by Lisa J. Tabet
Daily Lobo
Flashing peace signs as he spoke, Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich told a capacity crowd at UNM's Woodward Hall on Saturday that the American public needs to have the courage to take its country back.
Kucinich was in town as part of the push for the "Super Seven" states that will vote Tuesday for who the Democratic candidate for the presidential election will be.
Joking as he spoke, Kucinich rallied his supporters for Tuesday's Democratic caucus.
"When I'm president of the United States, the lights are always going to be on, and there will be somebody home," he said.
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The rally, supported in part by the UNM Students for Kucinich, came after a full day of campaigning in Albuquerque.
The event began with a performance by the musician Tim Reynolds, who helped ease the seriousness of the event. Reynolds has toured extensively with Dave Matthews and lives in Santa Fe.
Reynolds called Kucinich "the spiritual leader of the Democratic Party."
In his speech, Kucinich appealed to the audience's spirituality, focusing on the need for a "social and spiritual revolution."
"We must create a world where all the old thinking about war being inevitable is swept aside," he said.
Kucinich focused his speech on President Bush's downfalls in office, and was mindful to talk about the United States and international relations.
He criticized the war in Iraq, calling it an illegal war and a sordid mess, and expressed hope for a "purer, integrity-filled and peaceful nation."
Amid fervent support from the audience, Kucinich spoke out against war.
"We must believe in our capacity to create a world where war is no more," he said.
Kucinich spoke of optimism, fearlessness and courage as traits he sees in Americans. "Have courage America," he shouted several times as the crowd cheered him on.
Supporters throughout the building encouraged his plan for health care as a universal, single-payer, nonprofit system with gusto and applause.
Though some UNM students admitted they were there primarily to hear Reynolds play guitar, many were also there to support Kucinich.
Kucinich is a favorite among younger generation voters because of his commitment to peace and diplomacy, his environmental views and his vegan lifestyle, said Albuquerque resident Erica Madrid.
"I support him because he represents many of the common- sense values this country needs," she said.
Travis Kellermen, the president of UNM Students for Kucinich and state youth coordinator for the Kucinich campaign in New Mexico, said he supports Kucinich in the race for president because of his morals and honesty.
"He's the only honest guy in the race," Kellerman said.
Kucinich, seeming to understand the importance of the New Mexico vote in November's presidential election, also appeared at the Islamic Festival at the SUB on Sunday before heading off to campaign in Santa Fe, Espa§ola and Taos.
