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Kucinich focuses on New Hampshire

Email|Link|Comments (17) Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor January 2, 2008 11:38 AM

Democrat Dennis Kucinich, who has all but conceded the Iowa caucuses, is ramping up for the New Hampshire primary.

He told his Iowa supporters Tuesday that if at their precinct on Thursday, they don't reach the 15 percent threshold of all those in attendance, they should back Barack Obama as their second choice.

Today, he is starting to air his first TV ads in New Hampshire, calling himself a "real Democrat" and outlining his views on foreign policy and a government-run healthcare system. Radio versions began airing Tuesday, when his campaign said it also sent more than 200,000 automated phone messages to Democratic and independent voters.

"It is important for voters to know what I stand for, and that my vision and ideas for the future of our great country includes all Americans," Kucinich said in a statement.

While his rivals campaign in Iowa, Kucinich plans to be in New Hampshire the rest of the week, leading up to the Jan. 8 primary. In the new CNN/WMUR poll, the Ohio congressman is in sixth place with 2 percent, far behind the leaders, HiIlary Clinton with 34 percent and Barack Obama with 30 percent.

"We have an opportunity here in New Hampshire in this last week to create genuine excitement among voters looking for a Real Democrat," said Kucinich. "People are finding that I am tough and independent-minded, and that I can't be bought or bossed."

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17 comments so far...

You go Dennis! I believe in you and in true democracy. There are still 49 states to go after Iowa.

Posted by jeri January 2, 08 12:40 PM

I don't think that Kucinich is serious about this campaign at all. I think he's doing what he did last time around. He's collecting money with low expactation of expenditure on this presidential campaign and then using the money to run for his congressional seat which is perfectly fine and legal to do. Actually, Hillary used her Senate money for running for president.
It's important that people see that he's using this presidential platform though to raise money from all over the US for his future in politics. Which again.. if fine to do and common.

Posted by lynn tulumello January 2, 08 12:54 PM

Not lynn,
he is very serious.
the only one who voted against Iraq, the patriot act, war with Iran
He is the only true progressive democrat and you know it.
Do you really think he planned on losing in 2204?
Thats nuts.

Posted by Anna January 2, 08 02:01 PM

Here's an idea for a new strategy for the Dennis Kucinich campaign in New Hampshire:

If you prefer to vote for a current member of Congress, you may choose between Dennis Kucinich, Ron Paul, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, Mike Gravel, John McCain and and Barack Obama.

Now if you wish to vote for a bona fide, hard-working, shirt-sleeves "person of the house" in the tradition of Tip O'Neill, simply choose between Reps. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio and Ron Paul of Texas.

But if you feel more comfortable voting for a respectable current member of the Senate, you have these fine candidates to choose from: Sens. Joe Biden of Delaware, Hillary Clinton of New York, Chris Dodd of Connecticut, Mike Gravel of Alaska, John McCain of Arizona and Barack Obama of Illinois. And don't forget that former senator from North Carolina, John Edwards.

So either split your votes up among these half dozen distinguished members of "the Great Deliberative Body" or simply make up your minds about whether you want Dennis Kucinich or Ron Paul to be your next President.

And to be fair, try to make it an even split between the House team and the Senate group. For this would be a considerable boost to the two House guys in the 2008 presidential race!

(Okay, okay, Shirley! You don't have to bring out the staff of Boston Legal to remind us that Chris Dodd and Bill Richardson are also former members of the House of Representatives. Say, would you be available to close in New Hampshire next week?)

Posted by David P. McKnight January 2, 08 02:29 PM

Whether or not Kucinich succeeds in his presidential bid, like Ron Paul the most important thing these two candidates and their supporters will have accomplished is to get the message out that there are growing numbers of us who want serious change, and we want to base it on the Constitution of the United States.

If Kucinich finds that his overall chances are too small, the best investment for our donations is use it to get re-elected to Congress...where there is still a chance to do some good and further the message.

If Kucinich concedes and you feel that you must vote for a Democrat...Obama is our only option. If you are not stuck to a party...and the chances look good after the primaries... Ron Paul is the way to go!

Posted by GatorVol13 January 2, 08 03:24 PM

Mr. Kucinich has battled with the large corporations since he was mayor of Cleveland. I watched that battle up close and personal. Time proved he was correct. His Department of Peace legislation is not only admirable, but makes a hell of a lot more sense than anything his fellow classmates of 2006 have put forward. If you are not familiar with the legislation, I suggest you take the time to study it. Anything that promotes conflict resolution home and abroad over war is worth a look. Especially at a cost of two or three percent of the DOD budget.

Unfortunately, in the end, he can't fight the big three.

Mr. Obama is not ready. Nothing personal against his candidacy.

Mr. Biden is ,with Mr. Obama as his VP and Dennis as the perfect choice for the DOP cabinet post.. I think they, as a trifecta, would facilitate the changes we all wish any of other candidates could possibly achieve.

God only knows, the crew we've had for the past seven years could not care less about our country and the world in which we live.

Posted by Eric J. Ess January 2, 08 04:53 PM

Type your comment here...

Posted by eric_ess January 2, 08 05:17 PM

"OBAMA PORTRAIT MUSIC VIDEO" on Youtube - Don't Miss It!

For those of you who still have not heard:

There is a WONDERFUL and INSPIRING music video on Youtube.com entitled "Obama Portrait Music Video by Bjarne O."
You can use the free downloaded high-quality stereo version from the composer's website in DVD form to show at house parties. Even people who knew nothing at all about Obama have been moved.
The music soundtrack, which incorporates excerpts from the famous 2004 speech, can also be downloaded separately in high-quality.