Hermit '08

A few weeks ago my dreams were dashed and shredded. I poured my very being into the campaign of one Dennis Kucinich. He didn't make it on the ballot here in Texas so I couldn't vote for him in the primary. That sucked. But at least I had the general election to look forward to. Even if he wasn't an actual candidate, there is that pesky "write in" option. I was going to write The Kooch in and actually feel pure joy as I did so. I've never voted for anyone I believed in so much.

In 2000 I voted for Gore instead of Nader because I was afraid of W. I have regretted that one ever since. I felt like I whored my vote out. Last time I voted Nader, and while I'm still glad I voted Green Party, I still don't feel this overwhelming desire to see the man in the Oval Office. With Kucinich it's all different. I think I might literally give my right arm to see him elected president. I'd wait til after he took office and we have that universal healthcare he's so keen on first so I wouldn't have to go bankrupt to do it.

So yes, Kucinich dropped out of the race to focus on being re-elected to congress. That was tough. But dang, he's still my man (for president), and dang it, I'm writing him in.

Or not.

A few weeks ago I got word from several state coordinators that recently spoke to him via conference call that he did not want any write-in votes. He didn't want to be the Nader of '08. He is not a candidate for president. He is completely committed to his re-election campaign.

That really really crushed me. I wanted to vote for the man. Even if it would only be symbolic, it's something I just really wanted to do to officially register my protest with The State of the Union. I couldn't agree with Kucinich's platform more if I wrote it myself. (I stole that line from Gary, my Kooch friend, so thanks.) All I could do was cry. I fought and fought for this campaign and at every turn I was shot down.

I thought hard about what to do. I could still write him in. But did I want to knowing he didn't want it? I definitely couldn't vote for Obama or Clinton. I started looking into McKinney. I just didn't feel like that was what I was meant to do.

Then, my friend and yours, Davis Fleetwood (former Kooch campaigner) posted this. I think I found my new vote. :)