Democratic hopeful Kucinich promotes candidacy as chance to get out of Iraq
Originally published in Newsday
Democratic hopeful Kucinich promotes candidacy as chance to get out of Iraq
By MADISON J. GRAY
Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK -- Democratic presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich said Tuesday his candidacy represents the only opportunity voters will have to voice their support for a swift end to the United States' involvement in Iraq.
The Ohio representative, who ranks behind most democratic candidates in state and national polls, has been a consistent critic of President Bush's policy in Iraq and has accused other Democrats of wavering in their opposition to the war.
On Tuesday, he reiterated his position, saying the U.S. should withdraw from Iraq and let the United Nations administer and rebuild the country.
"Ending the occupation in Iraq is going to be the defining issue in the Democratic primaries," Kucinich said at a news conference. "And I'm standing alone right now with a plan to get out of Iraq within 90 days, but it involves going to the U.N. and taking a new approach."
"All this presence in Iraq is helping Al Qaeda," he said. "It's making the terrorists stronger, not weaker."
Speaking against the privatization of Iraq's oil industry, Kucinich said the United Nations should manage the country's oil reserves and distribute the oil wealth to the Iraqi people.
Kucinich also spoke about his plan to overhaul the nation's healthcare system and replace it with a universal healthcare program.
"Right now the insurance companies own us," Kucinich said. "They can raise copays and deductibles, they can limit your area of coverage.
"It doesn't matter who you are they have control. I'm talking about taking control away from the insurance companies and putting it in the hands of the American people."
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