In 2004 I was a Kucinich delegate who came within five votes of representing him in Boston. I carried his torch for a while and hoped for a similar run in 2008, but alas it was not meant to be. Here is what I wrote to a Kucinich listserve following the Washington State caucus...

I realize that Kucinich's chance was akin to a blind man shooting in the dark on a stormy night, but for a while we were able to give it our best shot at working on someone who would represent us, restore democracy and the constitution, and shares the values that we do on trade, war and peace, the corporate attack on working Americans and health care.

Despite being discouraged that Kucinich (or uncommitted) failed to generate one delegate from my precinct, I am thrilled that 107 people from a middle/upper class area turned out for a Democratic caucus (probably 4x that in '04). Over half were there for the first time. There were more young people than I have ever seen at anything political outside of a college campus.

I wish I could have spent more time working on the Kucinich campaign (blame getting married during the time). Perhaps all my efforts could have resulted in more delegates across the state, but like I said at the caucus "What can you do when the election is almost decided before we even get a chance to debate?" I think it is a shame that the two candidates with the most money are the ones that escape "Super Tuesday." They did not have the best ideas, merely the most money.

For myself, I will support Obama over Clinton (and am an Obama delegate). Sometimes I think Obama is just "empty rhetoric" but like our man Dennis, he does inspire people. My wife, who clearly favored Obama over all other contenders, summed it up well..."He gives people hope, and sometimes that is more important."

But so did Kucinich. And there was more behind the hope, but a fighter for ideas and issues that not only are important, are necessary for the middle class of this country to survive, if not our democracy. I read how John Edwards was pushing Clinton and Obama to the left, to progressive ideals. What is never mentioned is Kucinich pushed Edwards first.

Another reason I could not spend as much time as I wished on the Kucinich campaign was that I am already chin deep in the time I spend with America In Solidarity. When we had our official kickoff in 2003, it was Kucinich we asked to be our keynote speaker. Since then we are still trying to help push some of the same issues that Dennis does: why the war is bad for workers, fairer trade agreements, and affordable health care for all.

As the Kucinich campaign begins to wrap up, I ask you to find an outlet. Don't let the fire die. Find a health care organization, an anti-war group or whatever drew you to Kucinich to spend as much time as possible to make a difference. And of course you are invited to join us (and many of you are already on our database), to fight for working families. Even if it is just blogging or weighing in on our forums you can make a difference (especially since our site gets 5,000 hits a week). Or help organize a town hall in your community. Or help a local candidate with progressive ideals. Whatever drew you to spend so much time, passion and energy for Kucinich, only is lost if you stop now. http://www.americasolidarity.org/

I hope to fight beside you in the future. -Todd Iverson