CNN

Kucinich will formally drop out of the presidential race Friday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Rep. Dennis Kucinich will announce he is abandoning his long shot bid for the White House in a news conference Friday, his campaign confirms to CNN.

In an interview with the Cleveland Plain-Dealer earlier Thursday, the Ohio Democrat said he plans on “transitioning out of the Democratic Presidential primary race" to focus on a "new direction."

His spokesman tells CNN the former presidential candidate is now gearing up for his congressional re-election campaign. Kucinich faces four candidates in a Democratic primary for his seat on March 4, and has faced criticism for devoting much of his attention to running for president.

In his interview with the Plain-Dealer, Kucinich said he will give a much lengthier statement Friday.

This was Kucinich's second bid for the White House - he first ran in 2004. The latest CNN Poll showed him drawing 3 percent of support among registered Democrats nationally.

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

Kucinich is encouraging his supporters to make their second choice Obama.

DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) - Dennis Kucinich urged supporters Tuesday to make Barack Obama their second choice in the Iowa caucuses, an unexpected boost in the closing days of this wide open race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Kucinich told backers to vote for him on the first ballot Thursday, but instructed them to support Obama if he did not reach the 15 percent threshold needed to be viable in the caucuses.

“I hope Iowans will caucus for me as their first choice this Thursday, because of my singular positions on the war, on health care, and trade,” Kucinich said in a statement released by his campaign. “This is an opportunity for people to stand up for themselves. But in those caucus locations where my support doesn't reach the necessary threshold, I strongly encourage all of my supporters to make Barack Obama their second choice. Sen. Obama and I have one thing in common: Change.”

With Obama competing with Hillary Clinton and John Edwards for every vote, Kucinich’s support could potentially be critical in Thursday night’s caucuses.

Kucinich did not fully endorse Obama, and said this statement only pertains to the Iowa caucuses, and only if he does not reach viability on the first ballot Thursday.

– CNN Political Editor Mark Preston

Rep. Dennis Kucinich.

(CNN) - Perry Kucinich, brother of Democratic presidential hopeful Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, was found dead Wednesday morning at his eastside Cleveland home, officials said.

His body was discovered by another brother, Larry, in his apartment about 9 a.m., a spokesman for the Cuyahoga County Coroner told CNN.

Powell Caesar said the cause of the 51-year-old man's death won't be known until the results of the autopsy are returned. But, Caesar said, the body did not show injuries and there appeared to be no signs of foul play.

Dennis Kucinich said in a statement that his brother struggled with mental illness but led a productive life. The congressman and his wife were flying in to Cleveland later Wednesday.

"He was a genius. He had extraordinary insights," he said.

Perry Kucinich was an artist whose work had recently been on display at a local art gallery, the statement added. He was expected to have another showing
of his art in the spring.

He was the fifth of seven children in the Kucinich family, with brother Dennis being the oldest.

"Dennis was very close to his brother Perry," said family spokesman Andy Juniewicz in the same statement "He watched after him, and he loved him dearly. The two spoke nearly every day."

Funeral services are pending.

Clinton was unable to travel into Iowa on Saturday for a pair of events with her fellow Democratic rivals.

DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN)–An audience of progressive activists booed Senator Hillary Clinton today during an exchange on immigration reform. At the Heartland Community Values Forum in Des Moines, Iowa, Clinton was asked whether “giv(ing) undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship” would be a priority in her first hundred days as President. Clinton told the audience "comprehensive immigration reform will be a high priority for me.” That response elicited boos – and no applause.

Asked again whether she’d take up the issue in her first hundred days she said,“Well you’ve got to get the Congress to pass the legislation in order for the President to do as much as possible, which I will do.” That was met by still more loud boos.

Clinton was taking part in the Forum by telephone - she had been grounded in New Hampshire after her last minute trip there Friday night. The event’s moderator told CNN she believes Clinton was hurt by her distance, more than the substance of her answer. “She gave a boilerplate response, when the audience wanted a conversation, a dialogue,” says Cathy Hughes, the moderator and Chairperson of Radio One and TV One. “She didn’t have a feel for the room. One of the advantages of being here in person you can feel the emotional energy.” After one of speakers attending the Forum told an emotional personal story, a voice that sounded like Clinton's could be heard saying “Can you hear me?”

Comments by John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich, Chris Dodd and Barack Obama – who were present -were received with loud applause.

-CNN Congressional Correspondent Jessica Yellin

DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) – Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich said Saturday he has "concerns" over how the Iowa Democratic Party handles their first-in-the-nation caucus, adding that those involved in the process play "inside baseball."

"[The party] has done the people of Iowa a disservice by trying to rig the debate," Kucinich said. "I have some concerns about the process here. It's more insular than many other states."

