The Great Lakes Zephyr - Wind Energy & Hydrogen Journal

Presidential candidate Kucinich spreads his message to enthusiastic supporters in Missoula
By ERICKA SCHENCK SMITH of the Missoulian

Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich is realistic about the chances of winning his party's nomination - nil - but he's confident he still has the power to influence the party platform, he told enthusiastic supporters in Missoula on Monday.

Entering the packed Wilma Theatre to a huge round of applause and a standing ovation, the only major-party presidential candidate to visit the state so far said simply, "Wow."

"They said, 'C'mon to Missoula; we've got a small group of people who want to meet with you here,' " Kucinich said. "Wow!"

The Ohio representative and former Cleveland mayor drew loud cheers for his plans to stop the war in Iraq, repeal the Patriot Act, get out of the North American Free Trade Agreement, and develop a national, single-payer, nonprofit health insurance program.

It's his hope, he said, that a strong showing in the final primary elections of the year - including Montana's on June 8 - will send delegates bearing his message to the Democratic National Convention in Boston in July. Montana delegates have 21 of 4,322 total votes at the convention.

"If we're able to get a powerful vote here in Montana, then we can take that to the convention," Kucinich said.

He added: "The Democrats have to present a viable alternative. . . . It's not enough for the Democrats just to say, 'George Bush. Vote against George Bush.' "

During a press conference before his appearance, he said his campaign has been picking up...(Full Story)

The war on terror and the war in Iraq, he said, seem to have stemmed from a fear that has "gripped this country . . . dropped like a dark cloth over this country."