2004 Presidential Election and Beyond: The Giuliani Years (GAME THREAD)

[Senator Spiral]

I feel sorta bad for asking, but is it okay to have one more one-day extension? I swear I'll be really free for a while after this.

[Senator Spiral]

You thought I wouldn't post. You thought wrong!


Dennis Kucinich Campaign Schedule: February 15-17

February 15
With Russ Feingold, Howard Dean, and Mike Gravel
-Bus tour in Brookfield, WI
-Rallying supporters and activists in New Berlin, WI
-Phone banking in Shwboygan, WI
-Phone banking in Fond du Lac, WI
-Barnstorming and fundraiser in La Crosse, WI
-Organizing GOTV strategy with staff and supporters in Janesville, WI

When you go out to vote in two days, remember who has been out in the trenches, fighting for every cause even when it's not popular to do so. I've been the voice for the working class in Congress, and I've been the consistent advocate for peace around the world. We can pull out of this destructive and costly wars with the right kind of leadership in the White House, and I'll withdraw all of our troops within the first 90 days of my presidency. No other Democrat has promised that they will be serious on this issue and have a timetable that quickly, but Iraq has been a mistake from the very beginning and it's about time we correct that mistake as soon as possible. We'll work with Iraq to rebuild their government and their society after the atrocities we've committed over there, and it won't be easy or quick, but I know we can do it together cooperatively. Let's tell the neocons that we won't tolerate any more of their business and elect a ticket that stands for peace this November!

February 16
With Russ Feingold, Howard Dean, and Ramsey Clark
-Barnstorming and fundraiser in Oshkosh, WI
-Bus tour in Appleton, WI
-Phone banking in Racine, WI
-Rallying supporters and persuading undecided voters in Green Bay, WI
-Barnstorming and reaching out to undecideds in Madison, WI
-Barnstorming and implementing massive GOTV strategy in Milwaukee, WI

Let's talk about you, the voters, and the working class in this country. I'm the only candidate in this race who has been endorsed by the AFL-CIO, the largest union group in the nation. They saw in my record a strong and consistent record in standing up for worker's rights, something that I think too many Democrats have lost a grip of in recent years. You're seeing Republican governors push through their anti-worker measures with right-to-work laws, and while they've had more success in recent years, we can turn the tides back to us with determination. Wisconsin has had a proud history of progressivism. Robert La Follette stood strong on his beliefs and he showed how we can push through an ambitious agenda that will move us forward, even if we don't win every fight along the way. Wisconsin, let's show that we're able to win this fight tomorrow night and continue forward with a path to victory for the nomination! Your senator Russ Feingold is right by my side in this battle. Will you be, too?

February 17
With Russ Feingold, George McGovern, Bernie Sanders, and Robert Reich
-GOTV statewide in Wisconsin
-Media interviews with Wisconsin media outlets
-Rally in Milwaukee, WI


Kucinich GOTV Strategy

The Kucinich campaign has been building an intense GOTV operation in the state of Wisconsin, where campaign staff believe that there is a strong possibility of winning despite recent polls showing Biden and Clinton at the top of the pack. The key to victory is using Senator Russ Feingold, one of Kucinich's more prominent surrogates, to barnstorm alongside the candidate across every campaign stop in the last few days. Feingold has been contacting local Democratic chapters in Wisconsin to rally voters around Kucinich. He has been very vocal speaking out against the other Democratic candidates and emphasizing Congressman Kucinich's record on areas such as the wars and civil liberties, where the two have been lone wolfs on compared to the rest of Congress. Feingold's barnstorming statewide is sure to bounce Kucinich ahead of what polls say to a very strong performance, and perhaps even a win.

In addition to Feingold, the AFL-CIO, who has endorsed Kucinich publicly, is also devoting plenty of resources to supporting the candidate in the final stretch. Wisconsin, a state with strong roots in labor, is sympathetic to the voices of union organizations, and the AFL-CIO has distributed pro-Kucinich pamphlets, been airing pro-Kucinich TV and radio ads in the state, and has encouraged Wisconsin members to show up on the 17th for Kucinich. The support has put the spotlight on Kucinich's record in Congress to issues important to workers, such as the minimum wage and bargaining rights. As a pro-labor champion, Kucinich will rally this constituency of voters to make a powerful showing in Wisconsin.

The campaign has worked alongside grassroots supporters to raise awareness of Kucinich's record and to persuade undecided voters to go with the candidate who has been unapologetic about being the strongest liberal in the race. TV and radio ads aired in Wisconsin point to different issues, such as Iraq or Social Security, where Kucinich stands out and that will motivate voters across the state to show up in favor of the candidate. There is an equal importance in bringing out the vote in both urban and rural areas, believing that every vote counts. Grassroots forces have been especially crucial in rallying the youth vote, who are expected to break for Kucinich by a considerable margin. Middle-class, suburban voters are also given high priority, and are being motivated to show up through an intense ground effort of knocking on doors and raising awareness of the candidate's record on issues important to voters. Wisconsin is considered a valuable target for the Kucinich campaign, and a victory is very feasible in the campaign's eyes based on how active and potent the base of support is here.

[Senator Spiral]

Um, Kucinich took Barbara Lee a while ago, Biden.

Kucinich Endorsements

Barbara Lee: Dennis and I were some of the brave members of Congress who said no to President Bush and opposed these disastrous wars. Now we've seen public opinion turn against Bush and the Republicans, and it's time for a new administration with fresh ideas on how to turn around this country for the better. Dennis has the boldest vision for where to go forward out of all the candidates.

