Kucinich brings 'homestretch tour' to Oberlin
Originally published in the Morning Journal
Kucinich brings 'homestretch tour' to Oberlin
MIKE SAKAL , Morning Journal Writer 02/12/2004
OBERLIN -- Pressed for an answer on when ''enough will be enough,'' U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich said last night he plans to go all the way to the Democratic National Convention in his bid to be president.
Sounding as if the primary season were just starting, Kucinich was in his element as he gave an energetic speech before an overflow crowd of about 1,200 people at Finney Chapel on the campus of Oberlin College.
Oberlin was historically known as a hotbed for abolitionists pressing to end slavery in the 1860s, and in similar fashion Kucinich said he wants to set the country free of the North American Free Trade Agreement, high health-care costs and the war in Iraq.
Kucinich didn't flinch when a reporter said he didn't seem to have a prayer of winning the nomination.
''All the media is covering now is a horse race,'' Kucinich said in a hallway of the chapel before speaking. ''About a month ago, everyone thought Howard Dean was going to win the Democratic nomination. I think the votes will be more spread out as the campaign goes along, and I'll have enough to compete for the nomination.
''This is a homestretch tour of our Ohio campaign for the upcoming Ohio primary on March 2,'' Kucinich added. ''I don't plan on stopping, I still plan on going to the Democratic National Convention, and I keep getting a lot of support in small pockets. Don't put the cart before the horse. Wait until the horse crosses the finish line.''
To win the Democratic nomination, a candidate must garner 2,161 delegates. So far, Kucinich has six.
Kucinich also made a campaign stop in Toledo yesterday before coming to Oberlin, where he was introduced by Michael Kaye, chairman of Lorain County for Dennis Kucinich, state Sen. Eric Fingerhut and Oberlin President Nancy Dye.
Kucinich's speech was well-received by a crowd mostly consisting of Oberlin College students.
''Hello, Oberlin!'' Kucinich screamed as he took the stage to a standing ovation. ''On March 2, Ohio will have an opportunity to pick a true representative who not only will represent the people fairly, but we'll guarantee that.
''We are a country more and more at risk militarily because of the war that this administration has gotten us into,'' he said. ''This country is more and more at risk environmentally. We need to create an ethical standard of commerce by breaking down barriers of the World Trade Organization agreements.
''I've seen grass growing in parking lots where they used to make steel, cars and bicycles -- grass growing in parking lots where we used to make, used to make, used to make. We need to make goods in America, purchase them in America and bring jobs back to Americans.''
Kucinich went on to say he didn't care whether President Bush did or didn't serve his time in the National Guard and blasted Kerry for being a supporter of NAFTA.
He said that he would support same-sex marriages and try to garner world support to create an independent Palestinian nation and to foster peace between Palestine and Israel.
Kucinich also answered questions ranging from his vegan diet to educational funding from about 30 people after his speech.
Melissa Threadgill, co-chairman for the Democrats of Oberlin College, said she liked Kucinich's speech.
''He's clearly the most progressive and liberal candidate we have,'' said Threadgill, an Oberlin senior majoring in politics. ''Most of us here at Oberlin College are in line with his views, but, whether that will turn into votes for him, I don't know. He's got a lot of energy and gave a great speech.''
Bryan Woliner, an Oberlin senior also majoring in politics, said he believed that Kucinich was received better at Oberlin than he has been in a lot of other places and liked his ideas for a nonprofit national health-care system.
''I think he was preaching to the choir here. A lot of the other candidates are pushing for marginal change,'' Woliner said.
Today, Kucinich is flying to Los Angeles, where he'll appear on ''The Tonight Show'' with Jay Leno. He'll be back in Ohio to campaign Tuesday.
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