Kucinich stops in S. Texas
Originally published in the Corpus Christi Caller-Times
Kucinich stops in S. Texas
Contender aims for White House
By Quincy C. Collins and Janell Ross Caller-Times
March 7, 2004
ALICE - Steam escaped from a large pan as Jim Wells County Democratic Party Chairman Lupe Martinez served up two hot corn-and-bean tamales for Democratic presidential hopeful Dennis J. Kucinich's plate late Saturday morning.
But in his first political campaign tour of South Texas, Kucinich said he is the one who would like to serve South Texas - in the White House.
As Kucinich and his campaign staff arrived at the Alice Democratic Party office, Tejano and country western music blaring through the loud speakers served as a reminder that the progressive Ohio congressman and former Cleveland mayor must appeal to the Democratic Hispanic vote.
Throughout the day, Kucinich would stop in many South Texas towns, including Hidalgo, Edinburg, Elsa and finally, Corpus Christi. Once in Corpus Christi, he spoke to a crowd of more than 200 who waited for him at the Nueces County Democratic Headquarters. Throughout the day, he spoke about care for veterans, the Iraq war, health care and the North American Free Trade Agreement.
But those working on Kucinich's campaign say they realize they probably won't get the Democratic nomination. They're out for votes with a different reason - delegates. Sylvia Samaniego, the Corpus Christi coordinator for Kucinich's campaign, said that with enough delegates, Kucinich's platform will still be heard.
In Alice, he outlined his platform on amnesty for undocumented immigrants, universal health care, veterans' services, environmental protection and bilingual education to connect and celebrate cultures within the nation.
Alice Mayor Grace Saenz Lopez handed Kucinich a key to the city and proclaimed Saturday as Dennis J. Kucinich Day.
Kucinich, in rusty but adequate Spanish, told the audience how he fought the English-only policy in Cleveland schools and supported the reading of Miranda rights in Spanish and English.
Jim Wells County and other South Texas communities are clawing back from the fall of the oil and gas industry and are looking for ways to attract jobs, educate their children and provide quality health care.
"With my heart and with my soul, I will see that the traditions of this community and others like (it) are protected, respected and accepted throughout all of America," Kucinich said. "It's nice to be in a place where the spirit of revolution is alive because that's what is in my heart."
Arriving in Hidalgo
Kucinich's three-vehicle caravan arrived in Hidalgo, a town situated fewer than 20 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, at 1:48 p.m. When he arrived at Dodge Station, he was sort of a political second act.
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggettand Hidalgo Mayor John David Franz had just finished a political fund-raiser.
Kucinich headed outside to the 2004 Border Fest being held in the stadium's parking lot. Kucinich made his way through the crowd of Valley residents listening to music and noshing on everything from barbecued turkey legs to cheese- and butter-laden potatoes.
He shook hands with more than 20 people in 35 minutes.
Some people seemed surprised to see him.
Valentine Atkinson of Brownsville said he was sort of awestruck when he saw Kucinich.
"I've been following the presidential race very closely. In fact, I've watched all the debates on TV," he said. "He's a good guy. I've been very impressed with what he's had to say."
Atkinson said he will likely vote for Kucinich in Tuesday's primary but doubts he'll have the opportunity to do so again in November.
Before Kucinich could make his way back to his vehicle, his staffers handed face cards listing his policy positions to a group of Harley-Davidson-clad festival attendees.
David Arellano of Harlingen said he had no idea Kucinich was still in the race.
"Does he know he doesn't have a chance?" he asked.
On to Edinburg
Kucinich arrived at the family-owned Adobe Bar and Grill in Edinburg at 2:42 p.m. and headed into a back room where journalists, students, residents and bar regulars crowded the room.
He gave a 10-to 15-minute speech in whichhe shared his ideas on equalizing access to education, NAFTA's impact on the local economy and the disproportionate number of poor and minority servicemen and women in Iraq.
Kucinich was all business at the grill, declining an offer for a free taco and beer. The vegan candidate may have had a hard time finding something to eat on the bar's meat-oriented menu.
Next stop: Elsa
At 4:17 p.m., Kucinich's caravan stopped at VFW Memorial Park in Elsa for an event sponsored by the Elsa Delta Area Veterans.
There, the candidate addressed a group of about 35, including several silver-haired members of the San Benito Alaniz VFW Post 7473, in staccato Spanish and impassioned English. Kucinich reiterated his interest in strengthening programs such as Social Security and pumping greater resources into the veterans' hospital system.
Felix Rodriguez, a Vietnam veteran, asked if Kucinich thought a draft should have been implemented to prepare for Iraq and to send demographically proportionate troops. Rodriguez said he was a Howard Dean supporter, then a John Kerry supporter, but would consider voting for Kucinich after hearing his positions.
"This gentleman has come into the mix because he took the time to come down," Rodriguez said. "This man seems to understand what we experience here in South Texas. When you want somebody's vote, you need to knock on the door."
Kucinich responded with an off-the-cuff anecdote that seemed to stir the small crowd.
He explained that he didn't go to Vietnam because he had a heart murmur. Instead, he worked at an Ohio newspaper as a copy boy, and part of his job was rounding up photos from families whose loved ones died in the war, to be printed in the newspaper. That's when Kucinich noticed most of his visits were in the poorest neighborhoods.
One family, he remembered, had only one photo of their son - a photo of the soldier in uniform. The family begged Kucinich to return the picture because it was also the one it had to use on his casket. According to Kucinich, the same patterns are being repeated in Iraq, where more than 40 percent are reservists and many are minorities.
"I know who's over there - it's the poor and those without other opportunities that sometimes end up fighting these wars," Kucinich said.
Straightforward support
As of 8:45 p.m. Kucinich had not arrived at the Corpus Christi Democratic headquarters on Alameda Street, but 200 residents had.
"He's one of the best," said supporter Delores Dees. "He's very straightforward."
While waiting for him to arrive, supporters passed out buttons, fliers, stickers and campaign material reading: "Fear Ends. Hope Begins. Kucinich for President."
"I'm a big supporter," said Felipe Santos. "Anything but Bush."
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