Russell Simmons Endorses Dennis Kucinich, Calls Obama a "Mouse"
For hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, it's not choice between Hillary or Obama. A long-time Democratic supporter, Simmons is endorsing Cleveland's own Dennis Kucinich in the 2008 Presidential Election.
In an interview with journalist Adam Bernard, Simmons explained why he likes Kucinich:
"I like Dennis Kucinich, how bout that? If you were black you’d have to like him and if you were interested in preserving mother earth you would like him, and if you were interested in fighting poverty you would like him. If you were interested in practicing a different relationship with not only mother earth but all of the species on it, as a vegan, like him, you’d like him. If you’re interested in lifting the planet up and having a higher consciousness you’d like him. No one else knows about him, but I’m just making a point."
Simmons has expressed his disinterest in both of the Democratic party front-runners, even going so far as to calling Obama a "mouse" in an interview with the New York Times.
Deborah Solomon:What do you make of Barack Obama, who recently said that rap musicians should reform their lyrics?
Russell Simmons:What we need to reform is the conditions that create these lyrics. Obama needs to reform the conditions of poverty. I wish he really did raise his money on the Internet, like he said. I wish he really did raise his money independently.
Deborah Solomon: What are you saying? I think about one-fourth of his campaign contributions came from small donations made over the Internet, even though he collected more than any other Democratic candidate from Wall Street people.
Russell Simmons: So at the end of the day, he’s controlled, too. That’s my point. He’s a mouse, too, like everybody else.
By backing Kucinich, Simmons is not only expressing his desire for a change and a focus on making this country a better place to live, but he's also displaying the tension between Barack Obama and the hip-hop community.
Obama famously criticized the hip-hop community and suggests a change in lyrics. But as Simmons expressed, it's the conditions that give rise to the creation of the situations and lifestyles that inspire the lyrics that need to change.
He also added that President Bush is not “promoting a good relationship with the world” in any “meaningful way.”
Hip-Hopping and AWAKE!
Kudos abound for Russell Simmons for his comments on Congressman Kucinich and his "insight" into Obama. My hope is that Mr. Simmons will use his influence and popularity to spread the word and fan the flame of Dennis Kucinich.
People Know Kucinich
I've been on the streets helping spread the word about impeachment here in Las Vegas. Don't buy the baloney that says Dennis Kucinich is either unknown or unelectable. Recent polls show 88% folks support Dennis Kucinich' impeachment efforts against the current White House occupants. He is respected well-known and wll win in a landslide when folks have the wisdom to let him run. I hear a big push to get more money is one the way. The millions that s-called front runners receive is nothing compared to the heartfelt courage of people working for positive change. Join the fun and donate now at www,kucinich.us.
NUT CASE
40 years of accomplishing NOTHING for NE Ohio
WAS a JOKE as x boy wonder mayor , IS a JOKE as Congressional REPRESENTative FOR OHIO-10 , likely will continue to be JOKE for whomever has a dollar for denny - pres II or III or IV run
Mr DANK - Dennis Accomplishes Nothing Kucinich
I know about Dennis. He's
I know about Dennis. He's everything Russell Simmons says he is...and more. Dennis truly loves this country and all that it stands for.
Unfortunately, a vast amount of Americans don't know who Dennis is. Kucinich won't take one red cent from 'big money', so he doesn't get the publicity he deserves.
Hopefully, Mr. Simmons will use his influence to bring attention to Dennis.
How to vote
I agree. Vote Kuchini!... if you want an indecisive, short-sighted leader... Vote Clinton!... if you want experience. Monotonous, unchanging politics... Vote Edwards! if you want to end poverty... curb global warming... and elect a republican... Vote Obama if you want a change. Better leadership. A new, appealing vision. Vote Obama. Vote change over failed, repeated leadership.
Peace...
Lupercal
Dennis Kucinich
There is a disconnect between how Americans vote and where candidates stand on the issues. Noam Chomsky refers to this as a "democracy deficit." Americans must stop being passive consumers and become active citizens, voting not on the basis of whom the corporate media tells us are "leading candidates"--candidates whose policies favor the corporations that contribute mightely to their campaigns. Instead, each voter should learn where a candidate stands on issues that truly matter.
Take, for example, healthcare. Clinton, Obama and Edwards all offer variations on the same "universal healthcare" scam that amounts to subsidies for the health insurance industry. Mr. Kucinich proposes eliminating the middle-man, for-profit insurance, that makes up 31% of our spiraling healthcare cost, replacing it with an efficient single-payer system. Go to Kucinich.us. You will find that, on issue-after-issue, Dennis Kucinich is the "only" candidate who deserves the label "Democrat."
I'm For Dennis All the Way
It's good to see musicians come forward and say it like it is - you can see that I, too, have made my stand - check this out Real American For Kucinich
Peace,
RA4K
INFULENCE WHO ???
Thanks for letting me know where Mr. Simmons stands. I'm doing great to be so far from where he is. What appears to be a grown man calling another man names like he is in elementary school. Yea Russell. It is typical for him to go with the losers as he did in Maryland last fall by supporting what's his name oh yea, Steele. To the commenter about his influence. What influence??? Did you hear him. He has a rodent mentality. Anyone that he could influence are not engaged in the process to vote. They are too busy killing each other. He's just letting off steam - - futile.
Kucinich is the best
Kucinich is the only leader who stands with the American people. Obama, financed by General Dynamics, does what the corporations tell him to do. Obama has voted more than 22 times to keep the war going. The nice thing about Kucinich is that, when he says he's against war, he has a record to back up what he says.
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