Tucker Carlson Asks a Good Question: Why Isn't Kucinich Taken Seriously?
Tucker Carlson, who hosts the MSNBC Political show 'Tucker', had a segment on tonight's show asking why Dennis Kucinich isn't taken seriously despite being the only "true" Democrat in the field. Rosa Brooks, a Los Angeles Times columnist, and A.B. Stoddard, who writes for The Hill, both agreed that Kucinich stands for traditional Democratic stances (union and workers rights, an economic platform that would promote middle class America, Universal Health Care, etc) but concluded that his stances are seen as too far left in today's middle of the road world. They also blamed the media for his "longshot" status, but did praise the ideas he brings to the tables.
Why is it that 8 years of President Bush's administration bringing the United States of America's government so far right that most of the world thinks were fascists, that bringing a real FDR-type Democrat to the White House sounds like such a bad idea? Voters cannot even see much of a difference between Democrats and Republicans anymore, and for the American Democracy to work that has to change. A one party system is bad for the people and only good for corporate interests (probably the "real" reason that Congressman Kucinich isn't given much of a chance in the 2008 race according to corporate media).
While the conclusion that pundits reached wasn't exactly what I had hoped for when the debate started on show, it was refreshing that pundits did agree that Kucinich does, indeed, bring valid concerns to the 2008 election. Every day that Kucinich is in the race is a day that Hillary Clinton and her host of faux-Democrats will have to move their platforms farther left, and that helps the average American more than you could possibly imagine. And, if the improbable happens and Kucinich is Inaugurated in 2008 the entire world would be a better place with his views on world peace, sustainable energy sources, and workers rights that would turn the tables on the corporate world and give average people a fighting chance for a change.
Why Isn't Kucinich Taken Seriously?
Dennis is in the dark, because corporate media wants him to be there. The media directs its projectors towards easily manipulated empty-shall "leaders" with dubious reputation. Most of the people are conditioned in such a way, that intellect, truth, and ethics mean nothing to them; they'd rather have Hitler-like president than Einstein-like. They'd rather have war than peace.
It pains the few to watch how indifferent fools are being carefully preselected instead of an intellectual giants with the crystal clear sole.
If you really believe that
If you really believe that then you've got some issues. The reason he isn't taken seriously is because everyone knows he has no shot at winning the presidency. It's not some conspiracy by "corporate media." The guy isn't presidential material.
Issues
Look at the issues. Why isn't Presidential material? Compare them to the canadiates. Would they help or hinder you? If you make over 250k a year, yeah it would probably be a good idea to vote against him. Anything less than that, you are gaining Universal Health Care, strong labor unions, and POWER to the PEOPLE not the Gov't and Corps
FANTASY LAND
DENNIS is too honest and he works to help people NOT hurt them and you just can't wrap that around your little brainwashed mind.Also he doesn't take his money from big corporations and all his knowledge that he has scares the hell out of everyone so they won't give him any airtime cause they are ashamed that he knows more than they do and can prove it.
Well, if YOU really believe that...
If you believe that Dennis is not presidential material, then you are a superficial, uniformed ignoramus who has been brainwashed and blinded by the corporatist media.
The media will have you believe that only stereotypically "Pretty" people are worth anything, and that the interests of the corporations benefit the people. IT'S ALL LIES. You've bought into those lies, and like the lemming that you are, you will run off the cliff by voting against your own best interests.
You've forgotten the value of substantial qualities such as Character, Intelligence, Wisdom, Honesty, and Fairness, in favor of the cheap and valueless qualities of superficial looks, false bravado, bullying 'machoism', slick talk, and grandstanding.
You idiot!
Hey Now...
K,
I must say I agree with (most of) the points you make. However, I think there's a key element missing, which for lack of a more accurate term we might call kindness. Nearly every day, I find myself confronted with the despair engendered by the state of the world and those running it (or ruining it) from the top. In Kucinich, I see a candidate whose vision for the country and the world is one I strongly support and pray will become a reality. My heart aches, because I want this guy in office so badly, and because I greatly fear that the corporate, military-industrial machine will once again triumph.
