Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Wow, I can’t imagine what it was like to comment in morse code.

A thin legal pretext to veneer over their personal religious and political desires

People are complicated. Love is not.

When I decide to be condescending, you won’t have to dream up a fantasy about it.

“Why isn’t this Snickers bar only a nickle?”

fuckem (in honor of the late great efgoldman)

Usually wrong but never in doubt

Motto for the House: Flip 5 and lose none.

Everyone is in a bubble, but some bubbles model reality far better than others!

Nothing worth doing is easy.

Take your GOP plan out of the witness protection program.

Whatever happens next week, the fight doesn’t end.

I’d hate to be the candidate who lost to this guy.

… riddled with inexplicable and elementary errors of law and fact

Make the republican party small enough to drown in a bathtub.

In short, I come down firmly on all sides of the issue.

Not so fun when the rabbit gets the gun, is it?

A snarling mass of vitriolic jackals

You don’t get to peddle hatred on saturday and offer condolences on sunday.

“Can i answer the question? No you can not!”

Balloon Juice has never been a refuge for the linguistically delicate.

Battle won, war still ongoing.

We cannot abandon the truth and remain a free nation.

Let us savor the impending downfall of lawless scoundrels who richly deserve the trouble barreling their way.

You are here: Home / Past Elections / Election 2012 / You Won’t Have Dennis Kucinich to Kick Around Anymore

Reader Interactions

92Comments

  1. 1.

    (another) Josh

    Am I right that the biggest difference in their voting record is her hardcore prolifer position? Not good.

  2. 2.

    Suffern ACE

    He can do more outside of office than inside, or so they say. He’ll get a nice progressive think tank gig, and lobby for something heinous on the side.

  3. 3.

    MikeJ

    I’m just happy he didn’t carry through his threat to carpetbag out here and run for WA’s new seat.

  4. 4.

    Spaghetti Lee

    Wasn’t there some rumor that he was going to move to Seattle and primary Jay Inslee or something stupid? Or was that just a joke about how desperate he was?

  5. 5.

    Brian R.

    No worries. Now he can fulfill his lifelong dream to leave the Congress of Misfit Toys and become a dentist.

  7. 7.

    Phoenix_rising

    Cole, you have never posted a less realistic title on this blog.

    Dennis Kucinich went to (boys’ Jesuit, natch) high school with my dad, and he never stops. He’s been declared dead politically so many times, he may as well be a cat.

    Yes, Marcy “Second Generation Toledo” Kaptur knocked him out of this particular seat, but that’s what the seat was designed to achieve.

  8. 8.

    Steve

    Happy about this. She is a good progressive and gets stuff done. Kucinich is just a scold who casts endless protest votes and does nothing to advance a liberal agenda.

  10. 10.

    General Stuck (Bravo Nope Zero)

    Dennis will land on his feet. With more time now to spend with his family and search for UFO’s. The twoof is out there.

  14. 14.

    Soonergrunt

    HOLY SHIT!
    BREAKING, from CNN’s Dana Bash on Twitter:

    Congressional news from Hamilton county now – looks like jean Schmitt may have lost her primary to brad Wenstrup

  15. 15.

    SuzieC

    Kaptur is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and one of the longest serving women in Congress. I believe that if the Dems retake Congress, she is poised to become the Chair of the House Appropriations Committee. Clout, baby. Dennis couldn’t say that.

  18. 18.

    eemom

    @Brian R.:

    No worries. Now he can fulfill his lifelong dream to leave the Congress of Misfit Toys and become a dentist.

    Splendiforous, sir. Quite splendiforous.

  19. 19.

    JGabriel

    PeakVT:

    Kucinich is slightly more liberal but also grandstands a lot more. If the Dems take the House, Kaptur is probably better to have around.

    Yeah. I like Kucinich better, and I’m really not fond of Kaptur’s pro-life leanings, but I have to admit Marcy is probably a more reliable foot soldier than Dennis, on most issues, when the Dem leadership is whipping votes. On the other hand, Kaptur was one of the holdouts who nearly scuppered health care reform over abortion, so that’s a strike against her.

    .

  21. 21.

    David Koch

    @JGabriel:

    I like Kucinich better, and I’m really not fond of Kaptur’s pro-life leanings,

    Kucinich is no better on choice. His entire career was against choice, only until his transparent flip-flop when he ran for president.

