Did DK flip-flop when he supported a pro-Iraq War Edwards in 2004?

[TeamJordan23]

I see all this criticism targeted at Obama and how DK has flip-flopped on his principles. Do these anti-Obama critics believe DK flip-flopped when he supported a pro-Iraq War Edwards in 2004? Also, this is the same Edwards who did not have his 'magical populist' message in 2004.

I think Dennis knows what he is doing and is more principled than many people on DU. If you don't like endorsement of Obama, get over it. I trust his judgment.

[JI7]

1. i can understand people disagreeing, but the hatefulness that has come

someone even said they have a bigger problem with this than when they thought Kucnich would pick ron Paul as his running mate(which turned out to be false).

[Zensea]

2. Or he might be engaged in bald faced political calculation

Hard to say for sure, but it smells funny to me.
Let's see, in 2004 he throws his votes to Edwards and helps derail Dean.
In 2008, he throws his votes not to Edwards but Obama.
What's the pattern here?
Looks kind of like it might be something other than principle.

[MuseRider]

5. Looks like

A CAUCUS!

This is how it is done. It worked very well last time and I am hoping it works just as well this time. Not about principle it is about politics and I swear DK is the only candidate I see getting bashed over the head every time he does something strictly political.

[Zensea]

8. I think you are part right

Yes, it is about politics.
I'm not exactly bashing Kucinich over that aspect of it.
I just think it is important to be clear about it.
That is, I'm not bashing him for being political in and of itself. However, I do think the specific political action here is a bit suspect.
Makes me wonder what is in it for him or what he thinks he gets from it. I had the same response 4 years ago.

Also however, I think you are somewhat wrong in this respect. A caucus is about different blocs of voters coming together, but I think it should come from the base not from the top down -- that is the way it works or is supposed to work.
If I were a Kucinich voter or a voter for any particular candidate at a caucus I wouldn't factor to any great degree into my calculation that candidate telling me (or suggesting to me) who I should vote for instead of them. In fact, I'd be a bit troubled by the suggestion.

[MuseRider]

14. Nah not troubling at all.

He is not telling people what to do he is suggesting it. The purpose I think is to stop Clinton and I agree with that 100%. I would not go over to Obama and many of the DK supporters here said the same. It is a suggestion with an end purpose and it is for this caucus only.

We caucus here so I do have experience with it and this is the way it is done, at least in my caucus and I believe we do it like Iowa. I don't see it as troubling at all but that is because I know the game. He is a politician after all.

It worked 4 years ago why not now? Maybe it will and maybe it won't.

This, of course, is my opinion only so take it or leave it. :hi:

[no name no slogan]

9. Politicians making deals? SHOCKING!!!!!!

Kucinich may be idealistic and quixotic, but he's not stupid.

He knows he may not be viable in many precincts, so he's looking for a way for his supporters to still have a voice-- and to get to the convention, too.

This is dealmaking of the sort that goes on all the time in politics. It's unfortunate if it's burst a few bubbles.

[Zensea]

13. Well, I'm Shocked!!!

I've got a bridge to sell you if you believe that also.:)

[lvx35]

3. I'm disappointed he has acknowledged himself as a non-candidate.

I thought DK was really good, but if he's saying "Vote for Obama if I don't make it" in Iowa, we have no reason to keep backing him at all, because in general, DK is not going to make it. The point of backing him at all was to make a point.

So I still respect the guy, but in my book he is no longer a candidate, he's another voice on the sidelines. Anti war folks will have to choose between who he endorses and who other other anti-war voices like Wes Clark endorse.

[last1standing]

4. I'm supporting Edwards and I do think Kucinich flip-flopped in '04.

I mean I wouldn't have expected him to throw his support to Edwards when he was running as a much more conservative, pro-war candidate and I think the same now that he'd doing it for a candidate who has repeatedly voted to fund its continuance. Its entirely his choice, but if I was a Kucinich supporter I wouldn't listen to this particular recommendation. I'd probably lend my support to Dodd or Edwards instead.

[Bluebear]

6. Sorry, "flip-flop" conjurs up memories of purple band-aids, Lynne Cheney & college Republicans

.

[robcon]

7. His flip-flop was on abortion in 2004.

The person he endorses does not have to agree with him on every issue. Edwards was a good choice.

Kucinich's flip-flop on abortion in the 2004 campaign, after being a strong lifetime Pro-Lifer, was more notable - since it appears to have been a pander to the mainstream of the Democratic Party.

[mtnsnake]

10. Maybe he favored Edwards over Kerry at the time

I guess he didn't think highly of gun-toting Democratic candidates who ran around dressed in camouflage on goose hunts for sole purpose of sucking up to the gun people like Kerry did. So maybe that's why he chose Edwards. Besides, Kerry was running his entire campaign with a war theme, trying to prove he could be a more effective killer of terrorists than Bush.

[maximusveritas]

11. He didn't really support Edwards. He just took part in that strategy

of trading supporters in order to get more delegates.

That's different from this, which is tantamount to an endorsement.

[tritsofme]

12. I find this whole brewha over a message from a minor candidate to his supporters

To be more amusing than anything.

The greatest humor IMO however is that Edwards got skipped over.