Compare Kucinich & Kerry

John Kerry and Dennis Kucinich hold similar positions on many matters but on seven critical issues they differ significantly.

The differences:

Kerry voted for the invasion of Iraq. Now, like Bush, he says he was misled by the intelligence. Kucinich recognized false intelligence for what it was and led the Congressional fight against the war.

Kerry wants to "win the peace by finishing the job in Iraq." Kucinich wants to end the the occupation and loss of life and turn over the reconstruction of Iraq to the United Nations.

Kerry says he'll "fight his heart out to bring back the jobs . . lost under George W. Bush" but he voted for NAFTA, which is the way many jobs were lost, and he has supported other "free trade" initiatives. Kucinich wants to repeal NAFTA and quit the WTO; instead he would seek bilateral fair trade treaties which protect jobs and the environment.

Kerry wants to provide incentives to employers and the insurance industry so that health care similar to that available to members of Congress would be available to 96% of all Americans. Kucinich wants "Medicare for all" -- 100% -- single-pay universal coverage that takes the profit out of health care.

Kerry says the keys to foreign policy are "self-interest and undoubted military might." Kucinich rejects the imperial aspirations of the Project for the New American Century, would seek international cooperation instead of U.S. dominance, would cut the Pentagon budget by 15%, and would create a Dept. of Peace.

Kerry rejected a key element of campaign reform, public financing, so he could spend without restraint to seek the nomination. Kucinich supports clean money public financing and instant runoff voting.

Kerry voted for the Patriot Act. Kucinich voted against it and would repeal it.

The similarities:

Kerry and Kucinich concur on abortion rights, affirmative action and gun control. Both oppose the death penalty. Both would repeal Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy. Both oppose privatizing Social Security. Both would seek clean, alternative sources of energy. Kerry proposes a $3.2 billion community service plan for high school students that would qualify for them for four-year public college tuition. Kucinich proposes extending free public education from pre-K through college. Kerry supports civil unions for homosexuals; Kucinich supports same-sex marriages.


[Dennis spoke to a crowd of nearly 1,200 at Oberlin College in Ohio on Wednesday]

DJK In The Buckeye State
On February 10th, Dennis visited the Ohio towns of Bowling Green, Toledo and Oberlin to speak with Ohioans about why he is the candidate who will best represent their needs. He started the day with a TV show taping in Bowling Green, then went to meet with several groups at Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 50 in Toledo. From there, he visited the East Toledo Family Center, then went door-to-door visit nearby homes. The day ended with a presentation to a capacity crowd at Oberlin College's Finney Chapel. Yesterday & today Dennis is in CA [ie: Jay Leno last night]; Saturday he goes to Wisconsin. The Wisconsin primary is Februar 17th, the Ohio and CA primaries are March 2nd.