Unwanted Competition

Reading the Globe's recap of Dennis' meeting with the editorial staff, I couldn't help but add credence to the notion that Dennis' slightly grumpy mood in Dover the other day was created by the addition of Rosemary Palmer to the Democratic primary in his congressional district. When you cross Kucinich, look out!

Hoochie Koochie Man

Dover, NH -

Quaint downtown Dover was the site of 3Q's latest campaign stop, this time for the low-polling but high-rolling Congressman from Cleveland, Dennis Kucinich. I arrived at the newly-opened New Hampshire campaign HQ just before 2pm on a brilliantly sunny day greeted by one flustered staffer who distractedly answered that "he'd be here any minute" when I asked if this was the site of today's event. Instantly I noticed there were a couple of signs on the wall advertising a Meet and Greet with the Candidate from 2-3pm in the 2nd floor campaign office. Sure enough, moments after I had sidled over to the wall, the candidate walked up the stairs and into the door.

In some respects it was a blogger's dream. Kucinich was rolling with an entourage of three - his wife, Elizabeth, a journalist and a staffer with a video camera. In others it was a blogger's nightmare. He stayed for fifteen minutes, only took three or four questions and left without any fanfare or handshakes citing a commitment to "business pertaining to the campaign".

Just as expected, the candidate with the three-man entourage entered without fanfare. There was no introduction, there wasn't even a gathering up of the dozen and a half spectators to greet him in unison. Exacerbating the problem, Kucinich walked into the room and immediately started talking. Half the people weren't even sure he was there and by the time the crowd had arranged itself into a proper semi-circle, or at least as much of a semi-circle as the long skinny office would permit, Dennis was off and running with a time-crimped stump speech.

His message was clear, that he was a leader who could present his motto of "strength through peace" to America and change the way we see our problems. Instead of the current premise of inevitable war, Kucinich proposed that only he was confident enough to show the country a new direction. All the while, he would get the world "to love America, to believe in America again." We are entrenched in an era, he said, where "we must take a new direction." Clearly.

The only domestic issue he mentioned was health care. Health care, health care, health care. It is at the top of every Dem's stump list, and even some Republicans. Kucinich, as you know, is the only candidate embracing a not-for-profit universal health care system and when he mentions it to the Kooch-base, it seems for granted. Of course I'm advocating this! Duhhh (emphasis and commentary added by the blogger)! He touched on the massive costs of the current system, claimed that nearly half of all bankruptcy cases in America were due to excessive health care bills, and that the only solution was to get rid of the premiums and deductibles and the insurer's profit margins.

He closed by comparing himself to "Roosevelt in 1932", solving big problems and putting millions of people to work with high wage jobs. He called attention to his thrilling turns in the latest debates, for AFL-CIO and HRC, and cited the latest media characterization of him as the "darling of the Democratic base."

At that point he took a few questions, first allowing Elizabeth to answer a question about Uganda, where she had just been. They quarreled a little over whether Dennis or the audience member should repeat the question. Liz won the battle and answered her question eloquently with a smooth British accent. So eloquently that I wondered if the girl was a plant. It didn't make any sense to plant a question about Uganda, but in this topsy-turvy world of summer 2007, where young kids wearing "One" t-shirts are making laser noises that nearly distract Presidential candidates, anything is possible. Speaking of anything being possible, the rumours are true - Liz Kucinich does have a tongue ring. I repeat, does have a tongue ring. No matter what your political views are, that has to be respected.

There was another question about health care from the audience, and Dennis spent his entire answer discussing the government's role in bargaining with the drug companies for lower costs that would allow for subsidized free prescription drugs for all. Marijuana, too? Hmmm. He also cited prescription drug prices as another reason for us to get out of the WTO. Unfortunately my area of expertise lies in political bullshit and not in international economics so I still don't have a good grip on how that is, but any loyal readers who want to comment on it - proceed.

Again Kucinich firmly and (slightly) apologetically mentioned that he needed to leave early. He took one final question whose answer he spun into re-stating his mission, that he had the courage, patience and judgment to lead the country in a new direction. He mentioned the ease of communication in today's shrinking world, with cell phones, e-mail and fast jets, and how we need to start using the science to enhance peaceful human relationships. Most leaders think war is inevitable, he said, "but I reject that thinking." I respect that rejection, and in terms of peace and civil rights Kucinich really is a true leader.

