So many reasons to love Kucinich

Okay, I admit it. I'm not over the fact that Kucinich is out of the presidential race. I still have a Kucinich bumper sticker on my car. He's simply the only candidate who made me believe that truly substantial change - monumental change - was possible. I hope that someday this country will be ready for a leader like Kucinich.

The New York Times just ran a little interview with Kucinich. The first question was whether he really believed, during his presidential campaign, that he had a chance of winning. Kucinich answered in the affirmative. The second question dove right into veganism - believe it or not! - and I love Kucinich's response.

Q: But you’re a vegan. Do you think America is ready to elect a non-beef-eating president?

A: I think America is ready for a president with a blood pressure of 90 over 60 who could beat most people half his age in a sprint.

Oh, snap! Dennis, you rock.

The interview also touches on Kucinich's ongoing effort to impeach Bush.

Q: You’ve met with opposition from Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats for continuing to push for the impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney.

A: The process of democracy is a slow process, and it’s important that I do what I know to be the right thing.

Q: But why bother with impeachment when Bush is on his way out of Washington anyhow?

A: This president is capable of taking us into war, in October, on the eve of an election, to try to change the outcome of the election. We need to keep the ability to impeach at the ready in the event that this president continues to exercise a wanton approach toward the use of power, particularly the war power. The events in Georgia are a premonition.

Oh, and by the way, if you haven't already signed the impeachment petition, please go do it now! I know it may seem pointless with so little time left in The Evil One's reign, but Kucinich provides numerous compelling reasons why impeachment is imperative, even at this late date.

• Urge real Congressional action to hold President Bush accountable now


• Reinstate the authority of our Constitution


• Document crimes committed by President Bush for historical account


• Facilitate post-Administration law enforcement and prosecution


• Reset the standard for the incoming and future administrations


• Demand justice for the over 3,000 who died on 9/11and whose deaths were tragically exploited to take us into an illegal war in Iraq


• Demand justice for the estimated 30,324 U.S. military personnel who have been injured/wounded


• Demand justice for the estimated 4,138 U.S. military personnel who have been killed or died


• Demand justice for the 1 Million innocent Iraqis who have died


• Avert another illegitimate looming war – this time against Iran

Oh, and to all of you Obama-ites out there, don't get me wrong - I like him just fine, and yes, I will vote for him. Of course I will; look at the alternative... But as excited as I am at the prospect of a Democrat - any Democrat - regaining control of the White House (and even more excited at the possibility of finally having a non-Caucasian president), I have to be honest and say that Obama just doesn't excite me the way Kucinich does. He's too conservative - too business-as-usual for my taste. This country needs radical change right now, and I fear we aren't going to get it, regardless of the outcome of November's election.

What do you think?