Kucinich: Back Obama if I’m not viable

[blayne]

Source: CNN

DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) — Dennis Kucinich urged supporters Tuesday to make Barack Obama their second choice in the Iowa caucuses, an unexpected boost in the closing days of this wide open race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Kucinich told backers to vote for him on the first ballot Thursday, but instructed them to support Obama if he did not reach the 15 percent threshold needed to be viable in the caucuses.

-snip-

With Obama competing with Hillary Clinton and John Edwards for every vote, Kucinich’s support could potentially be critical in Thursday night’s caucuses.

Kucinich did not fully endorse Obama, and said this statement only pertains to the Iowa caucuses, and only if he does not reach viability on the first ballot Thursday.



Read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/01/kucinich-back-obama-if-i%e2%80%99m-not-viable/

---

Wow. This has me rethinking my choice. Maybe we do need a change.

[liberalnurse]

1. Kucinich reminds me of some televangelist minister

who preaches from a remodeled, defunk 1950's Drive-In.

[grahamhgreen]

7. This would be your "personal attack" tactic

[liberalnurse]

12. No, just my objective opinion.

O8)

[olddad56]

28. if that was an objective opinion, you think like a republican

[Pastiche423]

43. Be careful

She loves tasers.

[liberalnurse]

56. I see you learned your lesson well.

O8)

[Pastiche423]

58. That you have a sadistic side?

[TheWatcher]

60. Don't Tase Me Bro.

:eyes:

[ticapnews]

14. I saw him a couple of times in 2003/4 and made a similar analogy

He speaks like one of those revivalist preachers. It's not a negative comment. I'm not saying he has the same values as the preacher, but that he has the same speaking style. It is very effective and he's one of the few politicians that doesn't give the standard speech that is mostly drivel, with a few sound bites and a couple of punctuation marks where the crowd comes alive. When he spoke at the Portland, Maine caucus in 2004, even the people who weren't there to vote for him gave him enthusiastic applause.

[superkia]

29. No, it happens all the time here, people just try to belittle certain...

candidates kind of like the media does. Its almost like they are puppets of the media and only repeat negative things about the candidates the media wants hidden. It would be ok if they posted negative facts or issues about a candidate but you know how Americans are nowadays, always trying to bring someone down so they look better or their candidate looks better, we cant decide on the issues because we are so dumbed down and brainwashed by the boob tube.

If someone is going to reply to a post with nothing about the post, they should at least do it by pointing out something the candidate has done or voted on, not just school yard bully tactics to make themselves fell better? That way everyone can learn something valuable to who will lead our children's future, not just outlook on a persons look.

I know, I know, if we did things in a mature, thought out manner, our country would probably be in better shape. It gives you an idea of why we are where we are today, enabling corrupt politicians to destroy our lives.

[taylor egv420106]

86. Well Perhaps

If DK had spent more than eight seconds in the state prior to the primary his offer would be considered worth something.

[emilyg]

2. Dupe

[Inspired]

3. Wow....all 2 of them? n/t

[taylor egv420106]

16. Oh come on

No way does DK have 2 supporters in Iowa.

[Inspired]

22. lol!

[liberalnurse]

55. Exactly...he is commanding his flock

to go feed in the Obama pasture in Iowa on Thursday.

[leftcoastie]

4. This makes me sad..

In my estimation, John Edwards is the "viable" top-tier Kucinich-like candidate.

Obama put his support to Joe Lieberman instead of Ned Lamont. If Obama is the candidate I will have to vote for him but he's DLC lite and would not be a real fighter (like John) for the little guy. He actually spouts republican talking points saying Social Security is broke (and doesn't say WHY) and how it could be fixed, he doesn't seem to like our elder wisdom much, had an anti-gay pastor appear with him and he's calling Edwards a "trial lawyer" without a definition. I'm sorry Barack is a light-weight right now, he's got a long way to improve in my eyes.

[grahamhgreen]

8. I'm curious about the health-care plans of the two...

From what I understand, Kucinich and Obama have the only two, true 'single-payer' health plans (i.e., all money is pooled and companies compete to get it), whereas the others (Edwards too) have a plan that forces you to buy insurance on your own which gives you no bargaining power, especially if you are sick (and is, in effect, a tax that you have to pay a corporation).

[benny05]

19. Where did you get your information?

That's not true about Obama, other than he doesn't have a mandate, which means UHC will never happen.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

20. And a mandate will sink like a stone with voters

This could be a General election loser for us.

[benny05]

31. Sounds like a RW talking point

But it's your opinion.

