Kucinich Drops Out, Shifts Focus To Saving House Seat

It's amazing how a primary challenge can focus an incumbent's vision on the thing that matters the most -- namely, retaining one's job.  On the same day that the Washington Post ran an item about the tough primary challenges in OH-10 to the frequently absent Congressmen Dennis Kucinich, Kucinich decided that this might just be the right time to abandon his neverending, quixotic Presidential bid, and rush back to Cleveland.

"I want to continue to serve in Congress," he said.

Well, at least he's honest.

Race tracker wiki: OH-10

•  Ha,

  cyncial--but true and I love it.

  by Nulwee on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:00:03 PM PDT

  •  Is He Serving Though?

    There is good reason for a primary challenge - he has spent about as much time running for President lately as he has governing for his people, if not more.

    I say good luck to Joe Cimperman and Thomas O'Grady.

    by baronzito on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:12:40 PM PDT

    •  Heck, Read Joe's Campaign Issues and Bios

      On the issues: http://joecimperman.com/...

      A bio: http://www.cleveland.com/...

      On his endorsement by the mayor of Cleveland:
      http://www.wkyc.com/...

      A lot of people here might like the issues Kucinich puts out there nationally, but he is neglecting his constituents.

      Cimperman is someone we can get behind.

      by baronzito on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:22:03 PM PDT

      •  Or Rosemary Palmer

        From her official campaign site:

        I entered this race in June because I did not feel he was focused on the job, nor able to effect the change we so desperately need. On issues of job creation, health care, the environment, and the Iraq War, Mr. Kucinich often talks a good game but seldom delivers. The 10th Congressional District, and the entire Northeast Ohio region, need someone who less interested in making points and more interested in making change. I feel I best represent that change and welcome the opportunity to debate Mr. Kucinch and make my case to the voters over the next five weeks.

        And, an endorsement from a Kos favorite:

        "It's people like Rosemary Palmer that we need in Washington, DC for a little bit of adult leadership and responsibility in our nation's capital," Hackett said in a video distributed to voters. "We need to make that kind of change," he said.

        Paul Hackett's behind her. She's worth checking out too.

        by baronzito on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:58:22 PM PDT

      •  All in the spirit of this diary,

        let me be the first to officially disparage your candidate for OH-10:

        The esteemed C(H)imperman.

        What the hell.  If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

        by wobbledon on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:13:58 PM PDT

      •  Are you in Cleveland?

        I don't know what you are reading into Joe CImperman because he's very undefined. I read his issues page too, and it's a whole lot of "we need to create jobs, expand health care and "fix" the mortgage crisis" and double the amount of puffery bio but not the sort of specifics that Dennis, Rosemary and Barbara have been putting out. I'm eager to hear more but so far his cmapaign has been elusive. In addition, though heavily touted as a populist by the Plainly Republican (Plain Dealer) which is fairly wetting itself in its excitement over getting rid of Kucinich and replacing him with someone perhaps more amenable to their right-leaning goals, Cimperman has a record of going to bat for big downtown developers. Now, this is understandable to some degree since the Ward he represents includes downtown as its main constituency. But touting his helping to bring (tax-abated) luxury condos to downtown, condos paid for on the backs of the working people in Ohio-10 is probably going to need some editing. More needs be learned about how he produced a quarter of a million dollars out of thin air. Some of this may be left over from previous council campaigns (which themselves were heavily funded by corporate development interests) but the source of the rest is currently unclear.

        by anastasia p on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:42:47 PM PDT

        •  Yay anastasia!

          Cimperman has a record of going to bat for big downtown developers.

          Yeah, that needed to be said.

          by catfood on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:10:06 PM PDT

    •  Well, he IS serving

      much more than those deceptive Cimperman commercials would have you believe. And many in his district really, really like him. What's annoying most of those who are annoyed, it seems, is seeing his name in headlines attached to stories about suing for recounts or to get in debates and other such tactics they feel are showboating. Abandonnong his presidential campaign will help him; in fact, it may make him unbeatable.

      As for Cimperman and O'Grady, they were the come-latelies in this race, with O'Grady the probable darkest dark horse of the four and Rosemary Palmer running the longest and most high profile campaign --and she probably actually had a shot at taking him down when they were the only two in the race and Kucinich was still running for president. Cimperman (who doesn't live in the district nor does he serve it in his city council ward) entered the race kind of helter-skelter in early December but has been backed by the corporate and media powers in Cleveland and it's possible, though by no means sure, that he would be beholden to wealthy corporate interests (we'll see when he files his finance report).

      by anastasia p on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:22:27 PM PDT

      •  Why The Mayoral Endorsement Then?

