Kucinich to Iowa: Make Obama your second choice
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - January 1, 2008 Kucinich, an Ohio congressman at the back of the pack of
Democratic hopefuls, seemed to concede a loss in the caucuses. He
said his recommendation was for "Iowa only."
"Senator 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.
Candidates in Thursday night's caucuses must reach a level of
support in each of the state's 1,781 precincts - typically 15
percent of those who attend. Candidates who fail to meet that
aren't considered viable, and their supporters can move to another
candidate or go home.
"I hope Iowans will caucus for me as their first choice ...
because of my singular positions on the war, on health care and
trade," Kucinich said. "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."
Obama thanked Kucinich for the recommendation.
"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," the Illinois senator said in a
statement.
He said he and Kucinich have fought for some of the same
priorities, including ending the war in Iraq, reforming Washington
and creating a better life for working families.
In the 2004 presidential campaign, Kucinich and former Sen. John
Edwards agreed to encourage their supporters to back each other if
they weren't viable. The pact was credited with boosting the vote
for Edwards, who finished a surprise second.
Last summer, Kucinich criticized Edwards' "consistent lack of
integrity" for suggesting fewer candidates should participate in
presidential forums. Edwards and Hillary Rodham Clinton had
discussed the possibility of limiting the number of debate
participants, and their exchange was captured on camera and an open
microphone after one such event in Detroit. Kucinich felt the
comment was directed at him.