So, I can understand your apparent anger at someone who doesn't seem to get it. Someone who (like many), may be buying into the usual hype and obfuscation. In your words, a "lemming." However, I strongly believe that to vent that anger by way of insulting and belittling anyone, particularly those we don't agree with, is both counter to the very values that someone like Kucinich stands for, as well as being just plain counter productive. In the interest in saving space, I'll point you to an article I found very insightful, and relevant to this point (link at end of post), particularly the part where he talks about "reaching new people."
Sorry to rant :o) , but I think it's an important point to make.
http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=51&ItemID=11315
hey now . . . rob is right!
Very insightful. The corporate media does do a good job at antagonizing the free thinkers of the world, and it is hard to not get completely pissed off about the lies they spread. That being said, we must control this if Dennis is going to have a chance. Otherwise they'll keep painting us as far left crazies. . .
Wasn't it amazing how well Dennis kept his composure in the debate in Vegas? maybe it was just me but he seemed frustrated as all hell by that lame twenty minute intro of spin from borack, hillary, and a lil edwards, but kept his composure, and brought out real issues we all care about. In all the debates he always gets him the loudest cheers. They cannot keep ignoring us, or they will pay. KUCINICH 2008!!!!!!!
vote for Dennis Kucinich enen if you have to write him in.
We the true Democrates can elect Dennis Kucinich if we do not try to vote for an "electable" candidate. We must vote our conscience and vote for Dennis Kucinich even if it is only a write-in vote. If it turns out that a Republican is elected so what? All of the other Democratic candidates come across as being no different than Republicans anyway.
Kucinich isn't taken
Kucinich isn't taken seriously because he takes no serious positions. There are no FDR democrats anymore, they are all what you would call a Bush Republican. Kucinich is a Stalinist Democrat whose policies would result in famine, unemployment, rationing of goods and services, and increased terrorist activity.
Keep voting against your own
Keep voting against your own self-interest. The only thing that is being hurt is your own wallet.
Kucinich isn't taken seriously
Matt, please don't worry, we'll get a President and his cohorts, who will feed plenty of junk-food not only in our stomachs but also in our brains and our souls. As to employment, there will be plenty of it in Iraq, Iran, Blackwater, and elsewhere - not so much in Detroit, Michigan.
Is that you, Carl Rove?
I woulden't call FDR a Stalinist...He was actually a populist...I would rather die under a Kucinich Presidency, free, and under our good Constitution, then live in a Bush, Repig, Fascist police state...Go infiltrate somewhere else!!!!!!!
Stalinist?
Hah, he's nowhere near being a communist. I'd say that he's a scandinavian socialist, social-liberalist maybe. But a communist? No. He's actually for workers unions. They don't have that in social-fascism aka communism.
maybe you should read more
maybe you should read more about Marxism before you spout ideas you barely understand...communism is not anti-union...hence the concept of 'soviets' aka worker councils...
Perhaps YOU should do more
Perhaps YOU should do more research. Stalin was not a Marxist. Hell, Karl Marx wasn't even a Marxist. The communisms we've seen are nothing like what Karl Marx envisioned.
Perhaps YOU should post more
Perhaps YOU should post more COMMENTS!
to comrade
Look closer and dig deeper. Today's biggest communist state is *very* anti-union. China has mandatory "work councils" which are billed as labour unions. They support the party; genuinely free trade unions which are organized from the ground up are banned. (Go ask Han Dongfang about it.)
Where in the WORLD did you
Where in the WORLD did you come up with THAT prognostication?!
LOL, you sir are a Fu*cking
LOL, you sir are a Fu*cking idiot.
"Kucinich is a Stalinist
"Kucinich is a Stalinist Democrat whose policies would result in famine, unemployment, rationing of goods and services, and increased terrorist activity."
And that is base on what exactly? If anything terrorist activity would go down, since the US would try to police the world and poverty in the US under bush already is in a record high, i doubt things can get much worse.
