Following the campaign, October 1
From Karin Caifa:
STANDING FIRM
The Kucinich campaign is tired of their candidate’s anti-war message being muddled or attributed to other candidates in the field. While other candidates have wavered or otherwise retracted, they say Kucinich has stood firm. In last-minute fund-raising e-mails, the Kucinich camp emphasized their boss’ tough stance on Iraq at last week’s debate. On Sunday, Kucinich spoke at a “bring the troops home” rally in Hollywood. Campaign communications director Jeff Cohen also notes that Kucinich’s candidacy stems largely from a speech (“Prayer for America”) he gave in February of 2002, which said that the United States should not engage in military action with Iraq as a response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The campaign has posted a timeline on its Web site tracking Kucinich vs. Dean’s responses to Iraq. Cohen says that Dean has “wavered and talked out of both sides of his mouth,” on the issue. “Now he’s saying we’re stuck there. That’s not an anti-war stance.”
CAN’T GET HIM ON THIS ONE
The Republican National Committee sent an e-mail Monday night accusing members of Congress who are campaigning for president of missing roll call votes and “playing hooky from work.” Gephardt topped the list, missing 91 percent of floor votes, followed by John Kerry who’s missed 61 percent. But the RNC’s argument was lost on Kucinich, who’s been on the floor for all but 6 percent.
KUCINICH FOR SENATE?
If this presidential bid doesn’t work out, could we see Kucinich run for Senate? His enhanced profile and more dollars in the bank would certainly be an asset to challenge Republican incumbent George Voinovich, up for re-election in ’04. So far just one Democrat, former state Sen. Eric Fingerhut, has jumped into the race. Voinovich is in his first term on Capitol Hill after two terms as Ohio governor. A victory would be sweet for Kucinich; Voinovich defeated him to become mayor of Cleveland in 1979. Campaign press secretary David Swanson insists his candidate is focused on nothing but the presidency.
ON THE TRAIL
Wednesday: In Washington.
Subscribe to this blog's feed