[Peace-discussion] Re:Is there room for Kucinich, an anti-war politician, in pro-war Demo
Henry D.
henryduke2004@yahoo.com
Sun, 17 Dec 2006 18:23:28 -0800 (PST)
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Wythe, As Zeese alludes to here, having a Kucinich or Bobbie Kennedy is a precondition for the corporate war agenda;
imho, independents like Ralph Nader and myself should work with the CodePinks, Moveon.orgs, and Progressive Democrats of America and have fruitful relations with the dreaming element of the corporate-funded party that gave us Vietnam and fought for slavery, reconstruction, segregation lynching against the Republicans who were born out of the anti-slavery movement; if these good democrats go on to demand the anti-terrorist movement support Obama or Clinton and do not march out of the pro-war democratic party come the convention, it will be clear the moral and historical bankrupcy, once again, of lesser evilism and moral cowardice. So bona-fide and voting members of the Green Party of the United States will not join the Kucinich campaign, but wish him and his supporters well.
If he gets the nomination, there should be a little fact and history checking to review the results of the McGovern campaign.
Its good for educated people with resources to dream.
The working class internationally, however, is waking up to face the reality of Katrina, the US Global War to Promote terror, and the neo-liberal movement of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
What the working class needs from North American people of conscience is solidarity, not appeasement of the Democratic Party and its National Committee.
solidarity,
hank
Is there room for Kucinich, an anti-war politician, in pro-war Demo Posted by: "Wythe Holt jr." wholt@law.ua.edu Sat Dec 16, 2006 3:37 pm (PST)
December 15, 2006
Can You be a Real Anti-War Politician in a Pro-War Party?
Dennis Kucinich's Strange Mission
By KEVIN ZEESE
On December 12, 2006 the anti-war movement got a standard bearer on the
road to the White House. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, former mayor of Cleveland
(the youngest person ever elected to be mayor of a major city) and a
five term Congressman announced his second run for the presidency.
In his announcement he made the centerpiece of his campaign opposition
to the Iraq War. Further, he is running against the leadership of the
Democratic Party who is supporting the continued funding of the war.
Rep. Kucinich said:
"On November 7th, the people voted for a new direction for our nation.
They voted for the Democrats because they expected us to end the
occupation and to bring the troops home from Iraq. On October 1st
Congress appropriated $70 billion for the war in Iraq. The money is in
the pipeline right now to bring the troops home. Unfortunately our
Democratic leaders have already announced they will support an
additional appropriation for the war of up to $160 billion dollars. Not
only are we not listening to the voters and taking steps to withdraw our
forces quickly, we are actually planning to spend twice as much on the
war as we did last year! Somebody didn't get the message. And
unfortunately it is the leadership of the Democratic Party and the
consequences may be disastrous for our party, our nation and the world."
Iraq War Results in Making Problems at Home Worse
Kucinich gets a 99% rating from Peace Majority Report but his campaign
will not be a single issue campaign. Rep. Kucinich shows how all issues
are impacted by the illegal and disastrous war and occupation of Iraq.
Kucinich highlights the economic failures in Ohio and the nation because
of the nation's "misplaced national priorities," he sees factories and
businesses, large and small, closing, people losing their jobs, their
middle class status weakening and many pushed into poverty, people
losing their homes and their retirement. He notes the millions of
Americans without health insurance and the many more who are
underinsured. He describes cities, schools, and the nation's
infrastructure crippled by debts and lack of funds. Kucinich notes the
rising cost of energy that is further tightening the already tight
budgets of Americans. And, he sees the loss of opportunity describing
"millions of entrepreneurs whose ingenuity will create new jobs by
bringing forth advanced clean energy technologies being starved for
capital."
What is the root cause of these problems? "The war, tax cuts for the
already privileged, and our trade policies have become a massive engine
to redistribute upwards the wealth of our nation and to transfer our
national wealth out of the country," says Kucinch noting further such
policies are "inherently un-American. " For Rep. Kucinich they are
un-American because we are the "United" States and these types of
policies do not unite us, they divide us.
Kucinich has a history of standing strong for peace and justice against
powerful interests. He lost his mayorship of Cleveland when in 1978 he
stood up to Cleveland Banks who were insisting he sell Cleveland's 70
year old municipally- owned electric system to a private corporation that
the banks had a financial interest in. While he lost re-election the
next year, in 1998 the Cleveland City Council honored him for, "having
the courage and foresight to refuse to sell the city's municipal
electric system." And, in Congress he has championed causes he views as
right, no matter how they are perceived by the establishment. For
example, he has urged a Department of Peace because he believes that
peace, not war, is inevitable, if we are willing to work for peace.
