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February 8, 2008 at 08:33:12

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Is Dennis Kucinich Getting McKinney'd

by Kevin Zeese     Page 1 of 1 page(s)

www.opednews.com

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Former Presidential Candidate Who Advocated Peace and Impeachment Facing Well-Financed Challenge at Home 

On the Hill some call it being McKinney’d – the treatment Green Party presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney received when she was in Congress.  Twice, rather than protecting the incumbent, the Democrats put up well funded challengers against her.  Now, it looks like Dennis Kucinich may be facing the same treatment in Cleveland. 

There is a report circulating the web that before the Nevada primary Kucinich was visited by representatives of Nancy Pelosi and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the right wing Israeli lobby. They told him that if he would drop his campaigns to impeach Cheney and Bush, they would guarantee his re-election to the House of Representatives.  Kucinich threw them out of his office.  See, http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2008/02/371899.shtml 

Kucinich has aggressively challenged the Democratic Party leadership in Congress and on the presidential campaign trail on the issues of war, civil liberties, impeachment and big business control of government.  He’s even refused to pledge to endorse the party’s presidential nominee.  

The Democratic leadership has insisted that impeachment was off the table since taking control of the House in 2006.  Congressman Conyers, Chair of the Judiciary Committee, has even refused to investigate whether President Bush and Vice President Cheney have violated the law.  But Kucinich pushed the issue.  He introduced articles of impeachment against Cheney, then against Bush and he brought the issue up on the House floor.  He pushed and pushed to try to make sure the president and vice president were not above the law. 

On the campaign trail he didn’t let Senator Clinton or Obama get away with campaign peace rhetoric in the Democratic primary while they voted war funding with no strings attached in the senate.  He pointed out that their rhetoric was not consistent with their actions.  He pushed the issue of all troops being removed; while Obama and Clinton parse their words carefully making it clear they will withdraw only some of the troops and neither promising a complete troop withdrawal even by 2012.   

And he pierced the veil of campaign rhetoric of Democrats who call for “universal health care” but put forward plans that will enrich their donors in the private health insurance industry.   

On issue after issue Kucinich pushed against the Democratic Party leadership – now, it seems he is paying a price. 

In Cleveland, Kucinich is being challenged by several candidates. The one that is getting the most attention and funding is City Councilman Joe Cimperman. He’s served on the council for ten years and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars from real estate interests to challenge Kucinich.  He’s been saying that Kucinich focuses too much on campaigning for president and not on the district.  The Mayor of Cleveland and the Cleveland Plain Dealer has endorsed Cimperman.  

Kucinich, who has been focused on the presidential campaign, has very little money in the bank (reportedly only about $30,000).  He’s been putting out fundraising appeals (see, e.g., http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LehCxhHPXQ8) and has a fundraiser planned with Sean Penn.

Back home the issue of right wing Israeli lobby funding is becoming an issue.  Cimperman put out a press release that urges Kucinich to refute a report in the People’s Weekly World Newspaper that said
the “Kucinich campaign charged” that Cimperman’s effort to unseat Kucinich was financed in large part from “a right-wing pro-Israel group.”   

Cimperman has been somewhat theatrical in his campaign.  He’s been putting up signs “Where’s Dennis?” and describing him as a “Missing Congressman.”  Cimperman took the poster to Kucinch’s office and delivered a copy on videotape.  See http://youtube.com/watch?v=Pd-8nwj7GWY.  Kucinich responded by asking Homeland Security to investigate the filming of government property.  Cimperman responded with another video calling Kucinch a hypocrite for violating his privacy while railing against government intrusion into people’s lives. See http://youtube.com/watch?v=lJsC99FDdeQ&feature=user 

No doubt if Kucinch had kow-towed to Nancy Pelosi, been less aggressive in his comments in the presidential debates and agreed to endorse the Democratic presidential nominee, the Democratic Party would be discouraging opponents and coming to the aid of an incumbent who has been in the House since 1996. 

But elected officials like McKinney and Kucinch who challenge the Democratic Party line – who think for themselves and feel a responsibility to fight for their constituents and challenge corporate power – are a hindrance to the party leadership.  They get in the way and let the public know what is really going on.  So, they must be either tamed or made an example of. 

If Kucinich gets McKinney’d you can be sure the message will be received. Those, like Congressman Conyers, who’ve been around for awhile (Conyers has been in the House since 1965) know better than to step too far out of line.  So, Conyers has remained silent on Bush’s law breaking – protecting his committee chairmanship by being afraid to use it. Conyers has been tamed but Kucinich hasn’t. So, Kucinich needs to be taught a lesson that other members will learn from.  The growing revolt of the “Out of Iraq Caucus” needs to be kept impotent.  Knocking out Kucinich will prevent others from too loudly disobeying leadership. 

Kucinich has faced tough battles in Cleveland before.  When he was mayor he stood up to corporate interests that wanted to take over Cleveland’s public utility and survived a recall election.  And, Cimperman is not the only challenger, there are several, so the anti-Kucinich vote may be sufficiently divided for the congressman to retain his seat. 

If he doesn’t Kucinich may find new political opportunities that give him a bigger platform.  Perhaps he will leave the Democratic Party with whom he has had so much disagreement and join Cynthia McKinney in the Green Party (see http://www.runcynthiarun.org/) – a party whose platform is consistent with his.  If so a McKinney-Kucinich ticket could be an interesting development in the 2008 election year. The Democrats may regret their punishment of both McKinney and Kucinich.

 

Kevin Zeese is Executive Director of the Campaign for Fresh Air and Clean Politics (www.FreshAirCleanPolitics.net) whose projects include Voters for Peace (www.VotersForPeace.US., Prosperity Agenda (www.ProsperityAgenda.US), True Vote (more...)
 

