Dennis Kucinich: Kucinich Under Fire

[marmar]

from Truthdig:



Kucinich Under Fire

Posted on Feb 7, 2008
By Rep. Dennis Kucinich

Cleveland, Ohio, a city which represents all of the challenges and potential of the American economy, is rightfully the focal point of the Ohio Democratic presidential primary on March 4. The candidate who can deliver an economic platform with solid programmatic initiatives for jobs, health care, education and retirement security can win the state and be on the path to the nomination. Of course, I am no longer a candidate for president. When I was continually locked out of presidential debates, it became apparent that there was no chance. At the same time, labor in Cleveland asked me to come back and defend the 10th District congressional seat.

The FEC reports released last week show that in the Democratic primary, I am currently being outspent by a margin of 5-1.

Corporate Cleveland has organized its considerable resources behind a candidate who has had a three-week television campaign of a “Swift-boat"-type distortion of my record. I have always felt that the seat never belonged to me, but belongs to working men and women and their families, who are entitled to representation in the Congress, especially given the corporate domination of both political parties.

It is particularly ironic to see the same Cleveland corporate development interests at work trying to take a congressional seat for their own profit, when 30 years ago they used their power to send the city of Cleveland into default over $15 million and then used the default to defeat my reelection bid as mayor! This $15-million default is now dwarfed by the handouts given to each of the same interests by the current city government. Back to the future!

What happens in Cleveland is, of course, relevant to the entire nation. Somewhere, somehow people have to win a victory over corporate control and corporate greed. Cleveland is a great place to begin. And this election is a perfect time to start.

For more information about Kucinich’s campaign, go to www.kucinich.us.

http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20080207_kucinich_under_fire/

[onenote]

1. DK needs a reality check: it was apparent he couldn't win even when he still in the debates

And he, and everyone else knew it. Why pretend otherwise. Why not state honestly that he wasn't running for president to win but to get out his message and that he dropped out when he no longer was able to get his message out.

I'd be more favorably inclined towards DK if he would start being a bit more straightforward.

[Desertrose]

2. I disagree...

If people had been awake (and someday they will be but it may already be too late) there was no reason DK couldn't have had a real shot.


People say how the other candidates are running on "hope" & "change" and yet when DK did that everyone called him unrealistic.

[onenote]

3. he participated in over a dozen debates and never made a dent after any of them

He ran in 2004 and couldn't even crack double figures in his home state primary. Anyone who thinks he had a "real shot" is just fooling himself. And I think DK knows it, which is why I'd have more respect for him if he simply made the point that he ran in order to get out a message not because he felt he was going to win.

[Dragonfly]

4. Since following Rep. Kucinich's quest

to help lead America into a more sane and compassionate dimension from '99 to today, I am increasingly alarmed at how deeply brainwashed our population has become about this stellar congressman, thanks to the MSM's blanket theme of marginalizing his every statement.

The conceptual framework of his Department of Peace legislation is the best comprehensive plan to pragmatically transform our violence-laden society that I have ever read.

To me, his efforts are not quixotic, but courageous and enlightened attempts to cut through the blinding propaganda put out incessantly by both greed-driven RW Republicans and their corporate-sponsored DLC counterparts.

I whole-heartedly support his re-election for Congress and believe that, in time (hopefully sooner than later), his positions on ending the Iraq occupation, universal health care, and yes, eventual implementation of his Department of Peace legislation will be nationally adopted by an awakened electorate.

[Desertrose]

12. Hi there Dragonfly.

Sure is disappointing without DK in the race...boring too.

I already know how this will turn out, don't you?



:hi:
DR

[Dragonfly]

16. Howdy, DR...

I'm not surprised to see you still eloquently representing impassioned Love and Logic on this board.

It is sad not to see DK on the stump for the presidency, but I'm glad that he knew when to detour home to save his congressional seat. We do really need his voice in Congress, at least.

I don't know how "this will turn out." However, I do feel that DK will retain the Cleveland 10th District. My sense on the prez race is that November will find Obama vs. McCain for the WH.