To me your post is anti-left outdated cold war propaganda gibberish...
You can't be serious. You,
You can't be serious. You, sir, are either a complete idiot, or a bastard shilling for some corporate interest. Kucinich is the only hope left for this dying democracy. You had better hope he gets elected, because when the Republicans get done emptying the treasury and handing out billions to their friends in industry, there isn't going to be anything left to fuel the economy. U.S. economic collapse is right around the corner, my friend, and it's going to take the world's economy with it You can take that to the bank.
Matt campaign reform is a
Matt campaign reform is a serious issue and for all of your Bush loving and Stalin hating, I am sure that you are aware of Bush's borrowing of terms like sleeper cell from Stalin.
Why settle for the 3 stooges when you've got the real deal?
Who says that Kucinich has no serious positions. The 3 stooges namely Clinton, Obama, Edwards are the ones who have no serious positions who flip-flop on issues and got no clear answers to real issues. Hopefully, Americans will begin to wake up & see that Kucinich has the plans that will move forward US to a new direction toward peace, progress, prosperity and sustainability. For those who splat out comments without bearing, please do your research. Check out: www.dennis4president.com --you'll see real solutions to the problems that we face nowadays. Don't make the same mistake again America! Vote Kucinich. Thank you. ;)
Clinton, Edwards, Obama
We've listened very carefully to the CEO candidates: Clinton, Edwards, Obama
And, now, I'm sending another $100 to the Dennis Kucinich for President Campaign!
I was a ron paul fan.....
Till the debate last night.. and in the 8 mins I saw him speak, I was hooked. I looked up his platform, his views and I just love it.. I'm a liberal democrat, that wants change one way or the other. I see dennis as a way to make that happend. Will he win? prob no. But a VP spot would be nice as well.
There are rumors of a
There are rumors of a Paul/Kucinich ticket... Mostly since the two respect each other very and have similar moral fiber.
Personally... I'm Kucinich all the way, but I'd vote for that ticket in a heart beat even if Kucinich was VP.
Feedback on Paul/Kucinich ticket
I think Ron Paul (Republican) and Dennis Kucinich (Democrat) are the only two good candidates, and here is why:
Paul is the only Republican who is not a "tax-and-spend" liberal ("RINO," aka "Republican In Name Only"), as far as I know. (There may be others, but he is foremost.)
Paul is the only candidate who supports our 2nd amendment rights.
Kucinich and Paul both have the title "Dr." -which implies that they are intelligent. (Most or all other candidates are not "Dr" so-and-so.)
Dennis Kucinich, like myself, is a vegan. (I eat meat if I have no other choice, but that he is vegan shows me he is intelligent.)
I don't know a lot about Kucinich, but the fact he is Dr. Kucinich and that he is vegan speaks volumes in a positive light.
Both candidates seem to be independent thinkers, not "Big Government" aka "Pro Establishment" status quo types.
However, I must agree with a former writer: Kucinich does not take positions on many issues. He needs more backbone in that area:
Agree or Disagree, I respect Hillary Clinton more for her stance on abortion (killing innocents) than Kucinich, because at least she tells you where she stands -even if she is prejudiced against the little babies, simply because of where they live (womb vs outside) -or how they breath (amniotic fluid vs fresh air).
Yes, I don't think abortion is right, unless it is self-defense. "WHY?" --Because killing is *only* justified if in self-defense, as in when an eptopic pregnancy threatens a mother. Other than that, unjustified killing, be it an unborn child or one already born, is murder, by any other name. (One other possibility for self-defense is possible: If the world population threatens, then killing anyone, be it unborn or born, would possibly be justified self-defense.)
That is my view, and I think it is right.
Gordon Wayne Watts, Lakeland, Florida
www.GordonWayneWatts.com
www.GordonWatts.com
I don't like to bash people,
I don't like to bash people, but making this comment completely takes away any credibility you may have had. Linking vegetarianism and intelligence?? please...
"Dennis Kucinich, like myself, is a vegan. (I eat meat if I have no other choice, but that he is vegan shows me he is intelligent.)"
