Kucinich rips Edwards on debate remarks

[Wetzelbill]

By BETH FOUHY, Associated Press Writer
Sat Jul 14, 12:09 AM ET

NEW YORK - An angry Dennis Kucinich lashed out at John Edwards on Friday, saying his Democratic rival showed "a consistent lack of integrity" by suggesting fewer candidates should participate in presidential forums and then trying to explain his remark to reporters.

"This is a serious matter and I'm calling him on it," Kucinich, an Ohio congressman, said in a telephone interview Friday. "Whispering, trying to rig an election, then denying what's going on and making excuses. It all reflects a consistent lack of integrity."

Kucinich's comments came after Edwards and Hillary Rodham Clinton were overheard Thursday discussing the possibility of limiting the number of participants in future presidential forums.

In an exchange captured on camera and open microphone by broadcasters after an NAACP forum in Detroit, Edwards approached Clinton onstage and whispered in her ear.

"We should try to have a more serious and a smaller group," Edwards said, and Clinton agreed.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070714/ap_on_el_pr/kucinich_edwards_debate

[Annces]

1. Hear, hear

Lack of integrity. It matters. People will generally resort to certains ways of behaving over and over again.

[Skidmore]

2. I heard about this on CSPAN yesterday morning and didn't have time

to research it later. This really disgusts me. This kind of crap is why we've ended up with firmly entrenched people who are devoid of conscious. We are having a serious debate and we need to hear all voices.

[sallyseven]

3. Kucinich is a cry baby. He has no standing.

[Wetzelbill]

7. unfortunately he's been more right on

everything than everybody else though. His record fighting for Dem issues is impeccable. The people who would want him and some of the others out of the debates, well, their records are not all that good.

[timtom]

10. I guess we should include

Al Gore, Helen Thomas, Keith Olbermann, (the list goes on...)

as CRY BABIES??

[KharmaTrain]

4. It'd Be Nice To Have Debates...Not Soundbites

With due respects to Cong. Kucinich, but I think he protests a bit too much here. I've found the cattle-call system in most the debates to be worthless. I'm only hearing headlines, I want details...and when you have 10 bodies trying to grab a few minutes usually dominated by a Wolfie or Tweety who are impressed with the sound of their voices, this does every candidate a dis-service.

I've listened to most the candidates, but not from these "debates" (which more resemble American Idol), but from their individual appeareances or in smaller forums. These groups allow for candidates to elaborate and not have to tap dance...as well as allowing for follow-ups and even direct questioning from the audience and the other candidates. Many of Mr. Kucinich's best points and facets get lost when he has to outshout 9 other voices or hope Wolfie throws him a bone.

I'm all for smaller debates that revolve all the candidates. Maybe format where no more than 3 or 4 candidates debate...chosen by either lot or online voting...followed by a second debate with the other candidates. For example, if there's a debate on Health Care...I would prefer to hear Senator Clinton and Edwards than Gravel or Biden. But if it's on foreign policy, then I'd like to hear Biden, Kucinich, Richardson and Obama talk it out.

[ashling]

5. Kucinich: "ahm a callin yew out, yew yellah dawg!"

Haven't I heard this kind of talk before? hmmm? Bring 'em on.

:shrug:

[iamjoy]

6. Methinks the Gentleman Doth Protest Too Much

considering Kucinich doesn't seem to eager to debate his congressional opponents

http://www.newsnet5.com/politics/8604065/detail.html

http://www.oppodepot.com/kucinich.html

[Horse with no Name]

8. I like Edwards

and this really disappointed me. If he wants smaller debates, say it with the microphone on, not in conspiratory whispers.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

9. He Sounds Like A Whiny Little Baby.

And based on Edward's explanation, which actually makes some sense, it would seem Dennis is making even more a fool of himself.

[timtom]

12. Perception is an amazing thing, isn't it?

See, MY perception is of both Hillary and Edwards as "business-as-usual" politicos, espousing only those American values we cherish as it is convenient.

By the way, how did the non-cry-babies like Hillary and Barack (for example) do on the Lieberman Amendment No. 2073

http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00242

I guess that illegal invasion and occupation, saber-rattling, and lust for power are deal breakers for me.

[Rosemary2205]

11. HEY!! Dennis got some press! WOOHOO!

Hey, whatever it takes. :)