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Dennis Kucinich
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 10th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 7, 1997
Preceded by	Martin Hoke
Succeeded by	Incumbent (2009)
Personal details
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Elizabeth Harper Kucinich
Alma mater	Case Western Reserve University

Dennis John Kucinich (born October 8, 1946) is an American politician of the Democratic party and a candidate for President of the United States in both 2004 and 2008.

Kucinich currently represents the 10th District of Ohio in the United States House of Representatives. His district includes most of western Cleveland, as well as such suburbs as Parma and Cuyahoga Heights. He is currently the chairman of the Domestic Policy Subcommittee of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

From 1977 to 1979, Kucinich served as the 53rd mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, a tumultuous term in which he survived a recall election and was successful in a battle against selling the municipal electric utility.

Personal details

Kucinich was born in Cleveland as the eldest of the seven children of Frank and Virginia Kucinich. His father, a truck driver, was Croatian; his Irish American mother, a homemaker. In 1973, he graduated from Case Western Reserve University with both a BA, and an MA in speech and communication. Kucinich was baptized a Roman Catholic. He is twice-divorced, with a daughter, Jackie, from his marriage to Sandra Lee McCarthy and married his third wife, Elizabeth Harper, a British citizen, on August 21, 2005.

Early career

Kucinich's political career began early. After running unsuccessfully in 1967, Kucinich was elected to the Cleveland City Council in 1969, when he was 23. In 1972, Kucinich ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives, losing narrowly to incumbent Republican William E. Minshall Jr. In 1974, after Minshall's retirement, Kucinich sought the seat again, this time failing to get the Democratic nomination, which instead went to Ronald M. Mottl. Kucinich ran in the general election anyway, as an independent. While he came in third, he still managed to garner almost 30% of the vote. Interestingly enough, Democrat Mottl still managed to win the race, even with such a large chunk of the Democratic vote going to Kucinich. In 1975, Kucinich became clerk of the municipal court in Cleveland and served in that position for two years.

Cleveland Mayoralty, 1977–1979

In 1977, Kucinich was elected Mayor of Cleveland and served in that position until 1979. At 31, he was the youngest mayor of a major city in the United States. Kucinich's tenure as mayor is often regarded as one of the most tumultuous in Cleveland's history.

Melvin G. Holli, in consultation with a panel of experts, placed Kucinich among the ten worst big-city mayors of all time for reasons of temperament and performance in the book, Best and Worst of the Big-City Leaders 1820–1993 while Kucinich's supporters say that Kucinich kept his campaign promise of refusing to sell Muny Light to CEI and was brave for not giving in to big business. In fact, in 1993, then-Cleveland Mayor Michael White cited Kucinich's "wisdom" in not selling the utility. In 1998 the council honored him for having the "courage and foresight" to stand up to the banks and saving the city an estimated $195 million between 1985 and 1995.

Post-mayorship

After losing his re-election bid for Mayor to George Voinovich in 1979, Kucinich kept a low-profile in Cleveland politics. He criticized a tax referendum proposed by Voinovich in 1980, which voters eventually approved. He also struggled to find employment and moved to Los Angeles, California where he stayed with a friend, actress Shirley MacLaine. During the next three years, Kucinich earned money as a radio talk show host, lecturer, and consultant. However, this was a very difficult period for Kucinich financially. Without a steady paycheck, Kucinich fell behind in his mortgage payments, nearly lost his house in Cleveland, and ended up borrowing money from friends, including MacLaine, to keep it. On his 1982 income tax return, Kucinich reported income of $38. When discussing this period, Kucinich stated, "When I was growing up in Cleveland, my early experience conditioned me to hang in there and not to quit. . . (During that time, his family had moved frequently, sometimes living in cars between apartments.) It's one thing to experience that as a child, but when you have to as an adult, it has a way to remind you how difficult things can be. You understand what people go through."

In 1982, Kucinich moved back to Cleveland and ran for Secretary of State; however, he lost the Democratic primary to Sherrod Brown. In 1983, Kucinich won a special election to fill the seat of a Cleveland city councilman who had died. His brother, Gary Kucinich was also a councilman at the time.

In 1985, there was some speculation that Kucinich might run for mayor again. Instead his brother, Gary ran against (and lost to) the incumbent Voinovich. Kucinich, meanwhile, gave up his council position to run for governor of Ohio as an independent against Richard Celeste, but later withdrew from the race. After this, Kucinich, in his own words "on a quest for meaning," lived quietly in New Mexico until 1994 when he won a seat in the State Senate. "He was in political Siberia in the 1980s," said Joseph Tegreene years later. "It was only when it became clear to people that he was right... he got belated recognition for the things that he did."

House of Representatives

In 1996, Kucinich was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the 10th district of Ohio. He defeated two-term Republican incumbent Martin Hoke in what is still regarded as an upset given the 10th's historic Republican lean; however, he has not faced serious opposition since.

