Ani spins him 'round like a record
Originally published in the Sagamore Online
Like a good Democrat, for the past few months I have been sifting through the information the presidential hopefuls have on the important issues: war and peace, life and death, jobs and health.
Early on I decided Dennis Kucinich is the candidate who would fight for the issues I care about.
But in the struggle to decide on the person who could beat Bush, I had forgotten all about the elfish and truly eclectic senator from Ohio.
His performance in the early caucus states has confirmed he doesn’t have a chance at this race, and judging by his less-than-presidential tastes in music, he never will.
Last week The Washington Post helped us find out just a little bit more about the personalities of the Democratic hopefuls by running a piece of their tastes in music.
While John Kerry, Howard Dean and Wesley Clark gave predictable answers – and Lieberman didn’t stray too far from The Boss and Beatles either – only Kucinich gave responses that were less “patriotic,” and yet more American.
Included in his favorite artists was Ani DiFranco. You know, the woman who sings passionately, yet sweetly about abortion and topics even this columnist struggles to understand (purple nipples?). She’s the songwriter who married a man the same year she was honored for being a lesbian leader.
Unfortunately, responses like these set him apart – too far apart – from the other candidates.
I don’t know if Kucinich admitting DiFranco spins him ‘round as much as Willie Nelson and Bonnie Raitt is as surprising as the fact that no other candidate said his favorite band, album or concert included any female artists.
While most of the camps turned in some response to the Post’s David Segal, only Kucinich seemed to really give a glimpse into his personality.
I like The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen and Journey – ok, not Journey, but apparently that is dancing music to Clark – as much as the next person. And indeed, the Rolling Stones are one of my all-time favorite bands, but they are relics of the past and so unrevealing of the candidates.
The last thing we need in a potential Bush opponent is a relic of the past. A history of public service and a pattern of political achievement are important, but so is the ability to change with the times.
This is why Kucinich is the president for me. He’s blues and country, and a little bit of angst.
Aren’t we all?
By Ginny LaRoe
Viewpoints Editor
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