        I am not trying to be sarcastic if it sounds that way - I am curious why the mayor would support him then. His bio does sound solid, and he is right on the issues. Kucinich, meanwhile, seems more interested in national exposure than serving as a representative.

        I am not local, so please correct me here if I am wrong on Cimperman.

        by baronzito on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:26:30 PM PDT

        •  Mayor

          Well, if the mayor (and here's a big surprise) is involved with the same kind of corpoorate interests who would prefer someone other than Kucinich, why wouldn't he endorse one of Kucinich's opponents?

          by darrelplant on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:32:09 PM PDT

          •  I Do Not Know

            That is why I was asking someone that is clearly a local. Your answer does not help that, only impugns the integrity of a mayor you don't know.

            by baronzito on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:36:46 PM PDT

            •  Casting Aspersions

              A mayor has a different set of interests than a congressman. I don't think it's "impugning" anyone to say that someone doesn't usually get to be the mayor of a large city like Cleveland without having the backing of local business interests. You don't last long (see Kucinich as an example) if you lose that support.

              Cimperman is a city councilman, someone the mayor would presumably know better than Kucinich, who's been in the House since 1997. So it's really no surprise that the mayor might prefer him over Kucinich.

              What I find interesting is your exhortation that "we can get behind" Cimperman, and assertions that Kucinich is "more interested in national exposure" than being in Congress. Sounds like some serious shilling to me.

              by darrelplant on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:29:24 PM PDT

              •  I'm from Cleveland

                I can answer that. Cleveland has had the life choked out of it by big downtown development forces more interested in constructing massive taxpayer funded boondoggles that enrich the wealthy than in building (or rebuilding) the neighborhoods. Joe Cimperman represents downtown so it's understandable he would represent these interests. Any mayor in this town is probably going to find it to his personal advantage to play ball with them or they might find themselves in the position of former commissioner Tim McCormick, a fighter for the poor, sick, elderly and mentally ill and a friend of social justice, who was ousted in a developer-funded, money-flooded campaign by someone more amenable to their goal of sticking the taxpayers with a bill for a new convention center. Of our past two mayors, Jane Campbell (2001-2005) was ineffectual and overwhelmed and her predecessor Michael White was corrupt and greedy and did a lot of damage. Jackson defeated Campbell but himself has so far proved to be a wimpy, faceless non-leader, who perhaps finds it expedient to play ball with the business powers, I don't know. What i do know is that Jackson's support came from the black neighborhoods of the East Side (primarily) and they are in district 11 (the same district Cimperman actually lives in and serves now). The West Side (district 10) tended to favour the former mayor against Jackson. With Jackson not having really shown himself to be a dynamic problem-solver, his approval has undoubtedly dropped. Therefore his endorsment is of dubious benefit and might even be a negative for Cimperman.

                by anastasia p on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:53:52 PM PDT

                •  Thank You

                  How about Palmer then? Is she someone that you find appealing?

                  by baronzito on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 07:59:19 PM PDT

        •  It's payback.

          Mayor Jackson is backing Cimperman because Dennis supported then-incumbent mayor Jane Campbell in the 2005 election.  It's payback, nothing more.  Dennis is endorsed by the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party.

          by Archangel M on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 05:32:39 PM PDT

      •  A Congressman's first duty

          is to his family (like everyone else's). His second duty is to his constituents..not himself. Kucinich has neglected his seat to focus on getting camera time for a vanity run for President. I hope he gets knocked off.

        by usmeagle69 on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 05:55:41 PM PDT

    •  But while running....

      he has managed to introduce bills pushing for impeachment and single payer healthcare as well as being an outspoken opponent of the illegal occupation of Iraq.  He also has the votes to match his rhetoric.

      He was able to lead and campaign at the same time, which is more than I can say for the sitting Senators who didn't even bother to show up for a very important vote today.

      But if he won't be taken seriously on a national level, I'm glad he's going to try and retain his seat in Congress.  We need many many more like him if things are ever going to change.

      by cometman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:31:17 PM PDT

      •  Introducing a bill

        Anyone can introduce a bill. Getting supporters so it actually has a chance of passage is the hard work. Simply putting a bill in the hopper and then jetting off to the primaries is showboating because it doesn't bring your bills any closer to passage.

        by brittain33 on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:37:02 PM PDT

        •  The American public supports him.

          It's only his pro-corporate colleagues who are trying to cover their own asses who won't allow his legislation to be brought to the floor.

          The public hates the current healthcare system with a passion.  The public thinks the Iraq war was wrong and wants it to end.  And about half the public supports impeachment already and we haven't even gotten hearings yet.

