Dodd Slams Kucinich's Obama Maneuver on MSNBC

[DemocratSinceBirth]

by Todd Beeton


Chris Dodd appeared on MSNBC earlier and was asked by Andrea Mitchell about Dennis Kucinich's urging his supporters to caucus for Obama as their second choice. Dodd offered a fierce and principled takedown of the maneuver and got a nice dig in at Obama while he was at it.


Well, I don't think that Kucinich supporters in Iowa like the idea that Dennis is going to tell them how to vote tomorrow night. I went back and stood up and filibustered on the constitution the other day, Barack Obama did not. I know Kucinich supporters here care about the constitution.

As he elaborated on his distaste for the practice of candidates' urging supporters to caucus for someone else, he appealed to the pride with which Iowans approach their first in the nation responsibility.


I don't think they're going to walk into a caucus at Dennis's behest and cast a ballot he'd like them to cast. This is not an auction here. <...>

I'll make up my own mind as a caucus-goer but don't you tell me as a candidate, in fact I'm offended that you'd even suggest that I ought to do what you want me to do. <...>

The idea that you're willing to market me, to auction me off to some other campaign would truly bother me.

http://www.mydd.com/

[Bicoastal]

1. "...and not only that, he chose Obama over ME!" nt

[flvegan]

2. "...who also won't get 15%..."

[xchrom]

3. recommend.

[rodeodance]

4. BRAVO Dodd. BRAVO

[gasperc]

5. when did Dodd become so angry?

and I'm an Edwards supporter and even I didn't get that pissed

[kenfrequed]

20. Yeah

And Edwards is far more likely to scoop on Kucinich supporters.

Actually I suspect that the reason for the support might be strategic. Make Hillary's trouncing look all the stronger in Iowa so that other candidates surge a bit. Make the story about Hillary's fall and the opportunity, knowing that Obama isn't likely to pick up much more steam than he has at this point. Well that and hope that Obama will be more willing to lend a hand to ensure Kucinich's participation.

Surging Edwards might pull permanent steam from Kucinich's sails, so tactically it is less a good idea. This might be the closest I have seen Kucinich get to being strategic.

Either that or Kucinich, as good a guy as he is, is an amatuer when it comes to these national elections.

[MethuenProgressive]

6. Dodd, as usual, is spot on.

Too bad we can't have DoddBidenRichardson as our nominee!

[annie1]

9. i love them all. they're so great. : )

[annie1]

7. Damn i like him. he's so cool. f. He's what i think of when i think of a Democratic...

candidate for pres for some reason. don't know why.

[gateley]

8. I imagine it's frustrating beyond belief to have been busting your butt campaigning

and be asked about ANOTHER candidate's actions. I'd be insulted and pissed off, too.

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

12. He was offended at being asked such a question by Andrea.

~Who will you throw your support to tomorrow?~
It was an excellent interview by Dodd. His wife was interviewed about an hour later, she pointed out that not only can people change their minds when their candidate gets less than 15%, But to take into Consideration that those candidates with the bigger numbers can throw their excess to another candidate. That is interesting!

[wtmusic]

17. The candidates are being determined by pre-caucus polling

and it sucks.

"Who will you throw your support to?" Go to hell, Andrea. Can you recommend a good interviewer?

[liberalnurse]

10. A man of HONOR! Dodds is fantastic!

Kucinich needs to be scolded....badly scolded. Ohio needs to find a fresh, committed Democrat to take his seat.

[no name no slogan]

11. Dodd's jealous because he'll have to cut a deal with Biden

Politics is politics. Get used to it.

[redqueen]

13. "Politics is politics."

Yup.

It's nice that so many people are getting involved now due to the bushie's horrible mismanagement...

[maximusveritas]

14. That's stupid. So he's not going to endorse anyone?

All the people complaining about this are hypocrites. They would of course love to have Kucinich's endorsement if it went to their candidate.

[wtmusic]

16. Kucinich has decided who the "mainstream" candidates are

and Dodd ain't going along for the ride. That's all.

[zalinda]

15. After listening to him on Hartmann today

I'd love to see him as VP to Edwards.

zalinda

[jillan]

18. Go get 'em Dodd!!

What a great man!

[Eurobabe]

19. Good for him, he's right, it's not eBay in IOWA!

Andrea Mitchell insinuated other campaigns in the "second tier" were negotiating as to whom to throw their support behind should they not be viable. I think the MSM just wants to winnow the field, or perhaps dim the spirits of those who aren't in the top tier.

Hey Andrea, buzz off!

[Czolgosz]

21. kick