Dennis Kucinich Won't Challenge Obama In 2012 (VIDEO)

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) said Thursday that he won't challenge President Obama for the Democratic nomination in 2012, despite his and other Democrats' recent frustrations with the White House.

When Kucinich was asked on ABC's "Good Morning America" if he had plans to run for president in 2012, the Ohio Congressman responded "no," and said that Democrats instead had to "focus on coming together."

Tensions flared recently when White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs attacked the so-called "professional left," saying, among other criticisms, that they "wouldn't be satisfied" if the liberal Dennis Kucinich was in control of the White House.

Kucinich said that he didn't take personal offense to Gibbs's statements, but that they were a sign of a larger misunderstanding by the White House.

"I think that Mr. Gibbs and the White House need to realize that liberals support the president but the criticism is really a measure of hopes that have not been realized," Kucinich said. "We have to do something about the joblessness, its a key issue. And until the Administration effectively addresses that, than those of us who call ourselves liberals are going to continue to insist that we should be talking about a full-employment economy, we should be getting America back to work."

Kucinich continued, clarifying that his "criticism is really about hopes that have not yet been realized, and the intention to make sure they get realized while we have a president that we do want to support."

Watch Kucinich on "Good Morning America":

Comments

[Constance Goforth]

01:29 AM on 08/15/2010

Dennis' healthcare vote flipped him from being an amusing tin-foil-topped elf to a ridiculous sell-out

http://rubylee1776.wordpress.com/2010/03/17/bought-and-paid-for-dennis-kucinich-gets-his-headline-at-last/

[roninroshi]

07:09 PM on 08/13/2010

I'm for Tim Leary in the next election!

[roninroshi]

07:13 PM on 08/13/2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLC-y3r66Ys&feature=related

[SlyPhox]

02:54 PM on 08/13/2010

I was all for Kucinich until he flip-flopped on the healthcare issue. Now I wonder who he works for.

[negogato]

12:07 PM on 08/13/2010

Dennis Kucinich: "We have to do something about the joblessness, its a key issue. And until the Administration effectively addresses that, then those of us who call ourselves liberals are going to continue to insist that we should be talking about a full-employment economy, we should be getting America back to work."

[negogato]

11:48 AM on 08/13/2010

For me the peril is this: unemployment = profits AND joblessness = GOP advantage.

[jackbutler5555]

09:28 AM on 08/13/2010

If determined Progressives succeed in damaging prospects for Democrats this November, a result will be that the next Supreme Court nominee will be someone more acceptable to the new conservative Congress. A Justice Kennedy type, depending on how much damage they do.

But I do understand their purpose. Progressives believe the only way they can influence the Democratic Party is to show that the party can't win without them.

The problem is that there are not enough Progressives out there to convince the party that they are indispensable.

So, their ability to influence the outcome of elections -- whatever that may be -- will interfere with their efforts to impose a Progressive agenda. Their lack of sufficient electoral power will motivate the Democratic Party to more toward the center and the right of center, until they can muster enough votes to attain sufficient support to start winning again.

[huffyISaHottie]

09:18 AM on 08/13/2010

do it dennis..maybe it will light a fire under O's butt

[grf67]

08:30 AM on 08/13/2010

OK, but Howard Dean should. We need more strength and courage in the WH.

[patriciacaldwell]

07:14 AM on 08/13/2010

This is the first sensible thing I have heard from Kucinich. I'm looking forward to more good news. Maybe his beautiful wife has helped him see the light.

[Friction57]

04:59 AM on 08/13/2010

Today I received the email from "Obama"

That experience taught me one of the most important lessons I ever learned as a community organizer: When people promise that they'll do something -- like voting -- they are far more likely to do it.

This was my reply

After the comment made and then doubled down on by Gibbs, you can take me off of your list. You see I'm one of those progressives that the WH doesn't like. Sorry but you will have to find someone else to exploit.

Again please remove me from you mailing list.

That's why one key part of our Vote 2010 plan this year is to get folks like you from across the country to commit to vote, to make sure we get as many people as we can to cast their ballots this fall.

But getting the commitments we need starts with your own promise to make it to the polls and cast your ballot.

Will you please commit to vote in the 2010 elections?

[filo]

06:37 AM on 08/13/2010

I have always said that if you don't vote you have no right to complain.

[patriciacaldwell]

07:15 AM on 08/13/2010

I signed the pledge to vote. If you don't participate, you've given away one of your rights.

[negogato]

12:15 PM on 08/13/2010

Well said and true.
Faved + #161

[olivia]

12:14 AM on 08/13/2010

Of course he won't. It would not be appropriate. But he was my Number One choice for president in the primaries last time around. And I would support him in a heartbeat again.

President Obama would do well to pay some attention to this man.

[seted]

12:00 AM on 08/13/2010

In similar news, Mouse says time is not right to take on Cat.

[Enroh Mot]

12:18 AM on 08/13/2010

The dog with all the scars on it's face agrees.

[rjaxone]

11:48 PM on 08/12/2010

I respect Rep. Kucinich very much. I believe he is a dedicated public servant.

I wonder, though, does he kinda look like the real Clyde Barrows---as in Bonnie and Clyde...

[dagnew]

11:54 PM on 08/12/2010

What does that have to do with anything?

[Enroh Mot]

11:58 PM on 08/12/2010

He tried to stop the banks from robbing people, but he didn't have enough backup.

[SlyPhox]

02:57 PM on 08/13/2010

So did Ron Paul, for years.

[habeass]

10:10 PM on 08/12/2010

So what. Filling space HP?l

[Enroh Mot]

10:36 PM on 08/12/2010

They just wanted you to show up, now you're here, so what.

[habeass]

10:58 PM on 08/12/2010

That's the best you can do?

[SirSlappy]

10:03 PM on 08/12/2010

You can't win Dennis.
Unfortunately we may be stuck with passive newb Obama as a candidate.

[CherokeeGirl]

02:34 AM on 08/13/2010

I ask myself why they say that, and I come back with it's because they want us all to believe it, meanwhile, we would all vote for him. They marginalize people to make us think they couldn't get elected. I think he could, thus the reason for this article. :)