http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005 by the authors Sat, 1 Mar 2003 07:19:55 EST http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/02/25/170311.php#comment-4051 Excuse me, but Dennis Kucinich as a presidential hopeful? How outrageous a notion. This is the man, the mayor, who brought Cleveland to its knees financially. Under his "leadership," the city went into default. We were broke by the time George Voinovich took over. Voinovich brought the city back by working with corporate CEOs and visionaries in a consortium that helped bring renewed vibrancy to the city in terms of companies investing in real-estate development and manufacturing, revitalizing downtown after years of decline under Kucinich. I can't believe Kucinich's constituents have been so gullible as to elect him for four terms as a congressman. What has he done for them - in Congress or as mayor? Think back. The city had no money. Standard & Poors downgraded Cleveland's bond rating during Kucinich's outgoing year. This man is to be considered to lead our great country? Get a grip, all you blue-collar workers and voters who cling to the hope that Kucinich is the answer. Forget it. He doesn't know how to lead or to bolster an economy. Laura Carrabine Cleveland, Ohio 4051@blogcritics.org Sat, 1 Mar 2003 07:19:55 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/02/25/170311.php#comment-4050 The Worst Mayors (1820-1993) Next, and seventh, is Cleveland's Dennis Kucinich (1977-79). Only thirty-one years old when elected, Cleveland's "boy" mayor had failings that were not the sins of venality or graft for personal gain, but rather matters of style, temperament, and bad judgment in office. Kucinich earned seventh place the hard way: by his abrasive, intemperate, and confrontational populist political style, which led to a disorderly and chaotic administration. He barely survived a recall vote just ten months into office, then disappeared for five weeks, reportedly recuperating from an ulcer. When he got back into the political fray, his demagogic rhetoric and slash-and-burn political style got him into serious trouble when he stubbornly refused to compromise and led Cleveland into financial default in late 1978—the first major city to default since the Great Depression. That led also to Kucinich's defeat and exit from executive office. Out of office, he dabbled in a Hollywoodesque spirit world and once believed he had met actress Shirley MacLaine in a previous life, seemingly confirming his critics' charges that he was a "nut-cake." After that, he experienced downward mobility, losing races for several other offices and finally ending up with a council seat; but more recently, he climbed back up to a seat in Congress. Bad judgment, demagoguery, and default also spelled political failure in the eyes of twenty-five of our experts, who ranked Dennis, whom the press called "the Menace," as seventh-worst. The American Mayor The Best & The Worst Big-City Leaders By Melvin G. Holli The Pennsylvania State University Press 4050@blogcritics.org Sat, 1 Mar 2003 07:18:44 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/02/25/170311.php#comment-3947 Note that Pearle simply refuses to reply to Kucinich's oil criticism. Even Bush, himself, has often mentioned that the natural resources of the region are an "American interest." Oil is an important part of the Administration's desire for war, but there are also other crucial factors. Pearle is a liar for not acknowledging this fact and he cannot be trusted. 3947@blogcritics.org Wed, 26 Feb 2003 23:16:42 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/02/25/170311.php#comment-3945 Richard Perle is a proven liar. Who is the idiot who wrote this commentary? 3945@blogcritics.org Wed, 26 Feb 2003 21:40:14 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/02/25/170311.php#comment-3917 Well thanks, I believe douche is spelled "douche" - hope you feel better Chris! 3917@blogcritics.org Wed, 26 Feb 2003 09:47:05 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/02/25/170311.php#comment-3916 Hey father that article was wonderful. we are sitting in social studies completely bored.The govenor from ohio is a deusch. Mr. Snider is a deasch also. We are hoping this will pass the time. Abused & Neglected Snowman Society Incorporated. What is happening both Glenn's 3916@blogcritics.org Wed, 26 Feb 2003 09:35:03 EST