Kucinich refers to diet, younger wife

Posted: Monday, August 27, 2007 4:08 PM by Mark Murray

After hearing this, Armstrong interjected. “This has really deteriorated,” he said to crowd applause, adding, “I would just be hungry all the time, I think.”

From NBC's Andrew Merten
Despite the overall serious nature of today’s LIVESTRONG forum, Kucinich had several comedic moments during his turn with moderators Lance Armstrong and Chris Matthews. After being asked if the Food and Drug Administration is always working in the best interest of the American people, the Ohio congressman lamented the amount of genetically modified food on the market -- using it is an opportunity to tout his own lifestyle choices. “This is why I happen to be a vegan, okay? I know a little bit about this.” Without missing a beat, he added, smiling, “People want a president who is healthy, because if you’re healthy, you can think right.”

The laughs didn’t stop there. Kucinich went on to explain the benefits of his diet, citing increased energy, clarity, and a better quality of life. Matthews went on to insinuate that Kucinich’s new lifestyle may have helped him match up with a younger wife, to which the presidential hopeful added, “I’m 60 years old, I have a -- my wife’s 29, you draw your own conclusions. Diet helps.”

After hearing this, Armstrong interjected. “This has really deteriorated,” he said to crowd applause, adding, “I would just be hungry all the time, I think.”

While Kucinich’s appearance was certainly the most heavy on the laughs, he did continue to bring it back to a serious note by telling of a woman he met in Maine who has accumulated $161,000 in debt while battling cancer. He tied this example into his call for a single-payer health-care system -- touting a bill he has written as “the only one Michael Moore says meets the requirements.”

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Comments

Kucinich was the only one that answered questions in a straightforward manner. He had passion, conviction and humor. He needs to be listen to, for he is speaking for all Americans, not just the monied few.

Chuq Streuly, Gulfport, Miss (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 4:22 PM)

“I’m 60 years old, I have a -- my wife’s 29, you draw your own conclusions. Diet helps.” yeah but money works better, please

MK,MO (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 4:29 PM)

Kucinich is 60 and his wife is 29!!! Twice divorced!!!
Oh My God. Where is Kenn-I'm on my 27th bible-O? This isn't may-december, it's February-December. Where's the rant against young wives??? She's smart too, with a masters degree no less. Intimidated?? Maybe she's helping with his run for President? No wait, they are Democrats and according to the left, candidates wives should stay home and do wash or something. Or you would think so if you listen to the hogwash people write about Jeri Thompson.

RH Oregon (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 4:30 PM)

"accumulated $161,000 in debt while battling cancer"

I'm not sure why this is an example of a bad thing. That she is alive and battling? That she has debt? That the debt is $161,000? If she is only that far in debt battling a life ending disease, then she's doing pretty good. What is the total cost? I'm betting it's way, way, more than $161,000. Why do people think this life should be a free ride? A guy with epilepsy complained the other day that his HMO would not grant his half-a-million dollar voluntary surgery to control his siezures, so he could go to work. I sympathize but you got dealt a crappy card. The system should not be obligated to fix you for free. And how about the smokers or 'voluntary' obese? Those people making bad life choice after bad choice, then want the system to fix'em up. Maybe Kenn O's God of vengance has your card???

RH Oregon (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 4:42 PM)

Mark Murray, I've been posting here for awhile. got used to my computer being debugged, whatever. Your response time on this site is not the same. Inquiring minds want to know.

Desmond (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 4:50 PM)

Well she may be 29, But im betting hes got a lot of Money. Young women and money just seems to go together.

Jim hall (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 4:54 PM)

Mark Murray, perhaps we're all caught in a worm hole.

Desmond (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 5:00 PM)

Mark Murray, perhaps in the future, I will keep my thoughts to myself.

Desmond (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 5:10 PM)

The women behind me said "I'm 29, that's just gross" after Kucinich remarked about his and wife's respective age. He was funny, and he has some good ideas, but he apparently actually believes he has a chance. Sad!

Molly, Iowa City (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 5:17 PM)

If you want to know why Maine's health care plans are the worst in the country.....

http://www.cagw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=reports_statepiglets

Look under Maine for 2007......

This is the kind of health plan that Hillary and others seem to think we need in this country.

The Maine health care plan was supposed to have everybody in Maine covered. Very sad indeed,

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 5:21 PM)

Please, can some one tell me why cancer is a presidential concern? Please refer me to the place in the Constitution (you know, that thing the Dems claim Bush has disregarded?)where it's mentioned.

Thanks in advance.