    He was such a kooky catholic, he even voted against stem cell research and contraception.

    And Kucinich was similarly a hold out on ACA.

  24. 24.

    JGabriel

    @Soonergrunt: Is Wenstrup better or worse wingnuttier or saner than Mean Jean?

    If a Republican is going to win the district anyway, I’d almost rather it be Schmitt — she’s makes such a lovely example of GOP extremism.

    .

  25. 25.

    Spaghetti Lee

    @PeakVT:

    I think that was the wrong link.

    Is Schmidt particularly awful? I don’t know much about her, but she seems to inspire at lot more vitriol than average. Either way, no Dem is ever gonna win that district, and one Gooper’s as bad as another for me, so whatever.

  27. 27.

    Suffern ACE

    Wasn’t Joe the Plummer running in a primary? I haven’t heard about him in awhile.

  28. 28.

    Left Coast Tom

    Posting a complaint in this thread to see if it now fixes my ‘reload’ button in this tab…

  30. 30.

    scav

    Odd question, why the difference in Grinch love between OK (~27%) and WY (~0%) and ID (~3%). Just a N/S thing? But ND has him at about 8.5%, so ?

  36. 36.

    amk

    Losing 40% of the states today qualifies you as ‘teh preemptive nominee’ how ?

    Mehmney.

  37. 37.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    this

    Sarah Palin tells Fox Business News that she voted for Newt Gingrich in Alaska’s caucuses.

    equals this

    Newt Gingrich is a stupid person’s idea of a smart person

  38. 38.

    nellcote

    OT via Wolcott’s twitter:

    Did Newt end by raising puffy fist and proclaiming, “I am Andrew Breitbart?”

  39. 39.

    pseudonymous in nc

    @Spaghetti Lee:

    Is Schmidt particularly awful? I don’t know much about her, but she seems to inspire at lot more vitriol than average.

    She wasn’t as regular a spouter of dumbfuckery as, say, Louie Gomer or Steve KKKing or Bachmann Crazy Overdrive, but when she spouted, it was dumb. Also, somewhat ethically challenged.

  40. 40.

    jgaugust

    @Spaghetti Lee: It looks like the new District 09. Don’t know if we’ll see any new updates on that tonight. It’s a crazy district that actually spans 5 different counties in Ohio. Very strange.

  41. 41.

    pseudonymous in nc

    When you look at the numbers outside the Free States of Mormonia, Rmoney does best in states where his prospects in November range from “slim” to “dubious”. A lot of the 27%ers in the reddest of red states are going to be asked to eat a Special Spiced Shit Sandwich in the general election.

  42. 42.

    Lev

    I liked Kucinich even though he wasn’t that great of a legislator. I actually met the guy in 2008, he is much smarter and more coherent than you’d think from watching the media. And his wife is indeed incredibly hot. Never much respected him until he switched to supporting the ACA and lobbied progressives to back it when things were going nuts. He showed me something there.

    All in all, though, Kaptur was probably the better choice.

  45. 45.

    scav

    @pseudonymous in nc: and (not that I’m proud of it or anything) she’s rather memorable in looking like the Witch of the West after having sucked on a bitter lemon. Might just be a childhood trauma thing on my part though.

  46. 46.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @pseudonymous in nc: Blue Dog Democrat John Murtha turned against the Iraq War in 2005. Jean Schidt said, on the floor of the House, “Cowards cut and run. Marines never do”
    This Jack Murtha

    Murtha left the Marines in 1955. He remained in the Reserves after his discharge from active duty until he volunteered for service in the Vietnam War, serving from 1966 to 1967, serving as a battalion staff officer (S-2 Intelligence Section), receiving the Bronze Star with Valor device, two Purple Hearts, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He retired from the Marine Corps Reserve as a Colonel in 1990, receiving the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.

  47. 47.

    jgaugust

    @The prophet Nostradumbass: Ha. Awesome. Hadn’t thought of that. It doesn’t really matter though because that’s the Kaptur/Kucinich district and there’s no way he can win that. It’s mostly just a dog-and-pony show.

  48. 48.

