

I can't tell you how often the local and national newspapers will say something like "Howard Dean is the only candidate to have opposed the Iraq War" or "all the candidates favor building upon the existing health care system" or "all the candidates support maintaining or expanding free trade."

DK is the Invisible Man. Sure, he doesn't have much in the way of campaign funds, but you'd think that journalists covering a gathering of candidates would not be influenced by that. Still, they ignore him most of the time, and that translates into lack of name recognition and that translates into lower standings in the polls.

The Establishment press has to marginalize anyone who veers too sharply from conventional wisdom (which is rarely wisdom, just conventional and expedient.)

Like some of the posters above, I would actually worry if Dennis caught on as a candidate. There's been a nasty pattern of true progressives dying unnatural deaths if they gain too much of a national following. Perhaps in the current political climate he is better off where he is, nipping at the heels of the other candidates, challenging their conventional wisdom, and getting people to think outside the limits laid down by the mainstream pundits.

In the meantime, I have a Kucinich sticker on my seldom-used car. And even when a Dem president gets in, I hope that he and the other members of the Progressive Caucus (an awesome bunch if there ever was one) keep the new Chief Executive honest and true to Democratic priniciples.

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diamondsoul Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 12:09 PM
Response to Reply #41
49. I worry now, Lydia.
I am absolutely terrified for him most of the time.

It's funny, someone else mentioned a while back that they would "take a bullet" for Kucinich. So would I, without even blinking. Some people seem to think that's extreme for some reason. I disagree with that notion. What it really is is awareness. Kucinich IS our greatest hope. He is the man we need, alive, talking, yelling, legislating and informing. I do not believe at this time there is anyone up on that hill who would take up his charge if he were the victim of an "accident" or assassination. For that reason, yes, I would risk my own life to protect his in any situation.

When I get up every morning, I have two beautiful sweet little girls to care for. I see them, tend to their needs, love them with every ounce of my being. When I start to work on Kucinich campaign stuff, I don't see politics, I see my beloved daughters' futures. I see the one person who is willing to fight to make their futures everything I want them to be. THAT is why I'm willing to do just about anything to make him heard.

To that end, I've begun planning to have someone take my girls for a couple of weeks while I walk across at least two and possibly three States, depending on how the plan and timing work out. It's going to stink for me because I'm totally out of shape, but for this man, I will do it. I gave up somewhere down the line, a long time ago. I won't make that mistake again. Kucinich has reminded me that if enough of us refuse to give up, change is possible, indeed inevitable.
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Minstrel Boy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 01:31 PM
Response to Reply #49
58. what an inspiring post!
It's to America's shame that a candidate like Kucinich is deemed marginal. In most liberal democracies he'd be mainstream material.

I hate dwelling on it, but I have a horrible apprehension about the primaries and the general election. The last three years have instructed me that nothing is beyond the Bush crew. They're capable of anything if it means holding power, and America has enough martyrs already for democracy and social justice.
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diamondsoul Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 01:55 PM
Response to Reply #58
65. I agree, and that's why I worry.
Thanks so much for the compliment.

On the C-span program "Road to the White House" Kucinich said something about politics from the heart. That's me. I do everything from the heart because I don't know how to do it any other way.

I've had people tell me I'm "ambitious", boy is that one off-base! Others tell me I'm "inspiring", and for this campaign, I hope so. Still more tell me "There really ought to be more people like you.", maybe so, but where we really need them is leading this nation. Kucinich is someone "like me", only he came along well before I did. He was running for city council the year I was born. I looked at his career history not long ago because someone called him a "career politician". He isn't. He's spent an equal amount of time in both private sector jobs and political positions, and what that means is he KNOWS what the working public goes through.

Add to that every single job he's ever held has been something meant to improve the lives of others, and how can I see him as anything but a true, sincere public servant? How could I not be willing to risk my own life and health to protect this, the one man ready, able and willing to speak every thought or idea in my head?