He serves on the Congressional Education and Labor Committee as well as the Government Reform Committee. He is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and is a self-described "Wellstone Democrat."

Kucinich voted against the USA PATRIOT Act. His voting record is not always in line with that of the Democratic Party. He voted for the resolution calling for an investigation into President Bill Clinton's role in the Monica Lewinsky scandal, while most of his party opposed this resolution.

Kucinich has criticized the foreign policy of President Bush, including the 2003 invasion of Iraq and what Kucinich perceives to be building American hostility towards Iran. In 2005, Kucinich voted against the Iran Freedom and Support Act, calling it a "stepping stone to war." He has since criticized the flag-burning amendment and voted against the impeachment of President Clinton. His congressional voting record has also leaned toward a pro-life stance, although he noted that he has never supported a constitutional amendment prohibiting abortion altogether. In 2003, however, he began describing himself as pro-choice and said he had shifted away from his earlier position on the issue. Press releases have indicated that he is pro-choice but also wants to initiate a series of reforms, such as ending the "abstinence-only" policy of sex education and increasing the use of contraception in hopes of making abortion "less necessary" over time.

He has criticized Diebold Election Systems, and posted internal company memos on his website. Kucinich has also been a strong opponent of space based weapons and has sponsored legislation, HR 2977, banning the deployment and use of space based weapons.

See also:

• Election Results, U.S. Representative from Ohio, 23rd District
• Election Results, U.S. Representative from Ohio, 10th District
• List of United States Representatives from Ohio

2004 presidential campaign

Kucinich was criticized during his 2004 campaign for allegedly changing his stance on the issue of abortion, as described above.

Ralph Nader praised Kucinich as "a genuine progressive", and most Greens were friendly to Kucinich's campaign, some going so far as to indicate that they would not have run against him had he won the Democratic nomination. However, Kucinich was unable to carry any states in the 2004 Democratic Primaries, and John Kerry eventually won the Democratic nomination at the Democratic National Convention.

Press coverage

On December 10, 2003, the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) announced the removal of its correspondents from the campaigns of Kucinich, Carol Moseley Braun and Al Sharpton. The announcement came one day after a Democratic presidential debate hosted by ABC News' Ted Koppel, in which Koppel asked whether the candidacies of Kucinich, Moseley Braun and Sharpton were merely vanity campaigns, and Koppel and Kucinich exchanged uncomfortable dialogue. Kucinich, previously critical of the limited coverage given his campaign, characterized ABC's decision as an example of media companies' power to shape campaigns by choosing which candidates to cover and questioned its timing, coming immediately after the debate. ABC News, while stating its commitment to give coverage to a wide range of candidates, argued that focusing more of its finite resources on those candidates most likely to win would best serve the public debate.

Polls and primaries

In the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination race, national polls consistently showed Kucinich's support in single digits, but rising, especially as Howard Dean lost some support among peace activists for refusing to commit to cutting the Pentagon budget. Though he was not viewed as a viable contender by most, there were differing polls on Kucinich's popularity.

He placed second in MoveOn.org's primary, behind Dean. He also placed first in other polls, particularly Internet-based ones. This led many activists to believe that his showing in the primaries might be better than what Gallup polls had been saying. However, in the non-binding Washington, D.C. primary, Kucinich finished fourth (last out of candidates listed on the ballot), with only eight percent of the vote. Support for Kucinich was most prevalent in the caucuses around the country.

In the Iowa caucuses he finished fifth, receiving about one percent of the state delegates from Iowa; far below the 15% threshold for receiving national delegates. He performed similarly in the New Hampshire primary, placing sixth among the seven candidates with 1% of the vote. In the Mini-Tuesday primaries Kucinich finished near the bottom in most states, with his best performance in New Mexico where he received less than six percent of the vote, and still no delegates. Kucinich's best showing in any Democratic contest was in the February 24 Hawaii caucus, in which he won 31% of caucus participants, coming in second place to Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts. He also saw a double-digit showing in Maine on February 8, where he got 16% in that state's caucus.

On Super Tuesday, March 2, Kucinich gained another strong showing with the Minnesota caucus, where 17% of the ballots went to him. In his home state of Ohio, he gained nine percent in the primary.

Kucinich campaigned heavily in Oregon, spending thirty days there during the two months leading up to the state's May 18 primary. He continued his campaign because "the future direction of the Democratic Party has not yet been determined" and chose to focus on Oregon "because of its progressive tradition and its pioneering spirit." He even offered to campaign jointly with Kerry during Kerry's visit to the state, though the offer was ignored. He won 16% of the vote.

Even after Kerry won enough delegates to secure the nomination, Kucinich continued to campaign up until just before the convention, citing an effort to help shape the agenda of the Democratic party. He was the last candidate to end his campaign, mere days before the start of the convention.

