Hey, why not?
The Ohio Democrat and the Texas Republican have a significant bond: They're antiwar activists detested by their party establishment who, on a bipartisan or third-party ticket, could command significant grass-roots support.
During Monday's debate among the Democratic presidential hopefuls, Dennis Kucinich used his time extensively and expertly, detailing his anti-war credentials. His finest moment came in response to a questioner who cited the flags that "covered the coffins of my grandfather, my father, and my oldest son," and asked, "By what date after January 21st, 2009, will all U.S. troops be out of Iraq?" Kucinich replied, "The underlying assumption here is that we're going to be in Iraq until the next president takes office, and I reject that totally. People can send a message to Congress right now -- and this is in a convention of this appearance -- they can text peace, and text 73223, text peace. Send a message to Congress right now, you want out."
If Kucinich really wants the U.S. out of Iraq, he should transcend party politics and connect with Republican candidate Ron Paul.
Describing a past Republican presidential debate, Pat Buchanan wrote, "Of the 10 candidates on stage in South Carolina, Dr. Paul alone opposed the war. He alone voted against the war. Have not the last five years vindicated him, when two-thirds of the nation now agrees with him that the war was a mistake, and journalists and politicians left and right are babbling in confession, 'If I had only known then what I know now ...'"
As PJB implied, antiwar voices have more support than the establishments of both major parties would think. One-issue candidates, from Ross Perot to Steve Forbes, don't do too well in elections. But the Iraq war is one of the biggest foreign-policy issues of our time, and two determined candidates could stun the know-it-alls with a surprise run.
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 2)
16. I am completely opposed to universal healthcare. My children have been on Medicaid, and also a state plan for low income children. It's a nightmare. We don't have access to the doctors that could really help. And then there are glitches in the system. My children were unable to use the insurance for 2 years due to computer problems.
I promise this, if we get universal health care, the quality of medical care will go down the toilet. I agree with Dr Ron Paul that the best medical care comes from a free market. The reason people can't afford medical care is a monetary policy issue. The last several presidents have allowed out of control inflation (caused by their borrowing and spending money they don't have) which has driven all prices through the roof, while salaries have stayed mostly stagnant. This is the real issue facing all Americans. Ron Paul can drive prices down so that we can afford everything, including health care. If we let Ron Paul fix our economy, then we won't need welfare. We NEED Ron Paul.
Shalema at 1:00PM on Jul 25th 2007
17. Thanks you for the suggestion. Such a match would gain considerable support in either order on the ticket. Other than Dennis Kucinich, Ron Paul is the only candidate among current contenders that I would consider for the Oval Office. As a Green-Libertarian, I would be extremely comfortable supporting them as a team. The United States desperately needs a second party.
Steve Chase
stevechase at 12:16PM on Jul 25th 2007
18. Police departments and fire departments are run and paid for locally, not by the Federal Government. The Post Office – Fedex could do it better and cheaper! Don't know who runs the libraries, but I'd like to see local governments have control, if they don't already. The United States HAD a form of universal healthcare in the 60's and it was not paid for by the taxpayers. BC/BS was easily affordable, even on a waitress salary. In the town I grew lived in, I was without health insurance for awhile and went to a free clinic and, believe it or not, doctors and dentists actually donated their time there to take care of the poor – much like Doctors Without Borders do now in third world countries. All the volunteerism ended when the Government got involved with Medicare, Medicaid, etc. The quality of healthcare has been going down, down and the prices have been going up, up, up ever since then. If anyone could tell me one problem that has been solved or even made better by Government involvement, I might re-consider universal healthcare. My experience has shown me otherwise.
dena at 1:06PM on Jul 25th 2007
19. As much as I have learned about and understand each candidate, I think their differences are what would make them a great match in the oval office. Their agreement on certain issues, their different ideas on others could produce great compromises and innovative ideas. They bring different strategies to the table that both have merit to them. Why does having one philosophy make someone with a different one wrong? I think these two respectful gentlemen could have the ability to actually listen to each other and change and develop their ideas (oh wait, I mean they would flip-flop. That's what we're calling learning these days.) The main candidates are quick to point out how the other party is the devil but say with much conviction that we must reach across party lines. Anyone that I have called an idiot has never accepted my help.
In closing, I would like to throw out the tidbit that I have a faint memory from US history class in school that there was a time when of the two big parties, the loser became the vice president of the winner. Am I incorrect in this? I think this is a good way for the two sides to be forced to work together.
Jim Williams at 4:36PM on Jul 25th 2007
20. Kucinich is nothing but a lame brained candidate, Ron Paul all the way.
Kucinich and Ralph Nader no Way.
I'm a Libertarian and Ron Paul gets my vote for sure.
Out of the UN, Bring out troops home now and free market for everyone.
Afi K. James at 7:45PM on Jul 25th 2007
21. You are trying to slander Dr. Pauls name by suggesting this!
Clint at 11:11AM on Jul 31st 2007
22. Actually, Ron Paul has stated in a New Hampshire interview that he and Dennis Kucinich are very good friends. Even though they have two contrasting points of views, they respect each other very much. It's funny considering Ron Paul is considered the outcast of the Republican Party and Dennis Kucinich is seen as the outcast of the Democratic Party.
JJ at 9:28PM on Jul 31st 2007
23. Why doesn't anyone running for office, address the NAFTA project? American's are just starting to talk about it but nothing from our elected officials.
sweeney at 5:26PM on Aug 5th 2007
24. well, Kucinich wants health care, the Paul wants to do away with medicare and medicaid.
tim at 5:29PM on Aug 20th 2007
25. Ron Paul is our Hope For AMERICA!!!! Vote to bring our loved ones home and protect us here in our own country NOT to take our father's, brother's, sister's, mother's and lovers away from us!
Mel at 12:28AM on Sep 6th 2007
26. Kucinich, despite having allegedly seen the light, has a long history of being pro-life, which takes the edge off a huge percentage of the conservatives. Similarly, and especially in times like these, Ron Paul has the sort of conservative values that liberals can understand and maybe respect, even though disagreeing with most everything but Iraq. I don't know Ron Paul personally, but with him I imagine it'd be the same as with Kucinich, that whether he would even think of such a thing would depend on who the Republican nominee is. As for Dennis, I think the Democratic Convention will be brokered and turn really ugly at points. Before things get too out of hand Al Gore will be drafted, and it wouldn't surprise me if the Kucinich delegates lead the charge. Of course we'll want to see Kucinich as his Veep (with a landslide victory THAT would be one heck of a mandate!) but it probably won't happen. Nevertheless, I think Kucinich will be pleased with the Gore candidacy and offer his full support, as will 70+ percent of American voters on ballot day (98% of the electoral vote, with only Tennessee going to Giuliani or whoever ;)(Just kidding, Al.) As for Ron Paul, I wish him peace, prosperity, and all the best life has to offer, except the presidency.
john granacki at 3:06AM on Sep 8th 2007
27. I think they would make a great ticket, because it would draw voters from both parties, it would restore our Constitution, it would end U.S. imperialism, it would restore our economy (both are anti-WTO) and it would hopefully end the secret government-within-a-government. But they may end up like JFK and MLK though. One thing is for sure, time is running out. If the establishment Democrats or Republicans remain in power, nothing is going to change. Politics is about compromise. Hopefully these guys could work out something that people will like better than the status quo.
Ed Stamm at 7:18PM on Oct 12th 2007