I don't generally talk about politics in this blog, but an observant visitor can guess that I do have a Democratic presidential candidate that I support (I've got a number of sidebar links about him, if you hadn't noticed).
At this point, Dennis Kucinich is about as long a shot as it's possible to get. He is, however, the candidate whose positions most closely reflect mine, and I'll support him as far as he goes, inshallah. I'm also looking at the other candidates to determine which of them I like and would vote for (right now, Dean is the clear second choice).
Anyway, the Kucinich campaign sent out a message from the candidate in which he introduces himself and I wanted to post it up here so that those who are interested can learn more.
Dear Friends: With the June 30th second quarter fundraising deadline approaching, I need your help. My name is Dennis Kucinich, which is spelled Kucinich. For four months, I have been campaigning for President coast-to-coast. As journalists have reported, we are attracting the largest crowds, and the biggest audience responses. We have had 1,000-plus gatherings in Wisconsin, New Mexico, Northern and Southern California. Grassroots activists are flocking to our campaign In four months, we have built an insurgent campaign to challenge not only the Bush Administration and its climate of fear, but to shake the Democratic Party from its climate of fear. On the campaign trail, I continue to question this Administration's fraudulent war in Iraq and a reckless foreign policy that isolates our country more than the terrorists who seek to attack us. I am the candidate calling for cuts in a wasteful Pentagon budget that rivals the military spending of all other countries in the world combined. I propose not piecemeal, ineffective changes to our corporatized and crisis-ridden health care system, but a rational system of universal, single-payer national health insurance. Like other industrialized countries, we can afford that -- as well as quality education, environmental cleanup emphasizing clean energy, and secure retirement with the Social Security retirement age returned to 65. It's all affordable, but only if we end corporate welfare, challenge Pentagon spending that's more fit for empire than defense, and reverse the Administration's tax breaks for the wealthy -- all of them, not just some. On the campaign trail, I am meeting union workers, family farmers and environmentalists who support my pledge to withdraw from NAFTA and the WTO -- trade deals that benefit multinational corporations, not the public or planetary health. I am getting support from civil libertarians for my vow to repeal the misnamed "Patriot Act," which I proudly voted against in Congress. Only a frontal challenge to this Administration's policies, coupled with a serious alternative program, can defeat George Bush in 2004. Half-way challenges, where Democrats concede to him on war and defense policy, will lead to disaster -- like they did in November 2002. I'm waging a campaign that is a total challenge to this Administration's reckless policies at home and abroad. The only thing limiting our campaign is money. If you agree with me on the issues, take a leap of faith and make a donation. Get your friends to donate. Spread this email far and wide across the Internet. It's easy to donate -- and our campaign has already qualified for federal matching funds. Your donation of $50 means $100 to my campaign -- because all contributions up to $250 are matched. Of course, if you can give more than $250, please do. Your donation helps me amplify my message to new voters, young voters, disgruntled voters and 3rd-party voters. It helps us broaden the Democratic Party in a progressive direction. I hope to see you on the campaign trail. I'm Dennis Kucinich... you know how to spell it. Sincerely, DennisDo check out his website and the links I have on my sidebar. I've also posted some articles about him to my Clipboard blog, so you can do a search for them. Dennis Kucinich is a man who's not afraid to stand up and fight for what he believes in, however unpopular it may make him. Update: Right on! The Kucinich campaign blog is up and running!