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34 comments


Perhaps it will be for the better

It's wonderful to have Dennis in congress, but who knows, if he, for example, started a foundation, what kinds of great things he could accomplish. He's a very smart man who, I am sure, if he loses his house seat, will land on his feet and come out ready to do more significant work. I hope he can keep his seat, but I'm 100% certain we won't lose him as a strong activist and advocate if he leaves congress.

by Rob Kall (952 articles, 4177 quicklinks, 374 diaries, 2087 comments [45 recommended, 3 rejected]) on Friday, Feb 8, 2008 at 8:44:29 AM

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Reply: DK is no Democrat

by today's National Democrat Party standards - and good for him. I agree it may bode well for We the People if Dennis Kucinich left his totally corrupted party. 

The grassroots revolution is on, and we need all the able leaders we can find.  Next, let's yank Ron Paul into grassroots leadership.  He certainly is no Republican based on today's Republican standards.

If I had a vote that actually counted, in an electoral system that was actually fair, I'd put Cynthia McKinney down for President and bring DK, RP and Naomi Klein into her cabinet.

by Rady Ananda (182 articles, 374 quicklinks, 49 diaries, 1718 comments [201 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Friday, Feb 8, 2008 at 12:50:05 PM

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The Kucinich's new project...

http://www.integritynow.org/

by Cheri Roberts (16 articles, 15 quicklinks, 10 diaries, 435 comments) on Friday, Feb 8, 2008 at 9:26:14 AM

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Yes Kucinich will be an activist if he is defeated but . .

Yes, Dennis will continue to fight for peace and justice if he is defeated in his re-election bid but that is not the point.  The point is that the Democratic Party destroys those -- or attempts to destroy those -- who push too hard for peace and justice.  When they McKinny'd McKinney (twice) and now go after Kucinich it is a message to the progressive wing of the party -- don't pust to hard against corporate-government or you will be removed from the corporate-government.  It is not a good message for politics in America.

Where would the impeachment movement be without Kucinich in office?  Who will progressives go to as a reliable advocate inside the government? And won't those progressives who remain behind be weakened by the McKinneying of Kucinich?

by Kevin Zeese (102 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 62 comments [13 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Feb 8, 2008 at 9:41:20 AM

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Reply: so... how do we respond?

The dems invited many of the leading progressive media to a summit meeting last week. They want to work with us. That must mean they walk a two way street, not just us helping them.

What can we do to send them a message?

 

by Rob Kall (952 articles, 4177 quicklinks, 374 diaries, 2087 comments [45 recommended, 3 rejected]) on Friday, Feb 8, 2008 at 9:54:23 AM

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Reply: How to respond to the Dems

The best response is to say -- you are the media and you will report.  You will report the truth -- their top two candidates have empowered Bush on the war, they've empowered banks and finance on bankruptcy, they've undermined civil liberties with the Patriot Act and approving NSA spying.  You will report the truth about how Dennis Kucinch is treated, how the Out of Iraq Caucus is ignored.  And, you will let the public know they have more choices than just the Dems and Repubs.

You cannot be captured by either political party but must remain independent.  When they do good -- report it; when they do bad -- report that as well.

Do not let the Democratic Party capture you or you will not be independent media any longer, you will be an arm of the Democratic Party.

 KZ

by Kevin Zeese (102 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 62 comments [13 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Feb 8, 2008 at 10:26:29 AM

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Reply: A Summit Meeting?

Summit meetings imply an exchange of ideas for the purpose of finding common ground.  The Democrats were not proposing a summit meeting. They were asking for a meeting so they could "sell their products" to a hostile segment of the media.

Was the Democratic Party planning to make any concessions to progressives at this summit? Of course not.

Was the Democratic Party going to allow real progressive journalists to question their presidential candidates during a televised debate? Of course not.

Was the Democratic Party going to acknowledge they are doing all they can to block the emergence of third parties? Of course not.

Was the Democratic Party going to admit they shouldn't have held public debates unless all "ballot qualified" candidates, e.g. Kucinich, had an opportunity to participate? Of course not.

Was the Democratic Party going to admit we cannot afford both guns and butter and that they refuse to put any limits whatsoever on "defense" spending?  Of course not. 

There is no "summit meeting." The Democratic Party has no intention of catering to progressives. They want our money; they want our votes; they want us to shut the hell up.

Just like the corporations that fund them, the Democratic Party seeks to profit at the expense of the American people. 

by welshTerrier2 (7 articles, 3 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 105 comments) on Friday, Feb 8, 2008 at 11:39:55 AM

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Reply: We must let them know 100%..............

we will continue to use all of our might and resources to fight and "Take Back America"...............if we get another Bushco....we immediately push for Impeachment again..............sooner or later the dam will break...........

The people cannot take this sh*t forever...........I figure when gasoline hits about 6 to 8 dollars a gallon and believe me, believe me that will happen just as soon as the election is over................even the worst couch potato will be about ready to lynch them all.................... 

