Kucinich criticizes other Democrats during speech on Iowa State U campus
Originally published in the Ames Tribune
Campaign stop
By: Matt Neznanski, Staff Writer September 03, 2003
Kucinich criticizes other Democrats during speech on ISU campus
Democratic presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich told an audience at Iowa State University's Memorial Union Tuesday that the current crop of contenders gives voters limited choices.
He blasted other Democrats and the current administration for continuing to put defense before health care, jobs and peace.
"America is not, nor should it be, a home to fear," Kucinich said. "The world is waiting to work with the U.S. - we only need the leadership."
Such talk brought an endorsement from Iowa's Stop The Arms Race political action committee at Kucinich's stops in Ames and Iowa City.
Chet Guinn, a member of the committee's board and a long-time peace advocate, said Kucinich's positions are aligned with the goals and views of the organization.
"They set this candidate apart from the field and represent the views and aspirations of STAR-PAC's mission," Guinn said.
The group has supported peace candidates in past elections.
Kucinich said that as president he would trim the Pentagon's budget by 15 percent, freeing up nearly $60 billion to provide day care for young children.
Patrick Hultman, an ISU graduate student from Iowa City, asked if Kucinich would consider sharing a ticket with retired General Wesley Clark.
Clark has been critical of the Bush administration's military campaigns and has hinted at making a run for the top office.
"General Clark has served his country well, but I'm not looking to confirm the primacy of the Pentagon," Kucinich said. "I have a fundamentally different view."
He also addressed health care and agribusiness, industries that he said are counter to providing good health or good food.
According to Kucinich, the "health-care-for-profit" system thrusts people into a new kind of poverty driven by medical bills.
"You either have health care for profit or health care for people," Kucinich said.
Meanwhile, biotechnology companies have "shoved genetically modified seeds on farmers."
He said a Kucinich Justice Department would begin by breaking up the monopolies held by such firms to give farmers a fair price and access to local markets.
And he dismissed questions about the strength of his campaign to date.
"There are those who would like to tie this up right now," he said.
"But this campaign is just beginning."
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