UHC is the number one priority for all Americans after the Iraq war. I think they want it.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

65. They don't want to be forced to buy private insurance

That is NOT universal health care. You can accuse me of using RW talking points all you want, I'm just telling you how it will be spun. A Dem candidate who promotes mandates could very well lose the election because of it.

[cyclezealot]

50. just read the Edwards healthcare plan on his website

I see no mention of a non profit competitor to profit healthcare companies some refer to. He talks of expanded medicaid and creation of new healthcare markets, whatever that means. That will leave insurance companies in charge. Not good enough. No thanks. Go to his website. That is what it said to me.

[mac2]

68. Kucinich backs Obama?

Is Obama's health care plan better than Edwards?

Why isn't Kucinich backing Edwards?

Did Obama promise Kucinich VP or a good job if he is elected President? Obama is a Globalist and Faith Based crony.

Frankly Kucinich has disppointed me again.

[cyclezealot]

51. just read the Edwards healthcare plan on his website

I see no mention of a non profit competitor to profit healthcare companies some refer to. He talks of expanded medicaid and creation of new healthcare markets, whatever that means. That will leave insurance companies in charge. Not good enough. No thanks. Go to his website. That is what it said to me.

[cyclezealot]

52. just read the Edwards healthcare plan on his website

I see no mention of a non profit competitor to profit healthcare companies some refer to. He talks of expanded medicaid and creation of new healthcare markets, whatever that means. That will leave insurance companies in charge. Not good enough. No thanks. Go to his website. That is what it said to me.

[October]

39. Me, too.

Obama has disappointed me. I'm sad to see DK throw support to him. "Obama-bots" (self-described) are all over these threads bashing Dems left and right.

I'm trying to believe in him, but Obama is anything but progressive. He talks about change (as if that's NEW?) and writes about hope as if it's a new concept (Doesn't anyone recall Bill Clinton talking about a boy from Hope, Arkansas? Hello?) but I digress. Obama's quasi-right-wing-talking-points scare me. Did he really vote "present"? Oh, and his anti-gay headliners, and all the name-calling of other Dems is just horrible. We don't need Dems like him. (Lieberman, anyone?)

What amazes me most is how all his supporters here on DU scream "GOP tactics" to anyone who challenges Obama or posts one of his quotes. They're calling everyone who questions Obama "republican lite," etc. It's so Orwellian. There's only name-calling from Obama AND his supporters. No discussion. They just pounce on anyone who doesn't agree.

He's fallen from grace in my book these last few weeks. And it's been a free-fall. I keep hoping he'll redeem himself -- but he's only getting worse. Someone stop him, already! He's really ticking me off.

I'm one who will vote for the Dem nominee. I don't love any ONE candidate, but I like most of our candidates for different reasons. Someone tell me why I should like Obama.

[cali]

53. the same old shit. Phony shit at that.

Obama like virtually every other dem in the Senate supported Lieberman in the primary. That's the way the Senate works. You dishonestly leave out that Obama supported Ned in the general- not Lieberman. And Obama does not spout right wing talking points. A light weight? Hardly. Unlike JE, Obama has walked the walk, not merely talked the talk. JE was the ultimate DLCer as a Senator. Now he's the ultimate populist. He's the light weight. And a hypocrite to boot.

[mac2]

69. I agree leftcoastie

[lvx35]

5. You're not viable Dennis.

in general. But I didn't think that was what your campaign was about, I thought it was about making a stand whether we win or not. I guess not.

[liberalnurse]

57. The Kucinich Campaign is about his

sociopath, narcissistic ego........This is the only time he deals. It's an all or none mentality the rest of the time.

Example, the House vote to bring home the troops in a predictable process. He votes "No" to have them all home now. The concept is selfish and resolved nothing...the troops remain in a false war for the pleasure of the president. Kucinich wouldn't deal, or negotiate for the troops....it did not serve his ego.

[superconnected]

6. Where do I find a democratic lawmaker with a spine? Do they exist?

[tired_old_fireman]

9. I don't get it.

I understand if he were trading with Obama. Since it isn't a trade, it appears like Kucinich isn't even trying to compete in Iowa. Doesn't that take away some of his credibility as a viable candidate when he wants to be included in future debates?

[grahamhgreen]

10. I'll do it. Maybe this means Kucinich has a place in his cabinte - Sec. of Peace.

[mac2]

70. Does Dennis

really believe Obama would bring us peace? Not me.

[peoli]

11. Kudos to Kucinich

for making a statement for change. He knows that the reality is that its going to be Obama or Clinton in the end and he is showing everyone how big his balls are by saying Hillary does not represent change.