[Senator Spiral]

Kucinich Endorsements

Hugh Carey: As Governor of New York, I always sought to help improve the lives of my fellow New Yorkers, and I don't think I've been perfect but any means, but we accomplished a lot. We cut taxes, strengthened the environment, and offered more help for the mentally ill. In Dennis Kucinich I see the same sort of dedication to taking care of his fellow countrymen, and I have enough confidence in his ability to make real changes happen that I will publicly endorse him, and I hope that New York will follow suit in voting for him on Super Tuesday.

February 18-24: Fundraisers and strengthening campaign infrastructure in New York

Wendell Anderson: Congressman Kucinich has proved to me that he has what it takes to put this country in a new, positive direction, away from the divisiveness of the Republicans in office right now. We can tackle issues like taxation, education, and poverty, like I did in Minnesota, and come together to usher in real reforms to our system. He is definitely the best choice for the Democrats as our nominee if we want to move forward.

February 18-24: Contacting local Democrats for support in Minnesota

Matt Gonzalez: Although I'm a member of the Green Party, that's no reason for me to not have my full and enthusiastic support for a Democrat like Dennis Kucinich. For anyone concerned about big business's influence, our unhealthy environment, American imperialism overseas, or destructive "free" trade, he has shown to blow away everyone else on all of these issues and many more. Leftists of all stripes should not hesitate to come behind the one candidate who truly cares about the people.

February 18-24: Coordinating with grassroots in California

[Senator Spiral]

Statement from Dennis Kucinich

The recent revelations on Jon Huntsman's endorsement of Senator Clinton's campaign show how corruption is still a major problem in politics. This is at the very least unethical, and it is quite possibly illegal. I urge Senator Clinton to do the respectable thing and drop out of the race, and there should be a thorough investigation so justice is carried out.

[Senator Spiral]

Dennis Kucinich Campaign Schedule: February 18-24

February 18
With Howard Dean and Bernie Sanders
-Meet and Greet in Bellow Falls, VT
-Meet and Greet in Springfield, VT
-Meet and Greet in Swanton, VT
-Rallying grassroots in Barre, VT
-Constructing GOTV strategy with campaign staff in Burlington, VT

Vermont, things are looking up! We're leading here by a modest margin and we're quite competitive in the next primaries and going into Super Tuesday. Don't believe those who say, "Oh, Dennis Kucinich has no chance of winning the election, or the nomination for that matter." I've already won three contests and there's many more to go! Plus, what I speak about on the campaign trail is popular with many Americans. People want to see us out of Iraq, have their tuition go down, and have a clean environment. We can achieve all of these goals, ladies and gentlemen, but it will take determination on our part to make sure that the right people head into office next year. That begins here with this campaign, and I only see things to be happy about!

February 19
-Barnstorming and persuading undecided voters in Sandy, UT
-Barnstorming and bus tour in Orem, UT
-Barnstorming and phone banking in West Jordan, UT
-Barnstorming and reaching out to grassroots in Provo, UT
-Barnstorming and town hall in West Valley City, UT
-Barnstorming and organizing GOTv operation with staff in Salt Lake, City, UT

Frankly, all of this news that's come out about Senator Clinton and her deal with Jon Huntsman sickens me. It's a violation of campaign law and prosecutors should get down to the bottom of this. I've already called for Senator Clinton's withdrawal from the race if she has enough integrity to do so. Let's see what her next moves are. Talking about it out in the open like she has just goes to show that Washington is in over its head, and it's time to shake up things. One reason why I went into public service in the first place was to truly be a voice for the people, and not for special interests. I tried to root out corruption as Mayor of Cleveland, I've been tough as a Congressman, and I'll use whatever powers I can as President in accordance with the law to carry out justice. More elected officials should lead by example, and unfortunately a lot of them have failed in that regard.

February 20
With John Waihee, Howard Dean, and Russ Feingold
-Meet and Greet in Aiea, HI
-Meet and Greet in Waimea, HI
-Meet and Greet in Kapaa, HI
-Meeting with seniors in Waimalu, HI
-Phone banking in Ewa Beach, HI
-Phone banking in Wailuku, HI
-Interviews with local media

Good day, Hawaii! You'll be seeing a lot of me in these next few days. I believe this is a prime state to promote the message of peace and equality for all, because Hawaii knows how important it is to love your neighbor. That's what we should be doing more of: loving our neighbors. Instead of recklessly flexing our military strength across the world and harming ties along the way, we should take a more diplomatic approach to solving our biggest problems in foreign policy. We didn't need to come in Iraq with bombs and guns. now that we have, though, it's crucial that we extend a hand in rebuilding their nation. Hawks from both parties want us to get involved with Iran now, but do we really want to repeat the mistakes of Iraq so soon? We should open negotiations with Iranian leaders and come to a sensible solution. Loving our neighbors doesn't just apply abroad, though. We should get guns off our streets and have peaceful neighborhoods. Rehabilitation programs will be strengthened under a Kucinich administration for addicts of all kinds, as prison is not the solution for every problem we face in our cities and communities. I'm confident that we can embark on a better path for the future.

