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Working Families Vote 2008

Kucinich Sues Dems to Get on TX Ballot

Posted by Joshua Holland, AlterNet at 3:55 PM on January 4, 2008.


This is madness.
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Also in PEEK

The Whack Jobs Holding Out for a Palin/McCain Ticket
Steven Reynolds The All Spin Zone

What Will it Say to Young People Like This if the Republicans Steal the Election Again?
Jill Hussein C. Brilliant at Breakfast

Take Your Southern Strategy And Shove It
Booman Booman Tribune

Judging by what I'm reading today, the primaries are all wrapped up. Apparently, 300,000 mostly white, largely rural Iowans will decide our choices for president.

And Ron Paul, with $20 million bucks raised in a quarter, 10 percent of the Iowa vote and a legion of loyal fans, isn't being allowed to debate on Fox News in New Hampshire. ABC is cutting Kucinich, Gravel and Repub Duncan Hunter from it's debate.

But this might be the most annoying bit of BS out of all of it. AP:

Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, along with supporter Willie Nelson, have filed a lawsuit to get Kucinich on the ballot in Texas after they say the Texas Democratic Party rejected his application.

The civil lawsuit was delivered late Wednesday afternoon to U.S. District Court for the Western District of the United States, Kucinich spokesman Andy Juniewicz said late Wednesday evening.

The lawsuit says that Kucinich was informed by the Texas Democratic Party on Wednesday that his application was "defective" because he crossed out a loyalty oath in the application that said he would swear to support whoever the Democratic nominee for president might be.

A loyalty oath? A fucking loyalty oath? To support whomever the Dems might put up there? My God, did they translate it from some old Ba'ath party paperwork they found in Baghdad?

The lawsuit asks that a temporary restraining order be issued to stop the Texas Democratic Party from certifying to the Texas Secretary of State a list of candidates and to restrict the secretary of state from accepting any list that doesn't include the name of a qualified candidate who refuses the loyalty oath.

Kucinich, a congressman from Ohio, also wants the court to declare that the oath requirement violates the First Amendment and the 14th Amendment in the Constitution.

"He's right to challenge a blind loyalty oath to the Democratic Party because it's un-American," Willie Nelson said in a news release from the Kucinich campaign.

Calls for comment made to the Texas Democratic Party and the secretary of state's office after business hours on Wednesday were not immediately returned.

That anybody considers this country to be anything more than a nominal democracy is a sad, pathetic joke.

Digg!

Tagged as: dems, kucinich, nightmare

Joshua Holland is an editor and senior writer at AlterNet.


Return to PEEK  » Post Tools: email EMAIL print PRINT 78 COMMENTS PERMALINK
Also in PEEK
The Whack Jobs Holding Out for a Palin/McCain Ticket
Polls still report 10% think the economy is fine....and they evidently are voting for John McCain. It may be his numbers have further to go.
Post by Steven Reynolds. October 13, 2008.		 What Will it Say to Young People Like This if the Republicans Steal the Election Again?
The consequences of alienating young voters.
Post by Jill Hussein C.. October 13, 2008.		 Take Your Southern Strategy And Shove It
McCain and Palin's scurrilous and inciteful attacks may still play in modern-day Alabama, but they don't play outside the south.
Post by Booman. October 12, 2008.

Comments Turn comments off sitewide Give us feedback »
Comments closed.
The comments for this story have been closed. Thank you to everyone who participated. 		View:
Gee, If There's Anything That Makes Me Start Questioning My Loyalties...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: grumble-bum on Jan 4, 2008 6:36 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
... It's a gawdamn loyalty oath!

There are only a few instances where I feel such oaths to be valid;

1.) The actual swearing in of a President, Vice President, or Congressperson.

2.) The swearing in of a judge.

3.) Doctors.

4.) Police.

5.) Firefighters.

6.) Military Personnel.