 

by Ernest (0 articles, 8 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 221 comments [40 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Feb 9, 2008 at 9:36:20 AM

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Reply: Summit Meeting Call

Rob:

    Go and let the Democrats know exactly the degree of irritation there is out here.  Meanwhile, loosing Kucinich from Congress is not an option in my book.  I really don't care who controls Congress, so long as the actual people in Congress are people of sound moral character and who understand what their job is.  We don't need a Congress with fewer Kucinich's, we need a Congress with more like him.  At least he stands up for his principles (and actually has some) and believes in the rule of law.  What is it we get from Nancy Pelosi or John Conyer's, political rhetoric and double speak.  We don't need that and we don't need people like them in Congress.  Until that message is received load and clear by Dems that We The People want our government back and we are willing to fight, donate and speak up to achieve that end, we are going to get more like Pelosi and Conyers, not fewer like them and lose the real principled individuals like Kucinich when we need them most.

by Peter Wedlund (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 211 comments [7 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Feb 9, 2008 at 12:41:04 PM

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"McKinney'd"

I'm glad for this article. I knew there was more than met the eye for Dennis's departure. I am still bewildered as to WHY he threw his support to Obama and not Edwards even though he gave a reason, the reason makes little sense the more I read and educate myself on Obama.

I just posted on a thread the other day that I was voting for Cynthia and when ppl asked me who I was voting for, I said the Green Party. Kucinich SHOULD join her and THEN ppl like me and other Liberals (and Conservatives) that don't agree or are aware of this Government tyranny evolving, will have a place to go to vote their conscience.

Dennis and Cynthia would make a great ticket. I am even considering registering another Party. I am currently registered democrat; however, I can't even condone the policies of Pelosi, Hoyer and most of the DLC. The Democrat sheeple are almost as bad as the Republican sheeple. Both offer nothing but rhetoric, procrastination, more Gov surveillance, less freedom of protest, bigger military spending, no real healthcare plan--more rhetoric--and more constitutioanl violation. Both parties pale in the truth of the RULE OF LAW and rarely abide by it. Dennis, on the other hand, never wavered from his course for his candidacy. He never changed his philosophies when the media found out what the ppl REALLY wanted and then waved to that side. It has been like a meter on Corpstream media except the Corpstreams make certain the constitution and Liberties are never brought up.

Israel is not a Democratic Government. Spying is their trademark. I guess those of us that support Dennis and or Cynthia must be a threat to them as well. For those that want to read up on the Khasars (Russian immigrant Germany Jews--Israeli Gov), go to Benjamin Freedman's speech at the Willard Hotel, 196?. It will enlighten you to the difference between our Jewish friends and the ones running the state of Israel.

Nancy, Nancy,Nancy, how low can you stoop? I guess you showed us now, didn't you? Bullying an "honest" congressman, priceless.

I certainly hope to help online campaign for the Green party. I put forth all this energy signing petitions online. Possibly putting forth that energy towards the Green Party can move it upward.

I'll think about your question posed, Mr. Kall. I agree, we need to get up, stand up and take our country back. It's getting brutal out there...

by shirley reese (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 592 comments [98 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Friday, Feb 8, 2008 at 12:00:57 PM

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Read my last article for an answer to motivating the Dems

I wrote an article about this.  The dems will not be listening to us unless we make our demands very public.  Not behind closed door meetings with a select few.  http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_elaine_b_080206_don_t_get_caught_by_.htm

My article may not be as eloquent as some of the other writers, but the point is clear.  Tim Carpenter stated that we must step off the sidelines and demand that the democratic candidate for president pay attention to the peace and justice movement.  The only way that can happen if we make it happen.  Not just be a few, but by many, many people being involved in meetings and discussions openly so that we set the terms of the debates, not them.

 

by Elaine Brower (21 articles, 3 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 24 comments) on Friday, Feb 8, 2008 at 12:28:30 PM

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Reply: How about holding protests outside of recruitment centers?

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_kevin_go_080208_stand_in_solidarity_.htm

Or anywhere else deemed to be fit for opposing this illegal war. Any conversation on this illegal war and then torture will lead to calling for impeachment. When the people are out on the streets angry and demanding impeachment, we will get what we want.

If business as usual cannot go on, we will triumph.  

by Kevin Gosztola (302 articles, 146 quicklinks, 81 diaries, 1082 comments [77 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Feb 8, 2008 at 2:59:37 PM

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McKinney's take two

I can't help but come back to this article. It's not like I didn't know there was corruption in DC and congress and the Executive, I did. However, this report on Dennis and the "applied pressure" from AIPAC and Nancy, says more than just repressing him. They said they "could guarantee him the congressional win" if he dropped the Impeachment talk. If they can guarantee "wins", then they can certainly guarantee "losses" and if they can just guarantee!, then our voting system is certainly corrupt, no ends and butts. That's proof right there.

The Presidency must be  already decided most likely. Your vote is just a wave in the air. Democracy and the 15th Amendment is about as worthy as a penny thrown in a wishing well.

One thing, can the ppl of California EVEN vote her out? Or can she just
"guarantee" her own win?

Now I know why they had to put that UFO thing in the debate. They will make Dennis out to be a whacko and, if ever, he can expose their hell bent bribery threat, it will be passed off as though he were just a crazy man. Not to hard to figga these fools out.

What to do. Corpstream media isn't going to pass this info on. I hope Mr. Kall that you can get other online media sources to print this. Where is DemocracyNow, and Bill Moyer?

This is hot stuff. This makes Agnews bribery look micro. Bruce Fein(a conservative Republican) that actually wrote the CLinton impeachment articles had an Impeachment wagon going. Guess they squashed his pursuit? His site is dormant, last time I checked. (American Freedom Agenda). Bush named something almost exactly like it, probably to detour ppl from Mr Fein's site.

I doubt they are done with Dennis yet. He has more on them NOW, then he did with just impeachment legislation.

I'm surprised your site is still up!. I'm sorry that I am so pessimistic and untrusting of this Government. I would love to have it the other way.

As far as that summit, don't trust them on that meeting either. They meant no good. Now, if we can just apply some of that Pelosi pressure and find out when Bush is declaring Martial Law. I'm almost sure they have a date for that.

