Kucinich and Michigan

Days Until Bush Leaves Office = 372

Dennis4President is at it again. This time it's Michigan.

Readers may recall that at the height of caucus leapfrog frenzy last year, all Democratic candidates withdrew from the Michigan primary ballot except Hillary Clinton and Chris Dodd, in avowed adherence to the Democratic National Committee's judgment that the state party had violated the national party's rules in holding its primary too early in the calendar. It turned out, however, that for whatever reason, the Kucinich campaign, while protesting that it tried to withdraw from the Michigan ballot, actually missed the dealine to file its paperwork, and, wouldn't you know, remained on the ballot for the primary.

Here's the Kucinich campaign's press release, dated October 9, 2007:

Kucinich withdraws from Michigan Democratic primary ballot

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Tuesday, October 9, 2007

DOVER, NH - The Kucinich for President campaign announced this afternoon that it has filed an affidavit with the Michigan Secretary of State's office officially requesting that the name of Ohio Congressman and Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich be withdrawn from the Michigan Democratic primary ballot.

The sworn statement requesting withdrawal was submitted via fax by Kucinich National Campaign Manager Mike Klein shortly before today's 4 p.m. deadline.

At the same time, the Kucinich campaign issued the following statement on behalf of the candidate, who is campaigning in Arizona today:

"We signed a public pledge recently, promising to stand with New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina, and the DNC-approved 'early window', and the action we are taking today protects New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary status, and Nevada's early caucus."

The statement continued: "We support the grassroots nature of the New Hampshire, small-state primary, and we support the diversity efforts that Chairman Dean and the DNC instituted last year, when they added Nevada and South Carolina to the window in January 2008. We are obviously committed to New Hampshire's historic role."

Klein, who recently moved to Dover, NH to run the national Kucinich campaign, added, "We will continue to adhere to the DNC-approved primary schedule."

###

Or not.

Tonight, the Kucinich campaign issued another press release which - and tell me if you didn't see this one coming - appeals to supporters to "Help Dennis Win Votes in Michigan." Seriously. Here's the statement from the Kucinich campaign:

Michigan can make a big difference to this campaign. We need to get our people to the polls on Tuesday and you can help, no matter where you live.

We are asking supporters to call a small list of Michigan voters and urge them to get out and vote for Dennis. If you already have an account, please log in. If you are new to this effort, just go to: www.call4dennis.com and register at the bottom of the page. A script and instructions will be provided.

There are only three active candidates on the Democratic primary ballot - Dennis Kucinich, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Mike Gravel. So please do your best to convince people that a vote for Dennis is a real vote for change.

Thank you for everything you do. Every effort, every contribution, no matter how small will help.

Strength through Peace,
The Kucinich Calling from Home Team

### [emphasis added]

This incident is absolutely classic Dennis Kucinich: protestations of righteous intent, and then, when he thinks he can get away with it, a cynical move like this that shows just how driven by a craven need for attention - in this case, the possibility of headlines following a second-place finish behind Hillary Clinton in Michigan, where, golly gee gosh, in spite of all his many efforts, his name still appears on the ballot - his repeated presidential bids really are.

I can hardly wait to see the Kucinich campaign's and supporters' defense of yet another "principled stand" by Dennis4President. The comment lines are open!