October 7, 2007

The seats at the National Latino Congreso were full.  Still,  supporters flocked into the the Manhattan Room at the Sheratan in Los Angeles to get a glimpse of their favorite Presidential candidate.  The crowd had started pouring in at 8 A.M. on this Sunday morning.  It wasn't long before even the standing room was packed.   Following enthusiastic introductions, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich walked to the front, amidst a standing ovation and chant of "Si se puede."  Cameras (including news cameras) were rolling and all eyes were on the man who might well be the next President of the United States..  The audience was filled with Latino leaders, Democratic leaders, movie stars, candidates and public officials (including another member of Congress).

As usual, Kucinich's beautiful wife Elizabeth (a great humanitarian and leader in her own right) was at his side as he entered the room. The day before (10/6/07), the crowd had been been won over by Elizabeth at the luncheon, where she had made a powerful presentation that attendees were speaking excitedly about the next morning.

Kucinich's presentation was everything the crowd had been waiting to see.  The applauses kept coming as he spoke.   Saying "No hay humanos ilegales," he spoke out for immigrant rights, equality and fair treatment.  He spoke of the unequal treatment of chidren of immigrants in the children's health care bill that is currently before Congress.  He spoke of his opposition to the discrimination written into that bill.   He spoke about his universal, not-for-profit, single payer health care bill  (HR 676) that would include all.  He spoke out against the raids on immigrants, against the planned wall, against the guest worker programs, and against the trade agreements that have been keeping the wages down on both sides of the borders.  Kucinich plans to cancel NAFTA and withdraw from the WTO as his first act in office.

The audience also learned who would be read their Miranda rights following the Inauguration of President Kucinich.  Kucinich plans to have Bush, Cheney and those responsible for the deaths of over a million innocent Iraqi civilians and almost 4000 U. S.  servicemen  arrested and prosecuted for their crimes. 

The crowd went wild with applause during his presentation.  Kucinich came off as sincere and as the people's candidate.  His perfect voting record shows that he never backs away from his support for the people.

Kucinich took questions from the floor, answering each fully and from his heart.   One audience member, who had re-registered so she could vote for Kucinich, asked about the possibility of an independent run.  Dennis spoke from the heart about how the Democratic Party leaders had let down the American public by their failure to follow the wishes of those who had elected them. These leaders had let down the American people on a wide range of issues ranging from health care to war.   Kucinich spoke about the mandate of the 2006 election.  He impressed the audience members by asking for a show of hands of those wanting to see an independent challenge to the two major parties.  The surprise was not that hands went up, but which hands.  Democratic Congressional candidates and Democratic leaders were among those raising their hands.  If the Democratic Party can't keep its rank and file in line, it will be in major trouble next election unless a true people's candidate is nominated.    Dennis said he would look into the issue.  This thrilled the audience.

As Kucinich left, the crowd followed him.  Those continuing the presentation were polite, realizing that the crowd was eager to see more of their favorite leader.

Later, when Kucinich was rushing to his next event, one of the John Edwards's Los Angeles promoters rushed to speak with Kucinich, perhaps realizing he had made a mistake by backing Edwards over the candidate he considered the better of the two.  This is the dilemma of the Edwards campaign.  Most or all Edwards supporters will readily admit Kucinich would be a better President and that they would prefer to see Kucinich elected than Edwards.  It must be tough for them to back a candidate they don't believe in.   Perhaps the above-mentioned Edwards promoter was attempting to reclaim his integrity by chasing after Kucinich.  Rather than giving publicity to an Edwards promoter who doesn't believe in what he is doing, that Edwards promoter will be identified by his initials, A.M.

The Sunday morning session at the National Latino Congreso continued with resolutions next on the agenda.   Some of the Democratic leaders were very impressed with the resolutions and expressed, privately, that the Democratic Party should adopt most of these resolutions, many of which dealt with human rights, fair elections, justice, and protection of the environment.

October 8, 2007  is Kucinich's birthday.  The Creative Youth News Team wishes Dennis Kucinich a happy birthday.


Copyright ©2007 by the Creative Youth News Team.