          Millions of people agree with him.  A few hundred jackasses in Congress do not.

          by cometman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:42:04 PM PDT

          •  Well

            If the public supports him, you'd think at least some of that would be showing up in primaries. After his running in two different election cycles, no less.

            by brittain33 on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:57:36 PM PDT

            •  You know as well as I do

              that it is unfortunately all about the money and media exposure.

              How is he supposed to compete when members of his own party decide he's not worthy of appearing in debates?  And when the fact the he refuses to be bought off makes him less able to pay for ads and public appearances?

              by cometman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:20:43 PM PDT

              •  Yea, that's right

                there's no chance at all that the reason could be that Kucinich as a candidate is about as appealing as dental surgery.

                by Goldfish on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:26:52 PM PDT

                •  Thanks for reminding me

                  what a shallow little person you are.

                  Have you ever heard the man give a speech?  I doubt it or you wouldn't be saying that.  He's pretty damn inspiring when he's allowed to talk to the public for more than 10 second sound bites in the few debates he's allowed to attend.

                  His positions are favored by the American public and his voting record actually matches what he says on the campaign trail.

                  I can only assume your dislike is because he doesn't look like goddamned movie star.  Lincoln would have never been elected if there were TV in the 1860's because of people such as yourself.

                  By the way, part of this comment was an ad hominem attack.  It was not in any way meant to be taken sarcastically, so call your friends and hide my comment, because I'm well aware of how much you enjoy that.  Maybe you could tell us all what stupid rubes we are for appreciating a politician who actually shows a little integrity while you're at it.

                  And please disregard my sigline.  It is in no way intended for you.

                  by cometman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:44:40 PM PDT

                  •  Did you wake up on the wrong side or what?

                    I'm shallow because I don't fall into a swoon over your pet candidate.

                    Call my friends to hide your comment? Why would I? What's in it that's so bad, aside from you showing that you come completely unhinged at someone saying they don't like Kucinich.

                    And you assume wrong, I don't care about how he looks. There's plenty of politicians I admire greatly who aran't going to win any beauty pageants. Some of them are short to. The very fact you assume that's my measure of what makes a good candidate just shows your shallow and primitive understanding of politics. Apparently you if a candidate is right on the issues, that's enough, and if they're right and people still don't like them than it's for callow and trivial reasons. What fucking bullshit.

                    I don't know why you feel the need to repeatedly slam me for daring to say I don't like Little Denny (a name that has nothing to do with his height, by the way). You seem to have a very disturbed and warped view of the world in which dissent with your views is some sort of deep personal slight. It's also a pretty damn shallow one

                    by Goldfish on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 05:51:04 PM PDT

                    •  I only slammed you once so far.

                      And it isn't so much for your criticisms of Kucinich as it is for your habit of jumping in diaries late and dropping little 'pearls of wisdom' all over the place telling others how stupid their views are and how deluded they must be to believe what they're saying.

                      I responded when you had only made one comment here.  I come back a couple hours later to find that you have quite predictably continued in your normal habits of insulting anyone who doesn't share your hallowed viewpoint.

                      by cometman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:01:34 PM PDT

                      •  Talk about shallow

                        Sorry, I have a life outside the internet. I don't always have the luxury of sitting on-line for hours on end. I post when I can. Sometimes I leave and come back. There's no statute of limitations on when I can post. What an absurd fucking complaint.

                        And what a shallow (and ironic) criticism too that I "insult" people who don't agree with me. First of all, I don't think I've insulted anyone on this thread. I've said I think their views are wrong, misguided, unbelievable etc. none of which amounts to a personal attack. In some case I've stated that bluntly, but in no way is this meant as a personal insult.

                        You seem to confuse disagreement with attack. Not surprising from someone who gratuitously slamed me no less than four times in your comment (the opening sentence, the strawman in paragraph four, your unhinged ramblings paragraph five, and your final remark) and then go on to lie about it.

                        You're pretty much guilty of doing everything you accuse me of, so your criticisms have all the credibility of George Bush giving lecturing on the rule of law. And your basic point seems to be because I don't love Kucinich I should sit down and shut up, and that when other people say things I find absurd I have no right to challenge them. What a petulant autocrat you are (ohhh, an insult someone call the manners cops).

                        by Goldfish on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 11:15:09 PM PDT

                  •  Shallow...

                    ... and troll-rate worthy, to boot.

                    by homoaffectional on Fri Jan 25, 2008 at 12:19:30 AM PDT

              •  Money and Exposure...

