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Guest forum: Kucinich showed something special in Eugene visit By G. Beres Eugene Handicappers who view political battles like horseraces are picking favorites in the yearlong marathon for the Democratic Party presidential nomination. Dennis Kucinich elicits a "Who?" from most of the public, so it may be natural he has the longshot label from the pundits. What he stands for suited the site when he made a July stop in Eugene at the annual Democratic Party Chili feed at the Wayne Morse Ranch. A year earlier, Kucinich was one of six finalists for the Morse Award for Integrity in Politics, which went to his Congressional colleague, Rep. Barbara Lee (Calif.). A progressive agenda like that the outspoken Morse supported as U.S. senator from Oregon (1944-1968) is popular among most Democratic hopefuls as they take aim at restrictive, conservative policies of the incumbent, George Bush. Kucinich goes further in giving voice to the goals of the loyal opposition. From him, it sounds like the angry opposition. It's the kind of gamble that could bring an underdog out of the pack entering the primary stretch run. His nod to organized labor and need for jobs in a state hard-hit by unemployment would fit most Democratic candidates. He went further, unveiling his plan for passing the pack with targets that extend beyond commitments made by others in the race: MILITARY: We must commit ourselves to a global move toward total nuclear disarmament, and the same with biological and chemical weapons and land mines. Pentagon budget has to be cut significantly, as it has become a self-justification for war IRAQ: The day after 9/11, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld said: "Now we can go after Iraq." So the administration tries to reject an investigation into 9/11, which would verify Iraq had no part in the terrible attack. An impartial investigation must be completed and given the nation. CAMPAIGN REFORM: I will begin discussions to ban corporate money in elections. ENERGY: We must stop subsidizing non-renewable systems of energy. Democratic picnickers cheered as he said he'd meet contemporary challenges while protecting liberties of a democracy. At this stage, they likely would have been as enthusiastic for any announced Democratic candidate who chose to spend an afternoon with them. The environment was different among 360 persons who jammed beyond capacity a University of Oregon hall that evening. Along the side walls were 30 standing to listen as the slim Kucinich - looking like a lean Oregon runner - took on energy when introduced as one "who can counter our current image as a nation of arrogant, adolescent pugnacity." He urged listeners to become "part of a movement, not a campaign. This movement is for us to reconnect with the world. We - you and I - are the ones we've been waiting for to move us in the right directions." He said administration policies since 9/11 "have tried to paralyze our people with fear. Shake your friends to remind them they must remember who they and we are - that we live in the land of the free and the home of the brave." Crowd response reached a crescendo when the Congressman from Ohio shouted: "This administration is preparing for the end of the world. We must see to it that its world ends in the election of 2004!" Odds seem against Kucinich becoming the one to make that challenge. But the race is young. If he can match his Eugene response as he takes his lightly-regarded political nag nationwide, the little jockey from Cleveland could join the front-runners when it's time for the stretch run. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -