MND: Your Daily Dose of Counter-Theory

Willie Nelson Endorses Kucinich for President
By Charles Mahaleris
Talon News
July 3, 2003

CLEVELAND, OH (Talon News) -- Country music singer Willie Nelson threw his political support behind Presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich on Tuesday.

"I normally do not get too heavily involved in politics, but this is more about getting involved with America than with politics," Nelson said in the statement released by the Kucinich campaign.

"I encourage people to learn more about Dennis Kucinich at his website, and I will be doing all I can to raise his profile with voters." said Nelson, who endorsed Green Party candidate Ralph Nader in 2000 and also plans to hold concerts to raise much-needed funds for the Kucinich race.

"I am endorsing Dennis Kucinich for President because he stands up for heartland Americans who are too often overlooked and unheard. He has done that his whole political career. Big corporations are well-represented in Washington, but Dennis Kucinich is a rare Congressman of conscience and bravery who fights for the unrepresented, much like the late Senator Paul Wellstone," Nelson said.

"Dennis champions individual privacy, safe food laws and family farmers. A Kucinich Administration will put the interests of America's family farmers, consumers and environment above the greed of industrial agribusiness," Nelson added.

Campaign aides see the Nelson endorsement as being a strong plus for Kucinich. "With Willie Nelson's endorsement, momentum continues to build for our insurgent campaign -- as we increase our support base, our volunteer base, our endorsements and fundraising," the campaign said.

Nelson's name joins a list of backers made up of primarily Hollywood entertainers. Some of those supporting Kucinich include Edward Asner, Peter Coyote, Elliott Gould, Mimi Kennedy, and writer Studs Terkel.

The only politician to publicly embrace Kucinich's run is California Rep. Lynn Woolsey. Last month Woosley said, "The issues Dennis Kucinich fights for are the issues I fight for. He supports peace, civil rights and the fight for working families that are important to me and the people of Marin and Sonoma Counties."

"If my district were the whole country, Dennis Kucinich could certainly be our next president. He offers the sharpest contrast to George W. Bush of any candidate running, and we appreciate that distinction," Woolsey added.

In comparison, Sen. Joseph Lieberman has a dozen members of Congress backing him, and Rep. Dick Gephardt has the support of nearly 30 DC pols.

Kucinich is placing a great deal of energy on California. He has three offices established in the state with one close to his Hollywood friends. He has made more than ten stops in the state.

"California is a natural place for me to build a political base," Kucinich told the Associated Press last month. "The crowds are large, the contributions are here. And it's a state where progressive politics is always at the top of the agenda."

Another plus the 56-year old Kucinich is quick to point out is his second place finish in the MoveOn.org preference poll last week behind former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean.

Still polls aren't kind to the former Cleveland mayor. Only 2% of the 301 registered Democrats surveyed nationwide for the June 17-18, 2003 FOX News/Opinion Dynamics Poll said they would vote for Kucinich. He lost one point in the most recent CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll meaning that only 1% of the 603 registered Democrats and Democrat leaners nationwide would vote for him.

Not Found