February 21
With John Waihee, Bernie Sanders, and George McGovern
-Barnstorming and contacting grassroots in Schofield Barracks, HI
-Barnstorming and town hall in Kihei, HI
-Barnstorming and persuading undecided voters in Mililani Mauka, HI
-Bus tour in Kihei, HI
-Phone banking in Kapolei, HI
-Organizing strong GOTV operation with staff in Honolulu, HI

Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I was the oldest of 7 children, and during my childhood I lived in 21 different homes--including some cars for a time. My family never had much in riches, but there was a lot of love in that family. We always looked out for each other, and we could always trust one another to get things done and to help out in times of need. Even though we didn't possess much, we greatly made up for that through how strong of a bond we all had together. The lessons of my childhood have stayed with me ever since.  I've taken the same amount of care and devotion and applied it to all other aspects of my life, including with public service. It's each and every one of us who has the responsibility of taking care of themselves, their family and friends, and their neighborhoods. I believe that everyone should take some form of public service in their lives. It doesn't have to be running for office; it can be joining the Peace Corps, or volunteering at the local food bank. There are plenty of options out there. What matters is that we all pitch in with making a better world for ourselves, and it begins one step at a time.

February 22
With John Waihee, Robert Reich, and Barney Frank
-Outreach to young voters in Ewa Gentry, HI
-Town hall on Japanese-American issues in Mililani Town, HI
-Barnstorming and GOTV prep in Kaneohe, HI
-Barnstorming and persuading undecided voters in Makakilo, HI
-Phone banking in Halawa, HI
-Phone banking in Waipio, HI
-Strengthening communications between campaign and grassroots in Honolulu, HI

I'm joined here with Governor Waihee. He's got the greatest confidence that we can make the right kind of changes together. As I tour around the country, I see that Americans are hungry for real change. They're not satisfied with George W. Bush at all, and his poll numbers are only dropping by the day, which doesn't come as a surprise to me. The question that we as Democrats face is who we should pick as our party's standard-bearer against whoever the Republicans will throw at the American people. Maybe I'm biased, but I'd say I'm the best choice here. *chuckles* You take a good look at my record throughout the years, though, and you'll find that I'm at the heart of the Democratic Party on just about every issue, and I blow away all of my competitors. Senator Clinton shouldn't even pretend that she's been a consistent voice for liberals and progressives, because she hasn't. With a flawed candidate like her in many ways, she's not the best we can offer as a party. Senators Biden and Edwards also aren't the best we can offer, since they've flip-flopped on issues like Iraq. The arguments against me on electability don't hold up once you compare where the candidates are on the issues, and in my case, I stand with the majority of Americans on Iraq, the minimum wage, and a whole host of other issues. Hawaii, don't let me down! Let's win this together!

February 23
With John Waihee, Ralph Nader, and Mike Gravel
-Barnstorming and outreach to women in Kailua, HI
-Barnstorming and outreach to issue-based voters in Hilo, HI
-Barnstorming and phone banking in East Honolulu, HI
-Barnstorming and bus tour in Pearl City, HI
-Barnstorming and phone banking in Honolulu, HI
-Implementing grand GOTV strategy in Honolulu, HI

Well, tomorrow is the day, Hawaii! I've got a feeling that we'll have a few victories then to celebrate! *cheers* That won't come just by itself, though. Now here comes the hardest part: getting all of you to be out there and vote.  I want all of you to show up in full force, and don't forget to tell your family and friends about the campaign and what we stand for. Tomorrow will be the next step in ensuring that we get the nomination, and then we'll soon be in the White House! *applause*

February 24
With all surrogates
-GOTV in Hawaii
-GOTV in Utah
-GOTV in Idaho
-Rally in Honolulu, HI

[Senator Spiral]

TV/Radio Ad: Corruption

"[. . .] it is true that certain staff members offered him the possibility of a position in a Clinton Adminsitration [. . .]" That's Hillary Clinton talking about giving political favors to Jon Huntsman, who endorsed her campaign. Corruption is alive and well in politics. Senator Clinton may have earned the support of Ambassador Huntsman, but she has lost the support of the American people through her illegal actions. It's time for a change in Washington. Dennis Kucinich has stood up to corruption since his days in Cleveland, and as President, he'll be our nation's leader with integrity. I'm Dennis Kucinich, and I approve this message.

TV/Radio Ad: Medicare For All

I'm Dennis Kucinich. In Congress I've introduced legislation that would bring Medicare for All in our healthcare system. Insurance companies have been profiting off of children, the elderly, and the sick. No more. My proposal would bring a national single-payer system that offers full coverage the way that we already cover our seniors. As President, this will be one of my top policy goals. Healthcare is a basic right, not something used for profit. I'm Dennis Kucinich, and I approve this message because it's time to offer real solutions for our biggest problems.

[Senator Spiral]

Kucinich GOTV Strategy

This week, the Kucinich campaign is spending a considerable amount of resources in the upcoming primaries. Believing that Kucinich is competitive in all three states, but especially so in Hawaii and Utah, more money has been allocated for advertising and raising awareness through campaign activities. This is part of a grand strategy to focus on smaller states to grab as many delegates as possible over time. GOTV operations have been built up over the weeks and are targeting both rural and urban areas throughout the states in order to maximize possible turnout for Kucinich.

