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cindy25
12-08-2007, 03:06 AM
In the midst of a long-shot campaign for president, Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-Ohio) is finding himself with a newfound challenge at home.

Joe Cimperman, a popular 37-year-old Cleveland city councilman, announced Tuesday that he will be running against Kucinich in the Democratic primary for his House seat next March, giving the six-term congressman his first serious and politically experienced challenger since he was first elected in 1996.

Cimperman will now join a fairly crowded field of Democratic challengers. Kucinich is already facing two other primary opponents in Rosemary Palmer, an anti-war activist whose son died in the Iraq war, and nonprofit executive Barbara Anne Ferris, who ran against him last year.

Cimperman represents Cleveland’s downtown ward in the city council.

In an interview with Politico, Cimperman argued that Kucinich’s presidential campaigns have distracted him from paying attention to his constituents back in Cleveland.

“It’s time the 10th District has a representative who is focused on the needs of the community,” said Cimperman. “I’ve been a Clevelander my whole life. I know how to get things done, full time, 24/7. I think that’s the representation this district deserves.”

In his kickoff announcement, Cimperman also cited Kucinich’s vote against SCHIP legislation expanding federally funded health care for children — Kucinich argued it didn’t go far enough — as a potential issue in the campaign.

“You can’t make the perfect the enemy of the good,” Cimperman said.

Cimperman also would be in a strong position to raise sizable funds for the election, given his past relationships with well-heeled donors from downtown Cleveland.

Cimperman’s entry into the race has also raised speculation in Cleveland political circles that Kucinich might be considering retirement.

“The question is now: Is the congressman running for reelection or not? I don’t think Councilman Cimperman would have entered this race without expecting the congressman not to run for reelection,” said Palmer’s campaign manager, Anthony Fossaceca.

The filing date to qualify for the ballot is less than a month away (Jan. 4), and Fossaceca said there wasn’t any sign that Kucinich’s campaign was distributing petitions.

The primary is scheduled for March 4.

Kucinich didn’t raise any money for his congressional campaign last quarter and has only $3,850 remaining in his House campaign account. He has $327,000 in his presidential campaign account, which he can transfer for his reelection bid.

Kucinich spokeswoman Natalie Laber declined to comment on whether the congressman would be running for reelection but issued a statement accusing Cimperman of being beholden to “corporate interests” and not living within the district borders.

“Voters should know that he is the candidate of downtown Cleveland corporate interests. And he brags about how much money he raises from Big Business,” said Laber. “But worse than that, he doesn’t live in the district. I guess his Big Business sponsors are so confident they can buy the election that their candidate doesn’t even have to live in the district.”

Cimperman said he lives “several blocks” outside the district lines and added that he grew up within the district. He is not required by state law to live in the district in order to run for the seat.

In the past, Kucinich has praised Cimperman’s record on the city council. In a 1999 Cleveland Plain Dealer article, Kucinich praised Cimperman for being “passionately involved in his community.”

“He’s an activist, and an activist approach is necessary in order to catalyze the progress of people you represent,” he told the paper.

Cimperman has been a vigorously liberal voice in his 10-year tenure on the city council. He has recently opposed the building of a Wal-Mart in Cleveland, arguing that it would hurt the city’s independent grocers. And he has supported measures to ensure the availability of affordable housing in Cleveland.

If Kucinich runs for reelection, the presence of Palmer and Ferris could dilute Cimperman’s share of the anti-Kucinich vote. But Palmer and Ferris haven’t shown much fundraising strength to date — Palmer raised $48,000 last quarter, and Ferris raised only $15,880.

Cimperman said he is confident he will be able to raise enough funds to mount a serious challenge and believes that Kucinich’s quixotic presidential campaign is even wearing on former Kucinich supporters.

“He’s a good guy; he’s just out of touch,” Cimperman said. “As someone who grew up in Cleveland, you never forget where you came from. And I think Dennis has forgotten where he came from.”

TheIndependent
12-08-2007, 03:07 AM
In an interview with Politico, Cimperman argued that Kucinich’s presidential campaigns have distracted him from paying attention to his constituents back in Cleveland.

The same excuse every opponent gives when challenging a presidential candidate.

VoteRonPaul2008
12-08-2007, 11:45 AM
hmmmm

JosephTheLibertarian
12-08-2007, 12:06 PM
you can beat an incumbent in a primary?

Bradley in DC
12-08-2007, 12:13 PM
you can beat an incumbent in a primary?

