Kucinich talks Iraq, trade at E.L. stop
Originally published in the State News
Kucinich talks Iraq, trade at E.L. stop
By BRIAN CHARLTON
The State News
Quickly pacing through the rows of lively supporters, Dennis Kucinich made sure the East Lansing crowd knew he's the only Democratic presidential candidate with a plan to remove the troops from Iraq.
Briefly stopping at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road, on Thursday, Kucinich addressed a crowd of more than 200 people, ranging from college students to senior citizens. Some traveled from as far as Oregon and Maine to see the presidential hopeful speak.
Kucinich's 20-minute speech focused on his plans to pull troops out of Iraq, to offer universal health care with a single payer and to withdraw the country from the North American Free Trade Agreement and World Trade Organization.
"If there's any place where people know the difference between offense and defense, it's this campus," Kucinich said of President Bush taking the country to Iraq "based on a lie."
Kucinich also criticized Bush's decision to scrap tariffs imposed on foreign-made steel.
"The President has buckled to the World Trade Organization, rather than standing up for the interests of American workers and manufacturers choosing to create wealth in the United States," he said.
Joining the public reception were four people trekking from Maine to California in a Steps for Peace walk inspired by Kucinich's campaign.
The foursome arrived in East Lansing shortly before the Ohio congressman, but just after meeting him for the first time earlier that day in Ann Arbor.
"Peace means good education and the ability to have health care that includes everyone and does not make one person rich," said Clara Wilson, 25, from Lexington, Ky. "It's just a small impact, but people seeing us out there has a rippling effect."
For some, including East Lansing resident Pauline Adams, 81, the visit was a good chance to check out one of the nine Democratic candidates before she decides how to vote Feb. 7.
"I think he raised a lot of important issues, but not all of the issues," she said. "I support some of his ideas. I'm still looking for a good, solid Democratic candidate to support."
Other Democratic candidates include former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun, D-Ill., former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, U.S. Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt, D-Mo., U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., the Rev. Al Sharpton and retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark.
Even with a crowd packed with college students, Kucinich didn't touch on his plan to offer tuition-free education to public colleges and universities.
"It's an issue I really would have liked to hear, but I understand why he talked about Iraq," said psychology junior Jennifer Olsen.
The funding for free college education isn't possible without taking away from other essential services or excessively raising taxes, said Jason Miller, chairman of the Michigan Federation of College Republicans.
"Mr. Kucinich has ideas that are unpopular," said Miller, who also is a State News columnist. "In fact, his ideas are unpopular among Democrats."
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