road to the white house

2004-01-30T08:34:00.000-08:00

2004-01-30T07:54:00.000-08:00

Hi,
This is Friday, the third day day we are back in Florida from New Hampshire primary. I was supposed to be working today - interning with Congressman Davis in Tampa - but I am so sick. Still, I would not have change a thing about my experience.
I would like to thank Dr. McLauchlan for organizing this trip, which taught me so many things - the importance of political participation, the solidarity, the role of media - and allowed me to create new friendships. I am already getting e-mails from my new friends.
I also want to say "thank you" to all who read my blogs in Florida, and especially to Dr.Smith of University of South Florida and Dr.Thomm of San Jose University for expressing their support for Dennis Kucinich and sharing warm words about him - I highly esteem your opinion.
I would like to share a few episods from the last days in New Hampshire that I didn not have chance to publish yet. On the primary day, I went to polls with my friends to express support for Dennis. We had a really good time. Luckily for us, the weather was warmer. When we arrived, Dean's, Clark's and Kerry's supporters were already there. We greeted them and while chosing the spot, heard the Dean's supporter - a guy of about 20 - sharing his fondness for Dennis. That was a story we've heard many times during our ten days in New Hampshire, nevertheless, we had a nice conversation. Later on we learned that Joe Lieberman is coming to this particular poll to greet voters. First, his supporters showed up with plackards, chanting his name. Then his bus came and he emerged, holding hads with his wife. Camera men went crazy trying to take pictures of him, asking him questions; in a meanwhile, we started chanting our anti-war slogan "Support our troops - bring them home!" His supporters tried to block our voices off, but with no success, and after awhile, Joe came over to our group and offered me his hand for a handshake, saying: " I really like your guy." After a moment of hesitation - so unexpected was his gesture - I shaked his hand, thinking of the ultimate cause of the democrats in this election.
The morning we were leaving, I had a chance to spend some time with Dennis in airport - he was leaving for Oklahoma. I introduced him to Jeremy, the Illinois University graduate, and Dean's supporter' jeremy asked many questions- among them, the plan to get out of Iraq and the possibilty of draft. As always, Dennis was his usual self, very gracious about people approaching him all the time, and Jeremy seemed to be very impressed. Just like that, one at the time, and every vote counts.
I would like to write more, because there is so much to say and to share. But I only can tolerate so much time sitting straight up.
Thanks again to everyone - to my classmates, who were so patient and friendly with each other, and especially with me. I love you guys.

2004-01-30T07:43:00.000-08:00

2004-01-26T21:11:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone in Florida,
We are coming back the day after tomorrow. It is unbelievably cold here......freeeeeeeeeeezing!
I know that because I had to maintain the visibility today all day. Normally I love it, but today the wind chill factor has changed my attitude a little. I am still very happy to be out there and able to go out with positive attitude, but it takes a lot of effort from the volunteers. we have been interviewed by the free press today; they asked me about the realistic expectations. I told them that it is not the way I think about campaigning; being here and work for Dennis is a matter of conviction, of something you genuinely believe in - otherwise, you wouldn't be doing it. We had a lot of supportive comments from people on the streets. One of the reporters asked me whether I would feel discouraged with the political process if the election will not go the way I would want them to go. I said,it is not that simple. There are things that discourage me: the fact that so many people who genuinely like Dennis choose to support other candidates on the account of their electability. On the other hand, the very fact that Dennis resonate with so many people is encouraging.
tomorrow we are going to do polling. That is something we have seen in Dr.McLauchlan's class - the video we watched before going to New Hampshire.
After work we went out to the "Friendly's" - the chain restaurant, the equivalent of "Denny's." It seemed like a great meal, because it was warm and we were starved anyway. While our campaign feeds us very well, after the long day of work it is usually necessarily to change the environment - even if only for dinner.
Also, tomorrow we are going to have party with Dennis : in our Elm Street office from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
This morning I had a glance of him as he was on his way out. As always he took his time to take a picture with me. Guys, I wish you could meet him. You would really understand then why I feel this way about him.
Good luck to all!
Dina

2004-01-25T21:48:00.000-08:00

Hey,
Only two days are left before our flight back to Florida. What an amazing ride has it been! It is one in the morning and I just got back from campaign. I enjoy my responsibilities as a volunteer coordinator; I greet the newcomers and organize them to rally outside. We have an amazing group of highschool kids from Chicago who do the visibility all day long. They have great attitude, always positive and willing to do whatever needs to be done. I met three girls who came all the way from NY City; they collected literature about Kucinich for the club that they organized in school. They made it their goal to educate the whole senior class about Dennis, and ultimately have everyone to vote in the election. I was really excited to see young people who is so informed, progressive, and active. If only more kids were like them. I have to admit that working on the campaign helped me to meet many young people like that, and I am more positive about the future of America now than I did before I came here.
We had two Afro-American kids coming today - ages 12 and 13 - and helping out. I asked them how they decided to work on Dennis's campaign. They told me: " Because we need an improvement in the healthcare system." I almost fell off my chair. I hope some of the adults in this country were that advanced.
I am going to miss this experience, the feeling that I have about my work is hard to express. I wish everyone good luck as well.
Tonight we went to the New Hampshire Comedy at the Ice Palace in Manchester. We laughed so hard.
I went backstage afterwards and got pictures with Greta Van Susterin, Wolf Blitzer and all of the comics -I will post their names later. It was great fun and I am grateful to my campaign for giving me an opportunity to be a part of a variety of the events. This is truly an experience of a lifetime.
Thank you, Dennis!

