Kucinich announces retirement from Congress

[Tx4obama]

Source: CNN

(CNN) - Rep. Dennis Kucinich, the anti-war Ohio congressman, announced Wednesday that he will retire from the House at the end of his term, opting not to launch a bid for a house seat in Washington state after losing a primary for his own seat.

Kucinich's primary loss came in March, when he was defeated by fellow Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur after the Republican-led state legislature combined their districts. He then explored a run in Washington.

"At the end of this term I will have served sixteen years in the House of Representatives, leading the way for peace, to bring an end to the wars, for workers' rights, for health care for all, for monetary policy reform and to end the corrupting influence which money has on our political decision-making process," he said.

Read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/16/kucinich-announces-retirement-from-congress/

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Good luck to him!

He's young enough, and energetic enough, to find something else worthwhile to work on.

Thank you, Dennis, for your efforts on our behalf!

[DianaForRussFeingold]

10. Very,Well Said! K&R

I will always remember Dennis Kucinich as having Integrity!!!

I will miss him!

[eridani]

19. He is a very energetic 65 year old

Not young, but plenty of fight left.

[liberalmike27]

26. Maybe

They should add Dennis to Jennifer Granholm's show, and Barney Frank to Spitzer's show on Current. Outside of Cenk, they really aren't worth watching--needs some livening up, they do.

[eridani]

33. He has worked in radio before

What you suggest would be a pretty good fit, IMO.

[MADem]

47. Or give them their own shows--or at least add them to the payroll for color pieces.

Both know their way around the camera and the red light. They understand time constraints, commercial breaks, etc. and they give good TV. I think adding them to CURRENT or even MSNBC or CNN would be a good bet.

[Blue_Tires]

2. I hope he goes on TV regularly

[RKP5637]

3. I'll miss his perspective on things. I always found him quite interesting

to listen too and agreed with much of what he said.

[onehandle]

4. No Kucinich For Ohio Party?

Of course not. Dennis is a bit wacky, but he's not a douchebag.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

5. Even among his detractors can anyone question his sincerity and integrity?

I don't think so. I think on ethical terms he was above reproach.

Did he really retire or did he escape?

Best of luck congressman. All happiness and health to you and your family.

[awoke_in_2003]

12. No, his detractors cannot...

he will be missed by me.

[cyclezealot]

35. Its the other way around.

Its his detractors who need be questioned for integrity and sincerity.

[lovemydog]

6. thank you Mr. Kucinich

for all your efforts on behalf of all Americans.

You rock. May your next ventures be happy & rewarding.

[nobodyspecial]

7. My guess is he'll be like Carter

and enjoy a long and distinguished career in public service, making more a difference than he ever could as a politician.

[otherone]

16. that sounds about right

[demwing]

45. Is being a Congressman NOT public service?

Because I thought that it was...

[Tx4obama]

8. Hopefully he will show up more now on MSNBC and on CurrentTV n/t

[harun]

49. I sure hope so.

[fascisthunter]

9. Thank you, sir for your work and sacrifice

[Ken Burch]

11. Thanks Dennis.

You stood up when few others would.

[awoke_in_2003]

13. K&R for the Kooch. nt

[The Blue Flower]

14. I'm hoping his voice will be louder now

I'd like to see him do more commenting in the media.

[derby378]

15. Thank you, Dennis...

You fought, and you fought hard. We'll miss you.

[on point]

17. Thank you Dennis! I want an opportunity to support you in the future...

[Major Hogwash]

18. Move to Idaho, Dennis. We're getting killed out here by the Rethuglicans!!!

In yesterday's primary, the sleazy Republicans purposely crossed over and voted for one of the Democratic candidates in the 1st Congressional District to try and get her to be the candidate to face Congressman Raul Labrador this fall, knowing full well that she is currently sitting in jail awaiting a trial for pulling a gun on 2 clerks at Staples in March due to her bipolar disorder.
Fortunately, she lost the race, but it was close because the Rethuglicans will stop at nothing to win seats in the House this fall.

[Yukari Yakumo]

31. You have got to be kidding

The only way a Dem can win here in Idaho (especially for a Congressional seat) is to be as close to a DINO as possible.

Kuch the Kook would get slaughtered here.

[eridani]

20. The email he sent to supporters

I would like to thank you for your support, and thank the tens of thousands of concerned Citizens for Kucinich who in the past few months have written, emailed and called to discuss my running for Congress in Washington State.

At the end of this term I will have served sixteen years in the House of Representatives, leading the way for peace, to bring an end to the wars, for workers' rights, for health care for all, for monetary policy reform and to end the corrupting influence which money has on our political decision-making process. My staff and I have worked to deliver a level of constituent service to the people of Cleveland, which most agree is unmatched for results. As testimony to our efforts in the Cleveland area I received about 75% of the vote from my present constituents who were included in the newly redistricted area in which I ran in March.

Because of my love of public service, I have given a great deal of time and much thought to the advice and encouragement I have received from so many people of good will in Washington State. I certainly want to continue to be of service to our country and to the working men and women who have built it.

