Kucinich says front-loaded calendar helps him

BEDFORD, N.H. -- Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich, who was campaigning today in New Hampshire for the Democratic presidential nomination, said the front-loaded nature of the primary calendar next year will help non-establishment candidates like himself.

At the Politics and Eggs breakfast in Bedford, Kucinich was asked how he viewed the changing schedule in which over 20 states will hold primaries two weeks after New Hampshire. Traditionally these primaries have been spread out over a few months.

“I like the way this is headed,” said Kucinich.

He said that party establishment may have had time to recover and defeat insurgent winners of New Hampshire primaries in the past, such as Gary Hart, Pat Buchanan and John McCain. But he said the new schedule of primaries means the establishment forces will have less time to exert their influence.

“When I run strong in New Hampshire and win New Hampshire it will propel me to be the nominee,” said Kucinich.

A CNN/WMUR poll of likely New Hampshire Democratic primary voters showed Kucinich only with marginal support.