Back up all your files Mr. Kall.  I urge ppl to Push your states to do as mine did, and ask your State Bar Association to make a resolution declaring "Restoration of the Rule of Law". It's a start.

Soon we will see the true patriots and the psuedo patriots of this country revealed.

by shirley reese (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 592 comments [98 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Friday, Feb 8, 2008 at 2:59:59 PM

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McKinnying Kucinich and the Progressive Voice

As a strong supporter for Kucinich based on his stance on ending the war, single payer not for profit health care, and ending free trade agreements, I want to see him remain in Congress now, since progressive voices in the Congress are few and far between.  We cannot afford to lose another voice to the corporate oligarchy.  I believe the Democrats will continue to march towards the right while calling themselves liberal,  but their voting records show the truth.  You can't spin voting for funding an illegal war of agression in Iraq and call yourself a peace candidate and a party of peace.  It's time for progressives to abandon the democrats as another part of the corporate government which thrives on war, for profit health care, and business favoring free trade agreements.  The working families need to wake and understand  that our voices are not being taken seriously by the DLC controlled Democratic Party.  I will continue to fight the party on the grassroots level to become a voice for working families instead of the big money corporate players throwing money at their campaigns.

by Dave Peter (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 26 comments) on Friday, Feb 8, 2008 at 3:17:04 PM

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Dismayed!

Iam dismayed after reading the 14 comments posted before me. When are you going to quit ranting and get yourselves elected or appointed democratic precinct committeepersons. That's how you take over a party. Have you learned nothing from the Republicans over the last 30 years? It can be done, so do it. Yes, it will take a while, but almost everything that's worth anything does take time. Even those who are my age, 73 can get it done by mentoring someone in their 20s or 30s. I know, its easier to go to sleep. Fine, do it and wake up to find yourselfe in a nightmare.

by Kenneth Briggs (186 articles, 88 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 142 comments [6 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Friday, Feb 8, 2008 at 4:48:57 PM

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Reply: I'd love to...

corporate america still has me chained to a desk at 7pm on a Friday night.

My conscience would be clearer if I could retire and become an activist.  For now, I can only thank you, and give you my word that if I make it to retirement, I will follow your lead.

We owe a debt of graditude to all true patriots like you.

Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!

by Digitboy (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 26 comments) on Friday, Feb 8, 2008 at 8:56:55 PM

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Reply: Yes, I did that myself a few years ago in Florida...

... I even ran for the chair of the county party and got quite a few votes. I became a District chair and all that which you see in my bio.

Progressives, if they have the numbers, and a lot fewer numbers are necessary than you might think, could take over the DNC in as little as two to four years. First step is to take over a majority of the county DECs in a majority of the states. Once you do that , the hard part is over. The county DECs choose the people who vote at the state level, and then the state folks choose their representatives to the DNC who vote on things at that level.

If you do this concurrently with a good PR campaign to sell progressive values to the nation, you have really done the right thing from both ends.

by Steven Leser (255 articles, 58 quicklinks, 38 diaries, 2147 comments [63 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Saturday, Feb 9, 2008 at 3:40:00 AM

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Thank You Kevin

Wonderful article and I am spreading it everywhere.

 

It looks like the corporate democratic party just officially declared war on progressive politics. They declared war on us.

 

Rock On Cynthia McKinney 

by Michael Cavlan (15 articles, 0 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 538 comments [131 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Friday, Feb 8, 2008 at 5:15:04 PM

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"Working with" the Dem Party?

Such power structures as the Dem Party that has trashed McKinney and Kucinich ignore grassroots efforts .... until a grassroots effort shows clout that can no longer be ignored. Then comes the friendly overture, in this case a "summit". Pardon the cynicism of an old timer who, as an environmentalist, has seen such overtures at state and regional level since the 60s. "Working with" means conditions and concessions. There is a real threat to the "free market" Dem Party in the form of the rage out in the land, and they want to bond with it so as to neutralize any danger to their interests. A Pelosi-AIPAC attempt to squelch K's impeachment effort. How absolutely classic. I didn't know whether to laugh or punch the wall. How to respond? In poker, you don't show your hand. Let them talk, you listen. Then walk away and say you'll think about it. And let us all know what they said.

by Bill Willers (11 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 50 comments [5 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Feb 8, 2008 at 5:29:22 PM

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Reply: Its much more simple and less dramatic than that...

see my message above about taking over.

by Steven Leser (255 articles, 58 quicklinks, 38 diaries, 2147 comments [63 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Saturday, Feb 9, 2008 at 3:43:10 AM

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What do we tell the Democratic Party?

Tell them that if they want to be the Republican Lite Party, if they want to silence and cast off their elected progressive representatives and candidates, if they want to ignore the outrage of their progressive base crying out for justice- tell them Goodbye!

The Green Party platform embraces Kucinich's plans for the country while the Democratic Party would not field FDR or JFK in 2008. Why waste another minute or dollar on them? They have already had their "summit" with us and shoved us off the cliff.

Perhaps things have to get worse before they can get better. If the Progressives march out to join the Greens and the Democrats lose, the mayhem that will ensue may be just enough to wake the sleeping masses who will realize they have been duped by both parties.

What are we giving up by leaving the Democrats anyway? Like Dennis is so fond of saying-"That which is crooked cannot be made straight"

by Vinny Colletti (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 12 comments [3 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Feb 8, 2008 at 7:11:44 PM

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No More Two Parties

The Two Party System is dead in America, and so is Democracy.  Corporations not only rule they control what is "reported" through their corporate media talking heads, they control who represents us (and how they represent us) through dollars, they have even stole our votes. 

