MyDD :: Who better matches your views? Obama or Cynthia McKinney?

Who better matches your views? Obama or Cynthia McKinney?

by kingsbridge77, Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 07:50:03 PM EST

This is not an invitation to vote for or against Cynthia McKinney. I don't even know if she shares your views or not. I also understand the reality that McKinney will not be our next president.
We already know Obama's agenda, and we like it.
Now it's time to get to know a candidate about whom the media says next to nothing:

On war:
# Declares independence from Democratic Party and its war. (Mar 2008)
# Cut funding for wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. (Feb 2008)
# Immediate withdrawal from Iraq & from rest of world. (Jan 2008)
# Introduced articles of impeachment at end of 2006 session. (Dec 2007)
# Voted NO on declaring Iraq part of War on Terror with no exit date. (Jun 2006)
# Voted YES on disallowing the invasion of Kosovo. (May 1999)
# Condemns anti-Muslim bigotry in name of anti-terrorism. (Oct 2001)

On the economy:
* We have plenty of money for programs; it's just misallocated. (Jan 2008)
* Get minorities into home ownership & global marketplace. (Jan 2001)

On Civil Rights:
* Keep affirmative action in college admissions. (Feb 2008)
* Supports gay adoptions. (Feb 2008)
* Repeal the Patriot Act and end Islamophobia. (Jan 2008)
* Reparations for former slaves, as promised & never delivered. (Jan 2008)
* Introduced MLK Records Act, to unseal assassination files. (Dec 2007)
* Voted NO on making the PATRIOT Act permanent. (Dec 2005)
* Voted NO on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
* Voted NO on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions. (May 1998)
* Supports reparations for slavery. (Aug 2001)
* Ending racial profiling is part of fight for justice. (Jan 2001)
* Constitutional Amendment for equal rights by gender. (Mar 2001)
* Require "Privacy Impact Statement" on new federal rules. (Apr 2002)
* Issue a commemorative postage stamp of Rosa Parks. (Dec 2005)
* Rated 80% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
* Rated 97% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)
* Supported legislation on violence against women & safety. (Jul 1999)
* Supported funding for women's and disadvantaged businesses. (Jul 1999)

On Health Care:
* Supports single-payer universal health care. (Feb 2008)
* Resources for health needs, pre-natal & post-natal care. (Jan 2008)
* Take insurance companies out of health-care equation. (Jan 2008)
* Affordable health care is a matter of national security. (Dec 2007)
* Against rationing or voucher-based system of insurance. (Dec 2007)
* Voted NO on denying non-emergency treatment for lack of Medicare co-pay. (Feb 2006)
* Voted NO on allowing suing HMOs, but under federal rules & limited award. (Aug 2001)
* Voted NO on subsidizing private insurance for Medicare Rx drug coverage. (Jun 2000)
* Voted NO on banning physician-assisted suicide. (Oct 1999)
* Increase funding for AIDS treatment & prevention. (Jan 2001)
* More funding for Rx benefits, community health, CHIPs. (Jan 2001)
* MEDS Plan: Cover senior Rx under Medicare. (Jan 2001)
* Provide mental health services for older Americans. (May 2005)
* Make health care a right, not a privilege. (Nov 1999)
* Supported funding women's health needs. (Jul 1999)
* Supported funding older women's health. (Jul 1999)
* Supported funding Prenatal and Postpartum Care. (Jul 1999)
* Supported funding Family and Children's Coverage. (Jul 1999)

On gun control:
* Voted NO on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
* Voted NO on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)

To view her position on more issues, visit http://www.ontheissues.org/GA/Cynthia_Mc Kinney.htm

Poll

Votes: 26
Results : Vote Link : Polls

Tags: 2008 presidential elections (all tags)

Permalink :: 58 Comments :: Post a Comment

How about cop-punching? (2.00 / 7)

I believe she's pro on this important issue.

by JJE on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 07:55:48 PM EST

Re: How about cop-punching? (2.00 / 4)

Holy Christ you beat me by literally one second...

by Reaper0Bot0 on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 07:56:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Well (2.00 / 1)

She punched a cop.

