Rosalind Kurita For U.S. Senate

You may have seen this ad at some point last year here at Daily Kos.

She's Tennessee State Senator Rosalind Kurita a Registered Nurse who is running to fill the seat of retiring Bill Frist.

I first met her in September 2005 when she spoke at a Democracy for Tennessee meeting in Nashville. After her brief remarks, she took questions from the audience. It wasn't a George W. Bush type event where everyone was vetted & coached...it was a nice grassroots gathering of Green Party folks, Libertarians, Yellow Dog Democrats, and others.

Senator Kurita answered the questions with the poise and grace of a seasoned veteran. (Too bad she isn't President! Wouldn't it be wonderful to hear a coherent sentence uttered by our President again?!)

OK...I'm getting ahead of myself with the President remark....let's concentrate on the 2006 Senate race....here are some things you need to know about Rosalind Kurita:

Women's Health Issues

In March 2006 the Tennessee Senate voted 24 to 9 to pass SJR127 - an amendment to the Tennessee Constitution which could open the door to banning ALL abortions in Tennessee.  State Senator Rosalind Kurita was one of the nine. Sen. Kurita stood before the Senate body and said that it should never be making these types of decisions for a woman. They are medical decisions. They are decisions of conscience.

 Sen. Kurita also pointed out what she knew  about certain medical conditions, all of which would jeopardize the life of a woman - if she were pregnant.  There were cancers that accelerated with pregnancy, cancers that cannot be treated during pregnancies, and a host of other health conditions that could be life threatening in the event of pregnancy.

Sen. Kurita spoke from her heart as a woman and from her mind as a nurse. She is someone you want on your side in this fight.

Read more here.

Health Care

Over 40 million Americans do not have health insurance.  Four out of five uninsured Americans are in working families. Healthcare premiums continue to skyrocket and employers are finding it more and more difficult to offer health benefits.

All Americans should have access to quality, affordable healthcare.  The health care system in America has the best science and most advanced technology in the world, but we're also burdened with inefficiency.  To get the best outcomes, we have to improve our healthcare delivery system.

Kurita is committed to fighting for increased access to healthcare, lowering healthcare insurance premiums, and making prescription drugs more affordable to all Americans.  

Read up on Sen. Kurita's health care ideas here.

Environmental Protection

Kurita doesn't believe we can drill our way out of our energy problems.  We can't afford to destroy ANWR just for the promise of a few months' supply of cheaper oil.  We need a real commitment to renewable energy.  We need to explore wind power, solar power, hybrid cars, and alternative fuel sources.  The bottom line is we have to get over our addiction to fossil fuels.

More here.

That was just a "highlight" version of the issues. You can see where Sen. Kurita stands on many other issues by clicking here.

I've done a bit of volunteer work for her campaign & met her in person. Rosalind Kurita is the real deal.  Right now she needs some traction from the Net Roots to get some better name recognition.  I have NO DOUBT that she can win the general election in November. Here's a "by the numbers" look at why Rosalind Kurita can win in November.

I've never asked for a "recommend" for any of my diaries before, but I would appreciate it for this one. This race needs more national attention & the blogs are one way that can happen!

References

Rosalind Kurita for U.S. Senate

Tennessee Senate Member Rosalind Kurita

Diary by Yellow Dog Dem Woman

•  Recommends & Tips

  If you or someone you know lives in Tennessee, please them know about Rosalind Kurita & send them this link:

  http://www.kurita2006.com/

  by Ranting Roland on Fri Mar 31, 2006 at 06:12:01 AM PDT

•  Nothing against Kurita

  But Ford is my man in this race.  He may not be the best Democrat but he is probably the only one who can actually win in this deep red state, and anything is better than Senator Corker/Hilleary/Bryant.

  Hopefully Kurita can run for something in the near future (maybe Governor in 2010 or a statewide office position) because she is the type of candidate we need to build a bench around for TN.

  by jkfp2004 on Fri Mar 31, 2006 at 06:13:56 AM PDT

  •  I like Ford as well...

    but TN needs to choose their nominee...  Gook luck to all in the race!

    by RedStateDem on Fri Mar 31, 2006 at 06:17:59 AM PDT

    •  For sure

      To my knowledge, I've never heard of anyone telling Kurita to leave the race.

      by jkfp2004 on Fri Mar 31, 2006 at 03:05:56 PM PDT

  •  Tennessee's Version of Joe Liberman

    I was hoping this diary could be a chance to talk about all the reaons that Rosalind Kurita would be the best choice for U.S. Senator for the State of Tennessee....but since you brought up Ford...

    Here's what Ford had to say at an Aug. 2005 speech to University of Memphis Law School Alumni. "I love my president," said the young man who hopes to become Senator from Tennessee. "I love him personally."

    Harold Ford Jr. is the choice of the big-wigs & the corporations and he votes that way in Congress.

    Ford voted in favor of the Iraq War.

    Ford voted in favor of prayer-in-schools.

    Ford voted in favor of the Bankruptcy Bill.

    Ford voted in favor of the repeal of the estate tax.

    Ford voted in favor of the anti-flag burning constitutional amendment.

    Ford voted against the Hinchey/Rohrabacher Amendment, which would have cut off funds for imprisoning medical marijuana patients.

    When Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress wanted to gut Medicaid, cutting the program by $10 billion, Harold Ford, Jr. wasn't there, standing up for families.

    Instead, he skipped the vote and Medicaid was cut and families were hurt.

    The Congressional Black Caucus gives Ford a 5% rating, the lowest score they gave to anyone.