People talk about logic and reason in this race. Kucinich is the ONLY ONE using simple, basic logic to develop his positions, and that's just a fact. Look at the platform! It's ALL comprised of "Keep it simple, stupid!" logic! We're in this Godaful mess together, every sigle member of humanity, and we will only prevail if we support the one man who knows that and acknowledges it as an integral part of his policies.
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Terwilliger Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 11:52 AM
Response to Original message
42. No
The DLC has moved the country too far to the right for Dennis' practical liberalism to be acceptable.
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HFishbine Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 11:55 AM
Response to Original message
45. Yes
MmmHmm.
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Capn Sunshine Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 11:57 AM
Response to Original message
46. I'll tell you one thing
Edited on Fri Sep-26-03 11:58 AM by Capn Sunshine
If he WAS "pretty" he would have been pilloried by the mainstream press and villified by the Limbaugh types by now

So maybe we're lucky. His message inspires at least a hundred young idealists daily I bet. That's a good thing.

Kick ass, Dennis.Never shut up.Never.
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MuseRider Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 12:26 PM
Response to Reply #46
52. I think we have only
begun to see what grass roots is all about. I have never been able to vote without holding my nose on some if not most of the things the candidate stood for. This is one I can vote for proudly and without reservation. I am one inspired idealist but I am not young and because of that I know how this fight goes and I am sticking to it.
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twilight Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 01:43 PM
Response to Reply #52
63. I'm in until the end with DK too!
Fear not for you are not alone. Just wait until the rest of the 'pack' joins us soon! :D :D :D :D :D



DENNIS KUCINICH - THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES - 2004!!!!

:kick:
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DealsGapRider Donating Member (650 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 12:07 PM
Response to Original message
48. To "talk like JFK"...
...would mean he would have to start sounding reasonable and quit talking like a bomb-throwing radical. It would mean refraining from saying galactically unrealistic -- not to mention foolish -- things like wanting to remove all profit from the American health care system.

JFK was a moderate. Kucinich is a fringe character.
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no name no slogan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 02:56 PM
Response to Reply #48
77. Unreasonable things like the Democratic Party Platform?
If removing the profit from the health care system is so unreasonable, then why are we the only industrialized country, besides South Africa, that doesn't have some sort of single-payer universal health care system?

It's so unreasonable that "bomb-throwing radical" Richard Nixon proposed such a plan in 1972. And we all know what a "fringe character" he was.

What about the fact that Shrub's Iraq policy includes a universal single-payer health care system for the Iraqis-- is that also "galactically unrealistic"?

The Democrats have had a plank in their party platform supporting some sort of universal health care since at least the 1970s, if not before.

Are you saying that rank-and-file Democrats are also "bomb-throwing radicals", "galactically unrealistic" and/or "fringe characters"?

If so, then maybe you're not a Democrat.
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Malva Zebrina Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 12:15 PM
Response to Original message
51. I shook Dennis' hand recently at a local, rural fair here in Maine
I really see nothing wrong at all with his looks-he looks like the rest of us--ordinary people--human beings in all shapes and sizes- even though he is slight in build and was about my height--5'6", he seemed much taller--he was awesome in his presence and his handshake was firm -- his hands are not soft either. I love Dennis
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dolstein Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 12:38 PM
Response to Original message
53. If Kucinich looked at talked like JFK, he wouldn't be Kucinich
So I don't really see the point of your question.
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SavageWombat Donating Member (187 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 12:43 PM
Response to Original message
54. I think so...
... but it would have to be more than looks and speech - he'd need to change his name, too.
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Nederland Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 01:23 PM
Response to Original message
57. When you say "talked"
do you mean imitating the way he sounded, or adopting his political positions?
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Blue_Chill Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 01:33 PM
Response to Original message
59. You mean if he didn't come off as a shrill annoying brat?
Edited on Fri Sep-26-03 01:33 PM by Blue_Chill
yeah then maybe he would be.
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Terwilliger Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 01:39 PM
Response to Reply #59
61. and now you display that symbol?
unbelievable
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diamondsoul Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 02:01 PM
Response to Reply #61
67. Forgive my ignorance, please.
What does that symbol stand for?