Not sure if I'm cool with that.

by Reaper0Bot0 on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 07:55:49 PM EST

Re: Well (2.00 / 1)

come on, like who hasn't punched a cop at least once.

(or wanted to)

personally, i try to use the force to make their heads explode whenever i get pulled over....it hasn't worked yet.

by citizendave on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 07:59:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Sounds vaguely familiar... (none / 0)

THE MOUSE PROBLEM

Well, we psychiatrist have found that over 8% of the population will always be mice, I mean, after all, there's something of the mouse in all of us. I mean, how many of us can honestly say that at one time or another he hasn't felt sexually attracted to mice. (linkman looks puzzeld) I know I have. I mean, most normal adolescents go through a stage of squeaking two or three times a day. Some youngsters on the other hand, are attracted to it by its very illegality. It's like murder - make a thing illegal and it acquires a mystique. (linkman looks increasingly embarrassed) Look at arson - I mean, how many of us can honestly say that at one time or another he hasn't set fire to some great public building. I know I have. (phone on desk rings; the linkman picks it up but does not answer it) The only way to bring the crime figures down is to reduce the number of offences - get it out in the open - I know I have.

"Once in a while you get shown the light In the strangest of places if you look at it right"

by molly bloom on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 10:13:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Cop vs.Constitution (2.00 / 1)

Cynthia McKinney was constitutionally protected. She can't be arrested gtravelling to a session of Congress. That's exactly what the capitol cop was trying to do. The man should have been fired and Cynthia should have been OK.

It says a l;ot about this country that this argument was swept under the rug in favor of cop uber alles. No wonder we have an expanded FISA and the Patriot Act.

by David Kowalski on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 08:29:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well (none / 0)

She punched a cop.

Not sure if I'm cool with that.

I too have am conflicted about deciding on withdrawing all our troops from Iraq ASAP or voting for a girl who punched a cop.

by kingsbridge77 on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 08:06:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well (none / 0)

So, you're saying a vote for McKinney will help troops get out of Iraq quicker? At least I think that's what you're trying to say.

That's quite a statement there, care to explain?

by hello world on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 08:29:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well (none / 0)

Of course. Her position on the war is well-documented. Unless we are to believe she will break her promise, yes, President McKinney would withdraw the troops quickly. Perhaps you should read the diary.

by kingsbridge77 on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 08:52:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well (2.00 / 2)

Just because her position is to withdraw the troops, doesn't mean that voting for her will get the troops home. In fact, it's likely to have the opposite effect.

[ Donate to Barack Obama ]

by semiquaver on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 09:08:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Who... (2.00 / 1)

No knock on McKinney, but you Republicans are going to have to try harder than that.

by NewOaklandDem on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 07:57:46 PM EST

She is kind of down my list (2.00 / 2)

I'm still checking out Lyndon Larouche, haven't gotten to Cynthia yet.

Will she punch me if I don't vote for her?

On Nov 4th, Barack Obama officially ends the Southern Strategy....

by WashStateBlue on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 08:00:29 PM EST

On second thought.... (2.00 / 3)

You're advocating a candidate who is no longer a Democrat. That candidate will only siphon votes from Obama (or no one), none from the Republicans.

I'm not comfortable with this diary being hosted on this site. This isn't dissent. This is advocacy of another party's candidate.

And a very, very overly-energetic one at that.

by Reaper0Bot0 on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 08:01:07 PM EST

Re: On second thought.... (1.00 / 1)

Advocation? I only wanted to know if she or Obama match your views.

by kingsbridge77 on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 08:07:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

i love CM (2.00 / 1)

but wouldn't want her for POTUS .....and no, i'm not a sexest.

great documentary called "american blackout"......should be watched by everyone before they pass judgement on Cynthia Mckinney.

by citizendave on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 08:03:00 PM EST

You mean this Cynthia McKinney? (none / 0)

The woman that said during the 2000 campaign that, "Al Gore's negro tolerance level has never been too high"? That McKinney?

I'm pretty sure she was referring to the fact that she didn't think she saw enough black people hanging out with the Democratic nominee while he was VP, therefore he must have a problem. She basically race-baited Al Gore during the 2000 election cycle. I'm black, and I personally don't think that's too cool.

