MSNBC: KUCINICH URGES SUPPORTERS TO BACK OBAMA...

[babylonsister]

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/01/542614.aspx

From NBC's Mark Murray and Lauren Appelbaum
...if he doesn't meet the 15% threshold in Thursday's Iowa caucuses. Kucinich made a similar endorsement of Edwards back in 2004, and that (among many other things) helped Edwards finish second in Iowa that year. "This is obviously an 'Iowa-only' recommendation, as Sen. Obama and I are competing in the New Hampshire primary next Tuesday where I want to be the first choice of New Hampshire voters," Kucinich said in a statement."

"I hope Iowans will caucus for me as their first choice this Thursday, because of my singular positions on the war, on health care, and trade. This is an opportunity for people to stand up for themselves. But in those caucus locations where my support doesn't reach the necessary threshold, I strongly encourage all of my supporters to make Barack Obama their second choice. Sen. Obama and I have one thing in common: Change."

*** UPDATE *** Just several minutes before we received this statement, NBC/NJ's Aswini Anburajan received this one from Obama's New Hampshire spokesman: “The voters of New Hampshire deserve to hear all the Democratic candidates’ views on who can best lead America in a fundamentally new direction, and that’s why I urge these networks to allow full participation in this week’s debate.” As it has been reported, Kucinich -- due to ABC's requirements of either finishing in the top four in Iowa or receiving 5% in NH and national polls -- will likely be excluded from this weekend's New Hampshire debate.

*** UPDATE II *** And now Obama has issued this statement: “I have a lot of respect for Congressman Kucinich, and I’m honored that he has done this because we both believe deeply in the need for fundamental change."

More: “He and I have been fighting for a number of the same priorities -- including an end to the war in Iraq that we both opposed from the start, reforming Washington and creating a better life for America's working families. I encourage all Iowans to take part in the caucuses this Thursday – not because it will be good for any one candidate, but because it will be good for our party and the future of our country.”

[stray cat]

1. Sounds like a deal has been made with Iowa linked to debates

[patrice]

2. So, does that put the lie to Obama being DLC? Or, . . .

Given Nader's endorsement of Edwards, is Kucinich somehow motivated by the role of a "king-maker"?

:shrug:

Thanks, but no thanks, Dennis; I do my own thinking.

BTW, we know, for ***sure*** that Edwards isn't DLC.

[babylonsister]

4. I'm sure someone will pipe in and have some

convoluted reasoning as to why this doesn't make a difference. :shrug:

[Radical Activist]

7. Edwards is the one who spoke at DLC meetings.

http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2004/edwards/edw073002sp.html

When Obama ran for Senate he made clear publicly and strongly that he was not a member of the DLC and never has been. You should ignore the misleading spin on some blogs and look at their records. You have it backwards. We know for sure that Edwards IS DLC while Obama has ALWAYS distanced himself from them. Obama didn't just discover that he's a progressive during the primary election year like Edwards did.

[FrenchieCat]

8. and it is Edwards who attended Bildenberg.......

The biggest Corporate power gathering there is.

Obama and Kucinich have never attended.

[patrice]

15. If you had a chance to get inside your oppositions' strategy, like a

fly on the wall, would you take it? I sure as hell would!!

[FrenchieCat]

18. They praised him at the Beldingberg meeting,

and then the corporate media pushed for him to be on the Kerry ticket.

I don't believe that he believes that he was meeting with the "opposition" at the time....but what-E-ver works for you. :eyes:

[patrice]

19. You don't think he would have regarded them as similar to those against whom

he built is law practice?

Right, not the "opposition" in a race for an office, but certainly the opposition he had seen screw with people's lives in his professional life.

[Lerkfish]

23. truly? Is edwards a bildeberger attendee?

I don't doubt you but do you have links?

[FrenchieCat]

27. FrenchieCat always has links to back her shit up......

even if I have to say so myself!

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=26305

http://www.oilempire.us/edwards.html

http://www.conspiracyplanet.com/channel.cfm?channelid=117&contentid=1372

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=39333

[Lerkfish]

28. thanks!

I wasn't doubting you, just that I hadn't run across the links yet myself.

[patrice]

11. Okay. So, how could Nader back a DLCer??

Please don't go into a bunch of stuff about Nader; most of it cuts both ways. Just, do you think he would knowingly back the DLC?

[gateley]

3. Congrats to O's supporters! Dennis is a man of conviction and integrity and

his support speaks very highly of Obama.

[durrrty libby]

5. I'm sure those 10 votes will make an enormous difference

[babylonsister]

6. I'm happy they're 10 votes that aren't going to your gal. Sour grapes? nt

[durrrty libby]

9. No grapes involved. My "gal" will be the nominee.

[Joe the Revelator]

12. Time to let go of the dream, Kid.

[Lerkfish]

24. I'm cooking up some crow

how do you like it? medium rare?

[Robert Oak]

10. Jesus, he's been hijacked by aliens

I'm sorry but Obama has massive insourcing per corporate lobbyist requests on his radar, he has voted for Peru and the Oman free trade agreements...that's certainly not my idea of change and Kucinich should have given his votes to Edwards who has the closest positions to him.

This is really sad! United Corporations who happen to reside in America gets their rep!

[patrice]

13. As much as I like what Kucinich says. I have always read a bit of the "Messiah" in the guy.

It's probably a normal reaction to being marginalized by Everyone, as in, "to every action (put-down) there's an equal (1:1) and opposite reaction (ego-inflation)". Inflation is, in fact, an occupational hazzard to those involved "revolution"; I know, 'cause I've been there, done that.

[Robert Oak]

29. nice observation n/t

[flvegan]

14. Since Obama and Hillary are polling so close

it's a vote against Hillary, that's how I see it.

"Sen. Obama and I have one thing in common: Change."

Okay, sounds right. I still don't like Obama, but it's Dennis' right to support him.

[patrice]

16. I see it that way too . . . against HRC and the DLC, by way of

trying to spread around anti-DLC activists, since Edwards already has his share, Kucinich is trying to transfer his anti-DLCers to Obama, who really NEEDS to step up to bat on the issue of who picks our candidates, us? or the-powers-that-be?

[Desertrose]

17. I agree...Dennis knows what he's doing.

I'm glad I am not in Iowa...not sure I could give away my DK vote to anyone. ;)

[MethuenProgressive]

20. Anti-Iraq War Kucinich supports an Iraq War supporter now?

At least they hold the same positions on health care, GLBT rights, and impeachment.
Oh wait... they don't.
Obama Triangulates again!

[babylonsister]

22. You're funny and transparent. This post is about action Kucinich

has taken, yet you're blaming Obama. Another day, another MP nonsensical post.

[MethuenProgressive]

25. "Obama backs keeping Kucinich in NH debates after Kucinich gives Obama his Iowa backers.

That there is what you call Transparent.
Nonsensical to the besotted ObamaNation, perhaps.

[kenfrequed]

21. hmm

I disagree with DK's decision on this.

[MethuenProgressive]

26. Has DK just flipflopped on Iraq, Gay rights, Impeachment, and Health Care?

This is like Mitt throwing his support to Clinton.

[Colobo]

30. Viva Kucinich!