What you are watching tonight is a classic example of DKDQ in action.

[Berry Cool]

What's "DKDQ"?

Dennis Kucinich Drama Queen.

He did this same thing when Cleveland went into default. The Big Standoff of 1978. One of the local news channels ran a "Countdown to Default" with the clock ticking off the seconds. Of course, he didn't back down, the clock struck 12, and the Witching Hourt of Default fell upon the city, with the whole world watching.

This is what Kucinich loves best--hogging the spotlight as The Guy Who On Principle Won't Back Down. This is his moment of glory, and he is basking in it. He's getting more publicity from it than he would from a thousand normal debates.

Don't think for a second that he would have been as happy as if he'd just been permitted by MSNBC into tonight's debate from day one. Sure, he would've been all right with it, but this is more than he could have hoped for. Drama to the nth power, with his loyal acolytes screaming and posting and placing angry phone calls to MSNBC in droves.

Now, if he does get to appear, it'll be to a thunderous standing ovation, instead of just regular applause.

Dennis the Menace is never so happy as when he can have this kind of spotlight...and when he can say "I am here because The People demanded it."

Do I believe he belongs? Sure. Let him talk. What harm can it do? I have no idea why MSNBC is so adamant about stopping him. I really don't think it's an eeeevul conspiracy.

But I can bet you dollars to doughnuts that Keith will suffer in the liberal blogosphere now that his employer is regarded by Kucinich nuts as The True Sons of Satan.

Because Keith's not going to say a word about this in public. He may love Dennis to death in private--for all I know, he does. After all, he's a New Yorker and he has no clue what it was like living in the Cleveland area when Dennis was mayor. All he knows is the New Dennis: Mr. Peace, Love and Stubborn Principles of Liberal Righeousness. Who wouldn't love that Dennis?

But he's not going to say a word in his defense, because Keith has learned his lesson about badmouthing your employer. Not gonna do it.

And so, he's going to become a bad guy again, and make a lot of ex-fans.

Oh well. Nothing we can do about it.