Kucinich comes to OSU
Originally published in the Daily Barometer
Kucinich comes to OSU
The presidential candidate speaks with students, holds a peace rally Thursday
By Dan Traylor
The Daily Barometer
For Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, the next few weeks are all about Oregon and all about the issues -- especially the war in Iraq.
Kucinich, an Ohio congressman, spent much of Thursday on the OSU campus in hopes of picking up support ahead of the May 18 Oregon primary election.
Kucinich hopes his support will translate into change in the Democratic party platform.
"Iowa and New Hampshire decided the nomination," Kucinich told a crowd gathered in the Memorial Union Ballroom at noon. "Oregon has the opportunity to participate and send the party in a new direction."
Earlier in the day, Kucinich spoke to students at Corvallis High School before coming to the OSU campus, where he spoke to a philosophy class and a group of political science students. He then held an afternoon "peace rally" in the MU.
Kucinich said that students especially should "realize that their voice can be heard in the primary."
"Ordinarily a primary wouldn't mean much, but we're on the verge of sending more troops into Iraq and there could be a draft next year. People need to be heard from now, and Oregon could be the first state that really makes a difference," he said.
Kucinich often referenced the potential for a draft, calling the possibility "real."
"It won't happen until after the election," he told the MU crowd.
In the question-and-answer session, Kucinich spent several minutes talking about the war in Iraq, calling for a withdrawal of U.S. troops in favor of a U.N.-led occupation.
"We have no right to be in that country," he said.
Kucinich also pointed out where he and presumed democratic presidential candidate John Kerry differ on some issues.
While discussing how Kerry would keep U.S. troops in Iraq, Kucinich said, "I'm not ready to trade a Republican version of the war in Iraq for a Democratic version of the war in Iraq. There are other choices."
"Senator Kerry has plenty of time to change his position," he added.
Kucinich stressed that, in order to vote for any candidate in the Democratic primary, voters must register as a Democrat before April 27.
Jen Gilbreath, president of the OSU College Democrats, said support for Kucinich is evident within the campus group.
"I think people are leaning toward Kucinich on the ballot," she said. "Hopefully he'll be back on campus in May."
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