Kucinich

[svero]

Maybe someone could start a thread for the other candidates like Clarke and Dean etc...

Anyway... I'm not American but I follow politics because without a doubt what goes on the US affects pretty much the whole world. If I were a US citizen this is the guy I'd want running on the democratic ticket. So what do you guys think about Kucinich?

http://www.kucinich.us/

[hgc]

Originally posted by svero
...

If I were a US citizen this is the guy I'd want running on the democratic ticket.

http://www.kucinich.us/ Is that because you support Bush for re-election? That would be the effect.

[svero]

Well that's a tough call. I support him in the sense that I like his policies and he seems to have more integrity than the other candidates. But clearly just about any of the hopeful dems would be an improvement over Bush. (Except Lieberman who might actually be worse)

Why do you think Kucinich would do poorly against Bush compared to say Dean who seems to be the favorite at the moment? Is it because you think Americans don't like his policies or is it for some other reason?

[Larspeart]

You like him because you must be a socialist. Only thing I can think of.

Dennis has about as much chance of winning as I do.

On the positive side, I like him. He looks like a cute little rodent. Dennis the Ferret!

[hgc]

Originally posted by svero
Well that's a tough call. I support him in the sense that I like his policies and he seems to have more integrity than the other candidates. But clearly just about any of the hopeful dems would be an improvement over Bush. (Except Lieberman who might actually be worse)

Why do you think Kucinich would do poorly against Bush compared to say Dean who seems to be the favorite at the moment? Is it because you think Americans don't like his policies or is it for some other reason? Dean is a fairly middle-of-the-road Dem, whereas Kucinich is a genuine lefty and disinclined to hide it. No such animal can be elected president of the U.S.

[bpesta22]

He actually taught classes at the University I work at. When I was a student there, too, he guest lectured in one of my classes.

The thing that impressed my about him., was he seemed willing to make tough unpopular decisions-- in other words, he wasn't like the typical dem who'd take a poll to see how he should decide on an issue

Dunno if being in congress now has changed him

[svero]

Originally posted by hgc
Dean is a fairly middle-of-the-road Dem, whereas Kucinich is a genuine lefty and disinclined to hide it. No such animal can be elected president of the U.S.

Is a progressive left candidate really doomed? Polls I've seen seem to indicate a moderate left leaning on issues.

[Tony]

Originally posted by bpesta22

The thing that impressed my about him., was he seemed willing to make tough unpopular decisions--


In otherwords, he's a leader.

[corplinx]

Kuci is the real leftist candidate for the democrats. I may not agree with him but he adamently supports his views and does not run from them or sugarcoat them. I consider him the only true "straight talker" in the democrat field.

That said, he is a leftist and not a liberal per se. He would never win the nomination. I do amire him for reforumulating his least popular views into pallatible vague chunks like Dean does.

[svero]

I donno.. Dean seems really weak in many respects. I suspect Clarke would have a better chance to beat Bush because he'd more easily pull over some of the right wing vote.

[swellman]

While Mayor of Cleveland, Dennis the Menace allowed the city to go into default. It was principled decision I suppose, but one that would seem hard to qualify him to be President.

A bit of a woo woo - used to be tight with Shirley MacLaine and the Reincarnation crowd.

Then there is his about face on abortion...

[svero]

Originally posted by swellman
A bit of a woo woo - used to be tight with Shirley MacLaine and the Reincarnation crowd.

Then there is his about face on abortion...

Don't know anything about Cleveland or why the decision was made.

The shirley Maclaine thing sounds very bad...

The about face on abortion.... well... donno. I'm not sure that changing one's mind is a bad sign really. I'd prefer someone rational who could be convinced of another point of view. Maybe it's a good sign so long as he doesnt wishy wash around on issues a lot.

[Jocko]

I can appreciate an honest liberal. I wouldn't vote for him, but I can appreciate him.

Looks too much like Gary Bauer for my taste. Yuck.

[aerocontrols]

Originally posted by svero


Is a progressive left candidate really doomed? Polls I've seen seem to indicate a moderate left leaning on issues.

Put the man out of your mind. It's not going to happen. The US is not nearly left enough to elect him. He is far to the left of the majority of us.

The Dems don't even like him.

This (http://www.realclearpolitics.com/polls_Dem_04.html) and this (http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Presidential_04/polls_State_Polls_04.html) should demonstrate that nicely.

[Soapy Sam]

A word of caution for non-Americans discussing U.S. politics.

I've observed over the years, that while my British friends think I'm a right wing reactionary extremist, my American friends see me as a dangerous pinko liberal socialist.

It can be hard to compare neutral baselines across the pond.

Americans and Britons frequently annoy one another because they are not arguing about what they think they are arguing about.

[Mr. Skinny]

Originally posted by bpesta22
He actually taught classes at the University I work at. When I was a student there, too, he guest lectured in one of my classes.

The thing that impressed my about him., was he seemed willing to make tough unpopular decisions-- in other words, he wasn't like the typical dem who'd take a poll to see how he should decide on an issue

Dunno if being in congress now has changed him
I haven't read the link yet, but since I lived in Cleveland when he was mayor, I thought I'd comment.

Yes, he did make a number of unpopular decisions. Some of it was from the previous administration (can't recall now....wasn't it George sumptinorother......)

Anyhow, I did like the fact that he was young and energetic, and used to eat breakfast at the same diner that he did before election. The people and the press always knew where to find him at least. Showed more guts with the press than most politicians at the time.