Hawaii is the best opportunity for a victory in the eyes of the campaign, and this is why Kucinich spent the most time there this week. John Waihee, a popular former governor, has been working side by side with the candidate and has been very instrumental in motivating voters and persuading undecideds to come their way, arguing that a President Kucinich will do the most good for the state of Hawaii out of all the candidates. He has been working up the phones in order to bring in as much support as possible and has appeared in fundraisers on behalf of the Congressman. In addition, other surrogates such as Ralph Nader, Howard Dean, and Mike Gravel have been touring the state in support, reaching out to different groups of voters in order to focus on turnout for each of them. It is expected that Kucinich will do very well with groups such as young voters and minorities, so support is being especially drummed up there.

Utah is another state where victory seems quite possible based on the proximity of the candidates in polling. Urban areas such as Salt Lake City have been given special attention, where the most votes are ripe for picking in a state that is notoriously Republican. For both of the mentioned states, there is a heavy emphasis on door-to-door campaigning, making sure that many neighborhoods are contacted and gauging support for the campaign. With Senator Clinton's recent scandal, much attention has been brought to that through campaigning and advertising, which is sure to bring down her immediate support and leave more undecided voters that can potentially sway to Kucinich. The Kucinich campaign has been spinning the situation by heavily criticizing the Clinton campaign for this behavior and has been portraying Congressman Kucinich as the candidate of integrity who has always stood against political corruption. This should make the candidate stand out from the others and lend itself to more voters giving a serious look at him going into voting on the 24th.

Grasroots support has been very important throughout all of this. The campaign has been working side by side with activists vocally supporting Kucinich to motivate voters and to spread awareness of the candidate on issues important to many, such as Iraq, healthcare, and education. Local and statewide groups and coalitions are working with the campaign to conduct large-scale GOTV operations in all the primaries, with Hawaii and Utah considered the most important. In addition, Super Tuesday states such as Ohio, Vermont, and Rhode Island are already seeing massive prep going into the primaries from the campaign and from the grassroots, who want to ensure that Kucinich will remain competitive in the weeks ahead and capture wins in these states and more.

[Senator Spiral]

Dennis Kucinich Campaign Statement

Don't forget to vote on the 24th if you live in Hawaii, Idaho, or Utah. Our campaign has the momentum going into these contests to win, and we'll continue our momentum in Super Tuesday and beyond to capture the nomination! It can't happen without you, though. Vote for the candidate who stands for peace and justice at home and around the world. Prominent progressive voices around the country have voiced support for this campaign as the only one that will bring real change in Washington. Come out in full force and cast your ballots for Dennis Kucinich!

Hello, my fellow Hawaiians, this is your former Governor John Waihee. I'm encouraging all of you to go out and vote for Congressman Kucinich in the primary on the 24th. I'm proudly standing by him and his campaign because he's the one candidate with a perfect record on helping the middle class and practicing good, honest government. If you're tired of how things have been, Congressman Kucinich is your one choice for a different path! He's the voice of the people in this election!

[Senator Spiral]

CNN: Kucinich Considering Third-Party Bid?

Although Congressman Dennis Kucinich is having more success than any pundit anticipated as an insurgent Democratic primary candidate, there are whispers in the political world that the liberal stallion from Ohio may abandon his current party down the road in favor of continuing his presidential campaign in a different venue in the likely scenario that he does not capture the Democratic nomination. "I think he's gotten way in over his head," said Republican strategist Alex Castellanos, "but he doesn't realize that and he might as well continue on with his campaign while it lasts." A possible option for Kucinich is the Green Party, which had consumer advocate Ralph Nader as their presidential nominee in the last election.

Kucinich has given no public indications about expressing interest in abandoning the Democrats, and in an interview where the possibility was raised, the Congressman dismissed it as "unfounded speculation" and "nonsense." Longtime observers of Congressman Kucinich note that he has run as an independent before in statewide politics, so it is not totally out of the question in their view. "If Dennis doesn't see the Democratic nominee as representing some of the most important issues to him, then I think he might actually do it to bring those issues to light," said Bernie Sanders, the independent Congressman from Vermont who is a supporter of Kucinich's campaign.

[Senator Spiral]

Hey, is it okay to extend this round by one day? I want to go all out here.

[Senator Spiral]

Dennis Kucinich Debate Answers

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I see that the talk has resurfaced on this in recent days. I've said this before on record, but I have no plans to pursue such a bid outside of the Democratic Party. People like to speculate and they're not getting their information from anything I've been saying, I can tell you that much. So, no, I'm not focusing on planning out a Green Party candidacy for myself. I'm in this race with the Democrats and I intend to get the nomination with a lot of hard work. Now, with that said, I don't give out enthusiastic endorsements for just anybody. If I am not the nominee in the end, I'll support our party's nominee as long as they hold to some basic principles. They should reject war as an instrument of policy, they should believe that every citizen should have the right to heath care, and they should hold banks and corporations accountable for their actions. If they meet all of these, then I'll proudly back them.

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It's obvious by now that staying in Iraq is a hopeless strategy, and this war was a mistake from the very beginning because going in was based on lies. I would correct that mistake as President and it will be one of my highest priorities going into office. My opponents on this stage have timetables for withdrawal that can last up to a year, or even longer, but I will immediately begin the process of withdrawal once I'm sworn in. Within ninety days, you should expect all of our troops to be gone from Iraq, as well as the rest of the Middle East. It's not the job of the US to be the world policeman, and we've caused more harm than good from the policies we've been pursuing with both Republican and Democratic presidents. If we want to support our troops the best way we can, then bringing them home now is the best solution.

