On the menu: politics and soy
Originally published in the Concord Monitor
On the menu: politics and soy
Activists organize vegan meal to welcome Kucinich
By ED PILOLLA
Monitor staff
Concord
Kucinich spent his time at the potluck supper talking to supporters, then opted for a doggie bag.
Dennis Kucinich slipped off his black shoes on a chilly front porch last night and stepped into the foyer of a Beacon Street home. Inside, a vegetable buffet and nearly 100 people were waiting for him.
A vegan, Kucinich does not eat anything that in any way comes from an animal. That means no steak, no cheeseburgers, no fish, and even no milk - unless it's soy or almond milk.
The Ohio congressman believes in the "sanctity of all species."
"Hello," Kucinich said as he gripped one hand after another.
"Are you going to have something to eat?" a white-bearded man asked.
"I'll eat later," Kucinich said, moving on his stocking feet through the crowd to an old orange couch.
"We're impressed you took off your shoes," said another man.
"I always do it at my house," Kucinich said, craning his neck to answer the man.
A few feet away on the kitchen table, roasted vegetables steamed next to bread and saucy mushrooms, competing for attention with the aroma of warm noodles and pasta and bowls of brown rice. A carton of soy milk was nearly empty next to the sink. On the counter, vegan chocolate cake dared onlookers to doubt its quality.
Kucinich shook three more hands before someone else asked if he would like to visit the buffet.
"I'll eat later," Kucinich said.
A woman leaned in. "Can we get you some coffee?" she asked.
Kucinich's drink of choice on the campaign trail is simpler than coffee: He prefers a cup of hot water, if possible with a lemon slice. He asked for that, and the woman fetched it.
The house party was sponsored by two local peace organizations. All candidates, including President Bush, were invited last night.
But only the vegan showed up, and he, as he has done elsewhere in the state, continued his criticism of the war in Iraq.
"This administration wants to drum up this war as a perverted triumph," Kucinich said. "We have to address the issue of reparations for the families of innocent Iraqi people who have died."
Most activists on hand applauded. Some questioned the difference between him and former Vermont governor Howard Dean. One asked Kucinich to remind everyone that he's running for president.
"I am running for president," Kucinich said through a tight smile. "I am a candidate."
After an hour, Kucinich was still sitting on the orange couch, answering questions and sipping water. His staff had packed a plate full of vegetables, rice, noodles and his favorite, a slice of vegan chocolate cake. He would not have time to dine with the activists, staffers said. He would be eating in the minivan on his way back to the hotel.
Subscribe to this blog's feed