Liberal candidate speaks in Oakland
Originally published in the Oakland Tribune
Liberal candidate speaks in Oakland
Democratic presidential hopeful Kucinich brings message to forum
By Laura Casey, STAFF WRITER
OAKLAND -- Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich spoke to more than 600 people at a town hall forum during a campaign stop in Oakland Sunday afternoon.
Kucinich, a Democratic congressman from Ohio known for his stand against the war in Iraq and his vegan diet, has served eight years in the U.S. House. Born in a large family that twice found itself homeless, Kucinich was the youngest mayor of a major city -- Cleveland -- when he was elected in 1977 at age 31.
The progressive candidate joined U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) at Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church as she introduced him as a man who takes such controversial topics as justice, health care and world peace into public debate.
"Wherever Dennis goes, wherever Dennis speaks, the issues change," Lee said.
Since his rise to politics at the national level, Kucinich has established himself as a liberal who opposes the war in Iraq, supports a universal health care system and would like to see an American political system with a more enlightened world view.
He said the current administration's power is fueled by anger and fear brought on by the 9-11 terrorist attacks and the ensuing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He told the crowd a "funeral pall" has swept across America.
"How much of the discussion of government lacks the sense of optimism?" he asked.
He said he would bring optimism back to the country by creating an America that is connected with the rest of the world.
"It's time to see peace as inevitable and not war as inevitable," he said. "It's time to lift this nation up."
Kucinich said he believes in eliminating all nuclear weapons. He opposes the war with Iraq and believes the United Nations should handle contracts to rebuild Iraq and control its oil supplies for the benefit of the Iraqi people.
At home, Kucinich advocates universal health care run by not-for-profit corporations rather than big business. He would like to get rid of the North American Free Trade Agreement and the World Trade Organization, which he says are responsible for taking jobs away from Americans.
As president, Kucinich said he would cut the Pentagon budget to provide funds for early childhood care and education and create a system where students do not have to pay for college.
Audience members came from as far away as Fresno and Middletown in Lake County to hear Kucinich speak. He spent about an hour answering audience questions about his conservative voting history on abortion rights, his proposed solution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and his strategy to reach out to members of the Independent party.
Joan Lopate, a Walnut Creek resident who supports Kucinich for president in 2004, said she found his speech inspiring.
"Every time I have seen him, he has said things that really stuck a chord," she said.
After the forum, Kucinich attended a fund-raising dinner in Jack London Square.
Democratic presidential candidate Al Sharpton is scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at Allen Temple Baptist Church, 8501 International Blvd., Oakland.
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