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Audience: (Cheers and applause). Kucinich: Thank you. Thank you very much for
that auspicious introduction. Audience: (Cheers and applause).
Kucinich: In the long constitutional history of this country, we are at a moment where
we are called upon, those of us in this crowd and those who we represent across the country,
where we are called upon to defend not only the essence of, but the letter of our Constitution.
Are we ready for this moment? Audience: Yeah! Yeah! (Cheers and applause).
Kucinich: Because this sacred document, this text which binds us as a nation has been under
assault in a way that is unprecedented in the history of this country, where all of
the causes that bring us together here add up to a recognition that we have an administration
which has swept aside basic constitutional guarantees, and we know that they must be
held accountable, which is one of the reasons why I introduced a resolution of impeachment
of the Vice President. Audience: Yay! (Cheers and applause).
Kucinich: Because this is not ... This isn't simply about the personality. This is about
the Constitution because the Constitution has a personality all of its own. When we
talk about restoring habeas corpus, we recognize that a fundamental principle of our criminal-justice
system has been trampled on, and we must reinstate habeas corpus. We recognize ...
Audience: (Cheers and applause). Kucinich: We recognize that this blot on our
Constitution called the Patriot Act must be repealed, and I'm introducing legislation
to do just that. We recognize that the Military Commissions Act must be repealed, and I'm
introducing legislation to do just that. Audience: (Cheers and applause).
Kucinich: We recognize ... We recognize that America has a higher calling in this nation
and in the world. We recognize the greatness of this country that is inherent in the principles
which bring us together celebrating the First Amendment. We recognize that we must save
our Constitution and that at this moment in time, everything we are, everything we will
ever be depends on us rising to this occasion to challenge this administration and their
trampling of our Constitution, and I believe that we're ready for this moment.
Audience: (Cheers and applause). Kucinich: And so, my friends ... And so, my
friends, here on this very warm Washington day, we come together in recognition of the
same principles that were articulated in the preamble to the Constitution of the United
States because this is about we, the people. This is about reclaiming our nation. This
is about restoring the rule of law. This is about standing for justice. This is about
standing for the principles on which this country was founded. This is about being the
... living the deeper meaning of what it is to be an American, and I love all of you great
Americans who are here today. God bless you. God bless this country, and God save the Constitution
of the United States. Thank you. Audience: (Cheers and applause).