Kucinich Launches Another Presidential Bid

Ohio Democrat Says Campaign Fueled By 'Frustration' With Party's Efforts On Iraq

(AP)  Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich launched his second bid for president on Tuesday, a long-shot candidacy fueled by his frustration with his party's effort to end the Iraq war.

"I am not going to stand by and watch thousands more of our brave, young men and women killed in Iraq," Kucinich said to applause from a crowd gathered at City Hall. "We Democrats were put back in power to bring some sanity back to our nation.

"We were expected to do what we said we were going to do — get out of Iraq."

Kucinich is a six-term, liberal congressman from Cleveland whose presidential candidacy in 2004 made headlines more for his bachelorhood than his policies. This time around Kucinich has a wife.

Kucinich, 60, said he was inspired to run because he disagrees with the way some of his fellow Democrats are handling the war, including approval of a proposal to spend $160 billion more on the conflict.

Kucinich joins Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, a fellow Democrat, in declaring his candidacy for the presidential nomination.

New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is considered the party's front-runner, closely followed by Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. Neither has announced runs.

In 2004, Kucinich posted single digits in most primary elections, including his home state, yet stayed in the race.

He celebrated his bachelorhood on the campaign trail, telling New Hampshire audiences that he was seeking a mate. Women vied for a date with him during an online contest, but nothing romantic evolved from Kucinich's breakfast date with the winner. It did earn him appearances on late-night comedy talk shows.

Last year he married Elizabeth Harper. He won re-election to his House seat in 2006 with 66 percent of the vote, basing his campaign on job creation and criticizing rising gas prices. He also was an outspoken critic of his own party, saying Democrats have lost their soul by moving away from liberal ideals.

Kucinich was elected mayor of Cleveland at age 31, the youngest leader of a major American city. He also became the mayor of the first city since the Great Depression to go into default.

[joeshields56]

Don't count Kucinich out. 80% of the country now understands that we have no business in Iraq and need to get out NOW. ("We can't there will be a blood bath"... right, and how did we prevent the blood bath that took place today.)

Even with the new Iraq panel report, and the newly elected Democrats in Congress... most of our leaders still are not getting it. They are still running around saying "peace with honor or some such nonsense". The closer we get to '08 and we are still not out of Iraq, the better and better Kucinich is going to look. The man has brains and has guts. People are dying, and our country is going to hell in a handbasket. While other candidates are being coy or immaturely playing with "Bears", Kucinich understands the seriousness and the urgency of the situation. No games, he simply stood up and with a determined look on his face entered the ring. Seems to me we could use a "scrapper" like Kucinich running our country right about now. Reminds me of Harry Truman.

[randalds]

I don't think he can win, but his is a voice we need to hear. He was right about everything he said in opposition to the war in Iraq and he's right that we need to bring the troops home ASAP. this is a war that could not be won since before the first shot was fired. It's time to admit that it's lost and get the f*ck out.

[tibu987]

I am so disillusioned by all politicians. Arrogant feeders at the government trough, corrupt, yet exalted by their cohorts, magalomania feeding on megalomania, all that matters to them is their positions in government and how they can preserve those positions.
It matters little what the average American does or thinks, they are secure in their surroundings with others of their corrupted ilk.
In all my years, I have never felt so strongly as I do now about the complete lack of honor and common sense among the pols in Washington.

[jetauma]

At last, Intelligence and Reason enter into politics!

[mjv2944]

Kucinich at least had guts enough to tell the truth and not go along with Dubya and Deadeye ***** war. Dubya is living proof that you CAN'T FIX STUPID!!!!!!

[kaliveotin]

We all thought Dennis Kucinich was a little out there four years ago. Now we all know he was right, like McCovern in 1972. The Idiot above who disrespectfully called him a "little dweeb" is right about one thing, Kucinich has little or no chance to become president, even though he was one of a very few who was right about what would happen in Iraq. Remember, this is The United States of America, we elected Richard Nixon twice; Once over Hubert Humphrey, the only politician to support a full employment goal, and then again over George McGovern who was also right when the thousands dying in Vietnam
would be remembered as having died in vain. Dennis Kucinich was one of two democrats, along with Carol Mosely Braun, who years ago called for a single payer health plan to cover all americans. Give em hell Dennis!

[randalds]

Yeah I was going to say something there before I read the last sentence. I mean it's never a good idea to underestimate just how stupid Bush is. Every time I think he can't say or do something even dumber he goes and shows me that he can. Stupidity like his knows no depths. It's like a dark, bottomless pit.

[bluestardad]

This little dweeb is just raising money and then he keeps it cause he does not have a chance to become president even bush is not stupid enough to vote for him. well maybe that is a stretch.

[randalds]

The more the merrier. Though I really don't think he has a chance of winning the nomination as he's a bit too left for the mainstream. He's a lot closer to the mainstream then any republican will give him credit for as I have always believed that, in their heart of hearts, most Americans are liberal democrats and the "center" has shifted considerably left in the last few years (Thanks George!). I'm still looking for an Obama/Edwards or Edwards/Obama ticket to take the White House away from the republicans and keep flip flop, sell out McCain out of it.