The Great Lakes Zephyr - Wind Energy & Hydrogen Journal

Kucinich a crowd-pleaser at Portland college
He's the candidate who has no chance but does have an alternative view

By Christy Moorehouse
Special to CNN
Thursday, May 20, 2004 Posted: 2:10 PM EDT (1810 GMT)

Editor's Note: Campus Vibe provides student perspectives on the 2004 election from selected colleges across the United States. This week's contributor is Christy Moorehouse, assistant editor at The Bridge, the Portland Community College student newspaper. The views expressed in this article are not necessarily those of CNN, its affiliates or Portland Community College.

PORTLAND, Oregon (CNN) -- The audience cheered on Monday as Ohio Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich strode through the crowd on his mission to the microphone to address students at Portland Community College's Sylvania Campus.

"This is the biggest event we've had in this area," said student senator Alina Dumitrasc, as a few hundred students, staff and faculty gathered to hear the dogged presidential hopeful speak at the College Center building.

With less than 24 hours before the end of voting in the Oregon primaries, the opportunity to sway swing voters and secure a healthy turnout had wound down to the last minute.

Although Kucinich doesn't have the votes to get the Democratic nomination for president, he continues to campaign for the people's vote.

"Kucinich doesn't stand a chance of winning [the election]. It's more about a Democratic movement," said Jason Reed, a first year communications major at PCC.

The Sylvania Campus Associated Students of Portland Community College (ASPCC), which sponsored the event, placed unofficial ballot boxes near voter registration cards being peddled from the sidelines.

Dumitrasc, who helped organize the event through her student government post, said having Kucinich on campus...(Full Story)