That's how Dr. Paul won in 1996!

AlexMerced
12-08-2007, 12:44 PM
yep, people hate Kucinich in cleveland... so this shouldn't be too hard

Honestly, Kucinich doesn't have bad idea for a non-profit, but they'd be horrible for the government to implement

I think he'd best start a non-profit and just spreading his ideas in the private sector like Al Gore did, I don't like Al Gore, but he made a lot more change in the Private sector than he did running for office.

Al Gore is the perfect arguement for the free market :)

voytechs
12-08-2007, 12:46 PM
I think Kucinich will do fine. Especially after initiating that Cheney impeachment bill.

steph3n
12-08-2007, 12:51 PM
I think Kucinich will do fine. Especially after initiating that Cheney impeachment bill.

and not following due process? right.....

AlexMerced
12-08-2007, 12:53 PM
no, trust if you mention Kucinich in front of someone from cleveland, they get pissed, he is seriously disliked over there, I know people from Cinnci who like them, but it's cause he wasn't their senator and they are uber socialist.

Your typical democrat are usually closet paleoconservatives, they just equate republican with neo-con abuses so they get it all wrong.

Aratus
02-19-2008, 10:15 AM
ralph nader brought down the wrath of the gore + kerry people for his
tenacity. it would be a shame if kucinich's seat goes to a hack from his
own party. this again reminds me of the uphill fight ron paul now has...

Cjays
02-19-2008, 11:23 AM
Kucinich needs to go.

jmdrake
02-19-2008, 11:27 AM
Kucinich needs to go.

Why? So Ron Paul will lose another ally in congress? The only issue Kucinich is TOTALLY wrong on is gun control. Well Ron Paul can find enough similar votes on guns. But when it comes to opposing things like the Patriot Act and Homeland inSecurity it's usually just Ron Paul, Dennis Kucinich and a handful of others. Kucinich even recently came out against the federal reserve! If Kucinich loses do you think a conservative republican will get his seat? Or will we get another "impeachment is off the table - give me some popcorn as I watch the torture tapes" Pelosi clone? My bet is on the Pelosi clone.

Regards,

John M. Drake

abe447
02-19-2008, 11:35 AM
Kucinich needs to go.

I agree. I'd like to see him gone.

jmdrake
02-19-2008, 11:43 AM
I agree. I'd like to see him gone.

Perhaps you also like the national ID card, the federal reserve, state sanctioned torture, Dick Cheney, domestic wiretapping and everything else that Dennis Kucinich has worked with Dr. Paul against. If Kucinich loses he will be replaced by a Joe Lieberman warhawk socialist democrat. Part of the reason Kucinich is in trouble is that he had the guts to stand up and call for a recount in New Hampshire, creating political cover for Ron Paul to stay above the fray. A Kucinich loss would be a sad day indeed.

Regards,

John M. Drake

abe447
02-19-2008, 12:21 PM
Kucinich is a fraud and he in no way represents this movement. He's disliked in his district and for good reason. I'll be happy when he's gone. A Kucinich loss would be a happy day indeed.

jmdrake
02-19-2008, 12:23 PM
Kucinich is a fraud and he in no way represents this movement. He's disliked in his district and for good reason. I'll be happy when he's gone. A Kucinich loss would be a happy day indeed.

Of course he doesn't represent THIS movement. He represents his OWN movement! And he has Ron Paul's friendship and respect for good reason. They've worked together a lot on issues of common interest. Should he lose Ron Paul loses an ally. Maybe you're cool with that. I'm not. If you'd prefer a Joe Lieberman type candidate to a Dennis Kucinich then maybe you don't represent this movement.

Regards,

John M. Drake

abe447
02-19-2008, 12:54 PM
Kucinich is a big government, soicalist, party shill! He's no better than Obama or Hillary! Why did he vote for the Iraq Liberation Act? TELL ME WHY HE VOTED FOR IT!!!!!! If you think that having a big government, socialist flip flopper in office is good for us, then maybe you don't represent this movement.

constitutional
02-19-2008, 01:48 PM
Kucinich is a big government, soicalist, party shill! He's no better than Obama or Hillary! Why did he vote for the Iraq Liberation Act? TELL ME WHY HE VOTED FOR IT!!!!!! If you think that having a big government, socialist flip flopper in office is good for us, then maybe you don't represent this movement.

It's good, as much as Ron's platform, as long as they follow the constitution and are honest.