Bruce, NV (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 5:25 PM)

Leave it to MSNBC to report the news that matters. Do you honestly think your readers are more interested in this fluff than reading about the Congressman's proposal for a single-payer not-for-profit health care system? We get it, you want to portray anyone with a serious agenda for reform as a ridiculous comedic sidekick, so we sheepishly vote for the establishment candidates. You desires are duly acknowledged. Can we please have a fair and substantial discussoin of the actual content of the issues now? Is that asking too much from you?

Eric from Seattle, Seattle, WA (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 5:27 PM)

Dennis is the man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

maybe time for Bill CLinton.....Nah, why go there?

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 5:39 PM)

I manage a medical clinic. I have not made up my mind which Dem to support, but Kucinich has by far the most defined, no-nonsense, real solution to our healthcare crisis. I did NOT appreciate Lance Armstrong's obvious disrespect to Kucinich. A message to Armstrong's people: Lance is not a healthcare professional, policy leader, statesman, or real expert on anything except bike racing; teach him some manners!

LE,Cedar Falls, Iowa (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 6:39 PM)

Desmond -- We're a bit short-staffed this week. Sorry if the posts aren't getting up as quickly as they usually do. But that's the reason. Thanks for the note.

Mark Murray (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 6:51 PM)

Mark Murray

Thanks SO much for letting us know!

Independent, Texas (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 6:54 PM)

Mark Murray, thanks for responding. That's the man I know.

Desmond (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 7:04 PM)

It's probably not as much about the money for his wife as it is being the wife of a candidate for President. Who knows, she may be the next first lady.

robo (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 7:30 PM)

Is a cancer forum really the place for laughs? But DK is the funniest guy on stage.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

matt (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 7:33 PM)

Thank god for real men like Dennis. You go Boy!

deonte hollomon (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 7:38 PM)

RH from Oregon is a typical right winger. He pretends to sympathize with the woman from Maine who's run up a huge debt because of her cancer. But he doesn't know what empathy is. His attitude is, "too bad, tough luck, glad it didn't happen to me, quit your bitchin', see ya," which just about sums up the Republican attitude regarding all human needs and misfortunes.

He says "A guy with epilepsy complained the other day that his HMO would not grant his half-a-million dollar voluntary surgery to control his siezures, so he could go to work." No hint of where this might be found by someone else, (typical right wing referencing!), but one wonders what we're supposed to make of the fact that it's "voluntary" surgery> All surgeries are voluntary. And the fact that it costs $500,000, whose fault is that? The patient's? I think not. If someone needs a procedure to stop seizures so he can go to work and function normally, that's obviously medically necessary. Why shouldn't insurance pay for it.

As the health care issue heats up, we'll be seeing the health care versions of Reagan's non-existent "welfare queen"--a bunch of fake and misrepresented stories of people supposedly 'abusing' the health care system.

I wonder if RH and his ilk know what "ironic punishment" is. It doesn't take a Dante to think of some appropriate ones for people who prefer to ignore the suffering of their fellow citizens.

Long Tom, Boston, MA (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 8:17 PM)

Kuconich should be around for a long time---regardless of his position in government

HMT-MI (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 8:18 PM)

I am glad you talked about Kuncinich. I am not a supporter but, I did not watch the forum and all I've heard about is just Hillary. It was like she was the only one there according to the news.
Nice to see articles on the others. thanks for the fairness and even handedness.
All the men I know are in love with DK's wife. lol.

diane (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 8:33 PM)

Bruce - I've never met a Republican willing to give up Medicare - have you? NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

annefrank (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 8:34 PM)

Bruce, whether you like or dislike us democrats I have to say I agree with you on this. wouldn't cancer be with the health care proposals and such. Why is it a presidential thing? I would think it would be part of the overall policies on health care.
And, yes, the constitution should be an issue and something in need of discussing and to see how they view it.
I know Obama was constitutional law lecturer and is passionate about it. What about the others and their understanding of this most important document. And how would they approach the teaching and understanding about it in schools? Too many do not understand our very foundation of our beliefs. or respect it.

diane (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 8:39 PM)

Sad to see so many rightwingers with NO health care arguing against universal health care. More proof that Fox News has been successful dumbing down the sheep to believe that the working poor and middle class who can't afford health care - don't deserve it.

John Edwards has a brilliant health care plan!
http/www.johnedwards.com/issues/health-care

Ever wonder why most people know more about his haircuts than his health care plan? Look no further than the corporate media - sponsor of the Insurance and Pharma industries.

zazzle, Douglas, GA (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 8:39 PM)

A vote for Kucinich is a vote for Hillary.

Hillary/Murdoch08

Richard, Palatka, FL (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 8:42 PM)

Bottom line: A shift to vegan diets can greatly reduce heart diease, cancer and many other diseases, and is essential for avoiding the unprecedented catastrophe that the world is heading toward, since animal-based agriculture emits more greenhouse gases (in CO2 equivalents)than all the world's transportation sources and the number of farmed animals is projected to double by 2050.
For further information, please see my over 130 articles at JewishVeg.com/schwartz.