This doesn't mean that we'll let Iraq rebuild all by themselves, though. We have a moral obligation to help out our Iraqi brothers and sisters after all of the damage we've caused to their country. My plan involves bringing in UN troops that will help with restructuring their economy and government and oversee progress over the span of years. We have to make sure that Iraq is able to have free elections as a stable democracy so that a group like Al Qaeda will not be able to easily infiltrate their government and take over. The UN will handle their oil contracts and make sure that no more privatization occurs, and no companies like Haliburton will see their sweet deals continued either. Iraq was a grave mistake that could have been easily avoided, but going forward this is the best path for America and Iraq, and as your President I'm absolutely confident that we can make this plan work.

[Senator Spiral]

Sorry, but more than ten events in a day is pretty unrealistic. Other election games have docked players off for that. Everyone else has around five or six events normally.

Also, my schedule is coming up really soon

[Senator Spiral]

Dennis Kucinich Campaign Schedule: February 25-March 2

February 25
With Howard Dean and Bernie Sanders
-Meet and Greet in Arlington, VT
-Meet and Greet in Jericho, VT
-Meet and Greet in Chester, VT
-Rallying grassroots in South Burlington, VT
-Strengthening GOTV operations in Burlington, VT
-Interviews with local media

Reporter: What do you have to say about Vice President Cheney's health and resignation earlier?

Kucinich: I think it's a true shame. Although there are many, many things where we disagree on policy, no one should have to be in that kind of poor health, and I wish him and his family all of the best going forward. For the sake of being respectful, my campaign won't directly target him or invoke his name as we're on the trail.

Reporter: And how are you feeling about Super Tuesday?

Kucinich: Splendid, really. I think we have a great shot in a lot of states, including right here in Vermont, where our organizational strength particularly shows thanks to people like Governor Dean and Congressman Sanders. We'll do very well no matter what.

February 26
With Howard Dean, Bernie Sanders, Robert Reich, and George McGovern
-Town Hall in Lincoln, RI
-Town Hall in Smithfield, RI
-Phone banking in Pawtucket, RI
-Bus tour in Cranston, RI
-Bus tour and phone banking in Providence, RI
-Organizing GOTV operations in Providence, RI

February 27
With Sherrod Brown and Dick Celeste
-Town Hall in White Oak, OH
-Town Hall in Oregon, OH
-Town Hall in Sidney, OH
-Rallying grassroots in Trotwood, OH
-Phone banking in Troy, OH
-Phone banking in Xenia, OH

Good to be back in my home state of Ohio! *cheers* Although Cleveland knows me very well, I'm not as familiar for the rest of the state, so allow me to introduce myself. I'm Dennis Kucinich, and I'm the Democrat in this race who's always fought for the working class, the underdogs, and the disadvantaged. I've come from a family with not very much wealth at all, but I've worked my way to the top and I'm now a representative in Congress whose top priority is promoting peace and prosperity wherever it is needed. No one can top my record. I've been solidly consistent on just about every major issue you can think of, and I'm proud to stand behind my beliefs. Some may dismiss my campaign or even myself as a joke, but I don't let the naysayers get to me. What matters is that we harness the spirit of the people and get a decisive victory in November, and I know we can do it! I need your help, Ohio! Let's come together and make this happen on Super Tuesday!

February 28
With Sherrod Brown and Dick Celeste
-Rallying supporters and persuading undecided voters in Kent, OH
-Rallying grassroots in Bowling Green, OH
-Phone banking in Westlake, OH
-Bus tour in Youngstown, OH
-Bus tour and rallying grassroots in Dayton, OH
-Strengthening GOTV operation in Toledo, OH

February 29
-Town Hall in Boardman, OH
-Town Hall in Upper Arlington, OH
-Phone banking in Westerville, OH
-Phone banking in Cleveland Heights, OH
-Bus tour in Newark, OH
-Interviews with local media

March 1
With Sherrod Brown and Dick Celeste
-Bus tour and rallying supporters in Parma, OH
-Bus tour and phone banking in Akron, OH
-Bus tour and meeting with constituents for support in Cleveland, OH
-Strengthening GOTV operation in Cleveland, OH
-Bus tour and phone banking in Cincinnati, OH
-Bus tour and strengthening GOTV operation in Columbus, OH

Cleveland, you've known me for a long, long time. We've gone through some great times and some bad times together, but no matter what, we know that this bond can't be broken. I've stood by this great city even when everything was against me. I refused to sell the electric municipal to the banks, and I was proven right years later, and families in Cleveland have saved a great deal from that decision. I was your mayor back then, and I've been in Congress for these last few years. Now I'm asking for your support in this next big race: the presidency. Ohio means so much to me, and it's absolutely important that we win this race together. Can I count on your support tomorrow? Despite whatever people in the media may say about this campaign, let it be known that it's a campaign by, for, and of the people, and nothing will get in the way of our march onward! First Ohio, then the nomination, and then the presidency!

March 2
With all surrogates
-GOTV in Ohio
-GOTV in Vermont
-GOTV in Rhode Island
-GOTV in California
-GOTV in Minnesota
-Rally in Cleveland, OH


TV/Radio Ad: Voice of the People

Dennis Kucinich didn't grow up rich. His father was a truck driver and his mother was a homemaker. The family moved 21 times and Dennis often had to find apartments that they could afford. Despite whatever disadvantages he had in his early life, though, he always overcame the obstacles. He has risen to the top through hard work and determination. Dennis Kucinich understands working people, as he's lived this way. He's fought on behalf of Cleveland in Congress, and now he's asking to fight for the rest of the nation as President. Dennis Kucinich: the voice of the people. I'm Dennis Kucinich, and I approve this message.

