Breaking news: Dennis Kucinich dropping out of Dem race
U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, whose campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination never gained much traction, is calling it quits. Kucinich built his campaign around a pro-labor, anti-Iraq war agenda, and struggled both to raise money and draw support -- a theme that led to complaints about being ignored.
Kucinich barely figured in the Iowa caucuses and drew just 1% support in the New Hampshire primary. He earlier announced that he planned to simultaneously run for reelection to his congressional seat covering Cleveland and some of its northeast Ohio suburbs -- where he faces some hometown challenges.
Kucinich didn't get much support in Nevada, either -- especially from MSNBC, which disinvited him from a pre-caucus debate there, sparking a failed legal challenge. He couldn't even get into the races there.
His two biggest effects on the campaign, though, had little to do with policy positions. One was the drawing in of illegal aliens of the third kind. The other was his inventive questioning of a Democratic presidential candidate during the December Brown & Black Presidential Forum in Iowa.
-- Scott Martelle
Photo credit: Stefan Zaklin / European Pressphoto Agency
Don Frederick has served as an editor helping guide coverage of every presidential election since 1984. He is a third-generation Washingtonian, so watching the political world comes naturally to him.
Andrew Malcolm's immigrant parents repeatedly stressed the importance of active participation in a democracy. Early lessons included learning the alphabetical list of states by watching televised roll calls of national political conventions. That childhood exposure led to a lifelong fascination with politics, including 40-plus years of covering them and a brief stint practicing them as press secretary to Laura Bush in 1999-2000.
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I am a Ron Paul supporter and I am very sad to see Kucinich drop out. I vigorously oppose most of his platform but respect him very much because he's an honest politician like Paul.
Posted by: AKK | January 24, 2008 at 03:52 PM
I already voted my California mail-in ballot for Kucinich. That's ok. I guess I'm throwing my vote away but I don't like the other candidates anyway. Too bad for Dennis he had balls.
Posted by: kcb | January 24, 2008 at 05:53 PM
I too am a Ron Paul supporter who has the greatest respect for Dennis Kucinich. I can’t comprehend how Democrats who are against the war can support Hillary and Edwards who voted for the war (and Obama voted for funding). And Hillary, Edwards, and Obama who voted for the unconstitutional Patriot Act.
Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul were the only ones with the wisdom and integrity to vote against the war from the beginning. These videos demonstrate why Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul are kindred spirits (and friends in real life).
Dennis Kucinich employee/supporter who respects Ron Paul
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DueIGWpXjrU
Ron Paul Republican Bruce Fein supports impeachment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ymlViJ7DvI
Liberal writer who supports both Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjALf12PAWc
In an ideal world Dennis Kucinich would be the Democratic nominee and Ron Paul would be the Republican nominee. Then we could have a real debate and election between two great and courageous persons of integrity.
Posted by: Voltaire | January 24, 2008 at 05:54 PM