Yes, I have some trepidation about some of Sen. Obama's domestic and foreign views, but I had similar questions needing clarification on Cong. Kucinich's platform (albeit to quite a lesser degree), if he would have gained more traction with the national public.

When I filled out my paper ballot last Tuesday, I circled Barack Obama's name because I can't fathom Hillary and Bill Clinton occupying the White House again. The "change" that Obama would bring breaks the Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton dynastic theme, begun in 1980. I have more confidence that Obama will resist the shrill corporate siren songs much better than HRC. Finally (for now), her consistent votes to sustain the carnage in Iraq and vote to ramp up tension w/Iran was/is inexcusable to me.

Moreover, world/American events are moving so quickly in the wrong direction that a candidate who speaks to unity also speaks to my heart, giving voice to the old adage: "the perfect is enemy to the good."

I ask those with equal care for all citizens to keep an open mind on the full range of possible contingency plans which we might co-create together between now and November. I count the Kucinich camp in the forefront of what might be able to be done to dramatically reverse our downward spiral. The violent, desperate acts popping up with increasing regularity within our borders haven't escaped Greater St. Louis, BTW. Last night, about 15 minutes west of my home, an irate businessman snapped, going on a shooting rampage inside Kirkwood City Hall, killing 5 before being shot and killed by responding law enforcement.

Turning away from violent rhetoric and deeds is a part of our mission as America rolls on to our date with destiny, come fall.

Sorry about length, but I am filled with deep concern about our shared, darkening dilemma. While we continue to help create a better world, I think we also need to further discuss how to ensure that McCain isn't the one being inaugurated on 1/20/09.

[axollot]

20. That was my main issue.....

The media only focused on the two players - Clinton and Obama. Over and over who made the papers, who was being discussed on TV - those two. Who had the most - it would seem - face time at any of the debates? The woman and the black man (and I say that not from *my* own views but the MSM making a big deal out of the fact that we have both a woman running for the first time for the main office - not VP - like the 80's and a black man who has a real chance of getting there - unlike jessie Jacksons attempts in the past).

The MSM has had more debates and talked about the fact regarding Hilarity being female and is "Obama black enough and/or is he to black and/or his middle name - time spent in Indonesia blah blah blah. It's been a total farce and the important issue have not been discussed.

Richardson, for example - worked in the Clinton administration and has a ton of experience in dealing with Middle East leaders - even dealing with Saddam in person. Kucinich, always brings to the table important issues that American's care about, health care, civil rights etc.

Edwards, who I supported until he dropped out of the race - very early on - I had said when he first announced - his message was to much of the truth and those that run the MSM do not want people to hear the truth - this is a man that has gone after and won against major corporations that have hurt the little guy - they don't want him to win the Presidency! (for those that can search - search my posts on a letter I wrote to Gore, when asked who do I support, this was before we had all the players running - I made the prediction then that he wouldn't win because his message is too truthful). I do hope he takes a VP spot, even after the BS he went through with Kerry not acting upon the BS thrown at him - such as the Swift Boat mess.(Makes you wonder - have we really evolved? Because we humans still act like monkey shit tossers).

Dodd had practically ZERO face time, yet this man has worked hard in the Senate, while running for President, filibustering BS Neo-con(artist) bullshit. I have great respect for that man after learning more about his work. And the work he continues to do.

Now, with only 2 Dems left in the race, I'm backing Obama and sincerely hope he wins the nomination because we do not need 4-8 years of "business as usual" and that is what we would get with the DINO Hilarity Clinton.

Oh and I do not want to know the where abouts or recent where abouts of the CLENIS for another 4-8 years either. Right wing radio especially would be foaming at the mouth and all we would end up hearing about is the CLENIS if she gets the nomination - not to mention there are just so many Clinton haters that vote in the US - they would come out in DROVES to make sure she isn't in office, where I believe many of those that are sick of the GOP BS - would happily vote for a Democrat, possibly for the first time in their lives - just so long as it isn't Hilarity.

As for me, if left with no choice, I would hold my nose and vote for her rather than risk a full blown Neo-Con Repuke President - it would just be a disappointing vote and wouldn't inspire any hope in me for the state of this country - at least her cabinet would have many Democrats, not all of which would be DINOS. That's the only plus.