[Senator Spiral]

Kucinich GOTV Strategy

The Kucinich campaign sees prime opportunities to win in a number of states and amass a large amount of delegates along the way. They are most confident about their chances in Vermont, and so less attention has been paid to intensely working on the campaign trail, although the GOTV operation has been strengthened there. The biggest target is Ohio, Congressman Kucinich's home state. The key to victory is mobilizing supporters in Kucinich's home city of Cleveland that he represents in Congress and that is a large segment of the voting block in the state. In addition, a strong effort has been made to introduce the candidate to other parts of the state, urban and rural, in order to maximize turnout across the state. Ohio surrogates such as Congressman Sherrod Brown and former Governor Dick Celeste have been instrumental in spreading awareness of Kucinich and bringing in as many voters as possible. Much attention has been brought to Kucinich's working class roots in order to relate to voters, and his record in Congress for votes on Iraq, the minimum wage, and health care have been brought up to rally support among all demographics, such as students, minorities, and women.

Other states such as Rhode Island, Minnesota, and California are also seen as having a good opportunity for an outright victory, so many resources have been invested in those states. Advertising has been ramped up across the country and grassroots forces are mobilizing in neighborhoods and communities to bring in support across the contested states. Organizations such as the AFL-CIO, ACLU, and Sierra Club have also come out in full force during Super Tuesday, airing their own advertisements, distributing pamphlets and direct mail, and encouraging members in Super Tuesday states to get mobilized in support of Kucinich. This is done in order to bring in support from various groups in order to have the highest possible turnout with motivated supporters.

Other surrogates not mentioned in the schedule, including Barney Frank, Gore Vidal, Ralph Nader, etc. have been stumping for the candidate in the targeted states for an intense GOTV operation on voting day. They have also been giving media interviews and motivating supporters and donors through the Internet, trying to help out the campaign in every way possible that the Congressman alone couldn't achieve. The liberal grassroots has the highest enthusiasm seen at this point in this campaign, and other subsections of voters have been getting direct appeals from the candidate and from surrogates, making the case why Kucinich is superior on the issues compared to Biden, Clinton, and Edwards. Undecided voters are being persuaded through all of the methods listed above in what has turned out to be a very strong organizational effort to the very end, which the campaign is expected to pay off now.

[Senator Spiral]

Well, folks, Super Tuesday has reported. I'm proud to have won the state of Vermont, where a lot of hard work from staff and volunteers was put into over the months. We also made good showings across the country. However, Vermont was our only victory tonight. I'm disappointed in how we performed in other states, including right here in my home state of Ohio. We could have grabbed other victories, but, ultimately, we fell short of that in the end.

I may be ambitious and I may have always been an underdog in my career in politics, but I know when it is time to wrap things up. Therefore, I am ending my presidential campaign and endorsing John Edwards for the nomination. I believe that Senator Edwards is the best person to carry on the ideas of the Democratic Party to victory in November. Senator Clinton has the momentum after tonight, but she is a deeply flawed candidate. We as Democrats must not come to the conclusion that this race is over. I encourage all of my delegates to back the Edwards campaign for the convention, and I encourage all of my supporters who haven't had the chance to vote yet to back him now.

I truly am honored by the immense support I've had across the country during this campaign. The media didn't think anything of us at first, but we ended up winning four contests and getting over a hundred delegates, which far exceeds anything they expected. We have shown that a little ambition goes a long way, and that our ideas can't be ignored. Thank you all, and God bless the United States of America!

[Senator Spiral]

NHI, I believe you're supposed to add Kucinich's delegates to the total for Edwards since I've endorsed him.

[Senator Spiral]

Congressman Kucinich will soon be making a statement in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio.

[Senator Spiral]

Hello, Cleveland. Good to see you all here. I've recently been contemplating my place in politics for the future. As you know, I ran a good race in the Democratic primaries, although we ultimately had no viable path, so I stopped my campaign after Super Tuesday. I'm very proud of the work that we did then. It gives me hope that there are enough Americans who are ready to speak up and to stand for what they believe in.

The Democratic contest is now over, and here comes the general election. Between Rudy Giuliani and Joe Biden, from the two big parties, I find faults in both men. One could say that Senator Biden is the better choice between the two, but I can no longer say that I am satisfied with just sticking with the lesser of two evils. Indeed, the Senator's record has many blights. I cannot be totally confident that a President Biden would lead a peaceful administration based on his willingness to intervene across the world. Taking that and other positions such as on domestic surveillance into consideration, I've come to the conclusion that the American people can do better.

Many people across the country have been drafting me to continue running for President in some manner. I can now make a public declaration after much thought: I shall seek the Green Party nomination for President. The Green Party is very compatible with my views, and I hope that we can do good work together for this country's well-being. I endorsed Senator Edwards after I left the Democratic race, but with him out, I also encourage the delegates I received to still vote for me in the convention. The establishment has to know that we're a force and we're here to stay!

With my campaign back in force, I will tour around the country and make my pitch to the American people. Whether I win or lose, I hope that we're all left better off in the end. Thank you all, and I'll see you around!

[Senator Spiral]

Statement from Congressman Kucinich

I am delighted to earn the endorsement of former Vice President Al Gore. Vice President Gore has invested much of his time on pressing issues such as climate change, and we here at the campaign are excited to work with him to create a better environment and a better nation.