"Vegan" comment lacks credibility?? Check your science, bub.
I see a person (who didn't even sign their name??) say that linking veganism and intelligence takes away any credibility.
quote:
"I don't like to bash people, but making this comment completely takes away any credibility you may have had. Linking vegetarianism and intelligence?? please..."
(Additionally, "h.g" writes a similar claim: "shut up. diet doesn't dictate IQ....there's nothing dumb about meat...")
This would imply (if not outright declare) that veganism is bad. But, do the dispassionate scientific facts suggest such? I think not. Observe:
"The study measured testosterone levels in 696 Oxford University men. Of the study participants, 233 were vegan (ate no animal products) and 237 were vegetarian (ate milk and dairy products). The remaining 237 subjects were men who ate meat on most days of the week...vegans had higher testosterone levels than vegetarians and meat eaters."
British Journal of Cancer, 83(1), July 2000
"Vegan diets are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, including during pregnancy and lactation."
Am J Clin Nutr. 1994;59(suppl):1176S-1181S.
"Vegan diets can meet the nutrient and energy needs of pregnant women. Birth weights of infants born to well nourished vegetarian women have been shown to be similar to birth-weight norms and to birth weights of infants of non vegetarians."
Pediatrics. 1989;84
Additionally, once you accept that you are wrong (hey, you can understand that you do make mistakes once in a while, like all of us, myself included, can't you??), then you can see my own research on the subject (based on actual scientific fact, not hocus pocus), which will scare the daylights out of you, if you are even half awake:
http://GordonWayneWatts.com/consumer.html
http://GordonWatts.com/consumer.html
http://Members.aol.com/gww1210/myhomepage/consumer.html
Now, to answer one person, who actually makes some cogent points and says: "You say you're a vegan but you eat meat when you "have to"???? That doesn't make any sense - you *never* have to eat meat, and if you do, you are *not* a vegan."
MY 1st RESPONSE: On occasion, it is hard to find complete proteins in the vegetarian variety (not all veggies are complete proteins, and most aren't -Soy is a rare exception), so, unless I can get a quality veggie source, I do "have" to (in my eyes, but I could be wrong, I admit).
MY 2nd RESPONSE: You write "and if you do, you are *not* a vegan." Well, I can define terms the way I see fit: It is called semantics, but you do make a point, unlike the other posters to whom I responded, lol.
Vegans don't eat meat!
You say you're a vegan but you eat meat when you "have to"???? That doesn't make any sense - you *never* have to eat meat, and if you do, you are *not* a vegan.
Eh, he does have a position on abortion.
Although not clearly defined on his page (as in, it's not something he intends to change), he did say at the debate, and I quote: "You can have both! A Kucinich Administration would fund pre-natal care, post-natal care, a good, solid education. There wouldn't be any need for an abortion. But we can still respect a woman's right to choose!"
And that is a reasoning I can respect. Although a Ron Paul/Kucinich ticket would inevitably be Pro-Life (Ron Paul as a doctor is strongly pro-life and I doubt he'd be willing to allow Kucinich to bargain on that.), the mere fact that Kucinich in his positions stands for appeasing both sides of any arguments something I greatly respect. It's one thing to take a position, but its entirely another to be willing to allow someone else's.
Ron Paul, Pro-Life
Ron Paul does indeed believe that abortion is wrong. However, he doesn't think it is the right of the government to decide anything for anyone. The government has no standing to ban abortion. It's simply not in the constitution. So, while he might not legalize it, he certainly wouldn't make it illegal (not that he could, but you get the idea).
Thx 4 the data...
Thanks for the info on Kucinich's positions.
GW Watts, Lakeland, FL
shut up. diet doesn't
shut up. diet doesn't dictate IQ. hell, even blurting that makes you look stupid. there's nothing dumb about meat. it gives you nutrients you need.
Interesting you say VP spot
Interesting you say VP spot because my husband and I plan on voting D.K. in the NH primaries even though we know he doesn't pull in the big crowds, because we agree with him the most. We are voting our views, not the popular views and D.K. fits them best.
