The Big Democratic Party!

[mr715]

I have a question, since this place is thick with Kucinich supporters who, respectably, supported their long shot candidate through thick and thin, and even now.

I happen to have major disagreements with Kucinich and I dont think a lot of his policies are either on the wrong side, or are bizarre (Dept of Peace). In any case, I'm just wondering what the rationale is for supporting him currently?

Its not a dig or anything, I just dont understand why people should give money, go to meetings, etc. etc. If he got 100% of all the delegates from now on, he still wouldnt end up with 1/10th of Kerry's and will not have any pull during the convention.

The majority at the convention is decided. They are Kerry democrats, and Kerry democrats are going to build the party platform.

Anyone want to clarify this stance for me?

Matt

[lovedems]

1. DK keeps it real. eom

[Melodybe]

2. I might actually support the man if his policies had any basis in reality

but they don't, and ALL of the people I know supporting him are wackos. I hate to say it, but honestly, they are in fact wackos. Same goes with the Nader folk I know, they subscribe to the idea that once everything is completely destroyed we will all wake up and tell them how right they were. Well, letting everything go to shit is just as bad as making it go to shit.

I like DK, I think that his heart is in the right place, but get over it folks Democrats have work to do and we need you helping now.

[MadHound]

3. Gee, thanks for the baseless generalaztion there pal

I really appreciate coming to a supposedly liberal site and being classified as a "wacko".

Let me ask you something, have you even studied any of DK's or Nader's positions? Done any research into how they plan to implement them? Or are you just spouting off at the mouth out of reflex?

By the by, if you would go do some research, I think that you would find that actually DK is a little to the right of FDR. Now how "wacko" is that?:eyes:

[lovedems]

4. First of all, I am a Kerry supporter

But I did vote for DK in my primary and that DOES NOT make me a wacko. The only reason you don't think his plans meet reality is because you have not listened to him. He has a reasonable way to pay for all of his ideas. How does he pay for his education reforms? Cut the overly bloated defense budget by 1/3 and every child in this country has free education and nutrition supplement on top of that.

I suggest you read up on him before you criticize and I further suggest you find another way to disagree with those who find DK a good candidate rather then name calling.

Further, DK supporters do not want to see everything destroyed in order to prove themselves right.

I voted for DK but now support Kerry so I hope you feel kind of bad for your sweeping generalizations.

[leyton]

10. "Cut the overly bloated defense budget by 1/3"

That's hardly politically feasable. No Republican would consider cutting the defense budget by a penny, and very few Democrats in Congress would consider so large a reduction if they were, by some odd chance, also willing to reduce the defense budget. I know I wouldn't cut the defense budget by such a large amount, if at all. We need the best troops in the world, the best machinery, the best intel, the best ships, the best planes. Cut the defense budget by 1/3, how do you expect us to stay militarily viable?

[lovedems]

11. I misspoke. He would cut the budget by 15% and since the budget

is in the billions, that isn't very much to ensure FREE education to all kids in the US, including college tuition. The total cost for his program is 60 billion per year. If the pentagon didn't have such a history of budget mismanagement, this is reasonable.

We could still stay militarily viable AND have free education to boot. That sounds like an excellent plan to me. I think Rummy could do without his "missle defense plan" for the sake of our kids future.

[sandnsea]

12. We did that in the 90's

Guess what? It still wasn't enough to give everybody free education and do all the things Dennis say he can do. Besides the fact, that it's one thing to say you'll do something and another entirely to actually get enough Americans on your side to get it done. And THAT is Democracy. Something that the supposed "true supporters" of democracy never seem to understand. The country isn't buying what they're selling. And no matter how much the far left thinks their ideas are the right ideas, in a democracy, that isn't enough. And some delusional idea that they can somehow save the country by destroying the country is nothing more than the most selfish temper tantrum ever thrown.

[ulysses]

5. "Kerry democrats are going to build the party platform"

Someone posted a Doonesbury about group think today...

[TN al]

6. I voted for Kucinich...

... and proudly. I am currently wondering where the most visible place on my truck is so I can affix my Kerry bumper sticker. I ordered it as soon as Kerry locked up the nomination. Hey, my guy didn't win but I won't be so arrogant in my convictions that Kucinich is right that it will keep me from supporting Kerry. I know what the real problem with this country is, a pretend cowboy whose dad bought him real soldiers to play with instead of toy soldiers. I still have my convictions and I have no doubt that more of them will be realized with Kerry than with *. Plus I will be helping to make the world a safer place in which to live by sending that idiot back to Texas.

[goodhue]

7. see you in Boston

http://www.kucinich.us/faq.php

With the nominee pretty much a done deal, why is Kucinich still in the race?

Dennis Kucinich is aware that John Kerry has the 2,161 delegates needed for the Democratic nomination. “While the question of who is going to be the nominee may be a foregone conclusion,” Kucinich says, “what we stand for as a party is yet to be determined.” It's no longer a question of who is going to run against George Bush, the question is what do we stand for as a party? The Democratic Party needs to create a platform that is consistent with the broad-based aspirations of millions of Americans—a platform based on principles of peace and universal health care, a platform that eliminates unfair trade policies that are costing us millions of jobs while diminishing workers rights and environmental protections everywhere, and a platform that puts an end to the PATRIOT Act and provides for the protection of civil liberties. The Democratic Party has to be able to reach people who may otherwise be disaffected, and the Kucinich campaign reaches out to the broadest group of people and says, 'Look, stay inside the Democratic Party and direct it toward change.”

Why is Kucinich Going On to the Convention?

Congressman Kucinich has publicly stated that he will support the nominee - after the convention. Until then, he has promised to continue to give voice to those who long for issues that are not currently being addressed by the frontrunner.

Congressman Kucinich remains committed to being the voice for progressive democrats and all who care about issues such as single-payer universal health care, jobs and trade policies, the war in Iraq, the Patriot Act, and the need for a Department of Peace. Our Party must continue to debate these issues.

The Democratic Party needs every vote it can rally to defeat George W. Bush in November. We must stand for something that represents the values and the practical aspirations of American citizens. Kucinich provides the opportunity to work for these changes within the party. Without Kucinich in the race, many of our supporters would abandon the Democratic Party, risking a repeat of the disastrous 2000 election.

Why Should Supporters Go to the Convention?

Kucinich supporters will be converging in Boston the week of the convention, and we will be coming from all over the country. Participating in the wide variety of events during the convention will be a powerful way for those not selected as national delegates to express their solidarity with the platform the Kucinich campaign represents, from outside the convention walls.

Come to Boston to show that a large and diverse group of people support the issues that Kucinich has consistently stood for during his presidential campaign. Show the national and global media that the collective voice demanding change is growing in this country.

Come to Boston to support and demand the removal of George W. Bush from the White House. Never before has this country experienced such a serious threat to workers' rights, the environment, social justice, and international security as under the current administration.

Come to Boston to continue an important dialogue on how to create effective political change in all levels of government. Express solidarity with other groups that have long been actively working for social change and add to this discussion your voice and the vision of politics for peace.

[Eurobabe]

8. still give $$ to DK

and happy to do it.

[scarletwoman]

9. "Anyone want to clarify this stance for me?"

Why should I bother? I've already been as a "wacko".

sw