There could be a few more, but the point is that all these oaths [should be] morally binding in a universal fashion. In other words, they are ritual public commitments to protecting the safety & interests of all of us. Not a statement of blind support for an individual person or a "sanctioned" set of policies.

& what utter bullshit that a principled man such as Kucinich has yet another stupid hoop to jump through. Yet another roadblock guaranteed to entrench the lazy epithet of "spoiler".

It's not like we're a bunch of Feudal fiefdoms, complete with secret societies of Knights, sworn unto undying loyalty with dark, mysterious blood oaths...

Oh.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Loyalty Oath!?!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: masterjc on Jan 4, 2008 8:59 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What the fuck kind of bullshit is that!I can't believe the nerve of ABC. They should just not have debates if they are going to single out anyone who doesn't confrom.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: It is yet to be established Posted by: UnEasyOne
» RE: It is yet to be established Posted by: monkeywrench
This is just part of the pattern.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: TarryFaster on Jan 4, 2008 9:34 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
For the full picture of what is happening to us, read and click here.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Kucinich is a bulldog, that is part of what I like about him
[Report this comment]
Posted by: PaulC on Jan 4, 2008 11:21 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I met him once at a town hall meeting where I had made fliers to pass around - he is gruff at first but warms to substance - he really hates niceties, facades, and any kind of bullshit.

Dennis would be another Teddy Roosevelt.

peace,
Paul

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

reminds me of the monarchy's attitude toward democracy as demonstrated when
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Suzon on Jan 5, 2008 5:50 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Gerry Adams and Martin MacGuinness were elected to Parliament in 1997 to represent constituencies in Northern Ireland. They refused to swear allegiance to the Queen and Her Heirs and Successors and were not allowed to have any of the rights and privileges of the office: the right to speak in Parliament, to be paid, to have offices and staff, etc. Like prisoners, they were allowed to have postage stamps and writing paper.

No one, not even in Texas, should have to sign a blank check.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Not comparable. Posted by: KeepsonTickn
» Surprises you? Posted by: alternetrose
» RE: Not comparable. Posted by: J_Mo
Uneasyone, too much Party Kool Aid, m'dear
[Report this comment]
Posted by: papananook on Jan 5, 2008 5:52 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The media, with the Party's help and encouragement ridicule a man of sublime integrity and caring for the people and if that's not enough they keep his exposure of Corporate-military-industrial-congressional
greed "off the table", along with impeachment, the cowards! They are afraid of him, uneasy, if you will, with the truth, or really confronting the criminals who run the freakin' show.
So then they want a freakin' loyalty oath! MY GOD, it's surreal!
And the reason DK doesn't denounce the sorry, whimpering jazzbo's AND bolt from the Party is because after working in the HR for so long, he finally has some tenure and oversight power that he would lose if he went Indy...Get it? Like you said, he's pretty smart!
So dig a little deeper past the Party line and you might actually find out what's really going on, uneasyone...Damn, you pissed me off with that Party line drivel, but I kept it civil, now didn't I? at least as much as possible. Keep an open mind! Peace!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Right or Left, its still facism. Revolution!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: lc on Jan 5, 2008 6:00 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Fascism Rules both Parties

The only reason “we” are for the democrats is because they are the lesser of two evils we are allowed to choose from. Third parties are a charade set up by the two party system to make the US look like a Democracy when in fact it is a corrupt political system for the privileged.
Dennis does not represent the party’s entire platform and thus is shunned for not going along with their agenda of self interest. Texas politics may be the most corrupt in the nation with Florida and Ohio a strong second. 2008 is the year for Revolution.
IM
Belteshazzar

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» RE: Fascism Defined Posted by: blackie4aces
thedirtydemocrat sez
[Report this comment]
Posted by: JimActivist on Jan 5, 2008 6:14 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Not no but Hell no! I would never sign a loyalty oath. I don't give a damn if it came from God.
I am a lifelong Democrat and never had to sign no crap like that of Texas. I have lived in Kansas, California, Wisconsin, Idaho, and Nevada and not once did I ever have to sign a loyalty oath.
The only loyalty oath I ever signed was when I joined the Army and I signed that one with concern. Later I found out it was more for show than anything. I still demonstrated against the Viet Nam war. I was loyal to my beliefs and could not let it slide.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Other states--other candidates--other parties?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: jonnymil on Jan 5, 2008 6:59 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Do states other than Texas require such oaths? Have other candidates signed it in Texas and/or elsewhere? Do other political parties require in Texas and elsewhere have such requirements?