We were talking last night about his prospect to win is low but that if enough people who do believe he is worth listening to vote in his direction that he will be noticed as possible VP material. I think the big three should consider him seriously as VP, if anything, to romance the disenchanted democrats back into the polls to vote and win back our working-class voice in Washington DC.
I believe that modern day republicans have reinvented slavery in this country. We live so deeply in fear of losing our jobs, which barely pay living wages now, that we work instead of going on vacation, we work weekends and many of us work multiple jobs to have a financial safety net or just to make the minimums on our credit cards that we had to use to live on while in college because tuition was too high for financial aid to cover our living expenses too. And if we aren't willing to work nonstop, we are accused of not wanting the jobs and that these jobs should go to illegals instead.
Corporations have been breaking our (the working class) spirits in this country and it is so refreshing to listen to a leader stand up in front of the entire country and say the things we all wished we had the power to say. Our country was based on the ideal of no taxation without representation so why do we keep electing these millionaire's babies into our highest office to represent us? I'm so happy that DK came along, the son of working class parents, to be a voice. I'll be glad to see him as a VP, thrilled to see him as President!
If everyone voted for who was right instead of who can win, then maybe who is right would win.
Dennis deserves REAL CONSIDERATION...
Don't be sheep and take what you hear from the mainstream media such as the Clinton News Network (CNN) - Dennis is one of the true leaders and visionaries of the last 40 years and has the experience and scars Hillarty claims to bear - learn more about him at www.kucinich.us
It is true - the Corporatist agenda is actively maligning Dennis and it's a sad thing when the Presidency is purchased, not earned on merit.
Please save democracy - and also note how many talking points that Edwards, Obama, and Richardson have swiped from Dennis outright.
Dennis Kucinich, one of the true American heroes.
Kucinich
I think Dennis is the only viable candidate.
Why would you want a Dem that was as bad as a Repub.
I'm with Dennis!
What really gets under my
What really gets under my skin is someone like John Edwards. His rambling on and on about his dad was mill worker is getting tiresome. Now, he is on the attack against Hillary when he had the same middle of the road voting record as her in the Senate. Edwards should also give Dennis a big pat on the back for helping him fare so well in the Iowa Caucus last time around. The media doesn't even comment that the reason he didn't seek re-election as a Senator from NC is that he was polling way behind the GOP canadaiate because the electorate couldn't stand his act anymore. And they call him a front-runner. PUH-LEEEEEEEEZE.
Why risk a vote?
I think that the biggest obstacle that most people have, when it come to voting for Dennis, is that they are afraid that they will be wasting their vote on him. I say, "Risking a vote, trumps losing our morality."
If we don't understand what we are up against, we are all doomed! See -- http://www.sonic.net/~taryfast/destruction.html
A vote for anyone else is the only "Wasted" Vote
We are in crisis - constitutional abuses, health care, trade, the environment. Dennis is the only candidate with the courage to address these issues at the fundamental level at which they must be addressed to do any good. So, if you want to waste your vote, vote for any of the other candidates.
don't be stupid...
the real question is why is Hillary considered a serious candidate.
:D
well, everyone enjoys a good laugh once in awhile.
Dennis Kucinich For President 2008
Let's not get caught up in the defeatism that the corporate media wants us to. Let's change the conversation about electoral politics. The fact still remains that the primary vote chooses the nominee. Dennis is a Democrat if he wins the primary he will be recognized by the electorate and he will be the next Democratic Presidential candidate. We must not buy into the corporate colonization of our minds. Yes, our system is flawed and we do have obstacles to plow through. However, Believing their rhetoric about who is electable and who isn't has brought us into fascism. I challenge all progressives to stand tall and proud in your beliefs and support Dennis Kucinich. The corporate elite can only ridicule him they can't actually discredit him. Because there isn't anything they can hold against him. Things are really bad. And I fear that this may be our last chance to come together and turn things around towards a world where true justice can flourish. Everyone who is committed to progressive politics should be rallying these last few months and get out the Primary vote for Kucinich. And we should do it as though our lives depend on it; because in fact, it does. Ecosystems are collapsing, we are running out of time. Everything Dennis stands for is going in the right direction. What are we waiting for?...
