Kucinich in Santa Ana

[LWolf]

It was a long trip there and back to meet DK, but well worth it.

The event was well-attended, and very informative. I already knew where Dennis stands on the issues. Today I met him and got a one-on-one answer to my biggest question.

Some items of significance:

Dennis was calm, relaxed, and in a great mood. He was passionate and dynamic about issues and very sincere and *real* with people. He brought an electric energy that really fired up the crowd. He went from passionate speaking about issues to gentle support of one particular speaker. He has a good sense of humor. He knows his stuff.

I'll share his reaction to one speaker. The speaker's name is Jesus Suarez. He is the father of a young man killed in Iraq. He spoke passionately (in spanish, with an interpreter) before Dennis arrived. He spoke of his son's experience, and what he's learned about his son's death. He said, "The real truth is that we need to live in peace." After Dennis had spoken, Mr. Suarez asked to speak to the crowd again. He was in tears. He spoke eloquently in spanish, then switched to broken english. He said, "What do you want? You want your boys or you want some gas? Choose him (pointing at Dennis). Please. Choose him." Dennis put his arm around the man and spoke quietly to him. Then he spoke to the crowd, saying that Mr. Suarez' suffering is the suffering of our nation. That never again should our young people be sacrificed for a cause that is not "righteous." He said we honor those who have given their lives in service to our country by working for a time when the service of our sons and daughters will always be a celebration of our highest priorities. There was not a dry eye within my sight.

There was plenty more. My question for him concerned public ed...his position on high-stakes testing. I can't quote him, I didn't write his response down. He held my hand and leaned forward, looked me in the eyes and told me clearly that he doesn't support the testocracy. That he does support addressing the root causes of our problems, and that he intends to fully fund education, preschool through college. There was more; the priority was in supporting both schools and families in their efforts. Then I came home to hear him address the same issue on CSpan. A public repudiation of the testocracy. (my term).

Before you decide on a candidate, be sure to meet this man. Go listen to him. Go talk to him. Then make your decision, and help us kick the transformation of America into high gear.