I would be disappointed to find out that EVERYONE else is just signing the thing and going along for the ride. The Republican Party doesn't need such an oath because they are loyal to the point willing ignorance of criminal activity--even giving loyalty itself a bad name. Are the Democrats so tired of their minority political status that they want to codify Republican behavior in their electoral requirements? See what the Reagan rhetorical Revolution did to this country? It has turned us into a large and growing bunch of fascists. Truly sad.

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Well how about
[Report this comment]
Posted by: weslen1 on Jan 5, 2008 7:30 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Dennis signs the oath with a signing statement stating that he reserves the right to support whomever he chooses whether they are the party choice or not.
This whole thing is SICK anyway. We NEED the Fairness Doctrine, we need all primaries held on the same day, and we need to make it illegal for pundits to call the elections after only one state has held a "primary" or "caucus". And above ALL is we need laws to make every candidate have to spend the same amount of money and see who can use it in the most efficient way. And x amount of air time for each candidate right to the end of the race FOR FREE so that not ONLY the richest can ever get in office.

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Loyalty Oath
[Report this comment]
Posted by: AlterEg0 on Jan 5, 2008 8:24 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Here is my Loyalty Oath to Dennis Kucinich. I will vote for him (write him in) in the primaries in CO. I will also vote for him (write him in) in the Presidential Election. He is my president as of the moment he declared his candidacy. I don't give a flying shit about the cadidate the corporate media will serve us on a silver platter. I don't give a flying shit about any candidate that did not get my personal approval. I will vote for Kucinich from beyond the grave, if necessary.

So, here you have it. It is my Loyalty Oath. Let's go and vote now, and change history.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» too bad "electibilty" has... Posted by: undrgrndgirl
» yay, grumble-bum! Posted by: undrgrndgirl
» RE Bush is Killing Our Country Posted by: UnEasyOne
» What MY "Wasted" Vote Will Do... Posted by: grumble-bum
» RE: What hatchet? lol Posted by: UnEasyOne
» We Shall See... Posted by: grumble-bum
» Notes On Act Blue... Posted by: grumble-bum
» No, Not Hardly. Posted by: grumble-bum
You'll still be shopping at Wal Mart
[Report this comment]
Posted by: robmikejas on Jan 5, 2008 9:17 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
after this sham of an election is over, you'll still be feeding the corporate machine that is Washington DC. All politics are corporate/media determined or even pre determined. Your vote is only as good as forwarding of American corporate needs...not your own needs. Clinton? Obama? Huckabee? McCain? the media builds and tears down these people to varying degrees every day, leaving you with the impression that who you vote for is your choice. Truth is, your vote is bought and paid for by corporate money and media malfesance. No radically anti- corporate candidate can ever win an American election. Not possible. The morals of self governance so beautifully built into our constitution are redacted and unimportant to the real powers in this country. I wish it were different but the truth is self evident, that all people are definitely not created equal, treated equally or even considered at all. We are in the last days of a once great experiment, how exactly it will end is not known but one could surmise a totally repressed gang of humans walking in circles and wondering how the fuck we got to this point.

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» possible, yes! probable, no. Posted by: undrgrndgirl
Bill Moyers Interviews Kucinich
[Report this comment]
Posted by: left_libertarian on Jan 5, 2008 3:38 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/01042008/watch3.html

And Ron Paul too.

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/01042008/watch2.html

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Even county positions
[Report this comment]
Posted by: henderson on Jan 5, 2008 5:23 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I am trying to run for County board here, and there was an optional loyalty oath included with the papers the clerk handed me. Perhaps it's everywhere.....