2008 Presidential campaign

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On December 11, 2006 in a speech delivered at Cleveland City Hall, Kucinich announced he would seek the nomination of the Democratic Party for President in 2008.

His platform for 2008 includes:

• Creating a single-payer system of universal health care that provides full coverage for all Americans.
• The immediate withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Iraq and replacing them with an international security force.
• Guaranteed quality education for all, including free pre-kindergarten and college for all who want it.
• Immediate withdrawal from the World Trade Organization (WTO) and North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
• Repealing the USA PATRIOT Act.
• Fostering a world of international cooperation.
• Abolishing the death penalty.
• Environmental renewal and clean energy.
• Preventing the privatization of social security.
• Providing full social security benefits at age 65.
• Creating a cabinet-level "Department of Peace"
• Ratifying the ABM Treaty and the Kyoto Protocol.
• Introducing reforms to bring about instant-runoff voting.
• Protecting a woman's right to choose while decreasing the number of abortions performed in the U.S.
• Ending the war on drugs.
• Legalizing same-sex marriage.
• Creating a balance between workers and corporations.
• Ending the H1B and L1 Visa Programs
• Restoring rural communities and family farms.
• Strengthening gun control.

The Kucinich Plan For Iraq

On 8 January, 2007 Dennis Kucinich unveiled his comprehensive exit plan to bring the troops home and stabilize Iraq. The Plan includes the following steps:

1. Announce that the US will end the occupation, close the military bases, and withdraw.
2. Announce that existing funds will be used to bring the troops and the necessary equipment home.
3. Order a simultaneous return of all U.S. contractors to the United States and turn over the contracting work to the Iraqi government
4. Convene a regional conference for the purpose of developing a security and stabilization force for Iraq.
5. Prepare an international security peacekeeping force to move in, replacing U.S. troops, who then return home.
6. Develop and fund a process of national reconciliation.
7. Restart programs for reconstruction and creating jobs for the Iraqi people.
8. Provide reparations for the damage that has been done to the lives of Iraqis.
9. Assure the political sovereignty of Iraq and making sure that their oil isn't stolen.
10. Repair the Iraqi economy.
11. Guarantee economic sovereignty for Iraq
12. Commence an international truth and reconciliation process, which establishes a policy of truth and reconciliation between the people of the United States and Iraq.

Congressional campaigns

Kucinich has always been easily reelected to Congress, though Republicans and conservative Democrats have made increasingly high-profile attempts to challenge him. In the 2004 primary election, Kucinich was renominated for the seat representing Ohio's 10th congressional district.

Democratic party primary election results:

In the general election, the result was:

Kucinich defeated Republican candidate Ed Herman. Because of Kucinich's national fame, both candidates received much backing by their parties from outside the district, particularly on the Internet.

In 2006, Kucinich defeated another Democratic primary challenger by a wide margin, and defeated Republican Mike Dovilla in the general election with 66% of the vote, despite last-minute Republican attempts to bring more support to Dovilla.

Recognition

In 2003, Kucinich was the recipient of the Gandhi Peace Award, an annual award bestowed by the Religious Society of Friends-affiliated organization Promoting Enduring Peace.

Space Preservation Act of 2001

Kucinich introduced the first Space Preservation Act on October 2, 2001, with no cosponsors. The bill was referred to the House Science, the House Armed Services, and the House International Relations committees. The bill died in committee (April 9, 2002) because of an unfavorable executive comment received from the Department of Defense.

Impeachment proceedings against Dick Cheney

On April 17, 2007, Kucinich sent a letter to his Democratic colleagues saying that he planned to file impeachment proceedings against Dick Cheney, the vice president of the United States, without specifying the charges to be brought. Kucinich planned to introduce the impeachment articles on April 24, 2007, but in light of Cheney's surprise doctor's visit to inspect a blood clot, Kucinich decided to postpone the scheduled press conference "until the vice president's condition is clarified."

Kucinich held a press conference on the evening of April 24, 2007, revealing US House Resolution 333 and the three articles of impeachment against Cheney. He charges Cheney with manipulating the evidence of Iraq's weapons program, deceiving the nation about Iraq's connection to al-Qaeda, and threatening aggression against Iran in violation of the United Nations charter.

During the first Democratic Presidential debate at South Carolina State University, none of the other candidates' hands went up when the moderator, Brian Williams, asked if they would support Kucinich's plan to impeach Cheney. In response, Kucinich retrieved a "pocket-sized" copy of the U.S. Constitution from his coat and expressed the importance of protecting and defending Constitutional principles.