Richard Schwartz, Staten Island, NY (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 8:58 PM)

This is about like Chris Mathews drooling over Erin burnett of cnbc, come on closer to the camera Erin as Chris said, Lets just say it, these older guys like Chris and Kucinich are just horny old goats lol

Steve, Louisville Ky (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 10:23 PM)

If one feels it necessary to impugn Mr. Kucinich's financial integrity and Mrs. Kucinich's honor I would simply go to the public records available regarding Mr. Kucinich's financial situation : http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/pfd2006/N00003572_2006.pdf and look around the web until you find the story of their meeting and courting. Dennis is in this race because he cares about America and Americans who AREN'T rich. He stays in this race because, if you're right and others are wrong, you don't sit on your hands and watch the train wreck, you try to do something. That's called being a good person. Dennis is a good person, and he should be President.

John, Burke, Virginia (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 10:49 PM)

I appreciate Mr. Kucinich's sense of humor, especially that he has the confidence to laugh at himself. But I am more appreciative of his willingness to be forthright about problems that confront the US, and to propose detailed, workable but at times unpopular solutions to such problems. Mr Kucinich is the only candidate who supports a single payer health system, has consistently opposed the war in Iraq and calls for an immediate Us withdrawal, calls for a repeal of NAFTA and of the Patriot act, supports legislation that would require the wealthy and super-wealthy to pay their fair share of the tax burden, etc. Unfortunately, the media has once again marginalized Mr Kucinich by focusing upon his eating habits & lovely wife, rather than providing the public with information about his creative and genuinely workable solutions to important issues. GO DENNIS GO!!!!!

Irwin Fried, Baltimore, Maryland (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 11:22 PM)

Flo Jo (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 7:50 AM)

To RH of Oregon, yes the system should fix everyone for free. If we gave people incentives(vouchers) to spend the health care dollars wisely, then we could keep a handle on the waste. Also do you know how much you pay now for Medicaid, Medicare, healthcare, you are already paying. It's the insurance companies that stand to lose out and they know it. They are the middleman that we all pay, my cousin died a millionaire working his way up the insurance company ladder. I don't think of them as bad companies, just opportunistic. The money we are paying them should be sent directly to the sick folks. God forbid any Republicans get sick, while uninsured or underinsured, they might be singing a different tune. Some things in life should be publicly funded. Can't we come up with some creative ways to pay for it without continually wailing "we shouldn't be paying for this?" I know the postal workers will love me, but how about eliminat Wednesday and Saturday snail mail delivery and put that $ into a fund to pay for health care?

Flo Jo, Medina, OH (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 8:00 AM)

He and Fred need to take their baby wives and just go home. We need real leadership in this country, not another scandel. And everyone knows, unless the repugnants cross over and vote for him, he has not got even a slim chance to win this thing. So Dennis, do us all a favor and step right on out of the race now. Fred, just don't do it. Neither are qualified to be president, and we have already had a spin with an unqualified leader - look what that got for us, not much of anything good at all.

Union Baby, Tennessee (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 9:05 AM)

Not every man has to have money for a woman to fall in love with him, when there is an age difference. I know from experence for I am 15 years younger than my husband. It is how he treats me that is important to me. I personally like Dennis and wish that we could hear more from him. That the media wouldn't keep him on the back row of things.

Carol Ann Rose Donnellson, Iowa (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 9:06 AM)

RH in Oregon.
So its OK that people can't afford health care? that medical costs can drive people's finances into the ground? I'm sure you got upset over 9/11 (or many you just figured they were in the wrong place at the wrong time... bad deal of the cards). Problem is... 18,000 people die every year prematurely because of the lack of a sane health care system in this country.
Try some empathy for your fellow human beings. What if the person needing a surgery was your daughter, or another member of your family?
I want more Kucinich!!! He's honest, actually SAYS what he believes in instead of pussyfooting around issues. He is a visionary humanitarian and a fresh breath of air after all the greedy, right wing ideologies that espouse a dog-eat-dog society.

Jennie McBride (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 9:27 AM)

Any dude that whines about Dennis's wife and the age difference is simply jealous. Just admit it.

M. Boley (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 9:44 AM)

Hey, JewVeg,
Sorry, but find a new approach. Whether or not your 130 articles are researched and enlightening, who is going to read them? Other vegans no less? What do you propose we do with all the farm animals if no one eats them or uses them for their other resources? Kill them off? Let them become extinct? A vegan diet is not necessarily the most healthy. Most of the vegans I know (and yes I do actaully know several) look unhealthy and malnourished. Whether a vegan diet is "healthier" "better for the environment" or "gets you the young lasses"... Cows, chickens, pigs...yum.