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Kucinich for President
[Report this comment]
Posted by: SueG on Jan 5, 2008 6:45 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I met Dennis when he was running in 2004. I just said "Thank You" and he took my hand and held it for a long while as he spoke with other folks. When I saw a photo of the moment I realize that he was able to see how ill I was at the time. He is the most compassionate and genuine person running. He calls it like it is. Obama is saying we all need health care we can afford, what crap! Dennis says we all have a right to health care. There is a hugh difference. And why everyone is not lining up behind him fits right in with the current phenomena of people voting against their own interests. It is happening at many levels. Dennis has my support.

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Suing! That'll mean BS. AND Howard Dean really cares?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: common intelligence on Jan 6, 2008 5:51 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I get Demo Party news from Howard Dean. Empty content.

Suing the "party" will mean shit. BFD the whole party is corrupt within its reason to be. Even if there is some whirlwind action, the voters, Demos., are a bunch of slack minds waiting for the system to be legitamate instead raising hell.

But really folks, what could the possible outcomes be by suing? Didn't Dennis get bumped from the candidate debates because "he didn't rent and office in the state"? So what did that amount to?

Don't get caught up in the election distraction. It's best to stay focused on Impeachment and 911 truth. Every thing else will fall into place should these two things happen. Otherwise, stop supporting the distrations.

But within the need to be part of the process Dennis Kucinch is following within the politically correct format. That shows his steadfastness and he should be commended at least. But the way in which the media doesn't keep the voters informed on what people want within the context of Change is what erks me the most.

The media is a high school sporting event. It totally keeps issues voters are concerned about out of the news and focuses in on image and playing technics and sportsmanship. The damn news is a empty as a weather report tell us what the weather is and horible at telling what it will be outside of the obvious.

If anyone can see this besides me you, know what I'm talking about.
Otherwise, just stay simple minded when it comes time to watching the preliminaries start weighing in the truth. Voting republicans need to switch in order to get a Demo in office. Republicans in the long run will not collectivly endorse Obama. Obama will jeprodize a national win for Demos. And if you don't know why, you don't know the mid-west and traditional states social mentality. California is a big exception to the voting rules, socially.

Screw Iowa, the beginning of this media blitz is over rated. And hell, New Hampshires want to withdraw from the Union anyway. They are smart that way, good for them. I might just move there, or the Lakota Nation.

So what are the odds of Kucinch winning? This is my last vote in this nation.

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Kucinich
[Report this comment]
Posted by: wrogal on Jan 7, 2008 1:03 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It continues to amaze me that you have big business corporate America trying to tell us who to vote for. Any candidate who takes corporate money, is friendly to lobbyists, and has a BIG bankroll gets respect from the corporate media, while the "People's Candidates" (Kucinich for the Democrats, Paul for the Republicans), get "dumped" on.

The last time I read the Constitution, it started out with "WE THE PEOPLE", not "We General Electric, We General Motors, We Exxon/Mobil, We Microsoft, etc".

It's a sad day for democracy when elections are decided in corporate board rooms!

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!

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DURING THE LAST ELECTION RALPH NADER
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Raymond Emerson on Jan 10, 2008 12:08 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
wasn't on the Oklahoma ballot. The democrats and the republicans work together to insure that they have no competition. You didn't by any chance think that we had a democracy.

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THE FIRST THING A FOREIGN SPY WOULD SIGN
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Raymond Emerson on Jan 10, 2008 12:24 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
would be is a loyalty oath. Spying is death penalty stuff. What do you think they would think of a perjury charge? For the the first thirty or 40 years of my life I found myself signing one loyalty oath after another stating I was not a member of the communist party. When one political party is able to exclude another, democracy does not exist. When I grew up alcohol and communism were illegal. The primary attraction was their illegality. Had they been kept legal, their attraction would have disappeared.

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