2004-01-24T16:08:00.000-08:00

Hey guys,
If you would like to see my picture canvassing outside for Kucinich, go to the www.cspan.schoolbus.com.
While I - as well as other Kucinich's supporters- were interviewed quite often, I did not have an opportunity to see any of us,campaigners, in the media. It was interesting.The important part of being pictured and interviewed is that it other people will be able to see Dennis's supporters and know that there are many of us believing in him.
Today is Saturday and there are so many volunteers coming to work on the campaign from everywhere- it's overwhelming. We are now on the way to young democrats convention. I will let you know all about it !!!!!
Love you all in Florida,
Dina

2004-01-24T07:05:00.000-08:00

I love, love, love Kucinich!!!!!! The people who work for him and come to volunteer from all over the country are amazing. The most peaceful people I have ever met. And the most selfless also. Yesterday i have seen him again in the office, giving interviews to press. He took a few minutes to talk to his folks, though. He always does. What an impressive man he is, with all his priorities set straight. I want all of you guys know - if you had a chance to meet him, you would understand my deep devotion toward his cause and respect toward him as a person. Vote for Kucinich! Don't compromise if you believe in what he is saying. He is a genuine person and there are more people supporting him than many realize.
Love Kucinich!

2004-01-23T03:52:00.000-08:00

The morning after the democratic debate in New Hampshire. The rally in support of the candidates outside of the debate's site was amazing. There was much energy concentrated in one small area, which was furiously retained by the police (since at times it was getting a little too energized). People were really creative, especially Kucinich's supporters, who came dressed up in costumes, playing drums, and doing something short of ritual dancing. This attracted a lot of attention, and after initial confusion from other groups, people from other campaigns started to realize that this creates media attention. First, the Dean supporters jumped on the opportunity to jump in the spot light, created by Kucinich's supporters. Next, Clark's moved in with the huge placards. And then everyone else, including - of all people!- Perro's supporters moved out of the confined area, no longer puzzled by the out- of- the- main- stream behavior of California Kucinich people. People were chanting, Dean's people being the majority in number, and screaming; it generated support and excitement.
One thing I want to mention is that surprisingly big number of people came up to me yesterday, and throughout this week, saying: " I love Dennis, but...you have to be realistic..." Instead of being disappointed that they are not following their hearth, I was happy that Dennis's message has such a populist folow-up.
I loved watching debates with the people who share my beliefs - I think it is easy enough to understand -and I was emotional through the whole event. Can't help it - I love the guy.

2004-01-22T04:13:00.000-08:00

Hi,
I think it is safe to say that all of my blogs are going to be written the next morning - the level of exhaustion is mounting. Yesterday we worked on re-organizing the campaign site, preparing it for the influx of volunteers coming from all over the country. This is the most encouraging thing - to see the people who work on what they believe in. I left my blog yesterday because I met people in the hotel lobby who came all the way from Vermont to volunteer on Kucinich's campaign. We agreed that, unfortunately, Kucinich's message is not being heard and one of the main reasons for that is the lack of media coverage.
Still, we had people from NPR coming into office, and the day before- reporters from LA Times, and a few others in between, but I was so busy working - didn't have time to find out where the reporters were from.
The part of my job that I enjoy the most is the ability to speak with the supporters who come to the office; another group is high school students. I love to interact and I have the opportunity to talk about what I believe in. What better than that can there be?
I hope I will have the opportunity to spend some time with the group of students from Berkeley, California, who came here on the same trip as our class did.
I have to finish now, and I will be back tomorrow morning!

2004-01-21T04:46:00.000-08:00

It's Wednesday and we have been in New Hampshire for 3 days now. My second day of interning for Dennis Kucinich - which was yesterday- I got to meet him. It was very exciting and educational at the same time. He gave a speech in Nashua's theater at the presentation which was open to the public and broadcasted via satellite. He came a little early, and spoke for about 10 minutes before President's State of the Union address. Significantly enough, he was very respectful of the event and the President Bush, and even called on audience keep their composure. Since the audiences consisted mostly of the leftists, it was not an easy task to hold them down. But they listened to Dennis. This taught me a lesson: it is not necessary to degrade people you disagree with in order to convey your message. To me, his message was all the more effective because of the fact that he focused on his own positions instead resorting slandering the opposition. It was not a rally, not a showcase - instead, a sincere man was speaking his heart, relating to people what he believe in.
When, immediately after the President's speech, New York Times called for the comment, Kucinich, instead of opting for getting much needed media coverage, stayed with his supporters and answered their every question in a very quiet, intelligent manner. There was no campaign slogans, no rally in a sense of the word to which we are used to regard political campaign. Maybe, it is why Kucinich's campaign is not really called a campaign, but , rather, a movement.
I enjoyed every moment of that meeting, but it didn't leave me angry - as too many other candidates do. And even in saying that I feel like I am at fault. Because Dennis Kucinich taught me something- tolerance and sincerity. I can only hope that mutual respect is possible for everyone.
I am in the hotel lobby , and just met Dennis supporters. Got to go!

