Wisconsin’s Feb. 17 primary is drawing near, and presidential hopefuls are setting up camp in Wisconsin for one last push at winning the state, including Congressman Dennis Kucinich.

Progressive Democrat Kucinich will speak in Madison Monday, Feb. 16, at the Memorial Union from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. accompanied by special-guest musician Tim Reynolds, a strong supporter of Kucinich who has vowed to aid him in any way he can. Reynolds plans to play before and after the Kucinich rally.

“He is a really special person,” Reynolds said of Kucinich. “It is real important to have him in this race. He is the only guy not dropping out or conforming his views.”

Reynolds believes many candidates have either given up or chosen to display more moderate views to the American public in an effort to gain more support.

Kucinich is sticking to his views and plans to discuss the war in Iraq, universal college education and health care at the rally, citing these as major issues concerning students today.

“We need to get out of Iraq now,” Kucinich said. “We need to restart the peace movement in America.”

Kucinich added that the war is becoming an increasingly important issue to students in that a draft is a distinct possibility, in his opinion.

“We’re looking at a draft next year,” Kucinich said. “We cannot let our young generation go to war.”

Kucinich is also pushing for nationwide free college tuition by taking the money spent on tax cuts and directing it towards this initiative instead.

“Free college tuition is the only way we’re going to help people grow,” Kucinich said, adding that this would, in turn, be beneficial for the economy as well.

Although Kucinich has been placing in single digit percentages in recent primaries, he remains confident, as does Reynolds, regarding Kucinich’s success thus far.

“I’ve helped him go from 1 percent to 2 percent,” Reynolds said. “His numbers are actually growing.”

Reynolds offered a musical comparison bringing the political campaign back home to what Reynolds is familiar with and known for.

“In the music business you have you’re No. 1’s, and then your other layers that are also very serious… Kucinich is on one of those other layers,” Reynolds said. “He is the Miles Davis of politics.”

Reynolds has been doing this tour of sorts beginning in Texas and continuing through New Hampshire and Washington. He plans to stick with Kucinich and travel to California. He said they are currently playing it by ear, but said he plans to continue performing for the next couple of weeks.

Kucinich spoke energetically about his success and regarding his upcoming Madison visit.

“I can make a difference, and students of Wisconsin can make a difference, too,” Kucinich said. “We need to start the political movement… I’m ready if Madison is.”