It seems like every time one of the popular democrats makes a speech, you can expect on Kos to find in at least one diary "Schweitzer 08!", "Feingold 08!", "Clark 08!", etc. Good speeches are important (Gore) and helping elect dems in red states is certainly good (Waner), but it seems like people often neglect the issues.
Actions and stances on the issues speak louder than good speeches, and that's why I want Dennis Kucinich, Congressman from Ohio's 10th district to be the dem nominee for President in 08. There is a lot of talk on Kos about progressives, so why is Kucinich rarely mentioned? Because he's not out there getting big media coverage? because he's "unelectable?" or is it because he comes from a solid blue district, and thus does not deserve credit?
Let's look at some of his credentials, and ask 'why the hell not, Kucinich in 08?'
-Opposed the Iraq War
-Opposed the Patriot Act
-Opposed basically every bill that would hurt American workers and the environment
Now if Kucinich were President, here are somethings he's not afraid to say would be on his agenda.
-repeal mandatory minimums on nonviolent drug offenses
-decriminalize marijuana
-ban corporations that shift profits offshore to avoid paying taxes from operating in the US
-end NAFTA
-end WTO
-fuel domestic steel production and consumption by rebuilding our nation's infrastructure with American made steel, utilizing the productive capacity of our mills: would be used to rebuild our schools, roads, bridges, ports, sewer systems, water systems, and government buildings
-raise the Federal minimum wage to atleast $8.50
-pro labor unions
-call for at least 20% renewable energy by 2010, use NASA to help discover clean energy
-fight logging companies, goal should be to make 80% of paper from agricultural waste
-strong support for organic farming
-single-payer healthcare
-cut the Pentagon budget 15% (60 billion dollars)
-complete removal of nuclear weapons from Earth
-strong support for animal rights
Quite a list, huh? I don't see how Kucinich could not be a progressive's number 1 choice for President. Kucinich looks at the big picture and what is right; I don't see Warner, Gore, Clark, or Edwards talking much about most of those issues. The closest big name for 08 is Feingold, and not even he can touch Kucinich in terms of being progressive.
Now I disagree with Kucinich on a few issues such as gun control and the death penalty, but that is okay.