                First of all, I have a gut feeling that Dennis was in far more debates than he was ever excluded from.  There DOES come a time when the number of debaters needs to be trimmed to those meeting some minimal standard.  And I don't believe that Dennis ever registered at 5% in the polls.  So that's a problem not worthy of shedding any tears over.

                There's no denying that Kucinich is an "ideas type of guy" - and that's a good thing.  But he never translated those ideas into a national movement that could lead to electoral success.  And that's got little or nothing to do with "money and exposure."

                I recently read an article by Tom Hayden that made the exact same point.  Kucinich never moved beyond the "ideas" stage into the organizational stage that would allow him to wage a successful campaign.

                A final point that you're not going to like - but is nevertheless true - is that fact that RP (also considered a fringe candidate) has raised a considerable amount of money and has generated enough exposure to even run as a third-party candidate if he chose to do so.

                In the final analysis, a lot does boil down to money and media exposure.  But those are the attributes than a successful candidate is responsible for generating for themselves.  And if they don't - it's really hard to credibly blame others for that shortfall.

                by brentmack on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 05:19:09 PM PDT

                •  Thanks for the constructive criticism.

                  I had no illusions that Kucinich would become president and I'm not positive that he really covets the office the way other candidates usually do.

                  And I think you're right that Kucinich is an 'ideas type of guy'. I was hoping that his campaign would last a little longer so I would have someone to caucus for that I  actually supported, but more importantly so that his policy ideas would get at least some mainstream attention.  I was hoping that he would force some of the other candidates to move to the left somewhat.  He's succeeded a bit, but not nearly as much as I'd hoped.

                  I sincerely believe that unless the democratic party adopts positions like those Kucinich promotes which are favored by the american people like single payer healthcare, they will either continue to lose elections as progressive independent or third party candidates peel away votes, or even if they win they will cower before the republicans as the current Congress is doing because they aren't really all that progressive as Democrats to begin with.

                  I think you're right that Kucinich could have done more.  He could have had more of an internet presence for example.  But at the same time he did spend his campaign dollars on a recount in NH which for the sake of having transparency in elections, I think was a good investment.  He has been one of the few bringing attention to the problems with voting machines and election procedures and should be applauded for that IMO.

                  So yeah, his failures to capture the public's attention were not solely the fault of the media and lack of big money donors, although I still think that is a big part of it for him or any other candidate.  There are things he could have done to boost his campaign which he did not do.  But I honestly believe he cares more about fixing this country than he does about his own personal achievements.

                  by cometman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 07:48:05 PM PDT

        •  Also, would your reasoning...

          explain why Clinton and Obama haven't sponsored anything of substance lately at all?  

          They don't want to seem like they are showboating?

          by cometman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:45:38 PM PDT

          •  Clinton and Obama

            ...each have a legitimate chance of becoming the Democratic nominee.

            Kunicich doesn't and never did.

            by brittain33 on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:56:58 PM PDT

            •  So that's how one gets

              to be legitiate?

              Don't take positions on anything which might upset the apple cart?  Don't sponsor legislation the public might want if it means your corporate sponsors will shut off the money?  Speak out of both sides of your mouth in an effort to please everybody while having no intention of actually following through?

              Those are some real brave stances.

              And I'm still waiting to hear about the important legislation the frontrunners have sponsored lately.  I did hear Hillary got some money for a library in NY state one time through her legislation.  Is that what makes for presidential material?

              by cometman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:15:20 PM PDT

              •  Man, You're on fire! :) n/t

                by IamLorax on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:03:20 PM PDT

                •  I'm going to be even hotter

                  if the presidential race becomes a choice between corporate hacks, which appears to be happening.

                  My health insurance just went up.  My heating bill is astronomical.  My property taxes went up and we haven't even owned the house a year yet.  These things don't just happen by accident.

                  They happen because ridiculous little men start wars over oil rather than trying to come up with something new.  They happen because the healthcare industry lobbies Congress for ever more perks since they care more about the bottom line than actual human beings.  They happen because politicians who are bought and paid for give tax breaks to their corporate contributors meaning the rest of us have to pick up the slack.

                  Voting for one of these hacks only ensures that the status quo will continue and the middle class will continue to get the shaft.  

                  by cometman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:31:18 PM PDT

                  •  My feelings exactly. I am more than fed up

                    with the bulls*@t.

                    I have insurance but I don't have health care.  My son doesn't have health insurance or his much needed health care.  It ran out on him a month after he was severely injured during a robbery and left for dead at age 21.

                    I am fed up with welfare for the rich/screw the poor attitude.  I am fed up with the double standard in Washington:  gobs of compassion for the rich and the finger for the poor and working class.

                    I have had it!  They cough up money for every need of the rich but the sky is falling when we demand justice for all.

