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(an independent citizen's free speech Web site, unaffiliated with the Kucinich for President Committee)

• If you only have 20 minutes to spend thinking about the impact of the next presidential election on all of us, please spend it watching If he fails to move you emotionally, lift your heart with hope, and inspire you to political action -- well, what can I say, nothing will keep you from casting your vote to re-elect George W. Bush, certainly none of the other 8 candidates.

• On June 20 he spoke in St. Paul to the Democratic National Committee and party leaders from all 50 states. I thought it was one of his best. to listen.

• Perhaps you'd like to read a brief statement of his rationale and proposals from a June 19 letter.

• And here's audio of his exchange with my old debating opponent, Pat Buchanan, on .

• Here's another video of him at the Governor Tom Vilsack-Lt. Governor Sally Pederson Iowa Picnic, June 8, 2003, as recorded by C-SPAN. [Click on and then on "Democratic Candidates at Iowa Picnic." When it starts in Real Player () slide the marker to 43:24 for the introduction, 43:56 for the standing ovation speech, and 53:25-1:11:45 for the crowd reaction as he walked the floor afterwards.]

• And finally a link to audio of kindly made available by Richard Page of Conference Recording Service.

Here are a couple of the better analyses of the dilemma confronting the Democratic Party and its strategies for victory from Professor Jeff Cox and journalist David Von Drehle. Lest there be any question as to why we need a replacement in the White House, Eliot Weinberger has provided one of the best summaries in his "What is Happening in America?" .
 

Don't be fooled by the corrupting, compromising, poll-driven, big money candidates' and media attempts to marginalize you by trivializing one of America's most substantial presidential candidates since Franklin Roosevelt, Adlai Stevenson, John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson.

Can he win? To borrow from Elizabeth Barrett Browning, "Let me count the ways."

Dennis Kucinich came out of a working class Cleveland neighborhood to run for City Council at age 21, and was elected at 23. His political career has been built on a series of upsets over "unbeatable" Republicans. As a result, he has served as a big city mayor, Ohio State Senator and U.S. Congressman. He has moved that congressional district from 34 percent Democratic, to 49 percent the first time he won, to 65 percent, and now 74 percent.

His colleagues in the House have demonstrated their respect for his abilities by electing him chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus -- the largest caucus in the House. He has been honored for his record of successful participation in global issues through a number of international organizations. In short, this is someone with decades of serious and successful political and governmental experience at all levels.

Moreover, he has a demonstrated ability to work with those of all political persuasions; he's a progressive who can work with -- without capitulating to -- business. He manages to hold to his idealism while functioning as one of the nation's most practical and successful progressives.

His platform stands in stark contrast to the Bush Administration's programs -- in contrast to those candidates who seem not to distance themselves too far from a popular president and his wars.

But perhaps his greatest winning quality is that he comes across as the kind of genuine human being Americans ache to find in their candidates. This is not just another slick, poll-driven, media make-over, actor. The kind of response he gets from those who've heard him is something the likes of which I haven't witnessed since Robert Kennedy.

Kucinich has been drawing very large, enthusiastic crowds in Iowa and around America because he speaks with a compassion and sincerity listeners find unambiguous and genuine.  He talks about the country's real needs and ideals in a language that is at once both street savy and simple while reflective of a well-informed and thoughtful, educated eloquence, courage and wit.

Can he win? As Dennis Patrick Welch and I analyze it, Kucinich just may be the only Democrat who can.

                                            -- Nicholas Johnson, Iowa City, Iowa

What is it about this man? It's a real case of "seeing is believing." So many Kucinich supporters report being truly moved emotionally the first time they are in his presence, hearing him speak. The contrast with the slick, corporate-funded, poll-driven, media-oriented pretty candidates we've become used to over the last 30 years produces a shock that is hard to put in words.

Here are excerpts from the reactions of individuals posted in Yahoo Group discussions that come close to expressing what so many have felt:

Malachi Roth:

We are so used to superficial Ken doll politicians being forced down our throats with expensive advertising that we think it takes a person like that to win . . . .

Dennis Kucinich will be our next president because there has never been a man of such caliber running for president in our nation's entire history. Never has a man so qualified, so honest, so sincere, so morally grounded, so genuine, so mentally balanced and immune to the corrupt nature of power been willing to run for high office.

I saw Dennis Kucinich speak today. His presence is commanding. He had no written speech, yet his words affected me deeply. He had just come from what was probably a very tiring engagement, yet he gave us his all. This man speaks for the heart of America. . . . Today he reminded me that there is hope.

It's exciting to have someone who can think clearly and not be afraid to tell it like it is, to stand up to the militarization of our society and put his priority on people's needs, to reach out to the world in friendship, not with violence, to return this country to the principles on which we were founded. . . . [I]t's exciting to have someone of integrity and vision to vote for.

Imagine having someone run for president who is intelligent, principled, spiritual, courageous, a person with depth, humor and compassion!

I personally think he can win support from Gephardt's base. It's because Kucinich speaks from the heart.

This man Dennis Kucinich is so far different he barely seems contained in any political party. This is . . . exactly what the hope of mankind needs.

Dennis is not only courageous, honest, forthright and determined, but has more heart and integrity than most of us have probably ever seen in a political candidate. He's what Democrats and ex-Dems alike have been waiting for: a values-based long term vision! Dennis has inspired me to be a PROUD and hopeful American again.

Dennis has a way about him that is contagious. It's enthusiasm for changing this world for the better. And he's smart and logical about it all. He makes sense. And people are SO HUNGRY for that.

It's the first time I can remember hearing someone in government speak passionately, straight from his heart communicating truth, wisely and compassionately . . . saying what so many of us are starving to hear. Those of us old enough to remember what it was like to be proud to be an American had a taste of that possibility once again . . . [replacing] the despair and helplessness that so long has covered up our long-lost joy and gratitude for being part of this country . . . stirred up in some faraway place in the heart that understood how one could be patriotic.

. . . Dennis' words were like an oasis in a vast desert. They were not contrived. He used no notes. He is bright and articulate. He responded to questions from the audience spontaneously with the ring of truth that everyone listening knew was coming from a place of deep caring. . . . [T]here is someone in our government who is not just another politician. His voice needs to be heard and I urge you to listen. . . . [H]e holds a vision of hope and inspiration that millions are longing to hear. . . . When his voice gets more exposure, it will strike a chord in many hearts who will finally hear someone who makes sense. Anything is possible once people start hearing the truth passionately, eloquently and straight from the heart.  -- JB

I saw him with various people and how good and compassionate he is with anyone, especially the less fortunate. He speaks the truth from the heart and inspires everyone.  He is the America I used to know and he is going to make our common dream come true if enough of us support him . . .. [O]nce you meet and hear him personally, you feel his vision and integrity  in the heart and body. He is real. He means what he says and he . . . knows how to make it happen politically.  He is honest, intelligent, compassionate, balanced, understands both domestic and international issues and knows what to do about them.

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.