Pass on McKinney, thank you.

by hello world on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 08:05:22 PM EST

Re: You mean this Cynthia McKinney? (2.00 / 1)

cynthia mckinney fought harder to get al gore into the whitehouse after the 2000 election than al gore did.......that cynthia mckinney!

watch" american blackout"

by citizendave on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 08:08:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: You mean this Cynthia McKinney? (none / 0)

I saw what happened after the vote. I didn't like what she said prior to it.

I don't have any real problem with her, and she's taken some admirable stands in the past. But this is a diary to ostensibly "get to know" McKinney. I thought that that piece of info was important enough to know if that was the true goal of this diary.

by hello world on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 08:26:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Who better matches your views? Obama or Cynthi (none / 0)

No thanks. Cynthia McKinney sounds too much like Cindy McCain. That's my PUMA reasoning and I'm sticking to it.

I can see Lake Erie from where I live, so can I please run the Navy?

by hootie4170 on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 08:34:24 PM EST

highly suspect (2.00 / 2)

I live in a safe county in a safe state and voted Cobb in 2004, because I'd like to more third party representation in the future -- if only to nudge the democratic party farther left. But I would never have encouraged anyone else to.

This year the stakes are even higher. I don't really trust anyone who claims to be a liberal and works against the democratic nominee. If you want any of the green party policies enacted, your only realistic choice is to vote for the democrat.

[ Donate to Barack Obama ]

by semiquaver on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 08:36:06 PM EST

She's actually (none / 0)

too far left for my taste. I admire a lot of her positions, but I see them as backlash-inducing, with little chance of any actual benefit.

by Neef on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 08:36:40 PM EST

Re: She's actually (none / 0)

Well, the diary asks if you share her views. That you think Republicans will block her very progressive measures is a different story.

by kingsbridge77 on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 08:55:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: She's actually (2.00 / 1)

I believe in the view that every American is entitled to a $200,000 home upon his/her 18th birthday, 3 day work weeks, with the minimum wage starting at $143.85/15 minutes.

I believe we shouldn't have to pay for gas, and every child gets admission into an Ivy League school.

I believe the retirement age should be 28, and every American gets 20 vacation weeks per year.

I believe white men should be temporarily barred from all forms of government, with women and minorities filling them for no less than 25 years so we can get this country back on track.

I believe oil companies must give all their profits to the poor.

Who's with me?

I can see Lake Erie from where I live, so can I please run the Navy?

by hootie4170 on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 09:41:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

It's not a different story (none / 0)

it's an additional, crucial factor.

Evaluating a politician should always take into account acceptability and feasibility. We each have a limited number of votes, and using them efficiently is part and parcel of using them at all. Voting for McKinney would be like staying home, and I never stay home.

I said I liked her positions, responding to the question of the diary. I just added clarification, which I assume is allowed.

by Neef on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 08:16:08 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Who better matches your views? (none / 0)

No thanks - emotional stability is a key issue for me. I have a thing against people who assault cops. Maybe I'm weird that way.

by rfahey22 on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 08:39:15 PM EST

Re: Who better matches your views? (none / 0)

How many times has McKinney displayed emotional instability?

by kingsbridge77 on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 08:54:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Who better matches your views? (2.00 / 4)

Uh, how about that time she punched the cop?

Anyway, I see what you're setting out to do in your diary, but if I wanted to vote for the person who best represented my views, and who also had no shot at winning, I'd write in myself.

by rfahey22 on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 08:57:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Who better matches your views? (2.00 / 2)

If you were the Democratic nominee you'd have my vote & support!

But right now I'm happily voting Obama who does match my views as closely as I can possibly expect from any viable candidate.

A drink whenever Palin makes a Well-argued, Semantically Intact, Logical and Lucid Argument -- or WASILLA for short.

by January 20 on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 09:18:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Who better matches your views? (none / 0)

We all know she showed instability when she punched the cop. But I asked you how many times. 1? Is that the pattern of instability that you have demonstrated as reason not to vote for her?

