A stroll with Dennis

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich moved at a brisk pace down the street. Like many presidential candidates, he had just held an event at the Merrimack Restaurant. But unlike most candidates he didn't stop in at Lulu's Hungarian Bakery. He didn't stop to shake hands with the lunch-time crowd in City Hall plaza. His right hand was occupied holding his wife Elizabeth's hand.

One Passerby commented that they "seemed to be in their own world". A Democratic state representative crossing the street said the recently married couple reminded him of Ronald and Nancy Reagan except that "it was him looking up longingly to her, not the other way around."

Also unlike other Democratic presidential candidates, he refused to wear a union sticker calling for universal health care because it did not specify whether or not it supports a private or public health care system. (Kucinich supports a fully government-run public system.)

Eventually Kucinich reached the Red Arrow Diner. As he was walking in an aide told him that "you totally own this place". Many others might disagree. He entered with a smile, let go of his wife's hand, and began meeting with diners.

He told one woman "your shirt says DKNY. I am DKUS" referring to his and the country's initials.

As he was about to leave, the same aide announced to the packed diner that the next president of the United States was in the room.

"Oh yeah, what's your name," one diner yelled out.

"Dennis Kucinich," the candidate responded.

"You buying lunch for everyone?" another asked.

"Well, when I am president I'll give everyone free health care," he said.