Dear Friends,
I know that there are many out there who want me to run for President of the United States as an independent candidate. I am running inside the Democratic Party because I believe the sentiment about the war in Iraq is so strong among Democrats that I will win the Democratic nomination and the Presidency and strenghten independent-minded, progressive voices in American politics.
What has changed since the 2004 election? Nearly everyone's attitude about the war has changed, except ours. I ran in 2004 to challenge the war, but, unfortunately, not enough Democrats felt strongly enough about it to make Iraq the defining issue. That was a mistake. Because if John Kerry had openly opposed the war in his bid for the Presidency, he would have won the election. The Democrats can't say I did not warn them.
Democrats won control of the Congress in the 2006 elections on one issue and one issue only, Iraq. Democrats everywhere expect the party to take a new direction in Iraq. That direction is out. Failure to respect the wishes of the voters, or a political bait and switch, will cause Democrats to rally to a our campaign.
I am in a singular position in this election and it is already being noticed by many in the national media. No other Democratic Presidential candidate who is or was a member of the House or Senate during this war has a 100% record of voting against funding the war in Iraq.
It is not credible for anyone to announce they are against the war in Iraq and vote to fund the war. This is why we will win. I am and have always been the voice of the people, and our voice is now in the majority.
A word about running inside the party -- When you run in party primary elections, you commit yourself to supporting the nominee. Imagine how you would feel, when I win the Democratic nomination, if other Democratic candidates would not agree to support me because of my position on the war. The other candidates are also bound to support the Democratic candidate.
I have no illusions about the Democratic Party. I have challenged it more consistently than any other person in the Congress who happens to be Democrat. It is one thing to challenge one's party when they are in the minority. It is another thing to do it when they have just taken back the Congress. Democrats are now in the majority. And we are a majority inside the majority.
My candidacy for President is to take the Democratic Party in a new direction, one of true prosperity through peace. It begins with a frontal challenge on Iraq. It begins with challenging the leaders of my own party who have publically declared they intend to continue funding the war. I cannot do this alone. I need your help and your involvement.
Now is the time to become involved to create a groundswell of support so powerful that we surprise not just the Democratic establishment, but the world.
Our campaign will transform the Democratic party and the politics of America. People are ready all across this nation for this transformation.
If you are prepared to join me in this, please do so, NOW.
The American people, Democratic voters specifically, strongly support getting out of Iraq, stopping funding for the war, bringing the troops home, taking a new direction in the world.
America is READY to accept the one candidate who will make it happen and that candidate is me.
Dennis Kucinich
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Comments: 11
In Congress, he is the one person who votes his conscience. He led the opposition to the war in Iraq and is leading the call for withdrawal from Iraq. He is also the leader of the opposition to the war with Iran. He led the opposition in the House to USA PATRIOT. He is the only person in Congress who cannot be bought.
On November 7, 2006 the American people voted a mandate and he is the only presidential candidate pursuing that mandate.
In Congress, he is the one person who votes his conscience. He led the opposition to the war in Iraq and is leading the call for withdrawal from Iraq. He is also the leader of the opposition to the war with Iran. He led the opposition in the House to USA PATRIOT. He is the only person in Congress who cannot be bought.
On November 7, 2006 the American people voted a mandate and he is the only presidential candidate pursuing that mandate.