                    Now see, ya got me started!

                    by IamLorax on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:46:21 PM PDT

                    •  .

                      by cometman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:48:30 PM PDT

      •  Full Time Position

        he has managed to introduce bills pushing for impeachment and single payer healthcare

        True, but neither of those issues were going anywhere - Kucinich was just tossing red meat to activists. Can't blame his constituents for wanting someone to dig in to the day-to-day legislative process instead of indulging in vanity Presidential runs every 4 years.  

        by Realist2004 on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:41:37 PM PDT

        •  It wouldn't be just tossing red meat....

          if his sorry ass colleagues would do what the public wants.

          by cometman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:42:58 PM PDT

      •  true

        We need many many more like him if things are ever going to change.

        Exactly.

        by ACD on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:22:32 PM PDT

    •  He is serving by running for president

      There is always a conflict whenever a sitting official runs for a different office; are Obama and Clinton getting criticism for running for POTUS?  They don't have to worry right now because their terms aren't up, but are they serving their constituencies right now?   The "potholes" and "earmarks" and intercessions for constituents are less likely to happen.  But federal officeholders also serve the nation, and this Dennis Kucinich did very well, holding the Dem leadership's feet to the fire, attacking the Bush administration in ways Pelosi, and even John Conyers failed to do, and otherwise raised issues that needed to be raised, when it wasn't necessarily popular to do so.  So, though I am a Californian and will have little to say about this, I hope Kucinich's constituents return him to Congress and I will support him in that effort, if for no other reason than I think his presidential campaigns have served this entire country well.

      by Budlawman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:36:16 PM PDT

      •  ... and by pushing for impeachment

        Kucinich is one of the few Congresspeople who is doing his constitutional duty by pressing for the proper punishment for Cheney and Bush.  We need him in Congress, even those of us who consider him unsuitable for president.

        by Joe Buck on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:38:39 PM PDT

      •  Yes Obama and Hillary Are Getting Criticism

        Simply look through all the FISA liveblogs and you will see plenty.

        The problem with Kucinich is that he always is on these Quixotic national campaigns and not focusing on the needs of his constituents.

        Have you looked at any of his contenders? There are better options for his people.

        by baronzito on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:38:53 PM PDT

        •  His constituents don't need...

          affordable healthcare?

          I hadn't realized Cleveland had turned into Shangri-La....

          by cometman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:49:34 PM PDT

          •  Maybe they think

            they have a better chance of getting affordable health care with a representative in Congress who'll fight for it, instead of running in vanity campaigns?

            Just a thought.

            by Goldfish on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 05:54:45 PM PDT

            •  Wow, because Kucinich has been doing absolutely..

              .. NOTHING in Congress because you can't do anything in the three years between presidential election year cycles... nothing at all.  Hell, while we're at it, it's fair to say Hillary Clinton hasn't been doing much in between her two campaigns for Senate in New York ... ooops, sorry, she did manage to sneak voting for a war in there, somewhere -- my bad.  And she certainly hasn't accomplished shit between her reelection campaign and her current presidential campaign -- or should I say her presidential slash and burn crusade against anyone who stands in her way.

              by homoaffectional on Fri Jan 25, 2008 at 12:24:56 AM PDT

        •  I'm not impressed with Cimperman

          Again, I don't have the time or the inclination, frankly, to carefully research the two, but Kucinich has been a courageous advocate for workers, for the environment, against the war, and Cimperman's site seems MOR/liberal at most, not as progressive as Kucinich is. Cimpersan says he wants a phased withdrawal from Iraq, and doesn't mention the Employee Free Choice Act in his paragraph about working people, which should be legislative job #1 for workers when we have a Dem in the White House.  Kucinich has been on the presidential trail twice, not "always", and he has done well in terms of bringing important issues to the fore in those efforts, but he has also stepped up against the corporate interests in Ohio and Cleveland in the past, which would explain why other officials would oppose him.  I think he's capable of handling both, and I'm sure he will set aside his national ambitions now and focus on the local ones (and the national ones that are worthy of attention even from his position as a Congressman.

          by Budlawman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:49:40 PM PDT

          •  Really?

            I'm sure he will set aside his national ambitions now and focus on the local ones

            Like he did in 2004? Seriously, if my representative kept doing this, and I had legit options, I would look elsewhere.

            by baronzito on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:52:26 PM PDT

            •  That's what makes horse races, dude

              Lots of electeds run, and do so more than once.  (E.g., Biden, Lieberman, et al).  Sometimes it costs 'em, sometimes it doesn't.  I would look at the whole picture, including what good he did while running; given Kucinich's stances on 'most everything, I don't think I could do better, and I would welcome him running in my district, or even better, in one of my neighboring districts, inhabited by Jane Harman to the south, and Elton Gallegly to the north.

              by Budlawman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:57:44 PM PDT

              •  Biden Ran Decades Apart

                Kucinich basically spent his last three terms running.

