2008 Woodie Awards
Kucinich welcomes underdog status during Keene meeting
Amy Augustine, Opinions Editor
Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: News
With a colossal backdrop of the U.S. Constitution towering behind him, Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich urged a crowd of New Hampshire residents to vote with their consciences Sunday.
"The people of New Hampshire don't want to be told the election is over," said Kucinich, when asked for his advice for people who felt voting for a candidate outside of the media dubbed "top 3" could potentially be a wasted vote.
"Vote for your own hopes, dreams and ambitions. New Hampshire voters tend to make good choices. That's what I like about coming to your state, it's always an enormous privilege," he said.
His wife, Elizabeth Kucinich, whom Dennis asked to speak several times during the town hall style forum, said people need to be leaders in their own communities, taking part in government instead of being a loud noise outside of it.
"If we sacrifice our vote, what does that say about us? .. It's about time we start to engage in our democracy," said Elizabeth Kucinich.
The role of the press in a society that is assumed but not always demonstrated, said Kucinich.
Kucinich spoke of democratic rival candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton and said that although she is a good candidate and friend, they differ greatly in policies, namely on the Iraq War and health care.
"Senator Clinton is very well-known and that works to her benefit. If the people of New Hampshire want something else, they should have it," he said.
Kucinich asked the crowd packed into Keene Unitarian Universalist Church how many believe corporations have too much power in America.
After hands lowered and cheering stopped, Kucinich said the Constitution must be changed to put limitations of campaign spending and a form of publicly financed elections take over.
"There should be no private financing when it comes to elections," said Kucinich. "If you have public financing, you have public control."
On the environment, Kucinich said that although the effects of global climate change will take a long time to reverse, it is necessary to start taking dramatic action now.
"The government needs to become an engine of sustainability ... we need to make it part of the national mentality" said Kucinich.
Under a Kucinich Administration, he said, the promotion of rails and sustainable housing would be implemented, as well transforming the Department of Energy to create incentives for wind and solar power.
"The people of New Hampshire don't want to be told the election is over," said Kucinich, when asked for his advice for people who felt voting for a candidate outside of the media dubbed "top 3" could potentially be a wasted vote.
"Vote for your own hopes, dreams and ambitions. New Hampshire voters tend to make good choices. That's what I like about coming to your state, it's always an enormous privilege," he said.
His wife, Elizabeth Kucinich, whom Dennis asked to speak several times during the town hall style forum, said people need to be leaders in their own communities, taking part in government instead of being a loud noise outside of it.
"If we sacrifice our vote, what does that say about us? .. It's about time we start to engage in our democracy," said Elizabeth Kucinich.
The role of the press in a society that is assumed but not always demonstrated, said Kucinich.
Kucinich spoke of democratic rival candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton and said that although she is a good candidate and friend, they differ greatly in policies, namely on the Iraq War and health care.
"Senator Clinton is very well-known and that works to her benefit. If the people of New Hampshire want something else, they should have it," he said.
Kucinich asked the crowd packed into Keene Unitarian Universalist Church how many believe corporations have too much power in America.
After hands lowered and cheering stopped, Kucinich said the Constitution must be changed to put limitations of campaign spending and a form of publicly financed elections take over.
"There should be no private financing when it comes to elections," said Kucinich. "If you have public financing, you have public control."
On the environment, Kucinich said that although the effects of global climate change will take a long time to reverse, it is necessary to start taking dramatic action now.
"The government needs to become an engine of sustainability ... we need to make it part of the national mentality" said Kucinich.
Under a Kucinich Administration, he said, the promotion of rails and sustainable housing would be implemented, as well transforming the Department of Energy to create incentives for wind and solar power.
Be the first to comment on this story