And BTW, how are you holding up? Feel free to PM or e-mail me if you'd like. I'm a bit peeved at the moment myself but trying hard to hang on to my determination.
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Blue_Chill Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 02:11 PM
Response to Reply #67
73. It's a football team
As for ter, he'll be just fine.
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Blue_Chill Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 02:10 PM
Response to Reply #61
72. Ter shhhhh
seriously you need to get over the whole avatar thing.
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Terwilliger Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 05:43 PM
Response to Reply #72
80. not an avatar thing
you're religious, and you display the symbol of the Washington Niggers?

I don't get you...you contradict what you're supposedly about every time I see more of you.
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no name no slogan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 03:11 PM
Response to Reply #59
78. Other than the televised debates...
Where have you heard him speak? I encourage you to to either go see him speak to an audience or view some of the videos on his website. He hardly comes off as "shrill"-- as a matter of fact, he excels in the Q & A format, where he is able to elaborate on the issues and make some very convincing arguments. Seeing him in action in this setting is what convinced me to support him over the other candidates.

Sure, Dennis gets excited at times, but I would be more worried about a candidate who lacked any emotion running for public office.

Heh, back in 1990, they also called Wellstone "shrill" and "unelectable". :)

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PAMod Donating Member (651 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 01:36 PM
Response to Original message
60. Probably not.
There is something ridiculous about a member of the US House of Representatives running for President. I can't really explain it, since their are no constitutionally prerequisite offices. Even a visionary like DK needs a higher springboard to the White House.

A little trivia: the last member of the US House of Representatives to be elected President was James Garfield in 1880, and even he was Senator-elect when elected President. For the curious - the last U.S. Senator elected President was John F. Kennedy, 43 years ago.

The last General was... oh never mind, that is all the media has been talking about - you know the answer to that one.

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birdman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 01:53 PM
Response to Original message
64. Maybe not
But he'd probably get laid a lot more.

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hiphopnation Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 02:20 PM
Response to Original message
74. Yes. n/t
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einsteins stein Donating Member (398 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 02:31 PM
Response to Original message
75. If Kucinich looked and talked like JFK, he would not sound like Kucinich!
He would be front runner material on image alone, and would therefore be more restrictive in what he says. He would be handled to death.

I think there is a certain freedom that Dennis Kucinich has in just being himself. I like what he says, some one needs to be saying it, and I'm glad he doesn't look or talk like JFK, because we would lose his message.
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blkgrl Donating Member (234 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-26-03 05:48 PM
Response to Original message
81. yes
Unfortunately, looks play a huge role in how we receive people. Its been documented over and over again how more attractive people advance further with less effort.
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Feanorcurufinwe Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-27-03 01:40 AM
Response to Original message
83. If he looked and talked like JFK, wouldn't that be pretty distracting?
I mean, how could you get past that, and actually hear what he was saying? I'd be constantly replying images of the Zapruder film through my head and wondering 'Why does this guy look and talk like JFK?'
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REP Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-27-03 01:46 AM
Response to Original message
84. Not If He Were Saying the Same Things He Says Now
There's no way a different look, voice and accent is going to make, "Citizens across the United States are now uniting in a great cause to establish a Department of Peace, seeking nothing less than the transformation of our society, to make non-violence an organizing principle, to make war archaic through creating a paradigm shift in our culture for human development, for economic and political justice and for violence control. Its work in violence control will be to support disarmament, treaties, peaceful coexistence and peaceful consensus building. Its focus on economic and political justice will examine and enhance resource distribution, human and economic rights and strengthen democratic values" sound less scary to the American public.
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0rganism Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-27-03 01:52 AM
Response to Original message
85. If he looked and talked like JFK, he'd be assasinated post-haste
If he were the frontrunner for the nomination, the GOP would waste no time in arranging a plane crash. His ideas are anathema to everything they hold dear; hearing them from a well-spoken and more charismatic person would be toxic for the BFEE.

He wouldn't last a week as the nominee if he had JFK's (let alone RFK's) charm.
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