[humbled_opinion]

18. I think that is right on the mark..

The Real Change is Obama... Clinton is a Bush minime
:bounce:

[goclark]

21. Agree, Dennis is a smart man

[mac2]

71. Dennis is a smart man

so if he had his sights on the White House why did he pick to marry a Brit? She's a bit over the top. His support of Obama a bit strange also.

[Skittles]

49. ??

male body parts are NOT REQUIRED FOR COURAGE

[anitar1]

13. Very sad,imho. Sometimes we make mistakes Dennis

is not who I thought he was. Sorry about that .

[taylor egv420106]

15. Wow, so except for the three counties DK gets delegates

Everyone else goes to Obama? That adds four or five people to his total.

[JoFerret]

17. Wrong move Dennis.

Sorry to see him do this.

[sellitman]

23. Kucinich lost my vote over the Ron Paul fiasco

Now he has lost respect.

Too bad to. His ideas are closer to Edwards IMHO

[superkia]

30. Why is that when Kucinich does something, he loses respect...

and is out of the picture for so many but when you look at what some of the other candidates have done and said, they get free passes? Are Americans really that dumbed down and brainwashed? So there is a vote for a war that has no evidence, one candidate speaks out on the floor about the fact that there is no evidence and that everything they do have is old and outdated, other candidates ignore the facts and decide to go to war for oil and kill hundreds of thousands while destroying a WHOLE COUNTRY and yet Americans say thats ok and give them a free pass? Kill innocent people for oil and DUers support you, make a comment about supporting a certain candidate in 1 state because you feel that 1 candidate needs to beat out another and you lose all respect and support?

You people aren't so bright when it comes to making rational decisions and I hope you don't have children because they are probably going to be some warped people when they get older. There decision making will at least be pretty strange?

Its frustrating sometimes around here but you all do make me laugh and feel good when I see that there are allot of people in this world that make me feel like a genius.

America, the brainwashed and dumbed down!

[sellitman]

40. Who gave the other candidates a free pass?

For one who calls others "dumbed down and brainwashed" you certainly have a high opinion of yourself.

[mac2]

72. Dennis deserves our respect.

He is still the only one who stepped forward on impeachment, to prevent the Iraq war, and demand our Constitution back.

His support of Obama a bit strange.

What did his brother die of anyway?

[Pastiche423]

44. johnnyboy lost my respect

when he co-sponored the deaths of over a million innocent men, women, children and babies.

[Freddie Stubbs]

24. IF he's not viable?

:rofl:

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

48. Took the words right out of my mouth; n/t

[Maryland Liberal]

25. Say it aint so Dennis

You still have my vote

[Emillereid]

26. I'm surprised. I thought his support would go to Edwards who is more liberal

than Obama.

[cali]

54. Edwards record is far more conservative than

Obama's. Far more.

[Emillereid]

82. In the Senate yes, but of late he has seemed much more progressive.

[mac2]

73. Me too

Emillreid.

[eridani]

27. Fucking stupid move, Dennis

Just because you are still pissed about that narrowing the debates conversation that you overheard is no reason not to back the candidate who has moved furthest in your direction. Not to mention which, you boost the chances of a brokered convention by backing the third place candidate among frontrunners.

[superkia]

32. Could it be that he truly feels that he has no chance and wants...

America to elect who he thinks would be the best? Probably not, you guys all probably know what he is thinking and what his motivation was, so I will step out. I am amazed at some of the things said around here, there is no way people actually think this shit through before posting.

[eridani]

42. No, he's just pissed at Edwards for negotiating to exclude him from the debates

The best chance for delegates to have some actual power over the party would be a brokered convention. We'd have REAL power--we wouldn't just be bit players in a pageant. The best chance of getting that would be for Kucinich to support the third-ranked in the polls nationally, which would be Edwards. Not to mention which, Edwards has moved much farther toward Kucinich politically than Obama has.

[mac2]

74. Shame on Edwards for that.

[avaistheone1]

77. Shame on Kuchinich for that

Kucinich should be thinking about doing what is best for the American people - rather than playing tit for tat with John Edwards.

I am very disappointed in Dennis today.

[mac2]

78. No I mean shame on Edwards for leaving Kucinich out of the debate

[stimbox]

33. Please read this line people...

Kucinich did not fully endorse Obama, and said this statement only pertains to the Iowa caucuses, and only if he does not reach viability on the first ballot Thursday.

