Kucinich urges supporters to back Obama...

Posted: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 3:58 PM by Mark Murray

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.”

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Comments

That's a great endorsement for Obama. I doubt that Biden, Richardson, or Dodd would make a similar pitch for anyone at this point, if for no other reason than that they are all more viable VP candidates in an unsettled race. As everyone knows, if Obama wins Iowa it will be because of high voter turnout among independents. And I hope that more Democrats are encouraged by his appeal in that area, if that happens to be the case.

J. Franklin, Denver, CO (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 9:22 AM)

I don't think Republicans will go after Obama's admitted marajuana use. He could just say something like at least "I never snorted coke like the current President."

Dan (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 9:34 AM)

I've never heard Democrats sound as cynical as when they trash Obama. It's a great exercise though. You can see how weak the arguments against him are. Much harder to take down than Hil in the general. With Barack, you're forced to talk about the issues. The drugs issue won't do much at all for the GOP. These "bedrock" Dems have been losing elections for 30 years. They wouldn't know a viable candidate if it bit them. This is a past/future election, not a left/right election. Some hacks just can't stand the idea of taking the culture wars down a notch. Now it's the post-baby-boomers' turn.

Jared, San Diego, CA (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 5:01 PM)

Most of the caucuses and primaries are of little use unless voters overwhelmingly choose one candidate. This is because the number of super delegates (state parties are apportioned delegates that they can hand out to party bigwigs, elected people, etc.) often is greater than the number of regular delegates that have to pledge to give their votes based on popular vote. So those candidates "annoited" by party insiders almost always win.

To get the most bang for the buck, Republicans need to overwhelmingly vote for Ron Paul. Democrats need to overwhelmingly vote for Barack Obama. Only then can they be in the running against annointed ones like Romney or Clinton.

Paul, Irvine, CA (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 6:17 PM)

If you were in a contest would you tell everyone to rude for your opponent instead of you? This is a sign that Kucinich is pessimistic about his win. Why even run if you're going to ask people to go for Obama. All candidates want change, such political talk, and besides Kucinich's views on issues are different from Obama. What a disappointing move by Kucinich! Obama is using multiple former Bill Clinton advisers, yet somehow he's supposed to be different? To add to that Obama a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, just like Hillary Clinton, wake up ppl!

MChavez Los Angeles, CA (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 10:41 PM)

Wake up America! All you cynics-We need REAL CHANGE
Not the normal Rep/ Dem 'party' race. We need to actually put someone into office that truly cares about mankind AND the planet.
Get informed, get involved this will be a wild ride, and lets hope enough of you truly want to fight as well as bad mouth those who are actually trying to do something about it. Can you imagine what we could do for our country with the money spent ON the political race?

Lindamarie Pogue (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 1:11 PM)

I know Elizabeth and her husband Dennis and your right, they need to be heard. We shot an in-depth interview with Elizabeth and she is amazing and so is Dennis. You can see the show online at gliving.com.

Here is a direct link to Elizabeth Kucinich talking about what they want to see happening in America.

http://gliving.tv/videos/room101-elizabethkucinich-p1-player.php

G MONKEY (Sent Saturday, January 05, 2008 5:54 PM)

I just wrote cnn with an idea! For example with the Bush vote u got alot of other ppl chany rice rumsfild.
Wouldnt it be nice to say you want real change,have the candidits tell us who you would they pick for your administation??Than you could also ask the public? For example Obama administratin who would u pick?? I would pic Colin powel secratary of Defence, and bloomburg vice president, I bet that would bridge the gap of experiance independents and republicans bet u could go far with this idea cnn wont i like yous better lol so i told u in more detail lol yw hope you and yours have all gods blessings.

collingwood, Ontario (Sent Wednesday, January 09, 2008 5:45 PM)

Obama administratin who would u pick?? sry i clicked the fill and send to fast, hope you could force candidates to change and tell somewhat of who they would pick so ppl could vote on the whole package ! Now that would be a real change before they get to washington!!! sincerly concerned canadian first 2 vote in new world order of the americas with my amero dollar lol.

Forde Woodcock collingwood, Ontario canada (Sent Wednesday, January 09, 2008 5:51 PM)

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