Lessons from the 2004 Campaign
In the last presidential run, Kucinich's anti-war stands were muffled by
the loud campaign of Howard Dean. When the progressive, Internet
advocacy group, MoveOn, ran their on-line primary, Kucinich received 24%
coming in second to Dean who received 44%. By the time Dean imploded it
was too late for Kucinich to gain momentum. Kucinich ran in all the
primaries only endorsing Kerry just before the convention. Many were
disappointed when he endorsed Kerry who ran to "manage the war" better
rather than end it.
This time around Kucinich may be the only clear peace candidate. The
other Democrats tend to criticize the war, say change is needed and call
for the beginning of a troop reduction but none call for a complete
withdrawal in the foreseeable future. So, Kucinich has a clearer message
at a time when anti-war sentiment in public opinion is rising steadily.
However, even with this I've already heard from 2004 Kucinich supporters
who are not as excited this time. Why? Some Kucitizens see his
involvement inside the Democratic Party as problematic because they have
learned that neither of the wealthy, special interest funded parties can
really stand for the people. They worry, as one 2004 Kucinich supporter
told me, he serves as a "gatekeeper to keep folks from leaving the
party." As another supporter said on a Kucinich discussion list:
"I must admit to being still struck by Dennis' eloquence when he
is permitted his moments on television, and I too gave an incredible
amount of time and energy last time around. But I know many of us are
convinced there is no room for progressive thought inside the Democratic
Party. The 'relief valve' Tony speaks of, sometimes called the 'border
collie' role by others, is dead on. I respect Dennis and don't regret
one moment or dollar I spent. But I think it may be a waste of time for
him to run again as a Democrat. The left will back him less than last
time, given four more years of proof that Democrats don't share any of
our priorities; the 'realists' and electability freaks are emboldened by
the midterm results, and I expect even more bullying this time around."
Some are particularly upset about his endorsement of John Kerry -
despite views that are very different from Kucinich's on key issues like
the war, Patriot Act and corporate globalization. Many past supporters
are uncomfortable giving a megaphone to someone who, if he is
unsuccessful, will cheer on candidates like Hillary Clinton or Barak
Obama who are not even advocating a complete withdrawal from Iraq and
remain quietly supportive of military action against Iran.
Rep. Kucinich needs to reassure these anti-war voters that they are not
throwing away their vote on the pro-war Democratic Party leadership by
supporting Kucinich, and that he will not be keeping anti-war Democrats
in the party if there is an anti-war alternative outside the party. He
needs to be an uncompromising anti-war, anti-corporate candidate who
will not endorse a pro-war Democrat if he fails to win.
He will have a steep, uphill climb against the monied candidates who
represent the dominant DLC center of the party, candidates like Vilsack,
Clinton, Obama and Biden. Certainly during the Democratic primaries
Kucinich is the anti-war candidate and if he can reassure voters that he
is an uncompromising anti-war candidate he deserves support from all
voters opposed to the Iraq War.
The Kucinich for President website is at http://www.kucinich .us/
Kevin Zeese is executive director of Democracy Rising and a co-founder
of VotersForPeace.
