Have you ever met Dennis Kucinich?

[Trek234]

Last month I went with my friend to see him in Austin. We both skipped school to do so, as Houston is some time away. I've never done so before, but this was a special exception. Unfortunately I probably ended up looking like a jerk.

The day before we left I called his campaign HQ and spoke to a british person for sometime (10 mins) about Dennis going to Austin. He told me about how Dennis gave a great speech in Ohio, how things have been going, etc. Very friendly person.

Well we got to the Hilton about an hour before it started. As a result we were able to sit anywhere we wanted. (the room he would speak in was a typical 3 foot stage with seats in front, and an empty row down the middle) This was good because the place overflowed to the point extra rooms had to be used, and had to watch via TV.

There was a lot of entertainment while we waited, including a comedian/magician that answered questions. I also signed a petition to get Dennis on the ballot which prevented me from voting in the republican primary. (as a Dennis staffer told me "big loss") I bought some campaign items and donated some money.

When Dennis arrived he walked down the middle row torwards the stage shaking everyones hand. Some nice music started at that time. I was also kicking my self for not sitting near the middle row when we had the chance. We sat to the far right about 4th row from the stage.

Dennis RAN up on the stage. Not that he was running from the people meeting him, he only ran when he got to the steps to the center of the stage. (he sounds heavy, and he is also shorter than you realize) Immediatly when he got to the center he started speaking. I'm supposing this was to start with a lot of energy.

His speech was good. (this was his campaign announcement) He got the crowd to start chanting "UN in US out". Talked about HAL, and a few other things. It was not a very long speech unfortunately.

Well anyway he RAN back off stage afterwards, and went back through the middle row while I kicked my self again.

I thought to my self "well I'm not going to get to shake his hand". So me my friend started leaving. (she was more excited about the entertainment than Dennis... she's only moderatly interested in politics, and most of that goes to Dean) However, I was still disapointed I didn't get to shake his hand.

Well, as we were leaving through the hilton he came out a door right next to us. My friend said "look there he is!" and I wasted no time going over to him.

This is where I ended up looking like a jerk.

He was shaking hands/taking pictures with other people in the area. (not a photo op or anything - purely a "Hi Mr. Kucinich would you mind posing for a picture with me?" kind of thing) Well I did not realize that he was posing for a picture. You know when you are so excited about something you aren't focusing on anything else? Well that was me.

I approached him and got in the way of the camera. He kind of looked at me curiously (like what are you doing?), then realized I wanted to shake his hand, smiled and did so while saying "thank you". At that point I realized what I had done and in my mind was like "oh shit". So I quickly said "thank you" back and got out of the way. What even made it worse was that he put his arm over someones shoulder, so he shook my hand with his arm in that location. Thank god I was at a distance and wasn't entirely within the picture.

He later ended up walking by me and my friend while we watched. There was a crowd of people. He made eye contact with her, and he reached his hand akwardly over the entire crowd just to shake her hand. It was really nice of him to do.

Dennis seems like a very kind person. He was even very nice when I stepped in front of the camera. (if he was Bush he would probably have had me shot ha)

Anyway, just thought I would share my experience.

[blm]

1. No...you don't sound like a jerk, at all, ;)

I worked on Dennis' campaign in 72 as a volunterr. I was still a schoolgirl, and had a schoolgirl crush on him. He is the reason I am the crusading liberal I am today.

He is 100% kind and honest, through and through. He may get a detail wrong, but will never lie. He may seem out of step on an issue here or there, but, his motivations are from the heart.