Kucinich is a practical man, good man.

abe447
02-19-2008, 02:10 PM
Kucinich doesn't follow the Constitution. He likes big government social and welfare programs. He also doesn't adhere to the 2nd amendment. Kucinich is no Ron Paul and anyone who supports him is no Ron Paul supporter, that's for sure.

familydog
02-19-2008, 04:38 PM
Perhaps you also like the national ID card, the federal reserve, state sanctioned torture, Dick Cheney, domestic wiretapping and everything else that Dennis Kucinich has worked with Dr. Paul against. If Kucinich loses he will be replaced by a Joe Lieberman warhawk socialist democrat. Part of the reason Kucinich is in trouble is that he had the guts to stand up and call for a recount in New Hampshire, creating political cover for Ron Paul to stay above the fray. A Kucinich loss would be a sad day indeed.

Regards,

John M. Drake

Um, we will probly see all that stuff anyway. Kucinich is the one person standing in those way of those things? That's the tone of your post. He's wrong on a whole host of issues other than gun control. He likes civil liberties, to an extent, and he also likes a lot more government.

He is right on a few issues yes.

I wouldn't say I'd like to see him gone, but a Kucinich style American society scares me as much as the perfect neocon society.

jmdrake
02-19-2008, 04:51 PM
Um, we will probly see all that stuff anyway. Kucinich is the one person standing in those way of those things? That's the tone of your post. He's wrong on a whole host of issues other than gun control. He likes civil liberties, to an extent, and he also likes a lot more government.

He is right on a few issues yes.

I wouldn't say I'd like to see him gone, but a Kucinich style American society scares me as much as the perfect neocon society.

Maybe you're "tone deaf". ;) Of course Kucinich isn't the ONLY person standing against these things but here's clearly one of only a handful of people in congress who do! Right now Ron Paul is fighting for his seat just like Kucinich. If either of them lose the number of people fighting on all of those issues drops significantly. And we're in little danger of a "Kucinich style American society" if he wins. In fact a LOSS would put us in more danger because it makes the police state necessary to enforce the stuff you don't like that much more likely.

Regards,

John M. Drake

jmdrake
02-19-2008, 04:54 PM
Kucinich is a big government, soicalist, party shill! He's no better than Obama or Hillary! Why did he vote for the Iraq Liberation Act? TELL ME WHY HE VOTED FOR IT!!!!!! If you think that having a big government, socialist flip flopper in office is good for us, then maybe you don't represent this movement.

Everyone makes mistakes. Ron Paul voted for the war in Afghanistan. He later said he regretted that vote. Do you think Ron Paul is a "socialist flip flopper"? :rolleyes: When the actual vote for war in Iraq came up Dennis Kucinich did the right thing as did Ron Paul. If you don't understand this then you clearly don't represent Ron Paul.

Regards,

John M. Drake

jmdrake
02-19-2008, 04:59 PM
Kucinich doesn't follow the Constitution. He likes big government social and welfare programs. He also doesn't adhere to the 2nd amendment. Kucinich is no Ron Paul and anyone who supports him is no Ron Paul supporter, that's for sure.

And if Kucinich loses you'll get all of that AND MUCH WORSE! That should be obvious to you. But maybe you want this country to go down as fast as possible.

Regards,

John M. Drake

JosephTheLibertarian
02-19-2008, 05:09 PM
Kucinich is a communist lol. Fuck government!

familydog
02-19-2008, 05:36 PM
Maybe you're "tone deaf". ;) Of course Kucinich isn't the ONLY person standing against these things but here's clearly one of only a handful of people in congress who do! Right now Ron Paul is fighting for his seat just like Kucinich. If either of them lose the number of people fighting on all of those issues drops significantly. And we're in little danger of a "Kucinich style American society" if he wins. In fact a LOSS would put us in more danger because it makes the police state necessary to enforce the stuff you don't like that much more likely.

Regards,

John M. Drake

I don't think that's correct to say that if Kucinich and or Paul loses the number people fighting those issues drops significantly. Do you have evidence that suggests that? If you do please show me and I'll reconsider what I'm saying. I just don't see the government being more bold in regards to a police state just because Kucinich lost his house seat.

JosephTheLibertarian
02-19-2008, 06:21 PM
Ron Paul losing his seat will be a symbolic victory for the statists. He wasn't really accomplishing anything, you can't do anything but cast your protest vote to every piece of legislation.

jmdrake
02-19-2008, 06:26 PM
Kucinich is a communist lol. Fuck government!