Sarah, Plano, TX (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 10:14 AM)

Anyone interested in Kucinich's actual health care proposal can see it here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXQjpMIOcfE

Eric, Seattle, WA (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 10:36 AM)

Sarah has a point. The one person I know who is strung out on vegan/organic food looks horrible and she complains about being ill most of the time. Hmmm... wondering if ditching the 'fad food' and indulging in 'regular food' would help her seemingly chronic illnesses... hmmm...

Think I'll grab a Fuddrucker's burger now... lol...

M. Boley (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 10:59 AM)

Its a shame that a canidate with such insight, straightforward answers, honesty, diverse opinion, and a whole host of other great qualities is said to have no chance of winning. Why do so many people believe in what he is saying, yet vote for someone like Hillary who is moving to the center rather then standing up for what she really believes? Why do the front runners feel as if they have to skirt the issues and turn into someone they are not to have people that have a real belief system to vote for them. We need a change in how the political system works, we should demand that our politicians tell us the truth and have a sure stance on the positions. I fully support Dennis and he will be getting my vote. Its time to wake up America, vote ofr honesty and truth Dennis K 2008!

John, Columbus Ohio (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 11:13 AM)

It's just plain DUMB to say Dennis Kucinich "can't win." Of course he can win! Saying he can't is like saying "Things can't really turn out well" or "You can't have everything." Why not? Why not throw your weight behind a candidate who's really GREAT, instead of the boring and repetitious Hillary or Obama ("business as usual"). Kucinich "might not" win, only if the people are just too stupid & asleep to vote for someone who has THEIR interests at heart. Kucinich is so REAL, people can't believe he would be in politics. What he says makes so much sense, people have forgotten that we could even have such a man as president! It's time to remember and hope and dare to believe! We desperately need a great president right now, one who is honest and real. Check out his ideas! There is no one who even comes close! http://www.dennis4president.com/home/ Wake up, America!!

Florence (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 11:52 AM)

Perhaps Bruce from NV should go back to a time when we had no public libraries and no public education. No one likes to subsidize other people's needs, but it is the Judeo-Christian belief that drives this way of thinking. When I was hungry, you fed me, etc....
Before that we had the caveman mentality, everyman caveman for himself
___________________________

Flojo, sorry if your reading comprehension has suffered since your track career ended.

I asked how cancer is a Presidential issue; I mentioned nothing about education or other issues. You're obviously of the believe that the government should pay for everything. So, please explain how cancer is a Presidential concern, outside of a broader healthcare policy?

Here's an exercise for you: find out how much of the money the Feds give to "research" that actually goes to research, and not to "overhead" at all the fancy "private" universities.

Thanks in advance. Cheers.

Bruce, NV (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:10 PM)

It is really a shame, because what Kucinich stands for is what most Americans say they want for everyone today, get out of Iraq now, have health insurance coverage for all, equal rights to all, but everyone is supporting the other candidates who do not feel the same way on these issues.

Portland, OR (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 6:07 PM)

Dennis Kucinich IS a comedic moment.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 6:28 PM)

Dennis Kucinich 2008 all the way! The man speaks from his heart and does not take money from lobbyist, can't say the same about the other candidates. We need someone who will lift this country and take us in a new direction. Lets go down in history as the generation who sees hope and change. Visit his website and contribute, he is the only candidate that is being supported by regular American citizens. He cannot be bought. I don't want the same, I want change and he is the only candidate that can do it. Hillary had her chance in the 90's it Kucinich's turn. Lets make it happen!!

Dean (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 7:18 PM)

He tied this example into his call for a single-payer health-care system -- touting a bill he has written as “the only one Michael Moore says meets the requirements.”

Thats really funny. Michael Moore is The Expert on most eveything

Puddintane, Everywhere (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 7:22 PM)

Dean (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 7:26 PM)

Dennis Kucinich is the only (besides Gavel) DECENT candidate in this race that is for the PEOPLE of this country and not the rich corporations. Dennis is RIGHT. It sickens me the way our corporate media crucifies him on a daily basis. They aren't fit to shine his shoes. You people that laugh at Kucinich -- we'll see how much you're laughing when this country full descends into Fascism aka Corporatism. Let see you laugh then, huh? You think decency is funny? When you suffer more, you'll learn your lessons.

Dan Waters (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 7:37 PM)

It's silly to even think that Americans want a free ride. What we want is to borrow money and live on credit in order to support corporational wealth and governmental imperialism. We all know this is not free. So, we borrow the money. What we don't want is a healthy nation. God forbid we'd live long enough to have to pay back all this debt!

John Reid, Bakersfield CA (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 8:52 PM)

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