Ant-War activist challenges Kucinich for Congressional seat

[SaveElmer]

Rosemary Palmer, an anti-war activist, and mother of a son killed in Iraq...

Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich, who is busy running for president largely on his anti-war stance, lost an ally today and gained an opponent.

Rosemary Palmer, an anti-war activist whose son died in the war in Iraq in 2005, announced her candidacy for Kucinich's 10th District seat.

Because Palmer is a Democrat, she will face Kucinich in the March primary.

"We need a full-time congressman for this area whose interests lie in developing this district," Palmer said during a short news conference before addressing the war issue.

Palmer is opposed to the war in Iraq and wants the troops home. But she does not believe an immediate U.S. withdrawal is a realistic or productive goal. Kucinich has called for an unconditional withdrawal with international peace keeping presence.

She called attention to their differences.

"Standing on principle doesn't mean standing in cement," she said.

Palmer and her husband, Paul Schroeder, campaigned for Kucinich in 2006. Their son, Lance Cpl. Edward "Augie" Schroeder died in August 2005 along with other Lima Company Marines.

Kucinich, who denied during his re-election bid that he had his eye on the White House, announced his presidential campaign in December. Palmer said his quick turnabout is one reason she is challenging him.

on edit: More descriptive subject line

http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2007/06/kucinich_gains_opponent.html