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<H2><FONT size=1></FONT> </H2> <H2><FONT size=1>Wythe,</FONT></H2> <div>As Zeese alludes to here, h<FONT size=1>aving a Kucinich or Bobbie Kennedy is a precondition for the corporate war agenda; </FONT></div> <H2><FONT size=1>imho, independents like Ralph Nader and myself should work with the CodePinks, Moveon.orgs, and Progressive Democrats of America and have fruitful relations with the dreaming element of the corporate-funded party that gave us Vietnam and fought for slavery, reconstruction, segregation lynching against the Republicans who were born out of the anti-slavery movement; </FONT></H2> <H2><FONT size=1>if these good democrats go on to demand the anti-terrorist movement support Obama or Clinton and do not march out of the pro-war democratic party come the convention, it will be clear the moral and historical bankrupcy, once again, of lesser evilism and moral cowardice.</FONT></H2> <div>So bona-fide and voting members of the Green Party of the
United States will not join the Kucinich campaign, but wish him and his supporters well. </div> <div>If he gets the nomination, there should be a little fact and history checking to review the results of the McGovern campaign. </div> <div>Its good for educated people with resources to dream. </div> <div>The working class internationally, however, is waking up to face the reality of Katrina, the US Global War to Promote terror, and the neo-liberal movement of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.</div> <div>What the working class needs from North American people of conscience is solidarity, not appeasement of the Democratic Party and its National Committee.</div> <div> </div> <div>solidarity,</div> <div>hank</div> <H2> </H2> <H2> </H2> <H2><A
href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PeaceTalkBham/message/19839;_ylc=X3oDMTJyYmRvYmJ2BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzk2OTAyMzQEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1Njc2OTY0BG1zZ0lkAzE5ODM5BHNlYwNkbXNnBHNsawN2bXNnBHN0aW1lAzExNjYzNDQ3NzU-" target=_blank rel=nofollow name=6><FONT color=#003399>Is there room for Kucinich, an anti-war politician, in pro-war Demo </FONT></A></H2> <H3>Posted by: "Wythe Holt jr." <A href="http://us.f318.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=wholt@law.ua.edu&Subj= Re%3AIs%20there%20room%20for%20Kucinich%2C%20an%20anti-war%20politician%2C%20in%20pro-war%20Demo" target=_blank rel=nofollow><FONT color=#003399>wholt@law.ua.edu </FONT></A></H3> <H4>Sat Dec 16, 2006 3:37 pm (PST) </H4> <DIV class=ygrp-content><BR><BR>December 15, 2006<BR><BR>Can You be a Real Anti-War Politician in a Pro-War Party?<BR><BR>Dennis Kucinich's Strange Mission<BR><BR>By KEVIN ZEESE<BR><BR>On December 12, 2006 the anti-war movement got a standard bearer on the<BR>road to the White House.
Rep. Dennis Kucinich, former mayor of Cleveland<BR>(the youngest person ever elected to be mayor of a major city) and a<BR>five term Congressman announced his second run for the presidency.<BR><BR>In his announcement he made the centerpiece of his campaign opposition<BR>to the Iraq War. Further, he is running against the leadership of the<BR>Democratic Party who is supporting the continued funding of the war.<BR>Rep. Kucinich said: <BR><BR>"On November 7th, the people voted for a new direction for our nation.<BR>They voted for the Democrats because they expected us to end the<BR>occupation and to bring the troops home from Iraq. On October 1st<BR>Congress appropriated $70 billion for the war in Iraq. The money is in<BR>the pipeline right now to bring the troops home. Unfortunately our<BR>Democratic leaders have already announced they will support an<BR>additional appropriation for the war of up to $160 billion dollars. Not<BR>only are we not listening to the voters and
taking steps to withdraw our<BR>forces quickly, we are actually planning to spend twice as much on the<BR>war as we did last year! Somebody didn't get the message. And<BR>unfortunately it is the leadership of the Democratic Party and the<BR>consequences may be disastrous for our party, our nation and the world."<BR><BR>Iraq War Results in Making Problems at Home Worse<BR><BR>Kucinich gets a 99% rating from Peace Majority Report but his campaign<BR>will not be a single issue campaign. Rep. Kucinich shows how all issues<BR>are impacted by the illegal and disastrous war and occupation of Iraq.<BR>Kucinich highlights the economic failures in Ohio and the nation because<BR>of the nation's "misplaced national priorities," he sees factories and<BR>businesses, large and small, closing, people losing their jobs, their<BR>middle class status weakening and many pushed into poverty, people<BR>losing their homes and their retirement. He notes the millions of<BR>Americans without health
