Breaking: Kucinich urges supporters to make Obama second choice
Rep. Dennis Kucinich, an antiwar Democratic presidential candidate, just announced he is urging his supporters to make Sen. Barack Obama their second choice during Thursday's Iowa caucus.
This will give Obama a boost in some precincts because the caucus rules (explained in my story in today's paper) require candidates to meet a 15 percent or higher viability threshold. If they don't, the supporters for that candidate must reorganize to join another candidate.
Kucinich, who failed to reach the viability threshold in 2004, let his supporters go to then-Sen. John Edwards. As Obama and Edwards battle with Sen. Hillary Clinton for the top spot in Iowa, the antiwar vote could help Obama Thursday night.
"This is obviously an 'Iowa-only' recommendation, as Sen. 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.
"I hope Iowans will caucus for me as their first choice this Thursday, because of my singular positions on the war, on health care, and trade. This is an opportunity for people to stand up for themselves. 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. Sen. Obama and I have one thing in common: Change," he said.
The Obama campaign put out a statement of thanks a few minutes later:
"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," Obama said in the statement. "He and I have been fighting for a number of the same priorities -- including an end to the war in Iraq that we both opposed from the start, reforming Washington and creating a better life for America's working families. I encourage all Iowans to take part in the caucuses this Thursday -- not because it will be good for any one candidate, but because it will be good for our party and the future of our country."
-- Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times