It's about as accurate to call Kucinich a communist as it is to call Ron Paul a facist. I've seen shrill comments like yours without any logic or facts directed against Ron Paul. The bottom line is that fascism and communism are both about central control of economies. But you can't have central control of economies without central control of banks. Both Ron Paul and NOW Dennis Kucinich have come out against the centralized federal reserve bank system. It's no surprise then that both of them are under attack not just in their presidential campaigns (why was Kucinich asked about a UFO in what was supposed to be a serious debate?) but also in the congressional races.

Regards,

John M. Drake

jmdrake
02-19-2008, 06:33 PM
I don't think that's correct to say that if Kucinich and or Paul loses the number people fighting those issues drops significantly. Do you have evidence that suggests that? If you do please show me and I'll reconsider what I'm saying. I just don't see the government being more bold in regards to a police state just because Kucinich lost his house seat.

Look at the latest threat to our freedoms the Homegrown Terrorism Act. It passed with only 6 people voting against it. One of the 6 was Dennis Kucinich.

http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/3388/examining_the_homegrown_terrorism_prevention_act/

Ron Paul spoke out against this bill, although he wasn't able to vote on it because he was out campaigning.

http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2007/cr120507h.htm

I'm certain if he had been there the count would have been 7 votes against it. Simple math shows that Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich make up 28.5% of the congressmen against this horrible piece of legislation.

Regards,

John M. Drake

JosephTheLibertarian
02-19-2008, 06:56 PM
It's about as accurate to call Kucinich a communist as it is to call Ron Paul a facist. I've seen shrill comments like yours without any logic or facts directed against Ron Paul. The bottom line is that fascism and communism are both about central control of economies. But you can't have central control of economies without central control of banks. Both Ron Paul and NOW Dennis Kucinich have come out against the centralized federal reserve bank system. It's no surprise then that both of them are under attack not just in their presidential campaigns (why was Kucinich asked about a UFO in what was supposed to be a serious debate?) but also in the congressional races.

Regards,

John M. Drake

ha. Capitalism has nothing to do with fascism. There's your communist propaganda. Fascism is actually very similar to communism..economically speaking. It was very similar in practice, even though the rhetorc was different. Same god damn thing. Wow, against central bank? Isn't that like the hallmark of your philosophy? But he's still against people's right to own guns. Socialists sure are great at the art of propaganda, too bad involuntary socialism cannot work. Every country sucks though, I just think the following surrounding this flawed ideology needs to be specifically addressed.

jmdrake
02-19-2008, 09:50 PM
ha. Capitalism has nothing to do with fascism. There's your communist propaganda. Fascism is actually very similar to communism..economically speaking. It was very similar in practice, even though the rhetorc was different. Same god damn thing. Wow, against central bank? Isn't that like the hallmark of your philosophy? But he's still against people's right to own guns. Socialists sure are great at the art of propaganda, too bad involuntary socialism cannot work. Every country sucks though, I just think the following surrounding this flawed ideology needs to be specifically addressed.

I never said Capitalism and fascism were the same or different. Did you do well in reading comprehension in school? :rolleyes: I said I've seen the same sorry pattern you are displaying in others who condemn Ron Paul for being "fascist" with no actual evidence.

Now as for your incoherent babbling. Yes fascism and communism are similar. And both basically are about centralizing power and controlled economies. I'm not sure what you are calling the hallmark of my philosophy. My philosophy is about freedom, small government, and a constitutional republic. And yes I'm against gun control and yes Kucinich is wrong on that. But it's idiotic to harp on ONE issue while ignoring every other issue and especially if the alternative is most likely going to be someone wrong on that SAME issue! Let me spell it out for you since you seem uncapable of understanding the basic truth here.

* Whoever "replaces" Kucinich will likely be just as wrong on guns as Kucinich is.
* Whoever "replaces" Kucinich will likely NOT be against the federal reserve as Kuninich now is.
* Whoever "replaces" Kucinich will likely NOT stand up against tyrannical legislation such as the Homegrown terrorism bill
* Whoever "replaces" Kucinich will likely NOT buck Nancy Pelosi on issues such as impeachment and state sanctioned torture.

In conclusion in your zeal to be rid of a "gun grabber" who actually agrees with Dr. Paul on a lot of issues, you'll likely get a "gun grabber" that disagrees with Dr. Paul on EVERYTHING! If you call that a victory then I'm not sure what else to say without getting dinged by the moderators.