    When the chips are down Ford can always be counted on....to vote with the Republicans.

    by Ranting Roland on Fri Mar 31, 2006 at 06:18:01 AM PDT

    •  And these are votes that

      most people in TN probably support. With the exception of the bankruptcy and Medicaid bills most voters in TN probably support those bills. As for the flag burning ammendment no one in a state like TN is going to support the rights of flag burners. It just isn't going to happen.

      I don't agree with all of those votes, but Ford is probably the only electable candidate. I think Kurita should run in the primaries. Unlike Chuck Pennachio she does have credibility and has held office. She should be free to make her case.

      Frankly, though, I think Ford is going to be the nominee. If Kurita fares well this cycle in the primary, perhaps she could ride the momentum out and challenge Lamar Alexander in 2008.

      by jiacinto on Fri Mar 31, 2006 at 07:37:25 AM PDT

      •  Electability

        Ford is totally unelectable.  If you think Tennessee is going to elect a black democrat from Memphis, I have a bridge for you to buy.  Kurita is not only better on the issue, but she is more electable.  Although any Democrat is going to be an underdog in the race.

        by Paleo on Fri Mar 31, 2006 at 07:59:46 AM PDT

        •  DINO

          At the Sullivan County Republican Party's Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner Saturday night, Ed Bryant pointed out that Harold Ford Jr., is running as a conservative.

          Quote from former congressman Ed Bryant:

          "That's why we have to make sure we have the strongest person, the strongest conservative out there running against him."

          There's the problem with Ford.

          He's trying to "out-Republican" the Republicans!

          Tennesseans need a Democratic candidate to choose from in the fall election.

          by Ranting Roland on Fri Mar 31, 2006 at 08:13:44 AM PDT

          •  But

            could it be that maybe voters in TN don't want a "far-left" Democrat?

            by jiacinto on Fri Mar 31, 2006 at 08:17:22 AM PDT

            •  Kurita is a Moderate Dem

              No one from the "far-left" is running in TN.

              by Ranting Roland on Fri Mar 31, 2006 at 08:19:36 AM PDT

            •  Kurita is pro choice

              Ford is not.

              For some people, that closes the case.

              Kurita was re-elected to State Senate from the district that includes Fort Campbell, with a margin that Kerry could only dream of there.

              She knows how to win votes in the military.

              She knows how to appeal to people who should vote Democratic, but don't lately.

              Ford acts (and seems to believe) that he has a right to the Senate seat, but he does not deserve a free ride.

              Please, thinking Dems, learn the positions of the two candidates, and don't let Junior Ford run as heir apparent. That's the kind of thinking that cost Gore his home state in 2000.

              by OldYellerDog on Fri Mar 31, 2006 at 08:42:58 AM PDT

              •  Pro-choice

                Ford is not.

                Could you provide a link to prove this?

                by jkfp2004 on Fri Mar 31, 2006 at 03:05:05 PM PDT

        •  Ford has the money though

          And has a much better statewide ID.

          by jkfp2004 on Fri Mar 31, 2006 at 03:06:31 PM PDT

  •  I support Rosalind Kurita

    I've gotta wonder about a guy who claims that his black grandmother was really white -- shocking and angering even his own family.  What is THAT about -- an indication, perhaps, that he is a man who will say anything that may benefit him, politically?

    by Yellow Dog Dem Woman on Fri Mar 31, 2006 at 08:58:43 AM PDT

•  When you elect a Dem from TN

  you're going to get a more conservative-leaning Dem than most northeastern liberals (like me) would prefer.  That said, I want to elect a conservative Democrat who is in NOT enamoured of Dubya (that would be Junior) and who refuses to address women's issues. See anything about it on his website??  Hell, that website has been up for a looooong time, and if you go to the issues link it says, "coming soon."  (Nice dodge!  )

  But this is a diary about Rosalind Kurita, not about Junior (whose fans are free to post a diary of their own).  

  If you haven't heard her speak, if you don't know what she stands for -- do yourself and your state a favor, and get to know her.  Her message is one that will resonate with conservative and progressive Democrats alike!

  by Yellow Dog Dem Woman on Fri Mar 31, 2006 at 08:57:51 AM PDT

  •  Jeez, I wish I'd reread the above once more!

    I would have fixed it to say:

    "That said, I want to elect a Democrat who is NOT enamoured of Dubya and who DOES NOT refuse to address women's issues. See anything about women's issues on Junior's website??" . . .

    There, I feel much better!.

    by Yellow Dog Dem Woman on Fri Mar 31, 2006 at 09:03:27 AM PDT

•  Kurita is coming to Signal Mtn. Tomorrow

  Yeah.  We are so excited she is coming to our Signal Mountain Democratic Meet Up Event.  We expect a great crowd.  The people who know Rosalind Kurita, love her.  Our community is a suburb of Chattanooga and many people in the medical profession live up here, they like Rosalind so much because of her pro-stem cell research stance.  Also, she just introduced legislation in Nashville to increase tax on tobacco so we can reduce the sales tax on food and pay for health care for Tennesseans.  She is awesome.

  Oh, and if  you are near Chattanooga, and want to see Rosalind Kurita.  She will be at Signal Mountain Town Hall Gym 10 am Saturday.  

  Also, has anyone heard she this rumor of Kurita running for Gov. in 2010?  I heard it from two people.  I like her so whatever she goes for, I will support her.  

  by Sandy on Signal on Fri Mar 31, 2006 at 09:05:13 AM PDT

  •  She was one of the few Senators

    who stood to speak against the constitutional amendment making its way through the TN legistlature that would ban all abortion.  The woman is a state treasure and deserves to represent us in the US Senate.

    by Yellow Dog Dem Woman on Fri Mar 31, 2006 at 09:31:54 AM PDT