Dennis Kucinich Sells Out His Principles on Obamacare For Frequent Flyer Miles
What do principles matter if you get to fly on Air Force One with President Obama? Senators Ben Nelson and Mary Landrieu needed millions of dollars to throw out their principles. Congressman Dennis Kucinich of Ohio only needed a joy ride. I hope the guy at least got to meet the pilot and take home a pair of tiny wings for his jacket.
Kucinich has vehemently attacked Obamacare since it first appeared to have no universal coverage. The Congressman has passionately pursued universal, single-payer health care since he’s been in office. It is his big issues (besides being a complete pacifist when it comes to war issues). Yet with one ride on the President’s plane, Kucinich has flushed all his principles on the subject. And to make matters worse, he offers no real reasons why. He wants Obama to do well is the closest reason he gives. Kucinich merely promises to keep on fighting for what he wants while he votes for a bill he hates.
“I do not retract (my) criticisms (of the bill)…I have doubts about the bill. I do not think it is a step toward anything I have supported in the past. This is not the bill I wanted to support…However, after careful discussions with President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, my wife Elizabeth, and close friends, I have decided to cast a vote in favor of the legislation.” – Rep. Dennis Kucinich
There is nothing in this bill that Kucinich likes, yet he gives it his vote and expects that will help other Democrats vote it in. I guess if you can’t beat them, join them. But how does one go from being the biggest enemy to the biggest cheerleader of a bill in just one day? How can you say you hate a bill and then hope that other Democrats get in line to vote it in?
“Well, if I can vote for this bill, there’s not many people who shouldn’t be able to support it.” – Kucinich
President Obama might want to get his frequent flyer card out the next time he needs more votes. This strategy of a free flight with Obama obviously worked. The President responded to the news by telling the press he told Dennis “thank you” on the phone. Wow – sell out your career and all that you believe in and you get a “thank you” on the phone from the President.
Before the House votes on the Senate bill, how many more Democrats will sacrifice their beliefs and their careers in exchange for trinkets, beads, or free flights?
I used to think Kucinich was a collectivist freak with principles. Now I know he's just a weak collectivist freak without principles.
Happens all the time. Republicans sell out too.
Lots of people sell out on small things Julie – but this was Dennis' whole career focus. He was gonna die on that hill. This turn may be unprecedented of all the turns out there.
Kucinich is just another Washington whore. Wave a plane ride in his face and he will do anything.
This is like Bernie Sanders voting to privatize Social Security, or Ron Paul voting to expand the IRS.
The majority of citizens stand adamantly opposed to this bill to enrich the insurers. A mandate with no public option? Get real. What happened to Kucinich? I always thought he meant what he said.
Maybe they threatened to toss him out at 35,000 feet
I have been thinking along similar lines.
LOL! Warning to others – don't go to meetings with O in tall buildings with open windows.
This is no surprise at all. Kucinich has never been a man of principle. A plane ride at tax payers expense with the biggest loser to ever occupy the White House was all it took. Throw the BUM out with the rest of them when he comes up for re-election. All his rhetoric in the past is now seen for what it really was, showmanship. The little man can put on his resume that he ran for president a couple of times, did poorly, but had his fifteen minutes of fame. Big deal. They may ram this bill down our throats, but come November we,ll ram our foot down their throats at the ballot box and reverse the crap the Palosie's and her unprincipled ilk have ruined our country with the past three years. And for Kucinich, the next time you step up to the podium stay off the milk crate you use so we, the real Americans, cannot see your lying face.
Obama apparently takes folks up in "his" plane when he is doing a little mind changing. He has also been known to "reward" people with a plane trip.
I am firmly convinced when Air Force One created the panic in NYC, it was carrying important donors to his cause.
What, aren't they worried about the carbon they're spewing during these joy rides.
PS, I've often wondered what the REAL story is about that Air Force One scare over NYC.
Not since nazi Germany, Have a people been told to vote One way only or else. This is not AMERICAN.
If "Daddy" can take the Tbird away, we should do the same with Air Force one! Get the keys!