Kucinich rallies Iowa supporters
Originally published in the Iowa City Press-Citizen
Tuesday, January 6, 2004
Kucinich tries to rally supporters
By Deanna Truman-Cook
Iowa City Press-Citizen
WEST LIBERTY - With less than three weeks until the Iowa caucuses, Rep. Dennis Kucinich spent Monday on a whirlwind tour of Eastern Iowa rallying supporters in hopes of a surprise showing.
The presidential hopeful trails far behind the three front-runners - Howard Dean, John Kerry, and Dick Gephardt - for the Democratic nomination. He has been asked several times if he is electable, and was asked again during his stop at La Mexicana restaurant. Kucinich's answer is the same each time.
"Yeah, if people vote for me," he said. "Caucus for peace, health care, Kucinich."
The presidential candidate who is being endorsed by country music legend Willie Nelson and Dr. Patch Adams made stops in Newton and Iowa City before arriving shortly after 5 p.m., greeted by about two dozen supporters and volunteers. His schedule included later stops in West Branch and Cedar Rapids.
Iowa's Jan. 19 caucus is the first contest for national convention delegates who will select a Democratic challenger to President Bush.
If elected, Kucinich, D-Ohio, said he would bring home U.S. troops by having the United Nations stabilize Iraq; that he would provide universal health coverage by forming a nonprofit health care system overseen by the government; that he would create jobs by repealing the North American Free Trade Agreement and withdrawing from the World Treaty Organization. He also pledged to strengthen education by reducing class sizes and increasing teachers' pay.
He told residents if they elect a candidate not controlled by corporations the future has no boundaries.
"It is about community, making sure communities like West Liberty can survive," he said, "rebuilding a new economy."
Jose Zacarias, 48, of West Liberty, said that after hearing Kucinich speak he is certain he is the right person for president.
"He sounds like a generally honest guy," he said. "He is not in the mainstream political realm."
What appealed most to Zacarias was Kucinich's pledge to add jobs.
"The big businesses are driving jobs out," Zacarias said. "Family businesses are shutting up. Let's keep the jobs here in the United States."
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