Following the campaign, September 24
From Karin Caifa:
ALL FIRED UP AND READY TO GO
When I asked Kucinich about his preps for Thursday’s debate he replied with a smile, “I’m ready every moment of my life for a debate.” While waiting for his car to pick him up in Manhattan at the corner of 43rd Street and 6th Avenue on Tuesday afternoon, he looked up and around and joked, “I thought I’d come up here a couple of days early. Come up and scope the place out.”
RESPONSE TO BUSH SPEECH
Kucinich’s congressional office offered the following response to President Bush’s Tuesday speech at the U.N.: “President Bush’s speech today at the U.N. is further proof that the war against Iraq was a complete failure. The war has harmed the United States’ standing in the international community, has depleted needed funds from domestic priorities and is a distraction from the United States’ campaign to root out terrorism. It is now clear that the war against Iraq was unnecessary and unsuccessful. The president and his administration misled the country and the world in the lead-up to the war. As the falsehoods and lies that the president and his administration used to justify the war come to light, the president is steadily losing support both at home and abroad. By executing a unilateral war, in the face of international opposition, the president has harmed the United States’ standing in the international community and further isolated our country from the very allies we need to continue to combat terrorism. It is time for the United States to become a willing partner in the international community. It is time for this president to abandon his failed polices of pre-emptive and unilateral war and work with the international community to restore peace and order to Iraq. The United States must begin the process of withdrawing from Iraq and allow the U.N. to take over peacekeeping operations. This is the only way to ensure true peace and stability in the region.”
A LITTLE HELP FROM HIS FRIENDS
Kucinich is getting some help from some high-profile friends. Tuesday night “Concerned Artists and Activists” sent an e-mail to supporters saying, “If you agree with us on what the Democratic Party should stand for, there is one sure way of telling the world: Support Dennis Kucinich in the Democratic primaries!” It continues, “Dennis Kucinich is a unique and courageous member of Congress — the first presidential candidate to oppose Bush’s war in Iraq, and one who has never wavered in his opposition. We know Dennis. We admire him. We endorse him. If you agree with us on what direction the Party and our nation must take — even if you aren’t endorsing Dennis yet — please consider sending a donation to help him spread his progressive Democratic message to more and more people. The e-mail was signed by actors Ed Asner, James Cromwell and Elliot Gould, as well as singer Ani DiFranco and others.
A SHARPTON-KUCINICH TICKET?
Kucinich shared the stage at New York City’s Town Hall with the His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dr. Helen Caldicott and fellow presidential candidate Al Sharpton. While he couldn’t match the bombastic oratory of the preacher from Brooklyn (honestly, who can?) in his own measured, thoughtful way Kucinich once again stated his case for a Department of Peace. He informed the Dalai Lama that 50 members of Congress have signed on to the idea and other parliamentary institutions around the globe are mulling similar proposals. The Dalai Lama said he loves the idea, but would be hesitant to add his endorsement lest he be accused of meddling in American politics. His Holiness also asked if a Department of Peace would spawn a service academy as the branches of the military have. Kucinich’s reply: “Why not?” Arriving 20 minutes after the panel started, Sharpton took several opportunities to tease Kucinich, seated to his right. At one point, Sharpton jokingly suggested that the Ohio congressman be his vice president.
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