                And Lieberman was a disgrace too for doing the same thing.

                by baronzito on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:59:45 PM PDT

                •  Lieberman was a disgrace for far more than that

                  His votes and stances on business and Iraq war issues, and his kissing up to Bush, for starters.

                  by Budlawman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:22:46 PM PDT

    •  Not Just Kucinich

      Obama and Clinton too. Running for President is a full time job. The only problem is that current congressional representatives, whether on the House or Senate side, already have a full time job.

      Dennis may have been derelict from his Congressional duties, but no more so than the rest of the crowd.

      by johninPortland on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 05:31:52 PM PDT

    •  Much, much more.

      Dennis is viewed in his district now as the son who didn't become a doctor.

      Not so long ago he walked upon the waters of the Ohio 10th.

      by Man in the Middle on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:53:35 PM PDT

  •  Not surprised that he may be in trouble

    It is one thing to run if you think you can win, but this is the second time he has run while holding down a full time job. I like him, but if he was my congressman, I would be upset. I wonder if Ron Paul will be in the same boat. I hope Dennis wins reelection, we need a voice like his in Congress, but he needs to focus on that job.  

    by Daveinsf on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:35:04 PM PDT

    •  But He Clearly Has No Interest In That

      His contenders, on the other hand, do.

      by baronzito on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:41:03 PM PDT

      •  If your only evidence that he "has no interest"

        is his run for other office, then your focus is too narrow.  You have decided he's in it for ego, when his campaign has in fact been focused on issues and less on atmosphere than some of his better-covered former competitors.  Of course there's ego involved, as there is with each and every person who runs for public office.  The question is, what will he do in the next two years, compared to what Cimperman or whoever else can be expected to do.  Answer: Kucinich, hands down.  Maybe he needs to pledge to get back into the nitty-gritty local stuff, but he has helped the debate and forcefully and appropriately taken wimpy Dem leadership to task; he will do Cleveland as well as the nation well by his reelection, better than any opponent could hope for.

        by Budlawman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:06:01 PM PDT

•  Less Elizabeth Kucinich

  sad

  by philgoblue on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:00:47 PM PDT

  •  Trust me, people in the teevee

    will invent any excuse to point their cameras on Elizabeth Kucinich.

    by maralenenok on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:14:10 PM PDT

    •  And I will love them for it...

      And really, that is the only reason I was upset to see Fred Thompson drop out.  His wife was a hottie too!

      by dwakeman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:22:21 PM PDT

      •  Old farts with hottie wives half their

        age.  Glad to see them go.

        by Montague on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:35:02 PM PDT

        •  With Thompson and Kucinich gone...

          I'm sorry but even after bypass surgery Bill Clinton just ain't that hot.

          by bobinson on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:40:46 PM PDT

          •  Yeah...

            I guess we are stuck with Judith until Mr. Muenster gets out after the Florida race.

            by dwakeman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:41:53 PM PDT

            •  You think she's hot? LOL n/t

              by Montague on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:12:19 PM PDT

              •  No...

                Maybe just the best of the lot.

                by dwakeman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:28:16 PM PDT

                •  She's think she's hot, anyway

                  Wore a princess tiara at her third wedding.

                  http://gothamist.com/...

                  by Montague on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:34:27 PM PDT

                  •  She's a loon....

                    That's why I love her.

                    by dwakeman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:43:48 PM PDT

                    •  She IS a loon

                      Those big wide eyes staring up at manful Rudy.

                      By the way, I liked that dress, and the tiara actually matched the shape of the necklane quite nicely... but I digress.

                      by Montague on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:50:59 PM PDT

                      •  Obviously you....

                        Know your way around a runway.

                        by dwakeman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:53:03 PM PDT

                        •  Oh yeah.... work it, baby n/t

                          by Montague on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:09:57 PM PDT

                          •  I would need a pedi...

                            Before I worked it too hard.

                            by dwakeman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:15:49 PM PDT

                            •  ROTFL! n/t

                              by Montague on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:18:08 PM PDT

                              •  I'm a bright red man...

                                by dwakeman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:22:11 PM PDT

                                •  I'm orange, myself

                                  by Montague on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:23:38 PM PDT

                                  •  Of course.

                                    Something I will need to go out and buy.