2004-01-19T21:01:00.000-08:00

Hello everybody in sunny Florida!Hi to the people all over the country who follows the events of primary in New Hampshire.
We really miss you- in Florida most of all!
I am very grateful for the experience I got even from the first couple of days at the campaigning sites. It is very exciting to meet the candidates, to work with the campaign workers and the volunteers alike. So much work and faith goes into it!
I am interning with Congressman Kusinich, and it was nice to meet likeminded people who share my belief in this candidate's platform. Some volunteers came from as far as California, New York,Iowa, and Florida ( me!)
Tomorrow I am going to meet Kusinich and I am really looking forward to it.
The results from Iowa are pretty disappointing for my candidate, but this does not discourages me - or people who work for him - because we understand the importance of the message he is putting out there.
The devotion of volunteers displayed to me that Kusinich has broad support and loyalty of those believing in him.
Go Kusinich!!!!!!!!

2004-01-17T04:59:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth,
In your latest blog you mention that your classmates gave emotional reasons for choosing a candidate. I would like to make sure that you exempt me from that generalization. As I was talking about reasons for choosing my candidate in class, I did discuss the issues on his platform exclusively. If you missed it, those were immigration and abortion. Obviously, these are not the only platform issues of my candidate, but they were the most salient for me and I barely had time to discuss two of them, let alone go deeper.
I am thankful for your broader discussion of Kerry's platform in your blog, because I don't remember you going over it in class in such great detail. By the way, Kerry is my second choice, and a few of his supporters I spoke with do prefer Kucinich, but they are realistic about his chances.

Intellectuals rally behind the Kucinich and you'd think the rest of the people would get a clue, but it is not how it works here. If only ALL Americans educated themselves better about the candidates and their platforms! If only all could afford it and had resources to participate!Younger people in general participate in lower numbers, and they could make the difference.

But the way, I thought it was revealing that no Bush supporter addressed his latest appointment to the Supreme Court. I'd like to hear their opinion.
About Kerry and the "F" word in one of our classmate's blog: lighten up! It is a mere colloquialism - legal on TV, by the way- and as far as children are concerned, I want them to live in a real world. Don't you?

With respect,
Dina

2004-01-16T15:26:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Bush's supporters! His latest success is manipulating Constitutional Law in order to staff Supreme Court with racist judge.
With Pickering on the ultimate bench our country is surely going to free itself from prejudice! I've never felt safer.

2004-01-16T11:43:00.000-08:00

In his latest e-mail update Dean demands money in the most blatant way.
Don't think so!

2004-01-16T06:14:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

One day is left until our departure for NH. Seems like things are getting exciting in this race. Congratulations to Kerry's supporters - I know that we have a few in class - he is getting a momentum in Iowa. While he is not my first choice, he is my favorite among those I perceive as having a realistic shot at winning the democratic nomination.
I am a bit disappointed about former Ambassador Braun dropping out of the race; forget her realistic chances, but at least I would like people like her to have a chance, an equal opportunity to finish a competition. We all become so cynical and calculating, that it is disenchanting for one's political participation. I know it is for mine, and I welcome everyone to disagree with me.
Finally, here is a curious fact: while many Democrats are challenging the Patriot Act now, Kucinich is the only candidate who actually voted against it.

2004-01-14T19:23:00.000-08:00

Hi guys,
I have genuinely started to get excited about my candidate, Kucinich. I learned about his agenda in details through his website, and I support all of his ideas.
I am really glad now that I will be working for him. I think I will vote for him, too, even though I realize that his chances are not high, because American public in general either don't care enough to vote, and the majority of those who do are not liberal enough.
Experience that made me think (although may not be completely relevant): today I met a group of Chinese students and faculty members. We discussed the oppression that communist regime exerts - or so I thought- over there. It turns out, China is as open as the United States when it comes to the freedom of speech. When I asked them what do they think about the absence of a right to elect the national leader, they told me: " We don't care about it. Americans have that freedom, but what difference does that make?"
What do you think about that?

2004-01-13T16:37:00.000-08:00

2004-01-13T15:46:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,
Have you started with your journals yet? I cannot wait to read everybody's entries, as well as your later experiences in NH.
What I expect of this trip the most- and afraid of it, too - is to be freezing all the time. Having said that, I have to mention that it is not a small thing to say from someone who was born and raised in Siberia. I hope all of you have a stronger spirit when it comes to cold!
I furthermore hope that I am not the only one without real winter shoes, so that we can go to shop together. I've heard it's impossible to find anything here, and I am not ordering from catalog- I have to try shoes on before I buy them.
If I didn't bore you enough, hold on - the best is yet to come!
Good luck with your packing and I will see you in the airport!
Dina