Kucinich's Web site features creative works celebrating candidacy
Originally published by Knight-Ridder
Posted on Sun, Jan. 18, 2004
Kucinich's Web site features creative works celebrating candidacy
By Lori Aratani
Knight Ridder Newspapers
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean might have more millions in his campaign war chest, and retired Gen. Wesley Clark might have better poll numbers, but Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio has something no other Democratic presidential candidate has - his own polka.
Sample lyrics: "Vote for Kucinich, we all love this guy a ton, vote for Kucinich, he knows how to get things done."
The toe-tapping, head-bobbing tune appears in the "culture corner" of Kucinich's campaign Web site - a creative, sometimes irreverent collection of songs, illustrations, animated shorts and essays by campaign supporters that celebrate the Ohio congressman.
While other candidate Web sites feature trendy blogs - only at www.kucinich.us/culturecorner.htm can you find work by Kucinich supporters like Oregon-based Scott Bateman, an editorial cartoonist originally from Cleveland. His quirky animated shorts feature characters whose heads are shaped like New Hampshire and Vermont (purely coincidental). Artist Deborah Koff-Chapin's e-cards urge people to "listen to the courageous voice of Dennis Kucinich, speaking from the new paradigm that must emerge for life on Earth to flourish." Really.
The works range from slickly professional to endearingly homespun.
"We have the most colorful group of supporters you've ever seen," said Karen Kilroy, the campaign's Web guru.
Though considered by most political analysts to be a long shot in the presidential sweepstakes, Kucinich's candidacy has built a devoted following - so passionate they are often moved to write or compose an essay or song.
"We feel like he represents us," Kilroy said. "We can trust that he has the knowledge and experience and the love in his heart to make the right decisions."
If polka's not your beat, there are tunes in the corner with a more, ahem, urban feel. There's "Weapons of Mass Destruction" by Ursa Minor featuring Rappin' 4-Tay and Akhuto. Other songs on the site: "A Song for Peace Candidate Kucinich" and "A Fire in his Belly."
Kilroy noted that many of Kucinich's supporters are artists, musicians and writers. The congressman - a vegan - counts Bonnie Raitt and Willie Nelson among his supporters.
She said the campaign gets more than 80 emails a day from supporters eager to share their art. There are no formal rules for what's posted except that it must entertain or make people laugh or think.
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