Class Appeal: Why Dennis Kucinich Keeps Hanging On

Cleveland's finest won't give up the good fight
By Zach Samalin,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 4, 2007 5:16 AM CST
Class Appeal: Why Dennis Kucinich Keeps Hanging On
Presidential hopeful, U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, smiles after getting a bunch of organic carrots following a talk with students and faculty at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, N.H., Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007.(AP Photo/Jim Cole)   (Associated Press)

It's a truism that Dennis Kucinich doesn't fit the coiffed presidential mold. He is plainspoken, pro-union, vegan; his wife has a tongue ring. Kucinich is "poor beyond corruption and honest as spit, hauling balls big enough to … choke Dick Cheney," Esquire's Scott Raab writes of a man certain he'll be not only the Democrats' 2008 nominee but the next US president.

Cleveland's own "embittered elf" is running because he truly believes he's got a shot. "If I can get there," Kucinich told Raab, referring to an often dreamed-of 1% of the vote. When asked if he had prepped a recent speech to New Hampshire protesters in advance, Kucinich shot back: "Yeah, I prepared it—40 years in the making." (More Dennis Kucinich stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X