[October]

35. It's still very disappointing on so many levels

[Le Taz Hot]

37. It's still really counter-intuitive.

Why Obama? Other than Hillary, a candidate doesn't GET more corporate. Of all of the candidates I would think it should have been Edwards. But Obama? I agree with the poster above, I just lost ALL respect for the guy. :puke:

[stimbox]

38. It's strategery, heh.

Maybe he's trying to knock Edwards down and then pick up the Edwards' vote in NH?
There is method to his madness I think. It's only the 2nd ballot, not the whole election.

[Le Taz Hot]

45. But to announce it TWO DAYS

before the caucus? Nope. Something does NOT smell right here.

He just sunk his candidacy as we all know how the MSM is going to treat this and how the public is going to perceive it -- that Kucinich has thrown in the towel. Additionally, I actually think this HELPS Edwards in the rest of the states as as I do not see Kucinich supporters backing Obama. Kucinich had already lost my support with the Ron Paul thing but the other two voters in my household who were still going to vote Kucinich are now throwing their support to Edwards.

[NikolaC]

63. Agreed

Sadly, people only see what they want to see. I was not thrilled with the Obama choice, however he is in the top three in Iowa and there may be other reasons that we are not aware of. Just another case of morons piling on Kucinich for doing what he thinks is right. He will continue to get my support regardless. We know where he stands, too bad many do not know or care, it is their loss. Continue the smears and piling on since that is what most of you are determined to do. I just pity you your ignorance and inability to move past politics as usual. Keep thinking inside the box, it has worked so well for the US up until now :sarcasm: .

[mac2]

79. You think there may be reasons we don't know

about why Obama is a choice in Iowa therefore it is OK. What would that be? Is it good not to know in a democracy?

[rockybelt]

34. Well that sure as hell disappoints me

Kucinich as given up and wants us to put our support to a man who cannot win. I was hoping he would put his support with Edwards. I am dumbfounded.

[JanusAscending]

46. Why can't Obama win????

My biggest fear is that when he does win, the "MORANS" will assassinate him ? These people are ruthless ! Are you among them?

[rockybelt]

64. Oh God no!

I may have been a little strong when I said he can't win. The wind went out of my sails when Kucinich gave up. I just don't think he will win the nomination. I believe Edwards will win which is fine with me.

[mac2]

76. What?

That comment about assassinate Obama because a person doesn't support him is out of place.

[JanusAscending]

85. Sorry, but that's not what I meant at all !!

I was refering to the "MORANS" in this posters' bio! ie ignorant bigots, and that I hoped this wasn't the case with a lot of "anti Obamites" !!

[Sultana]

36. .

thanks DK.

:applause:

[Dover]

41. Probably more strategy than endorsement...n/t

[sasquatch]

47. Didn't he do the same in 2004 but for Edwards

[Californian Dreamer]

59. He did

And I'm disappointed that he isn't doing the same this time around. But I think he's more worried about Clinton winning than Edwards losing, and sees Obama as the best bet for that.

I don't know how this all will play out in the end, but for now I'll just think of this as better odds that Clinton comes in 3rd instead of 2nd place. ;)

[caseycoon]

61. This freaked me out, but maybe..

it's more of a stop Hillary Clinton move than a support Barack Obama thing.
:shrug:

[fightindonkey]

62. zzzz. Yes, Obama Then Lose Election So I Can Run Again

lol.

[mhatrw]

66. Why Edwards instead of Dean last election and Obama instead of Edwards this election?

Because Kucinich is nothing but a pressure release valve for true progressive sentiment within the Democratic Party.

[mac2]

75. Dean

didn't have a chance to win the primary even though the media was giving it to him. He lied about supporting the war. He supports Globalization, etc.

Edwards had a better chance and was more Progressive than Dean. Dean is a DLCer.

[mhatrw]

81. That doesn't answer the question of why Edwards in 2004 but not 2008. n/t

[JNelson6563]

67. And some wonder why many don't take him seriously

He obviously doesn't take his own campaign all that seriously. Oy.

Dennis, head back to the House and do what you do best before thine image is that of a mere clown.

Julie

[sakabatou]

80. .

[99th_Monkey]

83. Sorry Dennis, I'm voting for Edwards if you're not "viable". I'm not a Kucinichbot.

I'm a Kucinich supporter, but this announcement troubles me. WTF? Obama wants to "unite" us all right, unite us to
attack Iran and Pakistan. screw Dennis on this one.

[ohio2007]

84. He's not viable eom

He wants a department of peace... ?

What does that do?
decide how much foreign aid we give to those "who hate us and all we stand for" in return for not attacking us...for awhile ?

dunno
Sounds like an acid trip back to the 60's
jmo, A department of peace will never get as much clout as the department of agriculture