On April 30, 2003, Dylan Hallsmith, the founder of the Kids 4 Kucinich campaign, met with Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) in Washington. Kids 4 Kucinich is working to raise awareness among young people about the importance of getting involved in the election and supports Congressman Kucinich’s bid for the democratic nomination. Kucinich was enthusiastic about Kids 4 Kucinich, telling Hallsmith that he won his first political race in Cleveland, Ohio because junior high school kids had gone door to door with leaflets to support his campaign.
Hallsmith made several suggestions about how to involve young people in the campaign, and made plans to work over the next several months in support of the primary races in several key states. The Congressman invited Hallsmith to join him and his campaign staff for a lunch meeting with several people working on the national campaign strategy. All of the people at the meeting were excited that young people were actively involved.
“The fact that Dylan is here shows that there is a lot of energy behind this campaign;” Kucinich said to the group. “I want you all to know that I plan to win this race.” Although Kucinich is behind other candidates in fundraising, he remains optimistic about his candidacy. He has had an enthusiastic response in key primary states, where thousands of people have come out to hear his message over the past several weeks.
The Kids 4 Kucinich campaign plans to work hard in New Hampshire and other primary states to recruit young people in school and in college to help with the campaign and to give them a voice in national politics. “We want kids to have a voice in national issues,” Hallsmith said. “A lot of what happens in Washington affects our lives and our futures. We need to know more about what’s going on.”
Hallsmith met Kucinich in September, when the Congressman spoke at a Peace Summit at the University of Vermont. Over 300 young people came to the Youth Summit that was held as part of the event, and the Congressman spoke about the importance of everyone getting involved in politics. In a dramatic demonstration, Kucinich showed the hundreds of young people who came how one candle can light up a room that was in darkness. “Every voice counts in a democracy,” Hallsmith said.
Hallsmith produced a web site (www.kids4kucinich.org), where people can get more information. Hallsmith hopes that by getting kids involved in the election process, their parents and grandparents will follow. Contact him for more information at djhs@kids4kucinich.org.
Hallsmith made several suggestions about how to involve young people in the campaign, and made plans to work over the next several months in support of the primary races in several key states. The Congressman invited Hallsmith to join him and his campaign staff for a lunch meeting with several people working on the national campaign strategy. All of the people at the meeting were excited that young people were actively involved.
“The fact that Dylan is here shows that there is a lot of energy behind this campaign;” Kucinich said to the group. “I want you all to know that I plan to win this race.” Although Kucinich is behind other candidates in fundraising, he remains optimistic about his candidacy. He has had an enthusiastic response in key primary states, where thousands of people have come out to hear his message over the past several weeks.
The Kids 4 Kucinich campaign plans to work hard in New Hampshire and other primary states to recruit young people in school and in college to help with the campaign and to give them a voice in national politics. “We want kids to have a voice in national issues,” Hallsmith said. “A lot of what happens in Washington affects our lives and our futures. We need to know more about what’s going on.”
Hallsmith met Kucinich in September, when the Congressman spoke at a Peace Summit at the University of Vermont. Over 300 young people came to the Youth Summit that was held as part of the event, and the Congressman spoke about the importance of everyone getting involved in politics. In a dramatic demonstration, Kucinich showed the hundreds of young people who came how one candle can light up a room that was in darkness. “Every voice counts in a democracy,” Hallsmith said.
Hallsmith produced a web site (www.kids4kucinich.org), where people can get more information. Hallsmith hopes that by getting kids involved in the election process, their parents and grandparents will follow. Contact him for more information at djhs@kids4kucinich.org.