CQ sees "serious" challenge for Kucinich

[SaveElmer]

Five House Democrats Face Serious Primary Challenges

Despite public criticism of Congress as a whole, few incumbents are defeated in general elections, and even fewer lose primary races against members of their own party.

But primary contests can be the only meaningful outlet for voter discontent in congressional districts that are gerrymandered, as so many are these days, to ensure that one party or the other will always win the general election.

Such lopsided districts dominate the list of 16 across the nation identified by CQPolitics.com as featuring contests for 2008 in which U.S. House incumbents face unusually vigorous primary challenges.

There are five Democratic incumbents facing serious primary challenges.

...

Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich, D-Ohio, who is making his second longshot presidential bid, faces a contest closer to home in the 10th District, which encompasses west side Cleveland and its suburbs. Challenger Rosemary Palmer says Kucinich has missed too many important votes in his quixotic bid for the White House effort.

http://public.cq.com/docs/cqm/cqmidday110-000002597129.html

[tritsofme]

1. This isn't surprising at all

Kucinich has spent the better part of his time since 2003 in futile attempts at running for president instead of focusing on his job as congressman.

He has never had a shot at the nomination, but I guess playing pretend president is more fun than being a real congressman.

[SaveElmer]

2. "but I guess playing pretend president is more fun than being a real congressman."

Best summary I have seen of him so far...

[Bo Bike]

4. Me too!

[flvegan]

13. According to his schedule

http://www.dennis4president.com/upcoming-events/

Looks like he spends the great majority of his workdays focusing on his job as congressman.

[2rth2pwr]

3. I wonder if he will drop out like Edwards when he sees the polls.

Edwards, if had stayed in the Senate, would have had a hard time keeping his seat. He chose to not run again.

[mmonk]

5. Still trying to "win" votes for your candidate?

[dmallind]

6. I doubt HRC fans are too worried by 2% Dennis

But then again I doubt such an institution will have much trouble shrugging off his primary opponent either. People LIKE quixotic bids (or vanity candidacies, however defined) and I suspect his constituents are happy for the most part with the vicarious attention.

[mmonk]

7. Or the people they turn off?

[dmallind]

9. Dunno - ask them - but IMO

I doubt Dennis supporters need much turning off of Hillary - and the only question remains whether they will support her should she win the nomination. Most will I would imagine, a few hardcore fans won't, but I seriously have to wonder about the sanity of a member of either of those camps who would make that decision based on the personality of a limited number of HRC fans who will have no influence whatsoever in her putative administration.

Nope - that decision for DK fans comes down to whether pragmatic rationalism or idealistic pipedreams are more important come November 08, because they sure as hell aren't going to have a chance to meaningfully vote for him on that ticket (chances are I won't have that option either - although Richardson has SOME chance at a VP nod at least)

[SaveElmer]

8. He's a poor Congressman...

Would like to see someone with better leadership skills in there...

[Rainbowreflect]

14. You mean like someone who believed bush's B.S. and voted for

this war and has continued to vote for us to remain in Iraq?

[SaveElmer]

15. Wow...what a shocking response...

Deflect and avoid...the Kucinich way!

Besides being factually incorrect, it has nothing whatever to do with Kucinich and his lack of accomplishment as a Congressman...

[Desertrose]

10. Rosemary time again......

"second longshot presidential bid" or is it "quixotic bid"....

Nothing skewed here. :eyes:

[SaveElmer]

11. Essentially the same...

But if you have some evidence DK is about to pull off the upset of the century, why don't you share it with us...

[tritsofme]

12. lol, Its not skewed, its reality.

nt