The likes of Dennis Kucinich and Cynthia McKinney will never walk the halls of Congress again as they are concerned about stupid things like the Constitution, the law, and the interests of people.  

by Dennis Kaiser (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 18 comments) on Friday, Feb 8, 2008 at 9:07:06 PM

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What can we do to send them a message, Rob?

The answer to the question Rob raises in his second comment above is simple.

Get to know how FDR rescued the nation from the depths of the Great Depression using the Reconstruction Finance Corporation.

Then, understand how Kucinich's H.R. 3400 -- the Rebuilding America's Infrastructure Act -- is legislation perfectly harmonious with FDR's policy for effectively implementing a National Bank for economic development.

Everyone here fails to understand how near our nation is to a hyper-inflationary economic blow-out.

The ONE thing we need in our nation's leadership is a willingness to effect policies whose implementation will STOP our inexorable drift toward Fascism as a consequence of economic collapse. This is precisely what FDR accomplished and what Dennis Kucinich's political perspective similarly represents in its potential.

The LAST thing wanted by financiers who own and control EVERYTHING we are up against ... who are voilently opposed to all our Republic represents ... is a free-thinking, principled man who would defend the dignity of mankind much the same as FDR did.

It is the legacy of FDR that the well-healed movers and shakers of most everything that passes for action in Washington these days are hell-bent on destroying. The evidence is overwhelming.

They are active in their efforts to destroy the likes of Kucinich because the moment of Truth is at hand.

Let this fact sink in. We are at the threshold of an economic calamity like nothing this nation has ever seen before.

So, to answer your question, Rob, we need to better understand the nature of the battle we are up against here, and we need to know how to win the war.

More than personalities, what matters are policies. If more of us embrace the truth about how are nation survived grave crisis in the past, we will have more Kuciniches than our enemies can shake a stick at. It's as simple as that.

First, though, we must realize that the United States of America is at the threshold of the greatest financial and economic crisis it has ever faced in its history.

Truly, we are facing a Great Calamity whose greatest danger is (1) a disturbing lack of appreciation for how utterly vulnerable we are to a deviously deceptive, counter-productive, purely evil economic and political manipulation that stands to effectively destroy our power as a nation once and for all, (2) a frightful lack of knowledge about how our nation's history holds many answers to guide us in a battle for survival we might better have started yesterday, and (3) an irrational rage within the citizenry that might all too easily be directed into an organized, Jacobin mob, the likes of which will make all too clear just how Nazi Brown Shirts were recruited.

Any other reason anyone might suppose Kucinich is being outed, other than the fact his political persona is harmonious with FDR's, is not only plainly wrong, it is counter-productive.

Likewise, any talk of forming a third party without strong, proven, well-known and respected leadership is a shear waste of time.

Unless we embrace our nation's history, understand the nature of tyranny that is our eternal enemy and embrace combative policies fitting to OUR time, so-called progressive politics will make no progress at all...

by Tom Chechatka (6 articles, 1 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 57 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Feb 8, 2008 at 11:22:07 PM

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Golden

Golden, you mean strong, proven leaders like Cynthia McKinney or Ralph Nader?

 

We have that, what we now need is for progressives to have the moral fortitude to support them.

 

Time to go Green

 

Now 

by Michael Cavlan (15 articles, 0 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 538 comments [131 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Saturday, Feb 9, 2008 at 12:08:24 AM

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Dirty Tricks

Per this report that Dennis was visited by representatives of Nancy Pelosi and AIPAC, all that matters is that he threw the so-called representatives out of his office.

One might wonder if such a meeting ever took place. Not having heard anything to refute this, I suppose it is so.

However, whether the visitors indeed represented those being claimed is a question. Why would AIPAC be teaming up with Ms. Pelosi, considering her trip to Syria in April '07? Furthermore, considering the offer purportedly made, it is all too ridiculous to even be thought credible.

This probably was nothing more than a dirty political trick. Kucinich is no fool. Surely, he recognized this and that is why he immediately ejected these rats. 

by Tom Chechatka (6 articles, 1 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 57 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Feb 9, 2008 at 12:33:29 AM

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How

do you fight them they come to your district handing out 1000$ bills by the truck load they buy their  candiadtes seat .

the system is corrupted  Americans themselves are corrupted by it.Many  Americans are honest decent folks ,but many will grab a pound of 1000 notes and stuff the ballot box. thats how they get rid of people they don't want. if it fails send the  guy an anthrax letter, kill a family member.They have ways this gang of mobsters running America won't give up the power.

 

 

by dave stanley (5 articles, 1 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 286 comments) on Saturday, Feb 9, 2008 at 3:20:18 AM

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Reply: It is very easy...

.. see my response above about taking over.

by Steven Leser (255 articles, 58 quicklinks, 38 diaries, 2147 comments [63 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Saturday, Feb 9, 2008 at 3:45:21 AM

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Reply: It sounds easier said, than done...

I agree the solution might be simple, but you're asking that Americans actually become participants in improving their government, not just be spectators on the sidelines?  It would be for a noble cause, but I don't know. There is a malaise or attitude that "things aren't going to change." Even I, someone who wants change, wonders, "Do I want it bad enough to get politically involved?" I do, but will I really?  Will other people really heed the call as well? That's why I think it's easier said than done.

by Debra Craig (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 8 comments) on Saturday, Feb 9, 2008 at 6:30:16 AM

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Reply: Well if you want something done

You'll just have to get involved.

