Kucinich Shines in New York Democratic Debate, Should Take On Clark

[Karmadillo]

"There's an iceberg up ahead! We have to change course immediately!"

"I'm sorry, sir, but you're not tall enough, your hair could stand to receive a more artful part, and your funding is woefully insufficient. I suggest you drop off the Titanic so the better qualified observers can direct us without undue interference."

"But there's an iceberg--"

"Sir, from the left side of the boat, there always appear to be icebergs. I suggest you move to the center. From there, I'm sure you'll be able to see it's clear sailing all the way to the horizon and beyond."

http://www.progressive.org/webex03/wx092603.html

September 26, 2003
Kucinich Shines in New York Democratic Debate, Should Take On Clark
Matthew Rothschild

Dennis Kucinich proved once again Thursday that he's the most progressive candidate in the race by far. But he missed a golden opportunity to go after General Wesley Clark, who seemed woefully underprepared.

From the start, Kucinich didn't vacillate. His first time up, he was asked about Bush's $87 billion request for war and occupation: "Will you vote yes or no on the $87 billion, and if the answer is no, what's the message you would send to the troops?"

Kucinich responded: "The answer is no. I will not vote for the $87 billion. I think we should support the troops, and I think we best support them by bringing them home. Our troops are at peril there because of this Administration's policy. . . . I say, bring the troops home unequivocally, bring them home, and stop this commitment for $87 billion, which is only going to get us in deeper. After a while, we're going to be sacrificing our education, our health care, our housing, and the future of this nation."

Only Al Sharpton came close to echoing Kucinich's clarity and courage on this vital issue.

Howard Dean, the erstwhile peace candidate, said, "We have no choice" but to support the $87 billion request. Carol Moseley Braun, Joe Lieberman, and John Edwards concurred. Clark fobbed it off as a hypothetical question before mouthing the apparently obligatory "we need to support our troops."

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On edit: Added title of article