Kucinich May Be Our Only Hope

Only one Democratic Presidential candidate has spoken out unequivocally on the war in Iraq and therefore warrants the support of all those opposed to the war--Ohio Representative Dennis Kucinich. His stand on the war is clear. And he is an attractive candidate as well for the stands he takes on health care and supporting the plight of U.S. workers. The current spin on Kucinich is that he is not a serious candidate. Polls show him way behind Clinton and Obama. Even among those who do not discount his proclaimed policies, who in fact hear in his public statements echoes of their own point of view, there is fear of another McGovern debacle, that is, having a candidate who is politically correct but too far to the left to win a presidential election. I would argue that a buildup in momentum for Kucinich can only advance the cause of those who want to see an end to the war and a change in this country's direction. If nothing else, it would force more mainstream candidates to shift their stated policies more to the left. On the other hand, it is just possible that simply by virtue of its supposed "wackiness," a groundsurge of support for the Kucinich platform would inject some energy into what is already shaping up to be a tired, demoralized campaign by tired, demoralized party regulars.