After his exclusion from today's Des Moines debate in Iowa, presidential contender Dennis Kucinich fired back at event sponsors after they said he failed to meet their criteria.
Today could have been “for all the marbles,” said the Washington Post before the democratic debate, but a New York Times review called it “mostly placid,” with the candidates putting on mostly friendly faces for voters.
“[There were] very few ripples in an otherwise placid 90-minute forum, where, in a sharp departure from past debates, not one of the six Democratic candidates attacked another one by name,” said The News York Times.
But Kucinich wasn't feeling as jovial today, after being rejected from participation by debate sponsors, The Des Moines Register.
The Register said Kucinich did not warrant inclusion because his Iowa director works from a residence and not an office. Officially at least, he did not have an open Iowa campaign office by the Oct. 1 deadline.
He and Mike Gravel, who was not invited either, also got just one percent support in a October Des Moines Register poll – below the 2 percent participation requirement.
Alan Keyes, who surprised voters yesterday, making a sudden appearance at the Republican debate – an appearance many tagged as a “side show act” -- may have not met before mentioned standards either.
A report by FOX News today showed that while Keyes had 2 percent support in the poll, no record could be found of him having an office in Iowa.
David Yepson, political columnist for USA Today said in his column that Kucinich and Gravel were not invited because they “are not running credible campaigns in Iowa” adding that their exclusion left “more time for serious contenders.”
USA Today reported Kucinich's fire back at the decision:
“Instead of imposing a poll tax or requiring proof of land ownership to participate in the democratic process, the Des Moines Register has established a new requirement: renting commercial real estate,” he said.
Questions as to why Alan Keyes was able to participate in the debates and not Kucinich or Gravel, are still up for speculation.
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#1 Kucinich represents the
Kucinich represents the mainstream values of America which unfortunately don't vibe with the corporate agenda. Out of Iraq, Universal Non-profit helth care, real environmental progress. Impeachment! Come on, his exclusion was a gross affront on Democracy.
#2 Kucinich & Iowa
Whatever the reason Kucinich was excluded from the Iowa debate, it looks like an intentional slight against a candidate who's platform stands in stark contrast to all the others, namely because his positions make sense.
If I was intent on keeping the for-profit health insurance industry lapping at my heels I would oust Kucinich too. But I'm not. I am a human being who has to deal with these thieves. They promise to be there when you need them, and after you do they take your money and run, denying you coverage and paying people to find reasons to deny you coverage.
Kucinich embarrasses the other candidates because he has a consistent record of voting in congress, whereas they are simply incongruous. When a vote came up to decide if we should go to war with Iraq Dennis voted NO. Likewise he has voted NO on funding the war 100% of the time. Now, years after we've discovered that all of the reasons to go to war were false, the other candidates say they are against the war, yet they voted for it and they voted to fund it, and they will no doubt continue to vote to fund it. Dennis voted against the Patriot Act. Now, the other candidates say they are against the Patriot Act, but they voted for it in the first place. We don't need a president who is going to get us into bad situations only to ask forgiveness later. We need a president who is right the first time.
Dennis Kucinich and John Conyers co-wrote HR 676, the bill which will expand medicare to cover all Americans. If you wish to read the bill you can download the .PDF at www.InsuranceTease.com under the 'Act Now' tab. Below that you will find the first of several movie clips of Dennis Speaking.
#3 Kucinich blatantly excluded-follow the money of course...
“Instead of imposing a poll tax or requiring proof of land ownership to participate in the democratic process, the Des Moines Register has established a new requirement: renting commercial real estate,” he said.
EXACTLY! Dennis Kucinich for President. if the voters reject him, they don't deserve to have what greatness he can deliver to the office.
www.kucinich.us
#4 It wasn't polling
Get your facts straight. Even the Des Moines Register isn't saying that Kucinich didn't meet their poll requirement, which was 1% not 2%. Also, Chris Dodd is also polling 1% in the state, like Kucinich.
It's a real shame that Dennis Kucinich was excluded from this debate because the Des Moines Register doesn't consider a home office of a paid staff member, to be an office!!!
#5 And it continues
Kucinich, you should have screamed at the top of your lungs when they excluded Gravel. You continued to debate and did not mention the "oversight" and now they have come for you.
....No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.-John Donne
Pieces of democracy continue to die.
www.gravel08.us