 

by Kevin Gosztola (302 articles, 146 quicklinks, 81 diaries, 1082 comments [77 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Feb 9, 2008 at 11:53:57 AM

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"DeLay" Pelosi ..."DeLott" Reid

The Reid/Pelosi team is the sorriest excuse for Congressional "leadership" I've seen in the last 50+ years.  Everybody I know agrees on that.

Almost everybody I know agrees that "both" political parties (and their presumptive presidential nominees) suck.  Millions of citizens are convinced there's nobody in Washington (aside from DK and a handful of others) who represents the interests of a majority of the electorate (i.e., those earning less than 1 million dollars a year, those who are sick and tired of this illegal war, those who would like to have guaranteed healthcare coverage that's not a ploy for fattening up the insurance companies, those who are fed up with being lied to and treated like chumps...in short, just about everybody with an IQ over 60 who doesn't own an oil well or consider Dick Cheney a close personal friend).

You'd think all these disgruntled and highly pissed-off citizens would have the makings of a potent political force; but it has become more and more obvious as we go through these cyclical election charades that the corporate media have been mobilized to thwart any movement that threatens to color outside the lines, or (even more importantly) to see ourselves as anything but powerless individuals or isolated groups of bitchers and moaners.  The media are key in maintaining a status quo that shuts us out--politically, economically and emotionally--of any prospect for genuine change.

What we progressives need (in addition to the not inconsiderable power of the internet to bring us together) are some kind of high profile events that the mainstream media cannot ignore.   It would require creative/outrageous tactics that will not only challenge the powers-that-be in the media, but would use the media as a tool for exposing their own greed.  Where the hell is Abbie Hoffman when we need him? 

Obviously, the institutional Democratic Party will not serve our purpose.  Its members are too timid and staid to employ such tactics...even if they were willing to foment the kind of change we need.  They have more important things to do...like winning the next election. 

We've seen how huge marches and demonstrations have failed to impress those in the White House, or those in Congress who supposedly represent us...even when the media bother to report such events.  It's up to us, in small groups, to be more creative than simply filling the streets with marchers who do no more than chant a few shop-worn slogans and shuffle passively past the seats of power. 

I'm not taking anything away from those dedicated souls who participate in such shows of disapproval, nor from those who speak at these convocations which, no matter how large, represent a choir who are already enrolled.  I'm not advocating violence, either; but still, something akin to the 'propaganda of the deed'...something that will be certain to attract attention. 

One of the most powerful images I can recall was when a group of 'Yippies' suddenly started throwing paper money from the gallery to the crowded floor of the New York Stock Exchange.  The sight of stockbrokers in suits momentarily forgetting their 'dignity' to scramble around trying to catch the money was a picture worth more than 10,000 words.  'Performance art' taken out into the streets and malls and other public spaces can have more effect and leave a longer lasting impression than all the chanted slogans in the world.  Our only limits are our imaginations.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I want you to go to the window, open it, stick your head out and yell: 'I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore.'"
-Howard Beale (Network)

by Bill Tower (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 35 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Feb 9, 2008 at 5:10:28 PM

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Party control goes way back


The betrayal of Jimmy Carter throughout his presidency by his Party and by the Democrats in Congress, and the helpful role of PNAC's precursor group Committee for the Present Danger, is described in "Liberty Under Siege" by Walter Karp. Karp usually wrote for Harper's Magazine. Carter's crime was having been elected without the permission of the Party. The Dems sacrificed their own programs in Congress to thwart Carter, and willingly sacrificed the presidency to Reagan.

Karp wrote another book, "Indispensable Enemies", detailing the Republican and Democratic parties' absolute need to maintain their respective bases by failing to resolve American problems and isssues.

For convincing detail, read these books.

by Cass Martinez (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 7 comments) on Saturday, Feb 9, 2008 at 9:11:26 PM

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The incident did not happen

David Swanson has talked with Rep. Kucinich and reports the incident in Nevada did not happen.  See http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_david_sw_080211_kucinich_3a__22the_incid.htm

by Kevin Zeese (102 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 62 comments [13 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Feb 11, 2008 at 9:30:41 AM

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Original Source: The Incident Did Happen

The Story's Good
by Stuart Hutchison
http://www.impeachthem.com/?q=node/1736

SINCE DAVID SWANSON'S ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN AFTER DOWNING STREET AND OpEd NEWS February 11th, I spoke with 6 sources regarding "the incident" Dennis Kucinich says did not happen. [See <a href = "http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/30931">The Incident did not Happen</a>]  Of these three women and three men, one spoke on the record.  I was unable to reach a 7th source.

Readers must understand that everyone involved regarding the controversy, including this writer, is a long time supporter of Dennis Kucinich and is devoted strong to the principles and policies Dennis put forward from his seat in congress from Ohio's 10th District.  The groups I organize for, <a href = "http://www.impeachthem.com">New Jersey Impeach Groups – ImpeachThem.com</a>, endorsed Dennis Kucinich for President last November 8th, at the time Dennis announced introduction of his bill HR 333 to impeach Cheney.  The reason so many of the sources here are off the record is because none of the people wants to be construed as doing any sort of damage to Dennis, by intention or not.  This is what I have as of the afternoon of February 13th.
 
My sources were at the Manchester Kucinich campaign headquarters, working for Dennis in his race in the New Hampshire primary on January 8th. While the group of people were cleaning up, and later, when they broke for a bite to eat at Gillian's restaurant, they were told by a person who worked at a high level on the Kucinich campaign staff, that he knew information concerning the fact that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee — AIPAC, the National Rifle Association — NRA/the gun lobby, and other big corporate interests, were prepared to spend two to two and a half-million dollars to defeat Dennis in order to remove him from congress.  They were told that the message to Dennis was definite: If you drop impeachment, your re-election will be easier.  If you don't, someone will defeat you.