Cheers
Sandy

[John Q. Citizen]

7. Right, he got what, 5 min face time max in any debate? Edwards and Kucinich got the

same treatment.

Anyone who thought Edwards, Biden, Richards, or Dodd had a "real shot" were fooling themselves as well, apparently.

Your critisim of Dennis would be more believable if you were to extend it to all the also rans.

Perhaps all of them, when entering the race should have announced publicaly that they had absolutly no shot to win, but were in it only to get their message out?

[DemReadingDU]

9. The media mostly gave facetime to Obama & Hillary

Not much to Edwards either, or for any of the other candidates.


We need to keep Kucinich. I need to make a donation.

[Desertrose]

10. Do you seriously believe those stupid horse & pony show debates

changed anyone's minds?

Or that they actually reached the people who would want to hear Dennis' message?

And if those people did get to watch, that the 2 minutes or so Dennis actually got to speak made any impact?

Amazing that so many are ok with the way the MSM controls the dialogue. That "it's OK to shut him out, he wouldn't win anyway".

How do you know that?? Maybe because it's quite obvious by now that the media/corps/etc/take your pick- its all the same- has predetermined who the candidates will be.


Get a clue, or bitch at Dennis all you want and keep that head firmly in the sand and we'll just go along to get along.

I am SO excited over both our nice corporate candidates I can hardly wait to go vote.
(Yes indeedy, that was sarcasm.)

[frylock]

17. you do realize he received MAYBE 3min. of talk time to obama/clinton's 20+ min..

kinda hard to make an impression when the librul media only focuses on the rockstar candidates. but the media is smart, so for them to choose our candidates is really in our best interest.

[hfojvt]

19. he participated in a few debates

where he was given very little time to say anything and then asked a really stupid question about flying saucers. Although, he polled as well as Richardson nationally and sometimes the media puffed Richardson up into a potential "first tier" candidate, the subliminal message about Kucinich was "long shot bid".

[HuskerDU]

5. Why wasn't DU all DK all the time when he was in the race. Why

move right until you have to? I was for him until he dropped out.

[LWolf]

8. Great question.

The answer is quietly hiding behind the hypocrisy of those who claim to stand for liberal/progressive ideals, but who, when it comes to action, don't support or vote for authentic liberal/progressive candidates for office.

[Desertrose]

11. Isn't it though. Wondered that myself....

DU seems to be more about the corporate candidates than any *underground* ones.....

:hi::loveya:LWolf
DR

[LWolf]

14. That's only too true, sadly.

:hi: friend.

:hug:

[HuskerDU]

13. In a non-election year, everybody complains about the 'complicit

Dems' and all that. Yet they all hop aboard team Corporate Dem 1 or 2 when we still had a fine candidate who was on the right side of all the issues we care about! Damnit!

[LWolf]

15. EXACTLY.

:grr:

[Senator]

6. K&R

[L. Coyote]

18. Kucinich was on KBOO Live this morning.

http://www.kboo.fm/listen

[Desertrose]

21. kick for DK n/t

[slipslidingaway]

22. Kucinich & the ABC News debate in August....

percentage times for all candidates in this 2 minute clip. This was the first debate that was free, meaning not aired on a cable channel.

In the follow-up coverage on the ABC site the picture of all the candidates shown on their politics page omitted Dennis from the picture. ABC also took down their on-line polls when Dennis polled the highest during and after the debate.

Debate times, questions asked during the debate, follow-up questions, camera time/placement during the debate and then coverage afterwards all play a part in either promoting or marginalizing a candidate.

Was there ever a follow up question to Dennis regarding single-payer, not for profit health care during any debate?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2DGfXA8DlE


First hour time percentages...

Clinton 25.2

Edwards 18.9

Obama 16.4

Kucinich 3.4 - the least amount of time in the first hour

Over the two hour debate Gravel received the least amount of time, 7.2%, and Kucinich came in second to last with 8.5%.

[slipslidingaway]

23. Cimperman’s early money...

http://www.callahansclevelanddiary.com/?p=478

"If early money is like yeast, who helped Joe Cimperman get his dough to start rising?