[Senator Spiral]

I've been busy with work. May we get one more day on this turn? I'd like to try and flesh out the Greens' convention.

[Senator Spiral]

Dennis Kucinich Campaign Schedule: May 26-31 & June 23-28

May 26
-Town Hall in Swanton, VT
-Town Hall in Vergennes, VT
-Town Hall in Newport, VT
-Rally and Fundraiser in Rutland, VT
-Rally and Fundraiser in Burlington, VT

May 27
-Rally and Fundraiser in Sunnyvale, CA
-Rally and Fundraiser in Palmdale, CA
-Rally and Fundraiser in Santa Rosa, CA
-Appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
-Organizing campaign infrastructure in Los Angeles, CA

May 28
-Rally and Fundraiser in Oxnard, CA
-Rally and Fundraiser in Santa Ana, CA
-Rally and Fundraiser in Oakland, CA
-Rally and Fundraiser in Sacramento, CA
-Rally and Fundraiser in San Francisco, CA

May 29
-Town Hall in Monmouth, OR
-Town Hall in Ontario, OR
-Town Hall in Cedar Mill, OR
-Rally and Fundraiser in Eugene, OR
-Rally and Fundraiser in Portland, OR

May 30
-Meet and Greet in Seward, AK
-Meet and Greet in Nome, AK
-Town Hall in Sitka, AK
-Rally and Fundraiser in Fairbanks, AK
-Rally and Fundraiser in Anchorage, AK

May 31
-Rally and Fundraiser in Coon Rapids, MN
-Rally and Fundraiser in St. Cloud, MN
-Rally and Fundraiser in Bloomington, MN
-Rally and Fundraiser in St. Paul, MN
-Rally and Fundraiser in Minneapolis, MN

May and June would be a critical time for the campaign, as it sought to establish itself as a credible venture with momentum to last for the rest of the election. Fundraisers were an integral part of the early days, ensuring that the campaign has strong cash reserves for later activities. In addition, propping up campaign offices across different states and keeping in touch with average voters was also crucial to collecting as much support as possible in all contested states. Kucinich is basking in on the media attention by highlighting several key issues on the campaign trail and on media appearances, including ending the Iraq War and implementing Medicare-for-All.


In the days leading up to the Green National Convention, the Kucinich campaign finalized its choice for a running mate. Some names reportedly looked at during the vetting process included consumer advocate Ralph Nader, former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel, and even former Vice President Al Gore. The final announcement was made in Burlington, Vermont, on June 18:

I'm glad all of you are here today. I'm here to announce that a true champion of the working class shall be my running mate with me on this ticket. He's defied the odds and has won elections when no one said he would have. He has a good record to stand on as the longest serving independent in Congress, fighting for Social Security, fair wages, universal healthcare, and many other important issues. We've worked well in Congress and I can think of no better partner to lead the charge to a Green future in the White House. Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like you to give a warm welcome to your Congressman, Bernie Sanders!

Thank you, thank you! I'm truly honored to be part of this ticket with my friend Dennis. We see eye to eye on many things, and we both know that the current trajectory with the Democrats and Republicans is just plain wrong for this country. No matter if it's Biden or Giuliani in there, expect to see your benefits cut, your backyard polluted, and your boys sent overseas. That's because both of them bow down to the same corporate agenda that wants to tear down our social safety net and make the government the servant of big business. With the Green Party, though, you'll know that we offer a better path. The Kucinich-Sanders ticket will not cater to special interest groups who represent only the richest among us. We're the only ticket that will stand up for the little guy, and our records prove it. Let's join together and go Green this November, my fellow Americans!

June 23
-Meeting with delegates in Milwaukee, WI
-Local media interviews
-Fundraising in Milwaukee, WI

June 24
-Organizing campaign strategy with GNC delegates
-Contacting grassroots organizations in Wisconsin

June 25
-Town Hall in Yarmouth, ME
-Town Hall in Old Town, ME
-Town Hall in Orono, ME
-Town Hall in Sanford, ME
-Organizing campaign infrastructure in Portland, ME

June 26
-Town Hall in Sidney, MT
-Town Hall in Miles City, MT
-Town Hall in Laurel, MT
--Town Hall in Evergreen, MT
-Rally and Fundraiser in Billings, MT

June 27
-Town Hall in Aiea, HI
-Town Hall in Halwa, HI
-Phone conference with GNC delegates
-Speech for nomination at GNC in Milwaukee, WI

June 28
-Acceptance speech at GNC in Milwaukee, WI
-Organizing campaign strategy with staff and supporters in Milwaukee, WI


Green National Convention Highlights - Progressives United!

Ralph Nader: I ran last time around, and while I may have gotten a fair amount of flak to say the least, we showed the Democrats and Republicans that the Green Party is a blossoming threat to the establishment, and we only have so much more room to grow! Dennis Kucinich and Bernie Sanders are easily the only capable individuals in this race to combat corporate power and take government back into the hands of the people. They've fought their whole careers to represent Main Street and not Wall Street, and they'll continue to do just that in the White House. This November, America will speak for a Green future!

Howard Dean: I contemplated running for President last year, I'll admit. I decided not to jump in because of all the hurdles of campaigning, but I also saw a true progressive already in the race, and that person was Dennis Kucinich. I saw in his vision a plan for this country that doesn't encourage war at every opportunity and give out more special favors for the rich. I may be a Democrat, but that doesn't mean I can't cross over and support the only ticket that is truly for the people this year. You know something? Not only are we going to rise in the polls, but we'll get in the debates, and then we'll trounce our opponents. We'll be going to Vermont, and Wisconsin, and California, and Oregon! And then we're going to Washington D.C. to take back the White House! Yeah!