    Violet

    Kucinich’s wife is indeed hot. I remember the first time I saw her, in the audience during some Dem debate, and could not believe what I was seeing. She simply couldn’t be his wife. And yet there she is.

    I think Romney’s gonna take Ohio. Bummer.

  50. 50.

    Lev

    @Violet: Yeah, it’s pretty incongrous, this tall, pretty redhead with a British accent married to Kucinich–even Woody Allen would scoff at such an outlandish pairing.

  51. 51.

    Cacti

    @Violet:

    I think Romney’s gonna take Ohio. Bummer.

    Take heart. The next four states are Kansas, Alabama, Mississipi, and Missouri, all non-Romney country.

  54. 54.

    Cacti

    As for Kucinich…meh.

    If Teddy Roosevelt’s motto was “speak softly and carry a big stick,” DK’s was “shout loudly and flail empty hands”.

  56. 56.

    Violet

    @Lev:
    It is like a Woody Allen movie! And they do seem happy. It’s kind of cute. I remember in a previous presidential election season, before 2008, one of the late night comedians had Kucinich on playing some game trying to get him a date. Somehow he won the spouse lottery.

    @Cacti:
    I know, I know. I had just hoped Romney would lose Ohio so the whole GOP race would be thrown into chaos. If he wins Ohio, it’s going to stay the slow, miserable plod to Romney’s inevitable coronation. I know it’s damaging to the GOP, but it’s not as fun as full out chaos. You know, the type where Sarah Palin thinks she’ll be asked to ride in on a white horse to the convention to save the day.

  58. 58.

    David Koch

    Watching MSNBC and Tamron Hall looks deliciously slutty, wearing a sausage casing for a dress.

  61. 61.

    pseudonymous in nc

    @scav: Say what you like about Grandpa McCain, but he either won or came a close second in the scarlet states. I definitely think that Team Obama will be thinking about adding Atlanta to the campaign stops.

  63. 63.

    Tenzil Kem

    I give Kucinich credit for coming around on the ACA, in a very public way, after being an early and vocal critic of the pass the damn bill plan. May he enjoy spending more time with his family. His leggy, 30something, redhead family.

  64. 64.

    The Dangerman

    Kucinich’s wife is not only lovely, she looks a foot taller than her hubby; as a tall guy, that’s all kinds of wrong. Tall women belong with tall guys! That’s my platform and I’m sticking to it.

  65. 65.

    SuzieC

    I have to say that MSNBC’s coverage has been first rate. I have actually liked Chris Matthews and Chuck Todd, in addition to great Rachel. Right now Matthews is saying Mitt was afraid of Donald Trump and Rush. Savannah Guthrie: Romney has no core.

  66. 66.

    Anoniminous

    Had a political crisis to deal with.

    The four legged furry members of the family formed a picket line outside the Anoniminous, Inc. offices waving signs and chanting:

    “What do we want?”
    “DINNER!”
    “When do we want it?”
    “NOW!”

  67. 67.

    pseudonymous in nc

    @SarahT: Half a million votes in an uncontested primary isn’t to be sniffed at, is it? A good number of contested D primaries for House seats, which probably drove up the total, but the GOP total is more or less unchanged from 2008.

  70. 70.

    pseudonymous in nc

    NotJoe the NotPlumber scraped through in his primary, taking 50.76% against this guy, so he’ll be up against Kaptur in November. That should be fun.

  71. 71.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @pseudonymous in nc: the media will be drawn to that race like flies to a road apple, which may be good for Dems in the state. But what do I know? I thought the blunt amendment would seal Elizabeth Warren’s election, and Brown has jumped ahead in all the polls.

  72. 72.

    FuriousPhil

    @bemused senior:

    You win an internet for making a Firesign Theater reference. I’m going to dig out some old LPs and listen to them again. High School Madness!

    As far as Kucinich goes, I was never really much of a fan. I’ll leave it at that.

  73. 73.

    Anoniminous

    And don’t forget … Wyoming!

    26% of precincts

    Mitt Romney 294 55.7%
    Rick Santorum 161 30.5%
    Ron Paul 13 2.5%
    Newt Gingrich 0 0%

    A massive 468 votes are IN! At this vote per-precinct trend we can expect a total GOP turn-out of 1,800!

    WOW.

    (lol)

  74. 74.

