A Second Look at Dennis Kucinich

Posted on July 7, 2004 by bfialindathieman

A Second Look at Dennis Kucinich



If there
is one thing we can probably all agree on in this election year, it’s
that we Dean supporters, especially those of us in Iowa, have been
through the mill.  The caucus season was a well-orchestrated
symphony of invigorating hope that ended with a shocking crescendo.



Among
the many mind-boggling revelations for both long-time Dems and newbie
activists alike were: 1) the backers of Kerry and Gephardt running ads
that implied Howard Dean was in cahoots with Osama bin Laden; 2) the
way the Democratic National Committee set out to systematically destroy
the candidate who first stood up to the junta while at the same time
bringing new life to the party; and 3) the way Dennis Kucinich, a man
of such integrity, threw his support behind John Edwards, a pro-war,
pro-Patriot Act candidate, at the Iowa Caucuses.  Yeah, that third
one is still rather hard to fathom.  I mean, in the end, what did
that back-room deal accomplish?  What did Dennis get out of
it?  Will we ever know?



Over the
last several months, I’ve discovered that Dean supporters have very
long memories and very hard feelings.  I was reminded of this
again yesterday as we were being cajoled once again to fall in line,
get with the program, and support the candidate of the special
interests.  The candidate who can be controlled by those in
control.



As for
Howard Dean, well, you have to admire the guy for doing exactly what he
said he would do if he didn’t get the nomination – that would be
'everything in his power to support the pre Dem nom.'  But it’s
jarring.  Blog for America, which used to be a place Dean
supporters could congregate to exchange ideas and get organized, has
deteriorated into a cheerleading page for the pre Dem nom, and the
fights between the Naderites and the fall-in-line Kamp are getting more
and more strident.  In other words, there is no place like home
used to be.  Not anymore.



One of
the things about this fall-in-line business that is so jarring is that
it always denies the individual his or her own healing process. 
No one can get over a serious disappointment by being told to “get over
it.”  It’s like rubbing salt in the wound.  It only makes
things worse.



If the
junta is unsuccessful in their bid to steal another election this fall,
we will have taken the first step in passing a progressive
agenda.  The first tiny baby step.  A step so small as to be
almost imperceptible.  But a step nevertheless.



Healing
comes in stages, too.  And if it is possible to pick and choose
which little piece of bitterness and sadness to let go of, I might
recommend taking another look at Dennis Kucinich.  Come hell or
high water, Dennis is out there sounding the progressive call.  He
never deviates from his goal of moving the party to the left, of making
the progressive platform a reality.  No falling in line for
him.  Not even the appearance of temporarily falling in line to
oust the junta.  You have to admire the man for that.



Separately,
the Kucinich supporters and the Dean supporters are dedicated yet small
groups.  And, right now, the progressive voice is dangerously
close to being silenced by the DNC-DLC-special interest
juggernaut.  Let the Dean supporters and the Kucinich supporters
set their differences aside in order to work together to achieve a
progressive agenda.  Together we are much more powerful than we
are separately.  We need each other.



Linda Thieman



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7 Responses to A Second Look at Dennis Kucinich

  1. Unknown's avatar Anonymous says:
    July 7, 2004 at 9:19 pm

    great comments Linda
    In particular I think the remarks in the genre of “fall in line”, etc are offensive. I just heard a Kerry supporter use it on camera while I was waiting my turn to be interviewed.
    Having been rubbed a bit the wrong way. on camera I commented that this year has been difficult for some of us Iowa Dems, having worked so hard and so passionately for the candidate of our choice. Among the negatives I saw were two things….it would take time for us to “fall in line” enthusiastically behind the candidates selected; but as dedicated as we are to defeating the radical right we would do so.
    My other concern is that most Iowa activists are seriously burned out after the hard fought caucuses and it was continuing to have impacts such as difficulty in recruiting volunteers and money right now; but again I was confident that too would change.
    What most concerns me is that so many of the party regulars just don't get this. I have been in contact with the DNC and shared with them there continues to be a serious problem in Iowa that requires some pro-active healing efforts and that IDP seems to be ignorant of it. Interestingly enough, they were very receptive to my remarks and will be pursueing it.

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  2. Unknown's avatar Anonymous says:
    July 7, 2004 at 10:04 pm

    You make some good points, Darrell. I'm glad to hear the IDP may be receptive. But, I really doubt that some of us will ever be enthusiastic supporters of the top of the Dem ticket. We may do everything in our power to GOTV, work for progressive candidates, etc., but enthusiasm for the top of the ticket will be hard to come by. Personally, I think that is because for the first time ever, we felt we had a candidate with real integrity. Now, I've noticed quite a few of these progressives who are running really seem to have that same kind of integrity that we admire so much in Dean. So that's got me pretty enthusiastic.
    I think you're right. Our people are burnt out and need a break. When they come back, we'll be ready for them.

