Is Dennis Kucinich in it to win it, or to effect the debate?

[LittleClarkie]

Running for president is a good way to get people to listen to what you have to say.

I know he stayed in longer last time because he wanted the progressive voice heard.

It's just something that occurred to me.

Would it be a bad thing?

[arcane1]

1. I personally wouldn't consider it a bad thing

the more attention he gets, the better, IMO

[bahrbearian]

2. He can do both.

[G_j]

3. he is quite serious

either way

[Matariki]

4. He's great

the only thing is, 'perennial candidates' tend to end up somewhat stigmatized at which point few people take what they say seriously. I'm not saying Kucinich could be called 'perennial' at this point.

[LittleClarkie]

5. No

That would be Biden.

[kimmerspixelated]

6. Although I love that pic of Kerry

I keep thinking he's fishin for boogies, when I see it at first...anyone else think that? Who painted it? Ah, but I digress....I think Kucinich rocks, but I also thought/think Kerry does too!

[LittleClarkie]

12. Elizabeth Peyton

It's called "Kerry, 1971"

[mike_c]

7. I think his effect on the debate will be fantastic...

...and I certainly hope he wins the nomination!

[3121guitarist]

8. The question I have is...

Did you see his wife? Kuchinich has one hot wife. A fine redheaded brit. Where the hell did he get her? He has good politics, but he looks like a bug..lol

Makes me think there is hope for us all..lol

[eridani]

17. Just exactly the way you think he got her

Not being conventionally good-looking, not wealthy--what do you think some of the other draws are likely to be, hmmm?

[Selatius]

9. If he can drag the debate leftward, say, to single-payer health care or to bringing troops home....

Then his presence in the race won't hurt at all. It may actually be beneficial.

Is Dennis serious about trying to win? Well, you can talk to Will Pitt for that answer. He worked for him the last presidential election.

[3121guitarist]

10. The media hate him.

They do.

[Radical Activist]

11. I doubt he expects to win.

Effecting the debate is a good thing. The problem is that if Kucinich does very badly, because of his own failings as a candidate, it could further marginalize progressive views. The next strong progressive candidate for President with similar views could be further dismissed because Kucinich did so very poorly. When Kucinich runs a poor campaign, it isn't just himself that he's hurting.

[Strawman]

13. This issue of campaign management concerns me

On the issues, Dennis seems to be clearly the best, but if the campaign is run as poorly as some recent and very credible posts suggest, that is a huge problem. My premise that even if he doesn't win he can win concessions if we get behind him kind of falls apart if he doesn't have the kind of savvy campaign staff or just good strategic sense to make any use of the influence united liberals might give him. I'm going to watch what happens and be a bit more tenative with my endorsement.

[Radical Activist]

14. Those issues

are why I'm not supporting him like I did in '04. I'll watch for who he hires and what he does early on to see if he learned from his mistakes, but he won't get my support unless I see evidence that things will be very different than last time.

[LWolf]

15. If the Democratic Party wanted to win,

the nominee would adopt the Kucinich platform, regardless of who that turns out to be. Does he want to win? I'm sure he does. Do his chances affect whether or not he gets my enthusiastic support? Not at all. Politically, I support what I believe is best for the nation and the planet, and his work comes closest.

There are a few other Dems I'll vote for in the general election, but as long as I'm given the opportunity, Kucinich has my full support.

[DaveinMD]

16. he can't win

so there must be another reason.