I would expect a pattern to be construed before condemning someone because of her character.

by kingsbridge77 on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 09:49:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Who better matches your views? (none / 0)

And no, I didn't mean "how many times she hit a cop", before you misinterpret my comment again. I asked how many times she displayed instability period.

by kingsbridge77 on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 09:50:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Who better matches your views? (none / 0)

I think one incident is enough. However, I do know people who live in her district who are not terribly pleased with her.

by rfahey22 on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:23:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Who better matchesviews McKinney? (none / 0)

True, she is not an islamaphobic. But she is also somewhat of an Islamophile. She will take their side reflexively and will be bound to be right on some of the issues.

by Pravin on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 08:58:29 PM EST

I'll pass... (2.00 / 2)

She's desplayed an anti-Semetic streak in her past and the "punching the cop" thing would prevent me from "jumping the shark" and voting for her.

While I admire lots of her positions, she has 0 chance of winning, and therefore 0 chance of enacting them.

Hillary supporter for Barack Obama in 2008

by zcflint05 on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 09:00:23 PM EST

Exactly (none / 0)

I should run on the platform of "automatically signing any ACLU initiative into law".

I'd be a shoo-in.

by Neef on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 08:17:39 AM EST
[ Parent ]

The cop punch thing (2.00 / 1)

Not defending the diarist, who I don't trust, but I think McKinney doesn't quite get a fair shake on the cop incident. To provide some perspective, Congresspeople are supposed to be able to freely enter Capitol buildings without being searched, and officers are trained to recognize them (and McKinney in particular). She had been a rep. for 11 (discontinuous) years, yet had a long history of being questioned at entrances, including one incident where the police somehow thought her 23-year old white aide was a Congresswoman and she was the aide. There's no question that this history was based at least partly on racial profiling. If I were in congress for 11 years, I'd at some point expect to be treated with a modicum of respect. I think the antagonistic relationship she reportedly had with these officers was at least a little understandable. One day, McKinney walked around a metal detector, and the officer guarding it grabbed her. She reacted by hitting him in the chest.

I don't think that assaulting an officer is defensible, nor playing the race card afterwards instead of apologizing, even if race was pretty obviously a factor. Clearly she made a big mistake. But it's also not fair to repeat the story as if she struck an officer at a protest while yelling "pig" or something.

[ Donate to Barack Obama ]

by semiquaver on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 09:04:26 PM EST

Re: The cop punch thing (none / 0)

I understand why she might have been annoyed or angry. That's fine. Committing a battery isn't.

by Reaper0Bot0 on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 09:05:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Of course not. (2.00 / 1)

But look at the comments here. More than half mention that she hit a cop. That's not the only thing she should be known for. She's certainly taken her knocks in the media, why is this the only thing that ever comes up when anyone talks about her?

[ Donate to Barack Obama ]

by semiquaver on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 09:13:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Because it's funny (none / 0)

Also, what do you think would happen if you or I assaulted a cop? I bet it'd be a lot worse than the non-indictment that McKinney got.

by JJE on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 09:22:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The cop punch thing (none / 0)

Maybe that's a defensible position, but I don't find it implausible that a police officer failed to memorize 535 faces, or maybe didn't get a good look at McKinney with all of the tourists, etc. passing through. Reports indicated that lawmakers were supposed to wear an identification pin and that she did not wear hers at the time of the incident. Keep in mind that the officers should also be treated with respect - it wasn't so long ago that several were killed in the line of duty, protecting congressmen/women, when a gunman attacked.

by rfahey22 on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 09:14:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The cop punch thing (2.00 / 1)

It's actually more than 535 - don't forget Puerto Rico, DC, and the rest!

Lots faces.

by Reaper0Bot0 on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 09:24:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

WHo gives a flying fuck (2.00 / 2)

Obama is our nominee and is the best chance at making sure we dont have to deal with another 4 or 8 years of Bush incompetence. Wasting your time/breath on other candidates is counterproductive.

The GOP trolls are in full effect.

by highgrade on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 09:23:41 PM EST

Re: Who better matches your views? Obama or Cynthi (2.00 / 3)

One of two people will be our next president - Obama or McCain.