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  3. Unknown's avatar Anonymous says:
    July 8, 2004 at 12:13 am

    Hi all: My husband and I had an interesting conversation with an insurance agent today: I openly told him I went to NYC to march against the war (Oh, horrors, did I do such a nasty thing?) He's openly Republican, but hates Bush and confessed then that he was against the war, but thought Kerry was a worse choice…thinks he's “crooked”…couldn't articulate the basis for that perception…
    I would imagine this is not an uncommon position among some Reps if they would even admit it out loud.
    I keep wondering if there is any way to capture this vote?

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  4. Unknown's avatar Anonymous says:
    July 8, 2004 at 12:21 am

    Linda; I like that you have this section re: Kucinich and Dean synergy. I think that this is the only logical basis for an on-going blog after Nov. 2nd…if we want to continue to direct efforts to filling grassroots positions with progressives….anyway “logical” to my way of thinking…I'm interested in other perspectives and I am interested in talking about the long term view of the blog here and it's role in the Iowa political environment.
    Linda, do you know anything about Fallon's group, 1000 Friends of Iowa? Maybe there's some synergy to be had with them…??
    I plan to vote Democratic; I do not plan to be chastised into getting in line: the Iraq war, unnecessary spending, and the over-reaching sections of the Patriot Act are not issues I intend to support. I want to work for global peace, a global village, fair trade, women's health and rights. While I am ranting, I fail to see the reason for cutting off the ability of people to visit Cuba and for Cubans to come to America. If there is something we need to get over, in my book, this is sure one! All our policies do is continue to hurt families.

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  5. Unknown's avatar Anonymous says:
    July 8, 2004 at 2:13 am
  6. Unknown's avatar Anonymous says:
    July 8, 2004 at 2:20 am

    Linda-
    Thank you so much for starting the dialogue!
    I believe the Dean and Kucinich Campaigns are/were the two most aligned campaigns of the entire process. We did not agree 100% on the issues, however, we did/do agree on the need to build a Better America and working towards a Progressive Movement. We believe in our ideals and we stand true to our convictions.
    Both Campaigns came to admire and follow their leader, or the candidate, but truly the message sent by each was the bell that rang loud and clear. Each message with it's own tone but no doubt when heard the Grassroots became alive and rose to the occasion with energy and passion that has been unsurpassed.
    I believe both campaigns have had their share of disappointments but it is how we learn from these experiences and carry on which will set the pace for the future of the Progressive Movement.
    The Progressive movement is not just about one candidate or one “right” idea. It is about the need for unity despite our differences, our egos and our desire for control or financial gain. It is about building a bond that is reinforced by the need to take back what we have lost over the past few administrations in addition to the faith that we are all in this together.
    It will take time to rebuild the decades of apathy and discourse. The keys to our success are honesty, unity and perseverance. We need the rise above the current standards set before us, set new bars to work for and we need to speak up for all Americans that are oppressed regardless of their affiliations or differences.
    Together we can make the difference and we will change the course of history. We have the power to make this all possible so long as we strive to find a way to pull us all together.
    Thanks so much!
    Spread the love!

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  7. Unknown's avatar Anonymous says:
    July 8, 2004 at 4:46 am

    Howdy All
    I've watched Democrats attempt to get in line since the 1968 Chicago Convention. Unlike the Republicans who in fact get in line and march as a military formation. Democrats on the other hand seem to form into klans and kinda sorta mosey along. Some stay with the main cadre some move off on their own. Of the two I'll take the Democrats every time. My first disappointment with the Democrats was George McGovern for whom I cast my first presidential vote, after 18 year olds were given the right to vote. I considered it literally a life or death, I was on my way do field research for the DOD in Southeast Asia. That election shook me up quite a bit. I watched the party spirial down things always getting more Republican lite til it hit bottom in 2002 with the loss of the Senate. I think Democrats have hit bottom Howard Dean, Dennis Kucinich, Carol Mosley-Braun, Al Sharpaton have played an important role in allowing the Liberal wing of the party to gain their voice. Howard being the loudest took the most heat because of fear. I actually saw Howard as a moderate but only because of the DLC took the party too far to the right. We Liberal Democrats allowed that to happen. We Liberal Democrats have started the process to bring a balance back to our party this year. With all the excitement generated by Howard until the apt described murder/suicide in January. Since November 2002 a bunch of folk have gotten together to do something. Howard, Dennis, Moveon, you know the names of the players. We have attempted to change literally overnight the rightward tilt of our party that has been going on since 1972. We have come far but we have a looooong way to go. The DLC power brokers have had their cage rattled they will not give up the power they hold without a fight. What group holding power ever has? I think more importantly the corporate powers that be got a wake up call. Breaking that structure will make breaking the DLC look like childs play. You are absolutely right Linda if Kerry/Edwards wins in the fall we can take a small amount of credit for that. The problem is failure is not an option. For we who oppose this junta, I think it will become a literal life and death issue for us personally. If we loose in November, we loose our democracy.
    mark
    carlisle, iowa
    Kerry/Edwards 2004
    proudtobeaburdenonsocity

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