Serious question to Kucinich supporters, how does he get the nomination?

[Hippo_Tron]

I've heard a lot of complaints here from Kucinich supporters about how he is always dismissed in candidate discussions. Personally I dismiss him because I don't think he's serious about winning the nomination, I think he's just in it to make a point. And personally I don't invest energy in candidates who aren't serious about winning.

So, I invite Kucinich supporters to challenge me on this. What is Kucinich's roadmap to the nomination? How does he raise the money? How does he cipher off support from the top tier candidates? What primary states will he have an advantage over the other candidates in? Where will his ground operation come from? How does he get the media to pay attention to his candidacy? And if he can't get the media to pay attention to his candidacy how does he work outside the mainstream media to get his message out?

If Kucinich had a plan to do these things then he'd certainly be a long shot but I'd consider him a serious candidate because he would actually be trying. But I don't think he does have a plan to do these things and therefore I don't think he's a long shot, I think he's just a protest candidate and again, I only support candidates who are serious about winning.

I invite any Kucinich supporter to prove me wrong.

[eridani]

1. He has a chance in caucus states

Caucus attendees tend to be people who are paying attention, and not making decisions on the basis of who they would like to have a beer with.

I think an issues candidacy is serious by definition, and can be used by supporters to promote those issues. I can see a brokered convention, with Kucinich supporters trading, say, a commitment to sign HR 676 for switching their delegates' support.

[Hippo_Tron]

5. I can't imagine a brokered convention

The closest thing we've had since the creation of the modern primary system was 1984 when the super delegates put Mondale over the top. Since 1988 it has always been over after Super Tuesday.

And while you do make a very good point about the Caucus states, Kucinich didn't seem to do very well even in caucus states last time. How do you figure he would do better this time?

[eridani]

7. For one thing, he has been proven right many times over about Iraq

He gained delegates all the way to the end in 2004, despite the race being essentially over. What this is about for me is where I want the party to be going. If I hope to get $5000 for my used car, I'm damned well not going to make $3000 my lead bid, even if I'm willing to eventually accept that amount.

[Hippo_Tron]

8. Again, I don't have a problem with you supporting him

But here's the problem. Every time there's a thread about the presidential candidates there's always some who chimes in and says "you forgot Kucinich." Someone then replies "Kucinich can't win so he doesn't matter." Kucinich supporter then replies "The only reason he can't win is because you listen to the MSM who says that he can't win."

Since it seems to me that Kucinich has no plan to actually seek the nomination then I am inclined to ignore him in candidate threads because he isn't really in it to win.

You can take Kucinich as seriously as you want to. Just don't expect the rest of us to do the same and don't tell us we've been brainwashed by the MSM because we don't take him seriously.

[MADem]

2. I'm not a Kucinich supporter, but I am not a 'detractor' either

I am waiting for the debates to start formulating an opinion in earnest (unless Gore jumps in, that is).

Someone with no money has to really put on a show at the debates, and stand out. Then the dough starts coming in.

I will say that the "Sixteen Tons" performance wasn't helpful to the man in terms of broadening his appeal. For those seeing him for the first time, he came across as a slightly flaky Keebler elf. He's fortunate though, that he's so lightly covered at this point that it only got a cycle or three's worth of news coverage. Of course, if he takes off and starts to get momentum, they'll likely dust it off again.

[Imagevision]

3. 10 million in campaign funds wouldn't make Kucinich's popularity shrink!!!

[Stevepol]

4. Kucinich might have few chances to get the nomination, but

during the primaries the whole point is voting your conscience and letting the process sort itself out.

I feel a lot better about myself supporting somebody I know I can believe in, whose ideas about issues match my own. And it is possible for Kucinich to win. He's won against long odds before in OH. If enough grassroots support came his way, he cd upset the apple cart.

If Kucinich became the candidate, he could win the election quite easily. ANY DEM will win the election in 08.

But it doesn't mean much to say that: Kerry won in 04 with about a 3% margin nation-wide. Gore won in 2000 and lost only because of the total corruption of the system in FL and the ignorance and ennabling of the SCOTUS. Numerous congressmen have lost from 2000 to now because of the voting machines: Cleland, Strickland, Mondale, etc. etc. etc.

The problem isn't finding exactly the right person to match the MSM's love for gotchas and trivia and pomp and circumstance: the problem is making the system fair so that whoever gets the nomination can have a good chance to see his or her win reflected in the final tallies from cyberspace.

[Hippo_Tron]

6. dupe n/t

n/t

[Peace Please]

9. By activating the netroots

and putting his platform out there for all to see. Why does it have to be about money? The media advertises for the other candidates every day all day.

This next election needs to be about issues

Dennis' stance on the issues
1. US out of Iraq * 12 point plan
2. Universal Health Care
3. Jobs and Withdrawal from NAFTA and WTO
4. Repeal the Patriot Act
5. Guaranteed Quality Education, Pre-K Through College
6. Full Social Security Benefits at Age 65
7. Right-to-Choose
8. Balance Between Workers and Corporations
9. Environmental Renewal and Clean Energy
10. Restored Rural Communities and Family Farms

read more and print up a pdf to pass around
http://dk2008.us/issues

[The Straight Story]

10. by us smacking media dems upside the head and selling substance over other things

Ya know, the people who are always say substance is the most important thing and then run off voting on emotions or who they think will win the american idol of elections.

[truedelphi]

11. Maybe History will repeat itself - Are you familiar with the tale

Of how Abraham Lincoln won in illinois in 1860?

The canddiate who was favored to win took too long to get there (He was on a slow train from New York City to Chicago where the convention was being held)

Lincoln, who was in Illinois t begin with, charmed so many of the delegates that he was able to get the needed votes to pull off his victorious nomination for Republican candidate.