Born, like other comic book characters, out of an otherwise trivial but life-changing animal bite, the Rabid Librarian seeks out strange, useless facts, raves about real and perceived injustices, and seeks to meet her greatest challenge of all--her own life.
Okay, so I knew he was a long shot, but would have voted for him anyway (not that my primary vote matters much--we don't vote till May). But now Dennis Kucinich is dropping out of the presidential race to focus on campaigning as a congressman. He isn't endorsing any other candidate at this time.
Universal Health Care International Cooperation: US out of Iraq, UN in Jobs and Withdrawal from NAFTA and WTO Repeal of the "Patriot Act" Guaranteed Quality Education, Pre-K Through College Full Social Security Benefits at Age 65 Right-to-Choose, Privacy and Civil Rights Balance Between Workers and Corporations Environmental Renewal and Clean Energy Restored Rural Communities and Family Farms
Among other things he's very enviromentally driven, very much for human rights, and also incidentally supports gay marriage, an issue dear to my heart. He's getting the most press, of course, because he does not support the war in Iraq. He's also for universal health care. Basically I agree with most of his stances, although I'm sure they'd meet a great deal of resistance from certain camps. And I don't know how well America will warm to an underdog vegan meditating Croatian/Irish-American Congressman with a British wife who has the audacity to propose a Department of Peace. Nor is he the most physically stunning of the bunch, and goodness knows Americans often fall for looks when deciding such things. But...I like his ideas, and they fall closest to my morals and beliefs for what the leader of a responsible country should tout. And it should be the stances and issues that count, not looks.
Here's his announcement for his candidacy:
and his wife Elizabeth talking about appropriations supporting the war:
and it doesn't hurt that he'd like to see Cheney impeached, either. :) The only issue I'm so-so on is decriminalising marijuana. I can see both sides of that debate. But everything else...is right on, from what I've read.
Now, do I believe he'll be nominated?--not really. He's too far on the left for the Democratic Party to give him the nod, I think. But at least for the primary, I'm voting for him, because he's closest to my conscience. And really, that's the best thing we can do, is vote our conscience. And if by some miracle he does get the nomination, then I say Kucinich all the way.
It's a shame that Elizabeth Edwards' cancer has returned. Edwards is my second choice for President (well, really the main choice, as much as I like Dennis Kucinich, whom I voted for in the primary last election and will probably do so again, I can't see him going all the way to the general election in 2008. We'll see. But I do like Edwards, especially since he seems to be reaching out towards those of us who are liberals. I can't say I care for Hillary Clinton, although I do like Barak Obama. It'll be difficult to choose. I prefer those who are opposed to the war, obviously, and who are progressive in their leanings, or at least liberal on social issues. I suppose right now I'd have to rank them Kucinich, Edwards, and Obama. That may change, depending on how the campaigns go and how much more I learn about the candidates' positions.
I know it will be very hard for Edwards to maintin his campaign and balance his family duties, but I'm impressed he's going to try.
