2004: THE DEMOCRATIC HOPEFULS - Dennis J. Kucinich | LA Times

[Ediacara]

July 13, 2003

2004: THE DEMOCRATIC HOPEFULS
Dennis J. Kucinich
-The onetime boy mayor of Cleveland is still a maverick after all these years and proudly wears the liberal label.

By David Lamb, Times Staff Writer

ABOUT THIS SERIES: This is the eighth installment in a weekly series profiling the candidates for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination.

Opening day, Cleveland Municipal Stadium, April 1978. On the mound, to toss out the ceremonial first pitch, the 31-year-old maverick mayor and enfant terrible of Ohio politics. He is wearing a bulletproof vest. Police sharpshooters ring the ballpark roof. Dennis J. Kucinich looks up at the crowd. When he is in attendance and Indian fans yell "Kill the bum," he knows they aren't talking about the umpire.

His appearance on the field brings a chorus of boos from 75,000 fans. Kucinich, who had just fired the popular police chief live on TV, on Good Friday, adjusts his body armor. He winds up and fires a waist-high strike to Indians catcher Gary Alexander. The catcalls give way to scattered applause and cheers. Politics and sports, he thinks: They are fickle businesses.

Kucinich lasted only one term as the nation's youngest mayor of a major city. During that time he narrowly survived a recall, made as many enemies as headlines and presided over the first bankruptcy of an American city since the Depression. "Dennis the Menace," as the press labeled him, was trounced in his bid for reelection. A political cadaver, he packed his bags and headed west to reevaluate his life.

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[CMT]

1. Good Article about Dennis

I'm a firm Dean supporter but I've come to admire Dennis K a lot during this campaign. He is a good man and I hope if he isn't our nominee for president that he will at least serve in some important capacity in the next Democratic administration.

[JohnKleeb]

2. He's a good guy glad you can see this

I am obviously for Kucinich but need a back up its either Kerry or Dean for me.

[revcarol]

3. Everyone needs a backup.

He has overcome so much. I couldn't believe that he is not wealthy, but actually has been so poor and has made so much out of his life.I admire him so much for this.
He really is "THE PEOPLE'S CANDIDATE!!"

[JohnKleeb]

4. He's the peoples person

On edit it wasnt for real and I disagreed with it but me and the poster have sorted things out cool with you man just realize that that your campaign has its bad apples and my campaign does. Kucinich lol was a councilman while many his age were partying maybe its more republican than democrat in that respect but to become a councilman at 23 and to have lived in a car growing up thats some accomplishment. Kucinich is the people he was and probably still is a little poor.

[Mairead]

5. I thought it was damnation with faint praise, myself

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. I agree

not the most glowing article on Dennis out there.

[Desertrose]

8. I always wondered...is damnation with faint praise

better, worse or the same as a backhanded compliment???
:shrug:


either way, I agree...not the best article about Dennis...

Peace
DR

[cosmicdot]

6. corporate donations are eschewed

for me ~ this example helps to definitize one of the gating issues facing our society - the power of corporations vs. where our Founders placed the authority of our sovereignty; what kind of society do we want to be; and, what influences will guide our destiny ~ it sets a clear contrast vs. George W. *, and the direction the latter and his enablers and cohorts are fast-tracking ... one only needs to picture a major exit off our interstate system with its corporate row of fast-food nation to get a figurative snap-shot of what corporate america is doing to our lives ~ for me, DJK will reset our priorities and guiding principles; and, will lead us toward a real deal vs. *'s raw deal ~ I hope others will see this in DJK, too