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American Morning
Interview With Dennis Kucinich
Aired October 08, 2002 - 07:15 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: In his speech last night, President Bush declared that Iraq is a "grave threat to peace," and he said, the time to act against Saddam Hussein's regime is now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: There is no easy or risk-free course of action. Some have argued we should wait, and that's an option. In my view, it's the riskiest of all options, because the longer we wait, the stronger and bolder Saddam Hussein will become. Facing clear evidence of peril, we cannot wait for the final proof, the smoking gun that could come in the form of a mushroom cloud.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ZAHN: Both Houses of Congress are scheduled to begin formal debate today about Iraq.
So, did the president win any more votes with his address?
Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich is the leader of the opposition in the House. He joins us now from Washington.
Good to see you again, and welcome back, sir.
REP. DENNIS KUCINICH (D), OHIO: Good morning.
ZAHN: How compelling was the argument the president made that you can't wait for the "smoking gun" which may "come in the form of a mushroom cloud?"
KUCINICH: I think the president had made a case for inspections, but I don't think the administration has made a case for a preemptive strike.
When we speak of a preemptive strike, we're setting a bad example for the world. You know, what about China and Taiwan, and Russia and Georgia, and North and South Korea, and the Indian and Pakistan imbroglio over Kashmir?
I mean, we need to set a good example for the world. Inspections are the path towards that -- international cooperation with the world community on matters of global security.
ZAHN: Isn't that what is happening right now with the U.N. as the debate goes on about what resolution might be passed? Certainly, inspections are a part of that plan.
KUCINICH: I think the American people want our country to facilitate inspections, and as long as that process moves in that direction, that's fine. But when we're talking about creating a war with Iraq without looking at every option, at exploring every possibility for inspections and resolving this peacefully, I think the American people would rather see this resolved peacefully.
ZAHN: Are you telling us this morning that you don't think the president is sincere when he talks about inspections and having unfettered access to Saddam Hussein's sites?
KUCINICH: No, I don't question the president's sincerity. I do question the advice the president is getting that would result in this resolution facing the Congress, which would give the authority to the president to launch a unilateral, preemptive strike.
I think it's important for the United Nations to be involved here, and for America to work with the world community. We can still solve this peacefully, and I think that's the aspiration of the American people. I don't think the American people want to see a war visited upon the people of Iraq because of Saddam Hussein.
We need inspections, we need to guarantee security in that way, and I think we can still accomplish it peacefully.
ZAHN: I guess where I'm not following -- I mean, Secretary of State Powell has made it very clear that he is taking very seriously the negotiations that are going on at the U.N. over inspections, but you're making it sound as though that's not even a consideration of the administration.
KUCINICH: Well, no, that's not true. I mean, as a matter of fact, one of the things that Secretary Powell has said that I think is very important is that we can have inspections without regime change. But if there are people in the administration -- and there are -- who want regime change, that means definitely war, an invasion, of Iraq.
And I don't think the American people really want that. I think they want to make sure that there is containment of Iraq, that there are inspections, and that this matter can be settled peacefully.
And I still think the opportunity is there, and that way, America shows that it can work with the world community in a peaceful resolution of this crisis, instead of being an element that helps to plunge this region into war.
ZAHN: According to a new CNN-USA Today Gallup Poll, nearly 75 percent of Americans would favor a U.S. invasion of Iraq once President Bush decides to do so. And we're going to put these statistics up on the screen for folks to examine.
Do these statistics make you feel out of step with the American public?
KUCINICH: Well, not at all. I think the undercurrent in this country is towards peace, and people want peace. But they want to see the path to peace, and the path to peace is for inspections. It's toward inspections, and that's the way you get to peace.
I don't think that the American people would want our nation to go to war based on a poll.
ZAHN: Let me ask you this. It seems pretty clear from the Democrats we've talked to, they think that the president is pretty much going to get the resolution he wants, not in the exact words he wants, but close to what he wants. Are you going to defy the House leadership if that's the way the Democratic Party decides to go?
KUCINICH: Well, in Congress, there are 435 leaders in the House of Representatives, and I'm going to vote against the resolution, because it really goes far beyond anything our Constitution envisioned in terms of the power of the president. No president has ever been granted by the Congress the power to wage war unilaterally and preemptively against any nation in the world.
So, I'm going to stand on a constitutional tradition. I'll be voting against the resolution. I have to tell you what, Paula, I think the American people, as we face a vote, are going to be calling Congress by the millions, urging their members of Congress not to vote for this war.
ZAHN: A final question for you this morning. Is there any condition under which you would support a war against Iraq?
KUCINICH: Well, America has the right to defend itself, to be sure of that. I mean, over a year ago, I voted for America to defend itself. However, I did not vote for unlimited war, because let's face it, Iraq has not been connected to 9/11.
A Cleveland columnist by the name of Dick Feagler said when America was attacked by Japan at the beginning of World War II, we didn't respond and retaliate by bombing Peru. There is no connection between Iraq and 9/11, between al Qaeda's activities and Iraq in 9/11.
So, I think we can still solve this peacefully. That's what I think the American people want, and I'm going to continue working towards that path.
ZAHN: We've just got five seconds left, though. If inspections get under way and the inspectors are denied the access they think they deserve or they demand, would you support military action then?
KUCINICH: Well, let's say that I support that we must have total rights to unfettered inspections in Iraq. If we cannot get that, then I think we have to consult with the United Nations and the Security Council and determine the right path for the security of the world.
ZAHN: Representative Dennis Kucinich, thanks for joining us.
KUCINICH: Thank you very much.
