Ryan ChartrandHumanitarian and environmentalist Elizabeth Kucinich captivated her audience as she spoke at an informal discussion at Cal Poly Tuesday.
About 75 guests attended the event, and audience members asked questions about Kucinich’s husband, Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), and his platform.
“I felt the discussion was wonderful,” Kucinich said after the event.
“The questions really were reflective of the kind of questions that I get everywhere I go all around the country. Everyone wants to know the same thing; they all have the same concerns.”
The open discussion took place in the Alex and Faye Spanos Theatre Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The audience was scattered and looked almost sparse when the event began, but Kucinich invited everyone to sit closer for a more intimate discussion.
Sponsored by the Cal Poly Democrats, Kucinich spoke on a range of topics including gay marriage, environmental justice and the importance of “Generation Y’s” involvement in social and political issues. Attendance was $5 for general admission and free for students with a PolyCard.
She spoke about her husband’s history as a congressman and explained that he would run for president again if he is not successful in the 2008 race.
“Dennis has a 40-year track record of being a person who really stands for his promises, stands with his promises, and stands with the people,” Kucinich said.
“The people can be active outside the system and create a lot of noise, but until we actually align with the person with the integrity, the voting record, who always stands with the truth and the interests of America, that is where the power is.”
She explained that her husband supports gay marriage, opposes the war in Iraq and attempted to bring articles of impeachment against Vice President Dick Cheney (House resolution 333).
“It’s always interesting to hear prominent people’s perspectives on the world, especially someone who’s not native to America,” Cal Poly Democrats president Erica Janoff said.
Questions did arise focusing on Dennis Kucinich’s recent statement during a presidential debate that he had seen an UFO, but she simply laughed it off.
Kucinich grew up in the United Kingdom before traveling to five continents to work on and organize humanitarian projects. She is currently traveling up the coast of California, promoting her husband’s platform.
“We stand for strength through peace, understanding that a strong America is an America that really stands for humanity,” she said.
Kucinich stressed that students should get involved now, especially with the primary elections around the corner.
“The primary is your opportunity to vote for yourself, to vote for the person who truly represents you, to vote on your issues, to vote for your own self interest,” she said.
“When it comes to the general election, it’s too late for your choice to matter. You will be able to choose from a limited selection.”