My Interview with Elizabeth Kucinich

Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich is the only candidate to call for the repeal of NAFTA, CAFTA, and the other ill-conceived "free trade agreements," as well as pulling the United States out of the WTO.

Kucinich is the only candidate who has voted consistently against funding the occupation of Iraq. Of any of the presidential candidates, his voting record has been the most steadfast against George W. Bush's adventure in Iraq.

Kucinich is the only candidate to call for the impeachment of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney (and he has introduced an impeachment resolution against Cheney).

Kucinich is the only candidate to call for the repeal of the Patriot Act and the Animal Terrorism Act.

And nearly a year before the election Dennis Kucinich is the only candidate still in the running to be barred from participating in the Democratic Party debates.

Check out my interview Saturday night with Elizabeth Kucinich and see for yourself if her husband's ideas and policies deserve to be purged from the political debate of 2008:

Comments

[thebeerdoctor]

There is not much to say about a so-called debate system that wouldn't even allow Mr. Kucinich's ideas to be heard. In a real democratic debate, it is not just about who can smack their opponents down, but ideas. But intelligence and genuine dialog are in short supply in an atmosphere where greed and superficiality are the norm.

[drakke]

This is my first experience hearing Ms. Kucinich speak. I was literally awestruck by her intelligence, depth of understanding of the issues, and, perhaps, most of all, by her absolute sincerity. This is truly an "evolved" human, with consciousness, wisdom, heart and wit.

She and her husband stand, really, as the force of light against the endarkened fascists who are determined by any and all means to sell out our country, and its citizens, in a manner most beneficial for their own bank accounts, and for those of their NWO psychopath friends.

In the best of all possible worlds people like she, and her husband would be the "leadership". And those on the planet who are the current leaders, sociopaths almost all, would be receiving appropriate treatment so that they would finally be viewable as truly other than merely dangerous, unconscious, "entry level" humans.

[rixhex56]

I"ve taken one of those little quizzes that supposedly show you whose platform you most align with, and Kucinich is my guy, but I do not expect him to make any headway with our current election system, and media, being controlled by corporations and BIG MONEY. As I listen to this interview, I can"t help but think about Naomi Klein"s book:

The Shock Doctrine; The Rise of Disaster Capitalism.

I especially thought about that book while she was talking about the IMMIGRATION situation, as well as the description she gives regarding the agrarian culture in Vietnam. She discusses eliminating the disgusting legislation (NAFTA) that was pushed through congress during Republican rule of that governmental body, and which Clinton unfortunately signed into law; legislation that basically only serves corporations and their greed by imposing corporate will upon other nations during times of crisis.

Sadly, I believe Kucinich has no chance of being elected. But when I look at the other 3 Dem candidates, it seems to me that Edwards being elected might be a realistic first step towards establishing a political system that might eventually allow Kucinich, or someone like, to actually have a chance. Edwards is talking about eliminating BIG MONEY from elections, which would open up campaign possibilities that do not currently exist.

[peonyharp]

Good job, and thank you Mr. Palermo.

An amazing woman and she's absolutely correct: censoring Congressman Kucinich is "silencing the truth."

I refuse to live in fear, and my heart and mind rest with what Dennis Kucinich believes and fights for. I cannot vote any other way because I'd be lying to myself. He is the voice of compassion, courage, environmentalism, integrity, and humanity. He is a threat to entrenched corporatism and the status quo. "Business as usual" doesn't work anymore.

Let him speak! Let the views of those of us who are humanists first be articulated in these debates and in this process of choosing a new President.

[bertisbert]

Dennis is right and you all know it.
Now, here's the plan:
Next election cycle, we get Elizabeth to run under her maiden name. By then, I'm sure there will have been an ammendment to allow foreign-born candidates for the presidency. Elizabeth vs. the Terminator!!

[Maschine]

This is one very bright and articualte woman.

Agree banning Dennis is undemocratic and really the bottom of the barrel for the US.

I didn't think tney could sink lower , its disgusting. No wonder the world is a mess, you want people and countries to emulate these traits that are hidden behind the flowery language of Freedom.

Disgusting and revolting display.

[BaltoAman]

Dennis polls low because he is suppressed by the media. It's tough to run an effective campaign when the media either ignores you or labels you "radical" or "fringe", ask Ron Paul.

I expect the GOP to marginalize Paul, because his views run against their (very unpopular) grain. But I always thought Kucinich's ideas were more in-line with what Dems wanted.

But then nowadays I'm pretty confused as to what the Dems really want, besides a presidency of course.

[avergejoe]

"the intellegent man fights for the lost cause,
knowing that all others are merely effects"

[roadrider]

Thanks for this inspiring interview. Elizabeth Kucinich is a very intelligent and eloquent spokesperson for her husband's candidacy (full disclosure, I am in agreement with virtually all of Kucinich's platform; OK - I don't buy the UFO story). It's a sad commentary on our electoral process and the mass media gatekeepers that such reasoned discourse is excluded from the debate.

Irrespective of Kucinich's poll numbers, the issues Ms. Kucinich discussed, not the silly fight over whether LBJ or MLK was more responsible for the Civil Rights Act or what the big three's "greatest weakness is, ARE the crux of what a Presidential campaign should be about. Edwards is the only other candidate who comes close and Dennis makes him seem like a poseur. No, I don't harbor any fantasies that Kucinich will be nominated or elected, but it's critical that his voice continues to be heard and that he be allowed to influence the debate. Otherwise, we'll end up with either Clinton or Obama trying to win the general election by trying to out-McCain McCain. That approach has never worked and it won't work this year either.

[freespeach]

Joseph, thank you so much for focusing on this critical issue.

This interview is wonderful. Elizabeth is charming, articulate and informed, wow!

That Kucinich and his defense of "we the people" vs. corrupt corporate America is being silenced is a national disgrace!

I urge everyone to send the link to this interview to all of your friends and contacts.
We must find a way to keep this guy in the race.

Keep up the great work Mr. Palermo!!

[Joseph A. Palermo - Huffpost Blogger]

I think the Democratic Party and the corporate media do not want the American people to hear what Dennis Kucinich has to say. Any fair reading of his proposals -- especially regarding the occupation of Iraq and the impeachment of Bush and Cheney -- shows that he is programatically far and above any other candidate -- but if a man's appearance is what we vote for I guess we should elect the tallest most handsome man in America to be President every four years -- how about Brad Pitt? His programs would be pretty cool. If you need looks, then just gaze upon who our First Lady would be!

[rwoodsathome]

DK is a flake. He's the crazy uncle in the basement that always is around for a good laugh.

He's been running for president since Christ was a corporal and still can't by a vowel or get a significant contribution.

We've must have had 25 primary elections since DK started running for president 10 years ago and he still polls in the single digits.

The problem is that even progressives don't consider him presidential material. He's just that crazy uncle from Cleveland.

[DoninJoisey]

The fact Kucinich is barred shows that the process is rigged. I disagree with Kucinich about illegal immigration, but health care and Iraq being about OIL and inmpeaching war criminals I agree with.

There is no valid reason he is excluded, it's just obvious that he's saying things that make some squirm.