                                    by dwakeman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:25:23 PM PDT

                                    •  Vitamin C

                                      I'm just sayin'.

                                      by Montague on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:27:35 PM PDT

        •  One day...

          I hope to be one old fart with a hottie too!  

          by dwakeman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:41:04 PM PDT

          •  The big question is...

            are you male or female?  It's pretty one-sided, you know.

            by Montague on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:11:44 PM PDT

            •  Male...

              by dwakeman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:28:53 PM PDT

              •  Don't you feel guilty now?

                What's your opinion on the Ashton Kutcher-Demi Moore age spread?

                by Montague on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:35:11 PM PDT

                •  I have no problem with that...

                  What's good for the goose is good for the gander.  

                  by dwakeman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:42:30 PM PDT

                  •  Okay then :)

                    by Montague on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:49:22 PM PDT

                    •  How old are you..?

                      Let me know if I need to be Aston?

                      by dwakeman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:50:59 PM PDT

                      •  You probably do! n/t

                        by Montague on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:51:47 PM PDT

                        •  What's wrong with that?

                          by dwakeman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:53:37 PM PDT

                          •  Nothing at all

                            Ashton seems pretty damn happy.  What a lot of people don't realize about Christopher Asthon Kutcher is that his stepfather is at least a decade younger than his mother.  Doesn't appear unusual to him at all.

                            by Montague on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:08:59 PM PDT

                            •  I give very little thought to Ashton...

                              Demi on the other hand!  

                              I also read my horoscope!  

                              by dwakeman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:12:43 PM PDT

                              •  If it weren't that my town is full

                                of Kutchers and his uncle lives next door, I wouldn't give much thought, either.  Why can't I live next door to Jensen Ackles' uncle?

                                by Montague on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:22:27 PM PDT

                                •  Now that I know he has a 15 year age difference

                                  I am proud but not worried.  I typically go 6-10 years older than me.  

                                  So you are in Iowa?  

                                  by dwakeman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:24:48 PM PDT

                                  •  Ioway as we call it at times

                                    I'm afraid the next-door neighbor is already taken.  Darn it.

                                    by Montague on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:27:12 PM PDT

                                    •  That must be up the road a bit, huh?

                                      I guess I don't even have to ask what you kids do out there for fun.  

                                      by dwakeman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:28:58 PM PDT

                                      •  Cow tipping

                                        When we can find a cow.  Mostly there's corn.  Hence, corn tipping.

                                        by Montague on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:33:22 PM PDT

                                        •  Sounds like fun...

                                          I will keep my blue Manhattan.

                                          by dwakeman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:35:20 PM PDT

                                          •  Oh right make me jealous why doncha

                                            [searches for cow to tip]

                                            by Montague on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:41:21 PM PDT

                                            •  I'm sure there are more fun things to do....

                                              I have been to Iowa.  I know you can go to that Field of Dreams place and do some baseball stuff.  

                                              by dwakeman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:54:58 PM PDT

                        •  Or am I more...

                          The dirty old man?

                          by dwakeman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:16:27 PM PDT

    •  Trust me, Elizabeth Kucinich

      will invent any excuse to get in front of a tv camera.

      by MissLaura on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:10:47 PM PDT

      •  Why shouldn't she?

        The woman has been fighting for the environment since she was 12 years old and is very passionate about the threat of global warming -- as should we all be. Meanwhile, I'm getting emails about petitions to sign asking that the candidates be asked about global warming -- of over 1200 questions asked, only 3 have been on that subject.

        by jqb on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:47:33 PM PDT

        •  What on earth

          do passion about the threat of global warming and passion about getting your face on tv have to do with each other?

          by MissLaura on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 05:37:50 PM PDT

          •  I guess

            that if you have passion to get your face on tv, you can use your face time to talk about global warming.

            I mean, I guess, I was pretty confused by that transition too.

            by Goldfish on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 05:59:17 PM PDT

            •  What confusion? You stated it rather clearly.

              MissLaura's claim, on which we are supposed to trust her, is a  falsehood and a smear. To the degree that Elizabeth Kucinich tries to get on TV, which isn't all that much, it can be explained by her desire to communicate her concerns, not some sort of personal vanity or other pettiness of the sort that MissLaura displays here.

              by jqb on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 06:25:29 PM PDT

              •  Thanks, confusion gone

                Your point is valid, though I hardly agree with your criticisms of MissLaura.

                by Goldfish on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 07:14:11 PM PDT

                •  Nope.