It's not worth any of my time talking about candidates that have no chance of being president and can only undermine the candidate who is far superior to the other.

After Nader/2000, how can anyone possibly think of voting for anyone but the Democrat?

We care about politics because we know politics matters for people's lives and opportunities.

by politicsmatters on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 09:41:03 PM EST

I wonder what blogs would look like (none / 0)

if the Clinton coronation, which I personally wish had happened, had gone thru. I bet the whole radical Daily Kommunos would be talking Green Party.

by Lakrosse on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 10:04:33 PM EST

Re: I wonder what blogs would look like (1.50 / 2)

Nope.

They'd have been angry. They'd still be bitching. But they'd have generally voted for Clinton.

by Reaper0Bot0 on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 10:15:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Doubt it (none / 0)

most of them originally liked Edwards, I believe. They weren't about identity politics like the PUMA crazies are.

by JJE on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 12:29:27 AM EST
[ Parent ]

what I said (none / 0)

applied to Hillary vs. Obama, because Edwards dropped out. Stop bullshitting around.

by Lakrosse on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 01:00:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

uh, yes. Edwards dropped out (none / 0)

Thus those who then selected Obama simply preferred Obama over the alternatives rather than becoming emotionally identified with his candidacy from the beginning.

by JJE on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 01:08:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: uh, yes. Edwards dropped out (none / 0)

perhaps if you had seen the Daily Kos, you'd have known that at that point, the sole goal in their life was stopping Hillary Clinton. If that goal hadn't been met, they'd be apeshit right now.

by Lakrosse on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 01:12:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]

seems doubtful (2.00 / 1)

that place is quite big. Though the rhetoric gets a bit crazy(one of the reasons I don't go there very much), I doubt there would have been a movement to abandon the Dem party en masse. I'm sure a crazed subset of Obama supporters would have gone nutso, just as a crazed subset of Hillary supporters have. But I bet the subset would be small, just as the PUMA subset is small.

by JJE on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 02:26:55 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Who better matches your views? Obama or Cynthi (none / 0)

I match my own views the best. Maybe I'll just write myself in from now on... I mean, who cares about winning anyways?

by Whash on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 10:17:31 PM EST

Re: Who better matches your views? Obama or Cynthi (2.00 / 1)

your abuse has been reported

by zerosumgame on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 10:51:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Who better matches your views? Obama or Cynthi (none / 0)

Okidokey.

by Whash on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:16:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Who better matches your views? Obama or Cynthi (2.00 / 1)

at least i am not a rate'n'run coward :)

by zerosumgame on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:30:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

The internet... (2.00 / 4)

by JJE on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 12:19:01 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Who better matches your views? Obama or Cynthi (none / 0)

It's not cowardice. Most troll comments aren't worth commenting on, they're worth troll rating. Many of your comments are like that.

And as for the so-called abuse you say you're reporting me for, I follow the site's rules. Hide rate the empty stuff and spam, troll rate (amongst other things) the GOP trolls. People spouting right wing attacks against the Democratic party nominee, against progressives, and against the party itself get troll rated. This includes the two posts of your's that I down-rated.

by Whash on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 07:42:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Obama or Cynthia McKinney? (none / 0)

McKinney is crazy and wouldn't be a Green candidate if she wouldn't have slapped a security guard.

Stop this right now.

by chewie5656 on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:09:01 PM EST

What. a. novel. perspective. (none / 0)

I like Cynthia McKinney. I she's a far more serious candidate than people give her credit for, and every time Nader is mistakenly referred to as the Green Party candidate, or someone says that maybe they'll vote for Nader this year I get annoyed because it's an insult to McKinney.

But that's irrelevant - if we went by that I'd write in my own name.

I have that readiness.

by Jess81 on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 02:47:13 AM EST

Right off the bat .... (none / 0)

I read the first bullet point and I knew this was going to be a crock of crap diary.

"On war:
# Declares independence from Democratic Party and its war. (Mar 2008)"

Trollish at best, whack job nuttery at worst.

Hell's bells, even the GOP didn't have to crucify Eisenhower's record in order to make Reagan their 'saint'. We can have two great ones, you know?

by emsprater on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:02:11 AM EST

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