Indeed, of the 4 people running to unseat Kucinich, there's only one who has amassed an immense campaign war chest, and that's Cleveland city councilman Joe Cimperman; it's he who enjoys large contributions coming from many corporate-allied interests around the country.  According to Vin Gopal, a long time strategist and organizer for Kucinich, Joe Cimperman doesn't even live in the 10th Congressional District he wants so fervently to represent.

David Bright was at the Manchester Kucinich Headquarters on January 8th.  According to David, who operates the Dixmont, Maine, Brightberry Organic Farm and <a href = " http://brightberrypress.com">BrightberryPress.com</a>, and a long time Kucinich organizer, "three of the four opponents contesting Dennis Kucinich's congressional seat will drop out," which will help Cimperman to defeat Dennis."

My initial source said she was told of a meeting at which Dennis was told if he dropped his campaigns to impeach Cheney and Bush, the Democratic Party would help his re-election and essentially guarantee his victory.  The source then said, "Dennis threw them out of his office."  The primary source says that statement was never made.

Another source said that around the time Dennis made a trip to New York to tape an interview on Bill Moyers public television program, Dennis continued south to Washington to attend to business.  When he announced from the floor of the House his intent to introduce his bill to impeach Bush on the day Bush delivered his State of the Union address, he was called to Speaker Pelosi's office and told to temper his comments, and further threatened with the loss of his chairmanship of the 110th Congress Oversight Committee Subcommittee on Domestic Policy, whose jurisdiction includes matters relating to energy, labor, education, criminal justice (excepting justice matters pertaining to Homeland Security), the economy, as well as the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

One of the women who was present in Manchester said further that the primary source of the story stated his belief that in addition to Dennis Kucinich, Congressmen John Conyers, Jerrold Nadler and Robert Wexler have all been threatened that there will be consequences if they pursue impeachment against Cheney and Bush.  "There are huge forces at work inside congress to ensure that progressive defenders of constitutional law not be heard," she said. "Dennis, bless his soul, is fighting to bring impeachment against Cheney and Bush successfully.  The reason for any denial is he's fighting now to survive."

So what's the bottom line in all this?

One source said the statement about Dennis "throwing them out of his office" is true, and another source says the statement was never made.  <strong>I must retract that allegation.</strong>  So far as the rest of it, that right wing forces are coordinating an effort to destroy Dennis Kucinich politically by bringing huge amounts of money to Joe Cimperman's campaign to replace Dennis in congress, and that the threat of this has been made directly to Dennis Kucinich, I stand by the story.

There are rabid right wing corporate fascists, and there are Americans.  You can be one or the other, you cannot be both.  None of the people involved in this story has anything but the best intentions for Dennis and for our country.  People can hear things different, and memory can play tricks.  All of these people who devoted time and energy and money to Dennis are real patriots.  There's no blame here. 

Aim your blame at Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic Leadership Council, and at an arrogant elite that considers itself entitled to enslave humanity.  I can read the intent in this system which lays its traps of dead end ignorance most poor people can't escape.  Ignorance is no kindness bestowed by wise men above who see in the poor's unconsciousness the bliss that is there just dessert.  No, it's part and parcel of a vicious and concerted self-protection, because the more educated you are, the more you're aware of your slavery, and the more you want to do something about it.

Everyone who understands the depth of the crisis our country's in, all who want to restore justice and reclaim democracy in our country should reach deep in the pocket and give as much to Dennis Kucinich's campaign as you can afford.  Dennis Kucinich is fighting for the life of our nation, and he's fighting for his own life too.  Help him now and <a href = " http://www.kucinich.us/contribute.html">CONTRIBUTE TO DENNIS KUCINICH</a>
=======

by Kevin Zeese (102 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 62 comments [13 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Feb 14, 2008 at 8:28:23 AM

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And this from one of the source's source

From David Bright:

I don't know who all of you are on this list, but you were CC'd on an email from Stuart Hutchinson last night re: the Kucinich campaign. Just to set the record straight, I had a long conversation with Stuart yesterday. This is what I told him. If you are blogging any of this, please use this entire text.

I have known Dennis Kucinich since 2003. I was his Maine co-coordinator in the 2004 race and one of his floor leaders at the national convention in Boston in 2004. From March of 2007 to January 2008 I was a consultant to Kucinich for President 2008. I served as a utility staffer, taking whatever role Dennis and/or the campaign manager or deputy campaign manager asked me to take. I was interim campaign manager until the campaign manager came on board. I did field coordination until the field coordinator came on board. I did ballot access until the director of ballot access came on board. I did several  special research projects for Dennis. I coordinated our activities around the IndependentPrimary.com straw poll. I did the logistics on setting up some of the early offices. I advanced a couple of the early debates. I worked with the policy staff on some of the many questionnaires a political campaign receives and I served as a de facto "dispatcher" for the campaign, hooking up many of the people who called the central campaign number with the person in the campaign best able to handle the inquiry. As such I put artists and musicians in touch with the communications staff, directed press inquiries to the press secretary, hooked up people wishing to help with fund raising with the Finance Director. One thing I did not do, and do not do, is speak for Dennis.

I have no contractural relationship with the Congressional campaign. The only thing I have done in connection with that campaign is march with Dennis in a Fourth of July parade in Cleveland in 2007 (because I was in Cleveland on presidential campaign business anyway) and in recent weeks I have connected fund-raisers and volunteers from the presidential campaign with the congressional campaign when those people call and ask to be connected.