Al Gore I know what some of y'all might be thinking: What in the heck is Al Gore doing here to support the party that cost him the presidency four years ago? [laughs] I actually don't blame you guys, but whoever was at fault, we don't need to think about the past anymore. Instead, we should look to the future. That's why I'm here: because I see Congressman Kucinich as the one candidate who sticks out as a visionary and someone who can tackle some of this country's biggest problems in innovative ways. Climate change is without a doubt the single most consequential issue of our times, and we as a global community must decide how to respond now before it's too late. A President Kucinich would put the environment first and reduce carbon emissions, clean up pollution in the country and in the cities, and push for sustainable renewable energy sources. While I have the utmost respect for Senator Biden and have worked with him on many issues, I ultimately see Congressman Kucinich as being the better candidate for our times. Together, we can win this election. Let's stay united and go for the victory this November!

[Senator Spiral]

Dennis Kucinich Campaign Schedule: July 23-29

I'm in this election to the very end, have no doubts about it. We're seeing our polling numbers rise up slowly but surely all across the country this summer, and this will continue all the way to Election Day. The Kucinich-Sanders ticket is the only true voice of all Americans. Regardless of gender, race, or class, you should know that you'll have people in the White House fighting on your behalf, and if it means battling with special interests up in Washington, so be it. That's a fight we relish. The Democrats and Republicans have failed to live up to their promises time and time again. Whether it's bombing more countries, deregulating our financial sector, or ignoring workers' rights, the people in Washington right now have taken us on a dangerous path. Now, in 2004, we have the opportunity to change that and elect leaders that will fight for progressive ideals. My fellow Americans, we can do this together!

July 23
-Town Hall in Ewa Villages, HI
-Town Hall in Hawaiian Beaches, HI
-Town Hall in Captain Cook, HI
-Town Hall in Laie, HI
-Town Hall in Ainaloa, HI

July 24
-Meet and Greet in Gambell, AK
-Meet and Greet in Point Hope, AK
-Meet and Greet in Selawik, AK
-Meet and Greet in Mountain Village, AK
-Meet and Greet in Craig, AK

July 25
-Town Hall in Homer, AK
-Town Hall in Bethel, AK
-Town Hall in Palmer, AK
-Town Hall in Sitka, AK
-Rally and Fundraiser in Anchorage, AK

July 26
-Meet and Greet in Wilder, VT
-Meet and Greet in Fair Haven, VT
-Meet and Greet in Windsor, VT
-Town Hall in Newport, VT
-Town Hall in Winnoski, VT

July 27
-Town Hall in Vergennes, VT
-Town Hall in Montpelier, VT
-Rally and Fundraiser in South Burlington, VT
-Rally and Fundraiser in Burlington, VT
-Interviews with local media

July 28
-Town Halls in Washington, D.C.
-Rally and Fundraiser in Washington, D.C.
-Meeting with progressive activists in Washington, D.C.
-Interview on The O'Reilly Factor

July 29
-Rally and Fundraiser in Visalia, CA
-Rally and Fundraiser in Stockton, CA
-Rally and Fundraiser in Modesto, CA
-Bus Tour in Santa Ana, CA
-Bus Tour in Bakersfield, CA

TV/Radio Ad: Fighting For You

As Mayor of Cleveland, Dennis Kucinich said no to selling off the city's electric utility. Years later, he was proven right in his decision, as it saved Cleveland millions. As a Congressman, Dennis has been at the forefront pushing for higher wages, job security, a protected environment, and a peaceful foreign policy. Some will ignore him, but Dennis has never been one to sit on his hands during the tough battles. He has been a champion for the working class his whole life, and he's been fighting for you. I'm Dennis Kucinich, and I approve this message.

[Senator Spiral]

The Kucinich campaign will fight for write-in status in the following states:

Ohio
New York
Texas
Georgia
Virginia
Missouri
Tennessee

Signatures are being collected across all of these states and will soon be submitted to election officials.

[Senator Spiral]

Kucinich announces lawsuit against the Commission on Presidential Debates

Fighting for equal access among presidential candidates for the televised debates, Dennis Kucinich filed a lawsuit against the Commission on Presidential Debates earlier. Accusing the CPD of "monopolizing elections for the Democrats and Republicans," the lawsuit seeks to give the Green and Libertarian tickets spots in all of the debates to be held in October. The lawsuit alleges that the CPD sets a 15% polling average in arbitrarily selected national surveys that cannot be achieved without the same media exposure as the two major parties, meaning that all other parties are likely to be excluded without massive resources to counter the media blackout. The end goal is to change the policy for entrance into the debates to being determined by two criteria: 1) being eligible to be President under the Constitution and 2) being on enough state ballots to theoretically attain a majority in the Electoral College.

In an interview with NBC, Congressman Kucinich told the news outlet that "I hope the court sides with our campaign and gives the American people more choices to look at this November." Kucinich is optimistic about his chances and encourages the Johnson campaign to also pitch in with the effort to change the policy on presidential debates. "If Vice President Giuliani and Senator Biden are courageous enough to side with democracy and equality, then I hope that they will also voice support for opening up the debates," Kucinich said at the end of the interview.