This is a pocket copy of the Constitution which I carry with me, because I took an oath to defend the Constitution. We've spent a lot of time talking about Iraq here tonight and America's role in the world. This country was taken into war based on lies. This country was taken into war based on lies about weapons of mass destruction and al Qaeda's role with respect to Iraq, which there wasn't one at the time we went in. I want to state that Mr. Cheney must be held accountable. He is already ginning up a cause for war against Iran. Now, we have to stand for this Constitution, we have to protect and defend this Constitution. And this vice president has violated this Constitution. So I think that while my friends on the stage may not be ready to take this stand, the American people should know that there's at least one person running for president who wants to reconnect America with its goodness, with its greatness, with its highest principles, which currently are not being reflected by those who are in the White House.

— Dennis Kucinich,

On May 1, 2007, two cosponsors signed on to the resolution: Congressman William Lacy Clay, Jr. and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky.

Opposition to H1B/L1 Visa Programs

Kucinich has been a vocal opponent of the H1B and L1 visa programs. In an article on his campaign website, he states:

"The expanded use of H-1B and L-1 visas has had a negative effect on the workplace of Information Technology workers in America. It has caused a reduction in wages. It has forced workers to accept deteriorating working conditions and allowed U.S. companies to concentrate work in technical and geographic areas that American workers consider undesirable. It has also reduced the number of IT jobs held by Americans."

Plan to ban handguns

In the aftermath of the April 16th shooting in Blacksburg, Virginia, Kucinich is proposing a plan to address violence in America. Kucinich is currently drafting legislation that includes a ban on the purchase, sale, transfer, or possession of handguns by civilians.

References

1. ^ Kucinich's Hard Childhood A 'Gift' Yielding Strength, Compassion
2. Official Biography of Dennis Kucinich
3. 25 Years of Cleveland Mayors: Who Really Governs? by Roldo Bartimole
4. The Encyclopedia Of Cleveland History by Cleveland Bicentennial Commission (Cleveland, Ohio), David D. Van Tassel (Editor), and John J. Grabowski (Editor) ISBN 0253330564
5. The Crisis of Growth Politics: Cleveland, Kucinich, and the Challenge of Urban Populism by Todd Swanstrom ISBN 0877223661
6. The Plain Dealer, August 1, 1999. Our Century: 'Boy Mayor' Leads Battle Into Default by Fred McGunagle.
7. 'Boy Mayor' Kucinich Took Charge in Utility Debt Crisis, From LA Times 1/23/03
8. ^
9. [http://www.politics1.com/kucinich.htm
10. ^
11. H.RES.581 Authorizing and directing the Committee on the Judiciary to investigate whether sufficient grounds exist for the impeachment of William Jefferson Clinton
12. Raimondo, Justin (April 28, 2006). "Steppingstone to War". Antiwar.com. Retrieved 2007-04-30.
13. Marc Sandalow, "Ohio Presidential Hopeful Pivots Over to Pro-Choice Camp", San Francisco Chronicle, February 23, 2003.
14. "Kucinich Calls for Suspension of Electronic Voting", Common Dreams, April 23, 2004.
15. H.R. 2977; Space Preservation Act of 2001
16. Rick Lyman, "Down But Not Out, Kucinich Keeps Fighting", The New York Times, May 17, 2004.
17. http://kucinich.us/issues
18. Library of Congress (Thomas)
19. Ann Akers, Mary (April 17, 2007). "Articles of Impeachment To Be Filed On Cheney". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-04-30.
20. "Cheney returns to work after leg check-up". Reuters. April 24, 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-30.
21. Johnson, Alex (April 26, 2007). "Democrats seek to seize initiative on Iraq". MSNBC. Retrieved 2007-05-01.
22. Dennis Kucinich and Brian Williams (April 26, 2007). 2008 Democratic Presidential Candidates Debate (TV Recording). South Carolina State University: MSNBC. {{cite AV media}}: External link in |title= (help)
23. "The Democrats' First 2008 Presidential Debate". The New York Times. April 27, 2007. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
24. "Clay co-sponsors resolution to impeach Cheney". USAToday. May 03, 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-06. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
25. "Schakowsky joins Kucinich effort to impeach Cheney". USAToday. May 03, 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-06. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
26. http://kucinich.us/issues/temp_worker_visas.php
27. Kucinich Offers Comprehensive Plan to Address Violence in America

External links

Official sites

• Official House website
• Official campaign website
• The Peace Alliance

Documentaries, databases and topic pages

• Congresspedia profile
• On The Issues profile
• OpenSecrets.org campaign contributions
• PBS NewsHour Vote 2008 profile
• Project Vote Smart profile
• Washington Post voting record
• Template:Dmoz

Media coverage

• OpEd News - The Kucinich Plan For Iraq
• Peace in Space - Kucinich Introduces Legislation to Ban Space Weapons

Unofficial supporter sites

• Kucinich blog

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• 1946 births
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• Living people
• Mayors of Cleveland
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• United States presidential candidates
• United States presidential election, 2008