Kucinich no-shows, ditto media
Originally published in the San Francisco Bay Guardian
Well, Dennis Kucinich had a good excuse for missing the kick-off of his "Peace Train" presidential campaign in San Francisco - the untimely death of his brother, Perry.
The media, however, didn't have an excused absence. Despite the lack of Dennis, over 200 people turned up last Friday night to hear the Nation's John Nichols, writer Michael Parenti, Code Pink's Medea Benjamin, Bill Simpich from the Iraq Moratorium, and Kucinich scheduler, Amy Vossbrinck, laud the Ohio congressman and his bid for the White House.
While all of the speakers had interesting points to make, Parenti made the really obvious one that had to be in the backs of all the minds sitting in the audience - that no one's paying attention to Kucinich's campaign. "Candidates used to hide how much money they had. Now they brag," said Parenti, and the more money they have, the more "serious" their candidacies. But, said Parenti, it's the newscasters that really call the shots. "The media makes these designations. They say these are the leading candidates."
As he was speaking, I couldn't help but notice that I seemed to be the only one taking notes. In fact, when I arrived and signed in the only other press outfit listed was Media Alliance. Theory confirmed. Kucinich's candidacy apparently isn't "news" in San Francisco.
"What we need more than ever is somebody who can defy this suppression," Parenti summed. In fact, the "dark horse" question is often the only time the outside candidates do make the news. A spike in polls or a boon in fundraising is what prompts the media to start asking questions about a candidate they were actively ignoring. (see: Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee.) Bill Richardson and Mike Gravel have yet to see their 15 minutes of fame. Kucinich made more headlines recently because his brother died, not because he (and Gravel) are the only candidates that consistently oppose the war and support impeachment for President George W. Bush and his sidekick, Dick.
Speaking of kicking them out of the White House, John Nichols' fiery presentation about the history of impeachment made me proud to be an American (for about eight minutes), quoting James Madison on why impeachment is sanctioned in the Constitution and how it's inherently difficult. "Do not fear this moment. It is what we fought for." He also did a nice summary of the charges: lying to and spying on the American people, torturing and extraordinary rendition, exploitation of office for political gain.
Amy Vossbrinck, who went to work for Kucinich's first campaign after reading one of his speeches, "Stars and Stardust," shared several personal anecdotes that testified to the integrity of her boss, including a story about missing a flight to a campaign event in Oregon where he was supposed to speak with Sean Penn (who's endorsed him.) Kucinich and his wife ended up catching a ride with Penn on his production company's jet, and then sent the company the equivalent fare for three first class seats. "Dennis does what is right, fair, and ethical, even when no one is watching," she said.
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