After careful consideration and discussions with Elizabeth and my closest friends, I have decided that, at this time, I can best serve from outside the Congress. My commitments to peace, to workers' rights and to social and economic justice are constant and are not dependent upon holding an office. They are dependent upon my continuing to stand up, to speak out, to organize, to motivate and to inspire our nation as to its deeper potential. This I promise I will do with great energy and heart.

I will complete my service in the U.S. House on January 2, 2013, with the same passion and devotion to duty with which I began it on January 3, 1997. And when I do, I shall think of you and all those who have given me encouragement to continue to be of service, and I will smile, knowing that we shall meet again in our celebration of the potential of citizen activists to change the world.

Please continue to encourage your friends and family to sign up at www.Kucinich.us because we will need to continue to work together for change outside Congress, as we have worked for it from within. This is just the beginning!

Sincerely,
Dennis

[unkachuck]

21. it's sad to see....

....this champion of the 99% depart....I hope Dennis will stay active and help direct the Progressive charge against corporate domination and right-wing extremism....he will be missed....

[Rhiannon12866]

22. Damn!

Dennis has been my candidate since 2003! He's just the best, courageous, tireless, outspoken, dedicated and smart. He tackled issues that nobody else will and forces them into the national dialog. We're sure going to miss him...

[Matilda]

23. He could always emigrate.

I think he'd be a great candidate for the Australian Greens.

[tech_smythe]

24. we're fucked

he was the only one in the house that OPENLY fought for us.

oh well, I guess I'll be leaving the US again =[
damn and I was just getting used to the fascism here

[coalition_unwilling]

48. Um, Barbara Lee? Alan Grayson? Maxine Waters? I met DK in Santa Monica during his 2004

presidential campaign and he really impressed me although I was supporting Dean at the time.

But DK is not the only one in the House who openly fought for us.

[Suji to Seoul]

25. Dennis for Ohio Governor!!!!!

Who in Ohio wants to start that movement????

[cyclezealot]

36. Governors can't do much with DK's issues..

Trade, war, and economic justice..

[brooklynite]

41. He couldn't win a moderate Democratic district...how's he going to win statewide?

And which of his skills as a legislator carry over to an executive position?

[DonCoquixote]

27. Go for the Senate Dennis

Ohio could use a one two liberal tag team of you and Sherrod.

[OnyxCollie]

28. Thanks, Dennis!

[Smilo]

29. Dear Dennis

Thank you is not enough to express how we, your supporters, cherish what you have done for Ohio and America.

You have been a guide-post for many - pointing the way on how to behave toward others - be respectful, be excellent, be determined and fight for what is right come hell or high-water.

Wishing you and Elizabeth every success in your new ventures together - whatever they may be.

[BlueIris]

30. Hmmmm.

Interesting. We're seeing a lot of retirements.

Some don't want to serve anymore. Some, I think, are getting forced out, probably for backing the wrong horse a while ago, but also because they don't want to participate in the upcoming reshaping of the Democratic Party.

Wonder which camp Kucinich fell into.

[krawhitham]

32. Don't let the door hit you

[eyewall]

34. The result of criminally unjust redistricting.

The Senate, or a governorship, sounds good to me.

[BumRushDaShow]

37. Good luck Dennis!

I remember watching him for almost 5 hours reading his articles of impeachment against Shrub into the record in Congress. What a trooper!

IMHO he should start a think tank that will draft legislation for states designed to overturn the nonsense that the lunatic RW has implemented.

[sofa king]

38. I'll be sad to see him go.

I disagreed with him often, but there might have been just as many times when he was the only person in Congress addressing the things that concerned me.

I'll always remember him pleasantly as the tireless guardian of the outpost of dissent.

[Roland99]

39. :-(

[bvar22]

40. Goodbye Dennis.

He was one of the very few Democrats I could ALWAYS COUNT ON to fight for ME,
a Working Class Dumb Ass.


[font color=firebrick size=4][center]”Unlike the other candidates, I am not funded by those corporate interests.
I owe them no loyalty, and they have no influence over me or my policies.”
---Dennis Kucinich [/font]
[/center]

[jake335544]

42. Let's make sure we bring in replacements!

He will be greatly, greatly missed. He was one of the few reason I ever turn to C-Span. He was very often a sole voice of progressive ideals, led some of the greatest efforts in congress, unfortunately often to deaf ears. His willingness to work inside the system was courageous, and his bipartisan language was inspiring. We need to make a replacement for him in 2012, hopefully quite a few replacements, of congressman that stand for the people.

[clang1]

43. Sort of not surprising. America would be a much better place if

there were more Dennis Kucinich's in it.

[nanabugg]

44. Love you, Dennis. Thank you for your service. If only we had more like you. nt

[Vidar]

46. Thank you, Dennis. You were the best.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

50. Our country has lost an important strong voice and advocate. :(

I will always have the utmost respect for him for having the courage to tell the Truth when it was not popular or politically advantageous. He has always represented the America I want to see and I am proud to have had the chance to vote for him for President.

All the best to you -- go out there and KICK SOME ASS!

[unblock]

51. damn shame. chalk up a big #$%^&! victory up for republican gerrymandering.

[lovuian]

52. He was a refreshing honest and compassionate voice

in a world of war mongers who took this country and bankrupted it of our children's lives and future

[DonCoquixote]

53. Run for Senate or the Gov

That is where you can do some good, Dennis.