Following the campaign, October 21
From Karin Caifa:
THE ALOHA STATE
The first trip by a presidential candidate since Nixon 43 years ago, Kucinich’s visit over the weekend was a success, reports the Honolulu Advertiser. Says the paper of a stump stop Sunday, “The crowd, numbering well over 300 people, filled the hall, spilled out into lawn chairs in the courtyard and on the sidewalks, drowned out the ends of Kucinich’s sentences with applause, hoots and other affirmations and rose at the end of the speech for cheers and applause.” The campaign also reportedly took in about $10,000 at a Maui fund-raiser.
MEDIA MADNESS
The Kucinich campaign’s love-hate relationship with the media carries on. After some glowing press following the congressman’s official announcement tour last week, the bid finds itself fighting for ink — and air — once more. The campaign sent an e-mail to supporters once again encouraging them to fight back. “First, the New York Times printed an editorial today about opposition to the war from Democrats in Congress, but made no mention of Congressman Kucinich. … Second, NPR’s Cokie Roberts today reported on the presidential race without mention of Dennis Kucinich, and NPR’s Larry Abramson reported on congressional opposition to the “Patriot Act” without any mention of Dennis Kucinich or the bill he has introduced to repeal major sections of it, or the fact that he is the only candidate who voted against it. This is part of a longstanding pattern with NPR.” The e-mail encourages Kucinich supporters to write to the editorial page and ombudsman of the news organizations, respectively, and provides the addresses to do so. Monday’s poll numbers weren’t too kind either. A Fox News/Opinion Dynamics survey of voters nationwide had Kucinich tied for last place with Al Sharpton. And the Behavior Research Center poll of Arizona voters conducted after the debate has Kucinich polling at zero. Well, there was one poll that had Kucinich near the top. When asked which Dem should drop out next, according to the Fox News poll, Kucinich placed second (7 percent) only to Al Sharpton (22 percent).
CONGRESSIONAL ACTION
Further showing his presidential bid has not equated to abandoning his congressional duties, Kucinich drew attention Monday to a flurry of issues he’s been pushing on the Hill, including reducing noisy train traffic in his Ohio district and reducing the amount of asbestos allowed in auto repair shops. Kucinich has been working to reduce train traffic since his arrival in Congress. He’s even a founder of a Quiet Zone Task Force, devoted to scaling back the troubles created by train traffic in Ohio’s 10th Congressional District. Kucinich also released a statement lauding the House resolution on the 25th anniversary of John Paul II’s papacy. “Few other world leaders have inspired so many and have done more in the service of a greater world community. It is a great honor and privilege to support this resolution, and wish the Pontiff many more years of health and joy.”
‘VOTE WATCH’
The RNC sent another of its “vote watch” memos tracking the records of the members of Congress in the Democratic field. Once again, Dick Gephardt topped the list with 90 percent of votes missed and, once again, the RNC’s argument was lost on Kucinich, who’s missed only 7 percent.
‘IT’S TOO SCARY NOT TO VOTE FOR DENNIS!’
Since house party initiatives were a relative success for the fund-raising efforts of this campaign, they’ve decided to throw a bunch more, including some ghoulish bashes for Halloween. In addition to debate watching parties on Sunday, another round will take place on Oct. 31. “Here’s a mask you can print out,” suggests the campaign Web site. Why not wear your Kucinich mask while you take your kids out trick-or-treating? Or how about going from door to door with your Kucinich mask on, registering voters or canvassing for Kucinich: ‘Hi, I’m Dennis Kucinich. Would you like to get rid of the frightening HMOs, terrifying NAFTA, and spooky war profiteers? Would you like universal preschool? Would you like to help me send President Bush back to Texas? Hasn’t he been haunting the White House long enough? Join my campaign. This is no trick.’”
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