ZAHN: Appreciate your time this morning. KUCINICH: Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Aired October 8, 2002 - 07:15 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: In his speech last night, President Bush declared that Iraq is a "grave threat to peace," and he said, the time to act against Saddam Hussein's regime is now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: There is no easy or risk-free course of action. Some have argued we should wait, and that's an option. In my view, it's the riskiest of all options, because the longer we wait, the stronger and bolder Saddam Hussein will become. Facing clear evidence of peril, we cannot wait for the final proof, the smoking gun that could come in the form of a mushroom cloud.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ZAHN: Both Houses of Congress are scheduled to begin formal debate today about Iraq.
So, did the president win any more votes with his address?
Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich is the leader of the opposition in the House. He joins us now from Washington.
Good to see you again, and welcome back, sir.
REP. DENNIS KUCINICH (D), OHIO: Good morning.
ZAHN: How compelling was the argument the president made that you can't wait for the "smoking gun" which may "come in the form of a mushroom cloud?"
KUCINICH: I think the president had made a case for inspections, but I don't think the administration has made a case for a preemptive strike.
When we speak of a preemptive strike, we're setting a bad example for the world. You know, what about China and Taiwan, and Russia and Georgia, and North and South Korea, and the Indian and Pakistan imbroglio over Kashmir?
I mean, we need to set a good example for the world. Inspections are the path towards that -- international cooperation with the world community on matters of global security.
ZAHN: Isn't that what is happening right now with the U.N. as the debate goes on about what resolution might be passed? Certainly, inspections are a part of that plan.
KUCINICH: I think the American people want our country to facilitate inspections, and as long as that process moves in that direction, that's fine. But when we're talking about creating a war with Iraq without looking at every option, at exploring every possibility for inspections and resolving this peacefully, I think the American people would rather see this resolved peacefully.
ZAHN: Are you telling us this morning that you don't think the president is sincere when he talks about inspections and having unfettered access to Saddam Hussein's sites?
KUCINICH: No, I don't question the president's sincerity. I do question the advice the president is getting that would result in this resolution facing the Congress, which would give the authority to the president to launch a unilateral, preemptive strike.
I think it's important for the United Nations to be involved here, and for America to work with the world community. We can still solve this peacefully, and I think that's the aspiration of the American people. I don't think the American people want to see a war visited upon the people of Iraq because of Saddam Hussein.
We need inspections, we need to guarantee security in that way, and I think we can still accomplish it peacefully.
ZAHN: I guess where I'm not following -- I mean, Secretary of State Powell has made it very clear that he is taking very seriously the negotiations that are going on at the U.N. over inspections, but you're making it sound as though that's not even a consideration of the administration.
KUCINICH: Well, no, that's not true. I mean, as a matter of fact, one of the things that Secretary Powell has said that I think is very important is that we can have inspections without regime change. But if there are people in the administration -- and there are -- who want regime change, that means definitely war, an invasion, of Iraq.
And I don't think the American people really want that. I think they want to make sure that there is containment of Iraq, that there are inspections, and that this matter can be settled peacefully.
And I still think the opportunity is there, and that way, America shows that it can work with the world community in a peaceful resolution of this crisis, instead of being an element that helps to plunge this region into war.
ZAHN: According to a new CNN-USA Today Gallup Poll, nearly 75 percent of Americans would favor a U.S. invasion of Iraq once President Bush decides to do so. And we're going to put these statistics up on the screen for folks to examine.
Do these statistics make you feel out of step with the American public?
KUCINICH: Well, not at all. I think the undercurrent in this country is towards peace, and people want peace. But they want to see the path to peace, and the path to peace is for inspections. It's toward inspections, and that's the way you get to peace.
I don't think that the American people would want our nation to go to war based on a poll.
ZAHN: Let me ask you this. It seems pretty clear from the Democrats we've talked to, they think that the president is pretty much going to get the resolution he wants, not in the exact words he wants, but close to what he wants. Are you going to defy the House leadership if that's the way the Democratic Party decides to go?
KUCINICH: Well, in Congress, there are 435 leaders in the House of Representatives, and I'm going to vote against the resolution, because it really goes far beyond anything our Constitution envisioned in terms of the power of the president. No president has ever been granted by the Congress the power to wage war unilaterally and preemptively against any nation in the world.
So, I'm going to stand on a constitutional tradition. I'll be voting against the resolution. I have to tell you what, Paula, I think the American people, as we face a vote, are going to be calling Congress by the millions, urging their members of Congress not to vote for this war.
ZAHN: A final question for you this morning. Is there any condition under which you would support a war against Iraq?
KUCINICH: Well, America has the right to defend itself, to be sure of that. I mean, over a year ago, I voted for America to defend itself. However, I did not vote for unlimited war, because let's face it, Iraq has not been connected to 9/11.
A Cleveland columnist by the name of Dick Feagler said when America was attacked by Japan at the beginning of World War II, we didn't respond and retaliate by bombing Peru. There is no connection between Iraq and 9/11, between al Qaeda's activities and Iraq in 9/11.
So, I think we can still solve this peacefully. That's what I think the American people want, and I'm going to continue working towards that path.
ZAHN: We've just got five seconds left, though. If inspections get under way and the inspectors are denied the access they think they deserve or they demand, would you support military action then?
KUCINICH: Well, let's say that I support that we must have total rights to unfettered inspections in Iraq. If we cannot get that, then I think we have to consult with the United Nations and the Security Council and determine the right path for the security of the world.
ZAHN: Representative Dennis Kucinich, thanks for joining us.
KUCINICH: Thank you very much.
ZAHN: Appreciate your time this morning. KUCINICH: Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
