Kucinich to make a repeat appearance
Originally published in the Corvallis Gazette-Times
Kucinich to make a repeat appearance
By BENNETT HALL
Gazette-Times business editor
Candidate wants Oregon to steer party toward progressive goals
Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich will bring his road show back to Corvallis next week, with several appearances scheduled for Thursday.
At 9 a.m., the Ohio congressman and former Cleveland mayor will address a student assembly in the auditorium of Corvallis High School, 836 N.W. 11th St. His talk, titled "Redefining Democracy in America," will be open to the public.
At 10, Kucinich will attend a fund-raising brunch at Intaba's Kitchen, 1115 S.E. Third St., where he'll visit with supporters expected to donate $30 to $100 a plate on a sliding scale. Seating is limited to 40 people, and reservations can be made by calling LoErna Simpson at 753-7431.
He's also planning to take part in a peace rally at noon being organized by the student Democrat group at Oregon State University.
Even though Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry has had the Democratic presidential nomination virtually sown up since Super Tuesday, Kucinich has continued to campaign in a bid to steer the party in a more progressive direction.
He was in Corvallis two weeks ago during a whistlestop tour of the state and drew hundreds of cheering supporters to appearances at the Old World Deli and Burton's Restaurant.
"Oregon's a crucial state," said Simpson, a member of the Kucinich campaign's Corvallis steering committee. "There's a lot of progressive people here that are supporting the issues he's talking about."
A strong showing in Oregon's May 18 primary, Simpson said, could enhance Kucinich's bargaining power going into the Democratic National Convention in July.
"People can vote the issues," she said. "It's really talking about what is the Democratic party standing for, their vision for the future."
Campaign spokeswoman Terre Lundy, speaking by telephone from Kucinich's Portland office, said the congressman plans to spend all next week in Oregon and may stay in the state through April 20. Kucinich plans stops in Portland, Tillamook, Newport, Coos Bay, Roseburg, Cottage Grove, Eugene and Salem in addition to Corvallis. He may also visit Bend, Redmond and Madras.
"Oregon's one of the states that have been left out of making a decision in the primary election," Lundy said, "so he's going to be spending time in the state to make sure (Oregonians) have a say in the party's direction."
By staying in the campaign even after Kerry's been anointed as the presumptive nominee, Lundy said, Kucinich's goal is to "make sure the Democrats have something to stand for when they do run in November."
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