Kucinich Agrees to Congressional Black Caucus/Fox Debate

Kucinich Agrees to Congressional Black Caucus/Fox Debate

Other major Presidential candidates snubbing Black voters

WASHINGTON, May 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich announced today that he is eager to participate in a Democratic Presidential debate sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus, and he is troubled that the other major Democratic candidates have decided to skip the debate because it will be broadcast on the Fox News Network.

"This is particularly troublesome because the concerns of African Americans should take precedence over which network is broadcasting the debate," Kucinich said. "There are matters relating to employment, health care, education, jobs, rebuilding our cities, and civil rights that all presidential candidates have an obligation to address and debate. Those candidates planning to skip this debate clearly are trying to avoid a forum where there will be hard-hitting questions from people who may not agree with them, including members of the Congressional Black Caucus. But taking questions from all sides is part of politics and part of being President. I'm running to be President of all people in this country."

U.S. Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, as well as former Senator John Edwards, have emphatically said "No" to participating in the September debate in Detroit.

"America needs a President with the courage, ability, and willingness to unite people of diverse political views," Kucinich said. "Certainly many Fox viewers are not part of the traditional Democratic base," Kucinich noted, "but they have a right to hear from the Democratic candidates, and we, as candidates, have an obligation to reach out to them and answer their questions. Families who view Fox News - including African Americans -- have lost loved ones in Iraq, lost their jobs to out-sourcing trade agreements like NAFTA, lost their homes to medical bills, and lost their children and grandchildren to educational policies that have failed them."

Kucinich said the refusal of other candidates to debate raises questions about whether they really have the ability to be President.

"First, Sens. Clinton and Edwards were tricked by George Bush into voting for the war. Then they and Sen. Obama voted to support funding the war. All three have said 'all options are on the table' with Iran, including military action. This raises questions about their judgment, about who they are and who they represent. African Americans -- and Fox viewers -- have a right to demand answers."

Kucinich acknowledged that he has "taken issue with Fox news coverage," but, he added, "I don't hesitate to be questioned by Fox or any of its affiliates. I've also taken issue with the New York Times and other news organizations around the world."

The Ohio congressman, an avid baseball fan, also pointed out, "Fox broadcasts the World Series, too, but is it any less of a World Series because it's on Fox?"

"Lets face it: the race for the presidency is the World Series of politics, and you have three Democrats who are admitting that not only can't they hit 'right-handed pitching,' they're even afraid to step up to the plate and take a swing. Well, I'm one candidate for President who can hit any pitch anyone throws at me. And I'll be taking the field in Detroit this September with my friends in the Congressional Black Caucus."

"When the Cleveland Indians get into the World Series, and Fox broadcasts the games, I'll be there," Kucinich said, "and when Fox broadcasts a debate sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus, I'll be there, too."

Authorized and paid for by Kucinich for President 2008, Inc.

Source: Kucinich for President 2008

CONTACT: Andy Juniewicz, of Kucinich for President 2008,
+1-216-409-8992, ajuniewicz@aol.com

Web site:

http://www.kucinich.us/

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