insurance and the many more who are<BR>underinsured. He describes cities, schools, and the nation's<BR>infrastructure crippled by debts and lack of funds. Kucinich notes the<BR>rising cost of energy that is further tightening the already tight<BR>budgets of Americans. And, he sees the loss of opportunity describing<BR>"millions of entrepreneurs whose ingenuity will create new jobs by<BR>bringing forth advanced clean energy technologies being starved for<BR>capital."<BR><BR>What is the root cause of these problems? "The war, tax cuts for the<BR>already privileged, and our trade policies have become a massive engine<BR>to redistribute upwards the wealth of our nation and to transfer our<BR>national wealth out of the country," says Kucinch noting further such<BR>policies are "inherently un-American. " For Rep. Kucinich they are<BR>un-American because we are the "United" States and these types of<BR>policies do not unite us, they divide us.<BR><BR>Kucinich has a history of
standing strong for peace and justice against<BR>powerful interests. He lost his mayorship of Cleveland when in 1978 he<BR>stood up to Cleveland Banks who were insisting he sell Cleveland's 70<BR>year old municipally- owned electric system to a private corporation that<BR>the banks had a financial interest in. While he lost re-election the<BR>next year, in 1998 the Cleveland City Council honored him for, "having<BR>the courage and foresight to refuse to sell the city's municipal<BR>electric system." And, in Congress he has championed causes he views as<BR>right, no matter how they are perceived by the establishment. For<BR>example, he has urged a Department of Peace because he believes that<BR>peace, not war, is inevitable, if we are willing to work for peace. <BR><BR>Lessons from the 2004 Campaign<BR><BR>In the last presidential run, Kucinich's anti-war stands were muffled by<BR>the loud campaign of Howard Dean. When the progressive, Internet<BR>advocacy group, MoveOn,
ran their on-line primary, Kucinich received 24%<BR>coming in second to Dean who received 44%. By the time Dean imploded it<BR>was too late for Kucinich to gain momentum. Kucinich ran in all the<BR>primaries only endorsing Kerry just before the convention. Many were<BR>disappointed when he endorsed Kerry who ran to "manage the war" better<BR>rather than end it.<BR><BR>This time around Kucinich may be the only clear peace candidate. The<BR>other Democrats tend to criticize the war, say change is needed and call<BR>for the beginning of a troop reduction but none call for a complete<BR>withdrawal in the foreseeable future. So, Kucinich has a clearer message<BR>at a time when anti-war sentiment in public opinion is rising steadily.<BR><BR>However, even with this I've already heard from 2004 Kucinich supporters<BR>who are not as excited this time. Why? Some Kucitizens see his<BR>involvement inside the Democratic Party as problematic because they have<BR>learned that neither of
the wealthy, special interest funded parties can<BR>really stand for the people. They worry, as one 2004 Kucinich supporter<BR>told me, he serves as a "gatekeeper to keep folks from leaving the<BR>party." As another supporter said on a Kucinich discussion list:<BR><BR>"I must admit to being still struck by Dennis' eloquence when he<BR>is permitted his moments on television, and I too gave an incredible<BR>amount of time and energy last time around. But I know many of us are<BR>convinced there is no room for progressive thought inside the Democratic<BR>Party. The 'relief valve' Tony speaks of, sometimes called the 'border<BR>collie' role by others, is dead on. I respect Dennis and don't regret<BR>one moment or dollar I spent. But I think it may be a waste of time for<BR>him to run again as a Democrat. The left will back him less than last<BR>time, given four more years of proof that Democrats don't share any of<BR>our priorities; the 'realists' and electability freaks are
emboldened by<BR>the midterm results, and I expect even more bullying this time around."<BR><BR>Some are particularly upset about his endorsement of John Kerry -<BR>despite views that are very different from Kucinich's on key issues like<BR>the war, Patriot Act and corporate globalization. Many past supporters<BR>are uncomfortable giving a megaphone to someone who, if he is<BR>unsuccessful, will cheer on candidates like Hillary Clinton or Barak<BR>Obama who are not even advocating a complete withdrawal from Iraq and<BR>remain quietly supportive of military action against Iran.<BR><BR>Rep. Kucinich needs to reassure these anti-war voters that they are not<BR>throwing away their vote on the pro-war Democratic Party leadership by<BR>supporting Kucinich, and that he will not be keeping anti-war Democrats<BR>in the party if there is an anti-war alternative outside the party. He<BR>needs to be an uncompromising anti-war, anti-corporate candidate who<BR>will not endorse a pro-war
Democrat if he fails to win.<BR><BR>He will have a steep, uphill climb against the monied candidates who<BR>represent the dominant DLC center of the party, candidates like Vilsack,<BR>Clinton, Obama and Biden. Certainly during the Democratic primaries<BR>Kucinich is the anti-war candidate and if he can reassure voters that he<BR>is an uncompromising anti-war candidate he deserves support from all<BR>voters opposed to the Iraq War. <BR><BR>The Kucinich for President website is at <A href="http://www.kucinich.us/" target=_blank rel=nofollow><FONT color=#003399>http://www.kucinich .us/</FONT></A><BR><BR>Kevin Zeese is executive director of Democracy Rising and a co-founder<BR>of VotersForPeace.</DIV>
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