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Kucinich Announces Candidacy
Democrat Dennis Kucinich, the liberal four-term congressman who has been steadfast in his opposition to the Iraq war, formally kicked off his presidential bid Monday with a harsh critique of U.S. foreign policy. "America cannot put its foot on the accelerator of war and advocate peace," the Ohio lawmaker, who favors a withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq, told several hundred cheering supporters in the chambers of the Cleveland City Council. Like, letâs trade in the Hummer of Hate for the VW micro-bus of happy thought, and let ourselves be guided by the steering wheel of love.
The single TAX-payer, that is. "Freedom bids us to free ourselves from the shackles of violence," he said. "When peace becomes innermost, it then becomes outermost in our communities and our nation." and our hindmost should be foremost, as the clock-radio of righteousness begs us to dig the goodies. Yo, donât bogart that drag, man.
White flag. The self-described urban populist also said he would order a study of reparations for blacks whose ancestors were slaves. I feel your pain, but no dough. The Democratic candidate called for cutting the Pentagon budget by about 15 percent, arguing that it would free up billions of dollars without undermining national security. "It would instead enhance the economic security of our nation," he said. Just like Clinton. Kucinich, who has been campaigning for months, made the announcement in his native Cleveland, the first stop of a multistate tour that will include Michigan, New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Iowa. The kickoff speech at City Hall served as a reminder of Kucinichâs political triumphs and bitter disappointments. Elected in 1977, the 31-year-old "boy mayor" guided a city that two years later became the first since the Depression to go into default. Purely coincidence
Michael Moore for Veep. He barely survived a recall election but lost his bid for re-election by a landslide. Then, in the 1990s, he made a political comeback, winning a state Senate seat and eventually capturing a U.S. House seat in 1996. Which he will release from captivity when his manifesto is printed in major newspapers. Kucinich began campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination some eight months ago but trails many of his well-established rivals in money and name recognition. Small donor base, only so many head shops and most of those back the Greens. He raised $1.7 million during a three-month period ending June 30 and hopes to show an additional $1.5 million when campaign finance reports are filed Wednesday. Think "Woody Harrelson" "He doesnât have the appeal or the resources. Heâs just out there on a limb," (gibbering and swinging by one arm), said Erwin Hargrove, a professor emeritus of political science at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. "Iâm sure that heâs just trying to make an argument for what he believes in." Kucinich vowed to appear not only on the presidential ballot but as a candidate seeking re-election to his House seat. He must file for both by Jan. 2, according to the Ohio Secretary of Stateâs office. Hedge you bets some more, run for municipal shaman. "One way or another, come January 2005, I will be taking an oath of office," said Kucinich, who promised to support the Democratic presidential ticket even if it doesnât include him. Whether they want him to or not. Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy 2003-10-14 |
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