500+ Turn Out for Kucinich in Albuquerque

Dennis Kucinich campaigned for president in Albuquerque last night, drawing a crowd at Smith-Brasher Hall on the CNM campus that numbered more than 500 according to the AP. An Albuquerque Journal article, not surprisingly, downsized that number to 300, although the article admitted the hall was overflowing. Some Kucinich quotes:

"Go into your own hearts for a second ... This war has been responsible for the deaths of over a million innocent Iraqi people ... It's all been based on a lie; it's being done in our name ... Somehow, war and strength became equated. But now, war and stupidity are being equated."

Kucinich said it was "astonishing" that Hillary, Obama and Edwards refused to promise to bring all the troops home from Iraq by 2013 in a recent Dem debate, especially since the Dem Party's main message during the 2006 election was ending the war. "With a message of 'Vote Democratic: We'll keep you in Iraq till 2013,' I don't think we would have won, frankly."

Kucinich also said he differs from Bill Richardson on Iraq because, "I'm five years ahead of him. There's only one person running for president who saw five years ago what a disaster this was and spoke out loudly. People, I think, want presidents who have vision and clarity."

Kucinich wore a small red chile pepper pin on the lapel of his brown sport coat during his Tuesday-night speech. "That's out of respect for the state vegetable. I'm a vegan. And you know the real question in this election is, 'Red or green?' ''

Dennis' wife Elizabeth will be campaigning for him in New Mexico for the next few days, including an appearance tonight in Albuquerque at Plumbers and Pipefitters Hall at Zuni and San Pedro at  6:30 PM. On Thursday, October 11, she'll be attending events in Taos and Las Vegas. More info here.

Shout Out: I couldn't attend last night's rally because I was at another event. If you were there and have some photos, video or feedback you'd like to share, let me know in the comments and I'll post it.