Regards,

John M. Drake

jmdrake
02-19-2008, 10:01 PM
Ron Paul losing his seat will be a symbolic victory for the statists. He wasn't really accomplishing anything, you can't do anything but cast your protest vote to every piece of legislation.

So now you've gone from attacking Dennis Kucinich to attacking Ron Paul? :rolleyes: I should have known. It was only a matter of time.

Not all of Ron Paul's votes are "symbolic". He's on the winning side on occasions. That's why it important to for coalitions. There's already a strong pro gun coalition in congress. A Kucinich win or loss will not change that one bit. But the no compromise on civil liberties coalition is indeed small. Paul just lost one ally in Maryland but potentially gained four for a net gain of three. Who knows what will happen next? It may take until 2010 or beyond to have enough votes to start seriously challenging the federal reserve. And that's really what this revolution is about. The Reagan revolution was challenging communism and it was largely successful, although we ended up with an entrenched communist economic threat in China. The Gingrich revolution was against New Deal socialism and it was largely a failure. (Gingrich now supports universal healthcare). The Ron Paul revolution is about the central bank and taxes. It seems he has recruited Dennis Kucinich and that is a GOOD thing. Perhaps DK doesn't yet know the ramifications of what he's supporting. Or perhaps he's having a personal political paradigm shift. Hopefully he'll win his reelection bid and we can see. Otherwise we'll get a Pelosi clone that will be everything you claim to hate and more.

Regards,

John M. Drake

JosephTheLibertarian
02-19-2008, 10:14 PM
I am attacking no one, tool. The government is evil. Not just this government! ALL GOVERNMENT!!! Maybe one day you will understand that. Ron Paul is the best in the running, that's the only reason I'm here. Did I ever say his seat is unimportant? No. I pretty much said his defeat will be mostly a symbolic one, he doesn't have much influence on anything in the Congress. Get more "Ron Paul Republicans" in there, then we'll see what comes of it. Yeah, Kucinich is definitely not a panderer, I'll give him that. I just think much of his politics is flawed. I'd prefer him in there than uhh Nancy Pelosi. Sure. I'd prefer 100 Kucinch clones in the Congress over her.

jmdrake
02-20-2008, 09:41 AM
I am attacking no one, tool. The government is evil. Not just this government! ALL GOVERNMENT!!! Maybe one day you will understand that. Ron Paul is the best in the running, that's the only reason I'm here. Did I ever say his seat is unimportant? No. I pretty much said his defeat will be mostly a symbolic one, he doesn't have much influence on anything in the Congress. Get more "Ron Paul Republicans" in there, then we'll see what comes of it. Yeah, Kucinich is definitely not a panderer, I'll give him that. I just think much of his politics is flawed. I'd prefer him in there than uhh Nancy Pelosi. Sure. I'd prefer 100 Kucinch clones in the Congress over her.

LOL It's hilarious that you call someone a "tool" in the same sentence where you claim you are attacking no one. :rolleyes: Anyway beyond that I have no disagreement with your last post. Yes Ron Paul's influence is limited, and yes Kucinich has some flawed politics. But I'm hopeful. If Kucinich can see the light on the fed he might see the light on other things. This is a process. A lot of people are going to have to see the light on various issues if we are going to change this country. I used to despise Tom Tancredo and I still wouldn't want him for president. But he was right on some things and I saw him changing on others recently. For instance he came out against the surge. Ron Paul is friends with both Kucinich and Tancredo. I think Ron Paul has a tendency to grow on people if they just allow themselves to listen to reason long enough. But maybe I'm too optimistic.

Regards,

John M. Drake

s35wf
02-20-2008, 10:00 AM
If we could get just 1/2 or 1/3 or congress to have the balls, intgrity, and honesty that Paul and Kucinich represent,this country would not be sinking into the abyss nearly as quickly as it has.

Those 3 republicans (Paul +2 others) who voted against immunity for telecoms instead of walking out is what we need to fill those seats in congress. People have some principals; whether rep, dem or independant.

I truly hope we can keep Paul, Kucinich, and others similar in views working in gov't; if not we are truly lost as a country. I hope there is time to take over the whitehouse.

Im typing this whilst contemplating my tax audit, taking my $ out of banks & cd's. And purchasing food storage lots. Pray we dont see war this year. :(