Councilman Cimperman announced his candidacy for Dennis Kucinich’s seat on December 3. In the next two weeks (through December 16), fifteen contributors wrote checks for more than a thousand dollars to Joe Cimperman for Congress. Click to see the list:

Committee: JOE CIMPERMAN FOR CONGRESS
http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C00442483/319942/sa/ALL


These contributions totalled $39,200. None of the listed addresses are in the Tenth Congressional District.

During the same two weeks, another twenty people and one corporate PAC kicked in contributions of $1,000 or less, totalling $16,760. Four of these smaller kickoff contributions came from addresses in the Tenth District..."


----------------------

I picked one corporation from the list, Forest Enterprises Inc. Several officers of Forest Enterprises, who are members of the Ratner Family gave to Cimperman for Congress in the first few weeks.

Not sure what it all means???


http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/4572

"...I’m waiting for the Pee Dee’s passionate editorial telling Dick Jacobs and the Sam Miller/Ratner families to pay back the money they owe the city. Every penny of it.

The Pee Dee reported last week that both Jacobs and Miller/Ratner are balking at repaying the city at a discount, a plan by Mayor Frank Jackson to invigorate its financial position by allowing the loans to be paid before the due date but at reduced amounts.

The paper reported that Jacobs owes some $18 million and the Miller/Ratners some $25 million. These loans at no or very low interest rates were made back in the 1980s by George Voinovich and George Forbes, the two who worked to give away whatever they could to downtown interests.
I’d like to hear the Pee Dee show some citizen outrage ONE TIME against these public pirates, Jacobs, Miller and the Ratners...

The Pee Dee could do a service to the citizens by researching and telling us which downtown property owners got what part of the $100 million in taxable property that came off the tax rolls in recent years. Likely suspects: Forest City Enterprises, Dick Jacobs and John Carney interests..."


FOREST CITY ENTERPRISES, INC.

http://finance.google.com/finance?q=NYSE:FCE.A


***Donated to Cimperman

Management

Samuel H. Miller > Co-Chairman of the Board and Treasurer
Officer Since: 12/1992

***Albert B. Ratner > Co-Chairman of the Board
Officer Since: 07/1993

***Charles A. Ratner > President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Officer Since: 06/1993

Thomas G. Smith > Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Secretary
Officer Since: 09/03/1985


***James A. Ratner > Executive Vice President and Director
Officer Since: 03/09/1988

***Ronald A. Ratner > Executive Vice President and Director
Officer Since: 03/09/1988


***Brian J. Ratner > Executive Vice President and Director
Officer Since: 05/1994

Bruce C. Ratner > Executive Vice President and Director; Pres. and CEO of the Forest City Ratner Companies
Officer Since: 11/09/2006

Linda M. Kane > Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting and Administrative Officer
Officer Since: 04/01/1995

Geralyn M. Presti > Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary
Officer Since: 07/01/2002

[slipslidingaway]

24. Kick n/t

[a kennedy]

25. Kick for DK

:patriot:

[Norrin Radd]

26. k

[Dragonfly]

27. A two-pronged approach

is what I am referencing re #16. Yes, Kucinich's voice/theme is what I'm most enthused about, for going on 9 years.

However, will we cede the WH to the Repubs for another 4 years because we don't want to sully our minds/souls by casting a vote in the general election for a candidate with warts, yes, but who also has youth, passion and time to grow away from the gaudy allure of corporate centrism?

Before I decided to write this post, I read Armstead's over in "Primaries." I am in synch with his perspective because time is of the essence. I don't have my feelings hurt that long-time populist progressives pals are aghast that I'm supporting Obama in November. If I can spring loose from multiple responsibilities in Missouri, I would like to motor up to Cleveland to help DK in his hot re-election campaign. Right now, this is untenable.

Can we multitask and concentrate on developing priority contingency strategies which will ultimately benefit our entire nation?

I think we are in the process of doing this, so I applaud Armstead for his reasoned post.

If someone else has better ideas that have a chance of realistic implementation, I'm all eyes and ears.