Unfortunately, he isn't worth the sum of his parts on the campaign trail, at least at first sight. He slinked out of the office without so much as a handshake. He frequently paused in his words. His command of the issues was impressive, but at times he seemed confused, disinterested or just not very focused. Maybe that is why he cut the event short. Maybe something bad happened away from Dover. I surely can't know. But what is clear is that Kucinich will need to shift his leadership beyond mere issues of civil liberties and peace toward the leadership of actual people if he wants to work his way out of the fringe. We're talking simple things like making a grand entrance, shaking hands and asking for votes. Those can all be done even on a shoestring budget. In other words he has a lot of work to do to convince all those straight men out there that they are actually Koochie Men.

Tentative 3Q Schedule

Because I know you lovvvve to keep tabs on me.

Thursday, August 16 - Dennis Kucinich, Dover, NH 2pm
Friday, August 17 - Rudy Giuliani, Merrimack, NH 9am
Saturday, August 18 - Londonderry Old Home Days 10am
Sunday, August 19 - Mike Huckabee, Concord, NH 11am
Sunday, August 19 - Ron Paul, Hollis, NH ?
Tuesday, August 21-Saturday, August 25 - Men's Retreat, Pemi River, New Hampshire, a lot of beer a lot of girls and a lot of cursin'. Plus swimming in the healing waters of the Pemi river and maybe even a visit from John Edwards. I guarantee this, if he dares come to Lincoln, Campton or North Woodstock I will invite him out for a run on the trails behind Sam's Tire Barn, a swim at the town beach and a Pemi Pale Ale afterward. That's the One America I'm talkin' about. This doesn't just go for Edwards, who will be doing a biodiesel bus tour that week. Nay, I will submit the same challenge to any candidate who has the sound judgment and vivacity to come to the North Country and potentially dip in the Pemi.

Honestly, I might not make it up to Giuliani. 9am? What a d-bag.
Same goes for Ron Paul whose event, in concert with the Hillsborough Country Republicans annual picnic, requires an $18 dollar donation to the party. F that. We'll see about some guerrilla tactics. Now as Ali G would say, bring on the "loose hippie bitches" and the GOP. But either way, "dis is da earliest I's ever been up!" Get EXCITED. Get PUMPED. Tell ya' friends. Get your Read on!

Bold initiatives. Bold leadership. Bold blogging. Welcome to Flava Qountry.

Ahoy,
BTB

P.S. as schedules become updated, my schedule changes. Looks like I won't have to wake up at 7 to see Giuli on Saturday, but I don't want to change it so that I can keep my Ali G joke in here. Booyakasha!

DE(bat)ES Nuts!!

All eight of our Democratic presidential hopefuls squared off last night in the first of who knows how many debates down at South Carolina State. Today the press corps came out with a number of "winners" and "losers", so I figured that we should do the same here at 3QHQ. Everyone from The Fix to Slate to Joe Scarboro had their say on the winners and losers. Not that we give a shit. Here is our take.

Obama received mix messages. Many found him reluctant and milquetoast, trying too hard to maintain his status quo as the up-and-comer and drastically afraid to say something stupid when his already-strong momentum is crucial in catching Hillary Rodham in the first two weeks of February 2008. Yet there were plenty of others, like Chris Matthews, who found him sophisticated and deep. Then there was John Edwards who found him "high falutin'" or some such. HRC seemed to get positive reviews across the board, and that comes as no surprise. If you are looking for a careful, intelligent, centrist candidate she is your person. As a result, she will do well in every debate. This one was no different. Edwards was also mixed. He is hard to dislike with his old southern charm and $400 good looks. He also took it to the rest of the big 3 more than any of his compatriots (Barack and HRC, that is), but that awkward pause in the moral leader question certainly didn't help him. While we are on it, I reallllly felt that Obama looked around before raising his hand on the "global war on terror" question. Bush league. That was certainly my biggest critique.

Of the second tier, Billy Rich was the clear loser. He couldn't keep his words under control and he was gesticulating like a Valley Girl. Plus he appeared to be sweating profusely. Dodd was uneventful. Biden did well, but that is no surprise. Biden is a tight dude. Everyone loved his "Yes" answer, and his silver-haired patrician looks, and he certainly has good things to say. He is a longshot to win the nomination, but I presume he will come out of this fray with goodwill from a large faction of Americans. Meanwhile, someone in the blogosphere finally picked up on our friend at BHC's mantra that Kucinich deserves respect on account of his wife. She certainly towered over him on the stage last night. But seriously, Kucinich was arguably the biggest winner of the night from our vantage. He really brought the Quabbin Qabin down with his story about living in the same $22.5K Cleveland house that he bought in the early 90s. Take that, Edwards and Clinton! Imagine if Kerry was in the house. He spoke forcefully about the war, and his pocket Constitution gimmick was endearing, if a little contrived. Lastly, Gravel is a kook and need not be included in any more debates. In other words, bring out the hook!

Speaking abruptly from the Haymarket before it closes, we look forward to more debate. Stay legit.