2008 Woodie Awards
Kucinich blasts Bush
Dean Treftz - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 11/13/07 Section: Metro
- Page 1 of 1
CEDAR RAPIDS - Democratic presidential-nomination hopeful and Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich railed against President Bush's administration and an overall mindset promoting war on Monday at the Cedar Rapids Islamic Center.
Approximately 70 people saw Kucinich speak mostly on foreign policy, calling for a new "era of diplomacy."
Kucinich, a two-time long-shot, ran for president unsuccessfully in 2004, and he currently has near 1 percent support among likely Iowa caucus attendees in most polls.
He has been a vocal critic of the Bush White House, and he recently attempted to bring articles of impeachment against Vice President Dick Cheney.
Kucinich decried the war in Iraq and asserted that the United States must not begin a new war in Iran.
"Even planning for this is a war crime," he said. "Iran is not a threat to us."
Kucinich emphasized the need for an economic shift away from defense industries. He argued that money currently spent on Iraq and more that could be trimmed from the Pentagon's budget and could fund such domestic programs as a European-style rail system.
"They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks," he said, quoting the Bible. "People who make submarines could make transit cars."
Kucinich followed the speech with a question-and-answer period, during which he responded to questions on Middle Eastern relations and how to reduce defense spending.
"He had a very brave opinion, because it's very hard to speak in the way he's speaking and win elections," Cedar Rapids resident Ayman Amer said. "Very hard, very brave."
Amer said he likes Kucinich but will probably caucus for Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., because he has a better shot at winning.
Hassan Igram, the center's director, also approved of Kucinich's speech, adding that he believed other candidates would like to say the same things but couldn't.
The center has hosted other presidential candidates over the years, including Al Gore, Bill Bradley, and John Kerry, all Democrats.
"As Muslims, we are conservatives," Igram said. "But it depends on how you define conservative."
E-mail DI reporter Dean Treftz at:
dean-treftz@uiowa.edu
Approximately 70 people saw Kucinich speak mostly on foreign policy, calling for a new "era of diplomacy."
Kucinich, a two-time long-shot, ran for president unsuccessfully in 2004, and he currently has near 1 percent support among likely Iowa caucus attendees in most polls.
He has been a vocal critic of the Bush White House, and he recently attempted to bring articles of impeachment against Vice President Dick Cheney.
Kucinich decried the war in Iraq and asserted that the United States must not begin a new war in Iran.
"Even planning for this is a war crime," he said. "Iran is not a threat to us."
Kucinich emphasized the need for an economic shift away from defense industries. He argued that money currently spent on Iraq and more that could be trimmed from the Pentagon's budget and could fund such domestic programs as a European-style rail system.
"They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks," he said, quoting the Bible. "People who make submarines could make transit cars."
Kucinich followed the speech with a question-and-answer period, during which he responded to questions on Middle Eastern relations and how to reduce defense spending.
"He had a very brave opinion, because it's very hard to speak in the way he's speaking and win elections," Cedar Rapids resident Ayman Amer said. "Very hard, very brave."
Amer said he likes Kucinich but will probably caucus for Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., because he has a better shot at winning.
Hassan Igram, the center's director, also approved of Kucinich's speech, adding that he believed other candidates would like to say the same things but couldn't.
The center has hosted other presidential candidates over the years, including Al Gore, Bill Bradley, and John Kerry, all Democrats.
"As Muslims, we are conservatives," Igram said. "But it depends on how you define conservative."
E-mail DI reporter Dean Treftz at:
dean-treftz@uiowa.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 40
Robert Fowler
posted 11/13/07 @ 7:57 AM CST
They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks," he said, quoting the Bible
"And they will farm for those of us that don't"
Who cares what this nut case has to say. (Continued…)
Miketh
posted 11/13/07 @ 9:04 AM CST
Nothing like beating around the Bush.
Kookinich talks to aliens and thinks our nation can remain free without a military.
He's not brave, just kooky. (Continued…)
Emily
posted 11/13/07 @ 10:10 AM CST
"...talks to aliens and believes our country can remain free without a military..."
I hate to lower myself to infantile, name calling, but I'm sorry to say you are a complete idiot! At least do some research and get your facts straight. (Continued…)
Robert Alan Brown
posted 11/13/07 @ 11:16 AM CST
You childish corn-eaters can't recognize a GREAT LEADER standing right in front of you!
Iowa--code name for close-minded imbeciles!!!
EMILY...I, also, had to resort to language of anger. (Continued…)
Jamie
posted 11/13/07 @ 12:41 PM CST
If only Americans begin to think differently. Kucinich is the only candidate who has the courage to the stand up for the people;
"Amer said he likes Kucinich but will probably caucus for Sen. (Continued…)
Miketh
posted 11/13/07 @ 1:17 PM CST
This thread exposes the kind of people that would vote for space man, Dennis Kucinich: conspiracy theorists!
So far there have been 2 accusations of people being paid to get on here and trash an insignificant candidate who will be lucky to get selected as V. (Continued…)
marks
posted 11/13/07 @ 2:31 PM CST
Obama is no different than Clinton. Pretending he's a good candidate doesn't make it so. You want to know the real difference btw Kucinich and the other democrats? Corporate sponsorship. (Continued…)
From Nova Scotia
posted 11/13/07 @ 2:35 PM CST
Folks in Iowa:
From north of your border, it's clear that your democracy is being hijacked by the corporatocracy. That "politics is money" is a phrase blithely, widely, and meekly accepted in America speaks to this truth. (Continued…)
meeshka
posted 11/13/07 @ 2:53 PM CST
just a note: there are Iowans who support Kucinich and will be caucusing for him in December. Robert Alan Brown, do you think that such aggression is going to help hearten your candidate to others or further the message of peace promoted by this "great candidate. (Continued…)
Cody
posted 11/13/07 @ 3:05 PM CST
Go ahead and say what you want. I'm not following the herd or buying into BS-- I'm voting for the only man who has the guts/courage (AKA balls), integrity, honesty, and intelligence to save our country and return it to its former glory. (Continued…)
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