The Clipboard: Lawmaker seeks end to war

From an article¹:

Not only did Kucinich vote against the resolution giving the president authority to launch a military strike against Iraq, he sued Bush to prevent him from invading Iraq without an explicit war declaration from Congress. A federal appeals court dismissed the lawsuit.

He was one of only 12 members of Congress to vote against legislation Thursday that provides nearly $80 billion for the initial costs of the Iraq war and other anti-terrorism expenses. He offered an amendment to cut the funds in half - $30 billion to fund the war to date and $10 billion to bring the troops home immediately. (link)

This guy is running for president. He doesn't stand a snowflake's chance in hell, of course.

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Complete text of the article, Despite Polls, Lawmaker Seeks End to War, by Nedra Pickler

When Rep. Dennis Kucinich (news, bio, voting record) goes into his oft-repeated tirade against war in Iraq (news - web sites), he has been known to point his finger, pound his fist and even burst into patriotic song. Sometimes he causes listeners to squirm in their seats.

The Ohio Democrat, a 2004 presidential hopeful, knows he sometimes makes people uncomfortable, though he does not think it is because they disagree with his antiwar position. "I think people know what I'm saying is the truth and it's unsettling for them to hear it," he said.

Kucinich describes the war as an unprovoked display of U.S. aggression that will turn the world against the United States and put Americans in greater danger of terrorist attacks.

He says spending on the war wastes money that should be used on domestic problems, including medical care, unemployment, public works, education, the environment and the economy. He believes the war is illegal, unjust and immoral.

Polls show more than two-thirds of the U.S. public supports the war, but Kucinich sticks to his belief that his stand will carry him to the White House.

"I'm going to be president," he said. "People are going to wake up and they are going to say we need a fundamental change. And I'm the only candidate presenting that plan for change."

Kucinich is the lone voice among the nine Democrats running for president who wants President Bush (news - web sites) to pull the troops out of Iraq and end the war immediately. Others have criticized Bush's diplomacy or even opposed a start to the war, but none has spoken out so relentlessly now that bombs are falling.

Kucinich acknowledges he will not raise anywhere close to the money his rivals will. He will not have experienced aides working to get him elected, but he said 4,000 people already have been inspired by his message and signed up on his Web site to help. He said he will open offices in California, New Mexico, Iowa and New York.

Not only did Kucinich vote against the resolution giving the president authority to launch a military strike against Iraq, he sued Bush to prevent him from invading Iraq without an explicit war declaration from Congress. A federal appeals court dismissed the lawsuit.

He was one of only 12 members of Congress to vote against legislation Thursday that provides nearly $80 billion for the initial costs of the Iraq war and other anti-terrorism expenses. He offered an amendment to cut the funds in half — $30 billion to fund the war to date and $10 billion to bring the troops home immediately.

A few lawmakers spoke out against it, including some from his own party. Rep. David Obey (news, bio, voting record), D-Wis., said it was not rational, although he respected it as a symbolic act against the war. Rep. Norman Dicks (news, bio, voting record), D-Wash., said it would hurt the troops.

"This is the ultimate support-the-troops amendment," Kucinich insisted. "There is no better way to ensure their safety than to bring them home now."

No one came to argue in support of his effort. Kucinich withdrew the amendment before a vote and went back to his office, undeterred in the fight.

reference=http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030404/ap_on_el_pr/war_kucinich_2