Left? Right? Give me a break.
It's nothing about moving to the left or right or up or down. It's a matter of being a candidate who's going to make the proper decisions themselves, rather than kowtowing to large political/corporate interests (because they're one and the same these days)
Dennis summed it up when he said "Imagine what it'll be like to have a president who makes the right decisions for once".
Hillary, Obama, and Edwards have terrible voting records and a facade of empty rhetoric. I'm sure they've got some pet issues which they're actually working for, but peace [ending the war] and freedom [eliminating patriot act, DHS, and media monopolies] certainly aren't on their lists. A vote for one of these guys is a vote for the same puppeteers as a vote for Giuliani or (shoved down our throats by the media) Thompson.
Dennis Kucinich [inclusive] or Ron Paul '08!
Comment on Kucinich
Even if Hillary and the rest of the Corporatecrats move left in terms of their statements and platform at the convention, it doesn't mean a thing because once in power, all promises are off the table. I think Kucinich would make a fine president. At least, I think you could trust they guy. As for the rest, um, no thanks.
Lookism. Pure and simple.
Dennis is a great guy and a great candidate with some excellent ideas and positions, but he happens to look like he does. Is it fair? No. It's certainly not right, either. But this is a world where looking different or being different is the gravest fault someone can have.
If there had been a television in every house in "the good old days" FDR would never have been president. Because no weak cripple could ever be an effective president, right?
Ron Paul talks about Dennis Kucinich (Great youtube clip)
"Ron Paul talks about Dennis Kucinich"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJcnoDfFWhM
He calls Dennis Kucinich: "a good friend of mine", "and he is a honest person".
We need to fight corporate media and give more exposure to those fine gentlemen.
Wow, does Ron Paul always
Wow, does Ron Paul always sound like this? I've read some of his positions on issues, and followed lots of discussions about him, but this is the first I've seen him talk on tape. This is horrendous. I think he lost half of the audience roughly 2 minutes into that ramble. How can so many people rally behind this guy? His public speaking skills are terrible.
And don't tell me I'm being superficial. Effective communication is probably the most important skill a president can have.
Ron Paul the PERSON isn't the point
His public speaking skills have been getting better, but they are still a far cry from, say, Obama. But since when do public speaking skills make a good president, or are even particularly important?
The vast majority of communication from the president is through press releases, through the written word. Ron Paul's staff can write just as well as anybody else's staff. So what's the important part?
As Ron Paul likes to say, "it's the idea". Being able to spend my hard-earned money on stuff for myself and my family instead of throwing it away to Iraq or down the Department of [InsertNameHere] bureaucracy would be wonderful. Having issues more often decided at the local level would make everybody happier. Etc etc, I can go through all of the talking points.
The man himself is relevant only in that he is courageous enough to preach this message in an environment that doesn't like it one bit. It's the MESSAGE that I donated to.
Kucinich in MMVIII
It's too bad that Mike Gravel wasn't included in Vegas, because then Dennis would not have been so lonely up there. I feel for him, being surrounded by, basically, NEO-CONS up there, or at least what used to be termed Republicans...ok face it, they are corporate puppets, Shillary being the worst.
Neither Dennis nor Dr. Paul are truly members of the 2007 version of their parties, and, unless Nader runs, they are the only two that matter. I truly hope those three AMERICAN HEROES can get together sometime soon and sit down over some beers (or, better, joints) and see where their common ground is.
I'm for Kucinich as things stand now, but I'm also for Paul and Nader too, you know? The CONSTITUTION is a good common ground, people, and i see no reason, if these guys don't get in the general election, why they should not start a Constitutional Party and go ahead and WIN THE WHITE HOUSE with support from the people, the military, and the founding fathers.
love and peace. bruce
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