    NR

    @JGabriel:

    but I have to admit Marcy is probably a more reliable foot soldier than Dennis, on most issues, when the Dem leadership is whipping votes.

    And you think this is a good thing?

    The last thing the House needs is another reliable vote for right-wing legislation.

  75. 75.

    jharp

    I wish the best for Dennis. I am am a big fan. I will never forget watching his Late Night with Tom Snyder interview about 1981.

    Any one else watch that and remember the Muny Light thing?

  77. 77.

    bemused senior

    @FuriousPhil: I married my husband, in part, because he could (and can still) recite the Firesign Theater, Goon Show and Monty Python skits from memory. So no need to get out the LPs over here. :-)

  78. 78.

    James E. Powell

    @jharp:

    I remember those years and I remember the Tomorrow Show. I used to eat at that diner myself, 117th & Lorain.

    In contrast with his sometimes loopy, sometimes too honest for prime time public image, Dennis is one of the sharpest political minds I’ve ever met. He also, too the best of my knowledge, never sold out. I don’t see him becoming a lobbyist for anything but what he already believes in.

  80. 80.

    jharp

    @James E. Powell:

    He also, too the best of my knowledge, never sold out.

    I see it the same. Dennis was on our side.

    I also vividly remember the Cleveland mob wars of the late 70’s. Something like 36 bombings in ’77 alone. And the Danny Greene bombing.

    Quite a different time.

  81. 81.

    Mnemosyne

    @NR:

    Yes, because the best possible way to get more liberal legislation is to have representatives vote against anything Nancy Pelosi wants. Good plan there.

  83. 83.

    Citizen Alan

    My understanding is that Wenstrup is a Teabagger who attacked Mean Jean from the Right! I gather his biggest selling point was that Mean Jean voted tor raise the debt ceiling, thereby proving that she is actually liberal.

  84. 84.

    Corner Store Operator

    I have plenty of love for Dennis, but his whipping votes for the recent GOP gerrymander of Ohio (because he thought this map was the best he would get) lost him a lot of credibility in my eyes and maybe lost Democrats a house seat or two as well.

  86. 86.

    Porgy

    @bemused senior:

    Gee, Dad! No Irishman is going to stop you from being elected Dogkiller this time! You’re a natural!

    ETHEL : Don’t wolf your food

    [ beep beep ]

    Ulp. Graduation, here I come! So long, Dad! Keep ’em flying!”

    FRED : Oh, that son of mine…

    ETHEL : He’s not your son, Fred.

    FRED : Stop torturing me, Ethyl.

  87. 87.

    Chris

    All I have to add to the conversation, as a confirmed redhead and freckle lover, is god bless the USA and Mrs. Kucinich. I want her as my First Lady.

  88. 88.

    The Sheriff's A Ni-

    It was bad enough to get Kaptur the anti-choice, then her victory speech she goes ‘I won’t forget you, Cuyahoga County’. Gee, thanks, you make us sound so special.

    Dennis! wasn’t perfect, but he was one of us. Now I expect the West Side to wind up the red-headed stepchild between Kaptur and Fudge going ‘no, you handle it’. And there wasn’t a Santorum surge in Ohio either. Bleah.

  89. 89.

    kay

    Sheriff, you’ll love Kaptur.
    She works hard.
    I went to a state convention once and saw her standing, surrounded by people asking her questions.
    I walked by her at 11 PM and went back that way at 1 AM and she was still there, still surrounded by people.
    She loves that job, and she was a populist before it was fashionable.

  90. 90.

    fourmorewars

    Kucinich, I’m given to understand, told some megacorp that wanted to privatize Cleveland’s utilities to stuff it. One of the earliest moves in the long nightmare of the greedy scum buying up the commons, squeezing it dry and spitting it out. Yeah, he never accomplished anything. Well, forget him anyway, can I sit at the snarky kids’ table?

  91. 91.

    kay

    @NR:

    And you think this is a good thing?
    The last thing the House needs is another reliable vote for right-wing legislation.

    Nonsense. You don’t know a thing about her. She was the best and most vigilant advocate for congressional oversight on the bail outs, and she’s been a consistent anti-war voice for years.
    If Democrats take the House, she’ll move them in exactly the direction you claim to want them to go, but she’s not a celebrity liberal, so you’re not interested.

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