That being said, the following is what I know, and have told other people, about the alleged AIPAC issue:

Anyone who was paying attention to public news sources in Cleveland knew there were four people running against Kucinich for the Democratic primary. Since Dennis has very good constituent services and has represented his district well in Congress, the only argument these opponents had was that Dennis was spending a lot of time on the presidential campaign and therefore "ignoring" his obligations to his district. That was a false accusation. During the time he was campaigning for president Dennis had the highest voting percentage of all of the presidential candidates serving in Congress. And anyone who has ever tried to schedule an event for his campaign knows that you always run second to the voting schedule in Congress. But that's the message that was being put out against Dennis in Cleveland.

Anyone who was paying attention to public news sources anywhere in the country also knew that the mainstream media -- with the consent of the Democratic parties of Iowa and Nevada, the Congressional Black Caucus Institute,St. Anslem's College in New Hampshire, AARP, SEIU, the Des Moines Register, the Democratic National Committee and others -- were very successful in their effort to disappear Dennis.

With these two factors in mind, following the New Hampshire primary, it's no secret that Dennis was mulling over whether to abandon his presidential run to concentrate on his re-election to Congress. I was in New Hampshire on primary election day, Jan. 8, 2008, doing visibility and making GOTV calls.  The Kucinich campaign had reserved a function room at Jillian's Restaurant in Manchester NH to watch the results come in after the polls closed. This was not a private event, it was open to the public.

The National Campaign Manager, Michael Klein, who had been working out of New Hampshire for several months, had left the campaign a day or so before the New Hampshire primary to return to his home in England. Klein is a U.S. citizen married to a British citizen. His wife is running for Parliament and she needed her husband at home to help her own campaign. At this point the New Hampshire operation was pretty much set up. The deputy campaign manager, Vin Gopal, was now running the operation, in close coordination with Dennis. Vin had let it be known to several on the staff that after New Hampshire he would be leaving the presidential campaign. My understanding at that time was he would be transitioning to the congressional campaign.

At Jillian's that night Vin told me that the congressional campaign HAD HEARD REPORTS FROM BACK in CLEVELAND that:

  • Two and possibly three of the four candidates running against Dennis in the primary would drop out of the race with about two weeks to go (The congressional primary in Ohio is March 4, the same day as the presidential primary) and would throw their support to the remaining opponent, who most likely would be City councilor Joseph Cimperman. (By the way, Cimperman's non-residence in District 10 is not news, it has been repeatedly noted right from the day he announced his candidacy.)
  • A consortium of banks and other businesses including the private power company in Cleveland, were working hard to see that Kucinich lost the primary.
  • Several national PACS including AIPAC, had promised to put as much as $2 million into the campaign to defeat Kucinich in the primary.

That was what Vin told me HE HAD BEEN TOLD. He did not relay it to me as gospel fact. It was what people back in Ohio were telling him.
Vin did not say anything to me on Jan. 8, 2008, about any Pelosi and AIPAC incident in Dennis' office.

Despite his low showing in New Hampshire that night, Dennis was upbeat and told us he was going on the Michigan, following a stop in Cleveland to make a speech dealing with his Congressional run. At that point he was still running in two races.

On Jan. 10, 2008 I was back in Manchester helping to clean out the campaign office. We were all going up and down stairs, lugging materials, loading vehicles, and performing other tasks. A lot of side conversations were going on. I was involved in several dealing with the possibility of Dennis calling for a hand count of the New Hampshire ballots. If there was any discussion abut a representative from Pelosi's office or AIPAC getting thrown out of Dennis' office I did not hear it. The first I ever learned of that was from the Hutchinson blog. I have made no effort to ascertain whether it was true or not. Someone who wants to spend the time on that should file a Freedom of Information request for the Congressional office schedule and see who was there when. I personally don't have any interest in it.

As for the issue of Dennis being threatened with losing his chairmanship, I commented to Stuart Hutchinson yesterday, Feb. 13, that on the day that Dennis announced on the floor of the house that he would be filing an article of impeachment against Bush, he returned to the podium several minutes later, and asked that his comments be stricken from the record. I said to  Hutchinson that I had no information as to why his tone and demeanor had changed so rapidly, but that it would not surprise me if  he had heard from Pelosi that either he remove his remarks or his chairmanship of the Domestic Policy sub-committee was in jeopardy. I told Hutchinson that I had NO ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE of that, and that I had not spoken to Dennis in over a week, but that it would not surprise me if that's what happened. It was my conjecture, pure and simple, and I told Hutchinson that.

Let me repeat that. I have no knowledge of any contact between Pelosi's office, AIPAC and Dennis Kucinich. NONE. And I don't care to have any. It's up to Dennis say whether or not he's been approached by Pelosi et.al. but my conjecture is that Pelosi's message to Dennis -- if there was a message, and I have NO information that there ever was -- would be "AIPAC and others are coming after you because of the impeachment tissue among other factors, if you drop the impeachment issue I'll try to call them off." That's MY CONJECTURE. I have no knowledge of ANYTHING that actually happened, and that's what I told Hutchinson. It's just my sense that Pelosi would never be so stupid as to directly threaten a six-term Democrat with losing his primary if he didn't behave. But it would not surprise me if Pelosi and groups such as AIPAC have some back-channel communication.

Finally, as to the "power" of groups like AIPAC. They have that power because they have money to burn. Progressives don't have any power because they don't  understand that they should be giving their money to candidates they support. Dennis has pointed out that he is being outspent five to one in this primary. So for the next three weeks, drive right by your local Starbucks, and instead of that morning latte, go to www.Kucinich.us and give some money to Dennis' congressional campaign.

by Kevin Zeese (102 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 62 comments [13 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Feb 14, 2008 at 8:29:55 AM

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