                  See my comment below.

                  by MissLaura on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:50:48 PM PDT

              •  Certainly. Her habit of sitting

                in House committee hearing positioned relative to people testifying such that she makes it into the shots of them is all about her desire to communicate her concerns about global warming. Indeed.

                by MissLaura on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:50:21 PM PDT

                •  As both maralenok and LaFajita pointed out,

                  the camera seeks her out. Your claim is factually incorrect and speaks very poorly of you.

                  by jqb on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 11:10:43 PM PDT

                  •  At debates, perhaps.

                    But, if you read what I wrote, I was speaking of another specific form of event, which is different from the examples I saw giving.

                    At House hearings, the cameras are fairly fixed, and she sits as directly in their frame as possible. This isn't a matter of being sought out by cameras, it's a matter of seeking them out.

                    I've also seen more than one interview on YouTube in which, as a camera panned around her husband as he was being interviewed, she moved to stay consistently in the shot. Literally over a period of minutes adjusting her position in relation to him so that she would always be in frame.

                    I'm sorry if you don't like to hear it.

                    by MissLaura on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 11:20:31 PM PDT

                    •  As I said, you're factually incorrect

                      and it speaks very poorly of you.

                      by jqb on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 11:22:16 PM PDT

      •  But did you see that Daily Show bit

        where they showed how CNN or some other network showed shots of EK during a debate when it wasn't relevant at all?

        by maralenenok on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 04:39:56 PM PDT

        •  It wasn't EK who was trying to get on TV there.

          MissLaura's statement is a vicious and petty lie.

          by jqb on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 06:26:45 PM PDT

      •  She doesn't need an excuse

        Like any stunningly beautiful woman, she does not need to seek out the camera. The camera seeks her out, because cameramen, like most men, like to look at pretty girls. But do not blame the cameraman. Blame the microphone operator, who gives voice to that big brain between those pretty ears.

        by LaFajita on Fri Jan 25, 2008 at 05:11:48 AM PDT

        •  Personally, I don't find her beautiful,

          although her red hair against pale skin is certainly striking, especially with the sorts beautiful unbusinesslike clothes she wears, she's tall, and she's a lot younger than her husband, which draws attention. But most attractive is indeed her intelligence and her passion about climate change and other important issues ... in contrast to the petty and frankly pathological garbage said about her upthread.

          by jqb on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 11:20:31 PM PDT

    •  She's at least as smart as she is attractive.

      I heard her speak, and loved it when she said "I'm a policy wonk, and so is Dennis".

      by jqb on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:44:16 PM PDT

•  Short, but interesting, like Kucinich

  Is this long enough to be a diary?

  by science first on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:01:01 PM PDT

  •  Does Kucinich merit lengthier discusssion?

    ?

    by Trapper John on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:01:48 PM PDT

    •  Are you sure he's not

      headed to Texas toi check on the UFO reports?

      by Mike S on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:09:22 PM PDT

      •  Not Texas...

        ...Roswell, New Mexico!

        by Randall Sherman on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:17:15 PM PDT

        •  Texas

          Space News
          Learn more about RSS
          By Angela K. Brown

          updated 5:51 p.m. PT, Mon., Jan. 14, 2008
          STEPHENVILLE, Texas - In this farming community where nightfall usually brings clear, starry skies, residents are abuzz over reported sightings of what many believe is a UFO.

          Several dozen people — including a pilot, [a Presidential Candidate], county constable and business owners — insist they have seen a large silent object with bright lights flying low and fast. Some reported seeing fighter jets chasing it.

          by Mike S on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:20:52 PM PDT

          •  After denying any military

            aircraft were involved, the military reversed itself and admitted to "training exercises" with F-16's. All over the morning news out of Dallas today.

            by temptxan on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:32:50 PM PDT

            •  LOL

              Large silent craft.  I may just be a military veteran, war history/information junkie, and husband of an Air Force aircraft mechanic, but methinks that F-16's aren't anywhere in the neighborhood of "silent".

              by nomadchad on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:40:51 PM PDT

            •  You'd almost think they were using the UFO

              ....news to hide something.

              by MNPundit on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:06:21 PM PDT

      •  Reagan saw UFOs. Get serious.

        Take the test to see how YOU and YOUR candidate(s) compare to Kucinich:

        see my signature line.

        by LNK on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:39:35 PM PDT

        •  And we all know

          How great Reagan was for the country.

          by Goldfish on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 06:04:58 PM PDT

      •  Fine. Crack jokes about him.

        To hell with anyone who wants to actually help the American people, right?  We can't have true progressives in office, because that's too goddamned crazy!

        by stridergambit on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:46:55 PM PDT

      •  Stupid Faux News comment.

        Kucinich said that he saw something flying and couldn't identify it -- that's all.

        by jqb on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:52:40 PM PDT