Kucinich back in Hawaii to make pitch for Kerry
Originally published in the Maui News
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Sunday, October 31, 2004 9:00 AM
Kucinich back to make pitch for Kerry
By CLAUDINE SAN NICOLAS, Staff Writer
KAHULUI – Ohio U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich predicted a tight presidential race Tuesday could possibly lead to Maui making the difference on who will occupy the Oval Office.
At the request of the campaign of U.S. Sens. John Kerry and John Edwards, Kucinich – a former presidential candidate who twice visited Maui to campaign on his own behalf – flew into Kahului Airport on Saturday night to ask Maui voters to support the Democratic challengers hoping to unseat President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.
Kucinich’s message: “That the world is at stake. That the beauty of our world, the protection of our global environment, is all in the balance.”
He’s here to ask Maui’s voters to show up at the polls Tuesday and vote for the Kerry-Edwards ticket.
“There’s no better place to make that decision that in Hawaii. This election could be decided here, and Maui could make that difference,” Kucinich said.
Kucinich had opened a campaign as an anti-war candidate seeking the Democratic presidential nomination last year, making an initial stop on the Valley Isle last October and returning again in February. He said he chose to come to Maui, skipping the larger voter numbers on Oahu, because of the strong support he received from the island community.
During the Democratic Party presidential caucuses held Feb. 24, Kucinich took the most votes and delegates on Maui, although Kerry won the overall delegate count statewide.
Lucy Feinberg of Kihei was part of a small contingent of Kucinich supporters to greet him with lei at the Kahului Airport on Saturday night.
“He knows our values. We’re supportive of his values, which is world peace,” she said.
Feinberg described Kucinich as a creative thinker and politically astute congressman. “I think there’s no one like him,” she said.
Joy Brann of Keokea, a Kucinich delegate from Maui to the Democratic convention in August, said she’s hoping to get direction from Kucinich on the kind of mindset people should have as the general election draws nearer.
“I’m hoping his coming will relieve my anxiety about Tuesday,” Brann said just moments before giving Kucinich a welcoming hug.
“I feel there’s a lot at stake for our future and it ’s important someone move this country in a positive way. . . . Bush is not doing it,” Brann said.
Cassandra Fraser of Kuau also greeted Kucinich at the airport and said she believed predictions of a tight presidential race may be unfounded.
“I’m feeling pretty confident,” Fraser said. “I don’t think it’s as close as they’re saying.”
Kucinich was to make an appearance at a private celebration Saturday night at the Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center.
His schedule for today includes guest speaking on local radio shows, a visit to a private party with an estimated crowd of 1,500, and then an appearance at the Maui Democratic rally from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kahului Shopping Center.
Kucinich is expected to fly out after the rally.
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