Kucinich, attending the Heartland Community Values Forum in Des Moines, was asked by reporters whether or not he will be campaigning any more in Iowa leading up to the caucus on January 3.

"I'm here [now]," he told CNN. "I mean let's talk about some things that are apparent. I'm here. "

Kucinich added that there are other states he has to "give some love to, as well."

Asked what he meant by his claim that the state's Democratic party has "rigged the debate," Kucinich responded, "I'm not going to say anything else about it.

An Iowa Democratic Party spokeswoman declined to comment.

-CNN Iowa Producer Chris Welch

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich criticized fellow Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden, D-Delaware, Tuesday for selectively quoting his rivals in a campaign ad he dubbed an "approving/adoring love-fest."

The spot includes footage of most of the rest of the field praising Biden. In a written release, Kucinich attacked the senator for "deliberately" leaving him out of the commercial because he "doesn't walk their line."

"If voters are dissatisfied with the Biden tweedle-dums and tweedle-dees, they should vote for someone who represents their beliefs and their values," said the statement released by the Kucinich campaign. "Not someone who says, 'I agree with Joe.' Dennis doesn't agree with Joe. Or Hillary. Or Barack. Or John. Or Chris. Or Bill."

– CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich

CNN released a poll Tuesday about the Democratic presidential race in the Granite State.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Sen. Hillary Clinton's lead among Democratic presidential contenders in New Hampshire has narrowed over the past two months, while New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson bounced back to the low double digits in a CNN/WMUR poll released Tuesday.

With about two months left before the New Hampshire primaries, Clinton topped the list of Democratic nominees with 36 percent support - down from 43 percent in a September survey. But nearly 70 percent of those polled believe the New York senator will eventually become the party's presidential nominee.

Sen. Barack Obama placed second at 22 percent, while former Sen. John Edwards drew 13 percent - little changed from September, when Obama rated 20 percent support and Edwards, 12.

But Richardson saw his support recover from a September dip, bouncing back to 12 percent from 6 percent. CNN/WMUR polls in June and July put the former U.N. ambassador and energy secretary at 11 percent.

Pollsters quizzed 389 likely Democratic voters for the survey, which was conducted Wednesday through Sunday by the University of New Hampshire. The poll has a sampling error of 5 percentage points.

Read the rest of this entry »

Rep. Kucinich distinguished himself from the rest of the Democratic field when it came to the Patriot Act.

(CNN) - When debate moderator Wolf Blitzer told Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, that he was the only person at the Democratic debate who had a chance to vote on the Patriot Act and voted agaist it, Kucinich said, "That's because I read it."

Outlining the votes that some of his fellow Democratic candidates cast and then later changed position on, Kucinich went on to say, "Imagine what it will be like to have a president of the United States who's right the first time. Just imagine."

Kucinich's allegations prompted New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to later tell Kucinich to stop including him with the other candidates when criticizing votes they had made.

"By the way, Dennis, stop including me in all these votes," Richardson said. "I'm a governor, I'm in New Mexico. I'm not in Washington."

– CNN Political Producer Xuan Thai

Rep. Kucinich took issue with John Edwards' record on trade.

(CNN) - Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio took a direct shot at fellow White House hopeful former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina at Thursday's CNN Democratic presidential debate.

"In the last debate, Hillary Clinton was criticized by John Edwards for some trade-related issue," said Kucinich. "But the fact of the matter is, John, you voted for China trade understanding that workers were going to be hurt. Now, you're a trial lawyer, you knew better."

When given the chance to respond, Edwards said, "I'm not sure what being a trial lawyer has to do with it."

Kucinich quickly shot back "product liability."

"Cute," Edwards responded before emphasizing the need to stop big corporations from lobbying the federal government.

– CNN Political Producer Xuan Thai

WASHINGTON (CNN) - As the Democratic presidential candidates fought for the top spot during the CNN debate Thursday night, they did agree on one thing: Bring the troops home from Iraq.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio criticized his congressional colleagues for failing to end combat in Iraq and said he was the only candidate on stage to oppose the war from the start.

"They should tell President Bush, we're not going to give you another dime," Kucinich said. "We're not putting a bill on the floor. Bring 'em home now."

Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois said the current strategy has failed and it's time to concentrate on diplomacy with leaders in Iraq and throughout the region.

"That's why I'm going to bring this war to a close, that's why we can get our combat troops out within 16 months, that's why we have to initiate the kind of regional diplomacy - not just talking to our friends, but talking to our enemies," Obama said.

Related video: Kucinich: Bring troops home

– CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich

Sen. Clinton has a commanding lead over other Democrats according to a CNN poll released Wednesday

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Sen. Hillary Clinton has a large lead over her rivals among Nevada Democratic caucus goers, according to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll released Wednesday.

The New York Democrat is the top pick of over half, 51 percent, of the likely caucus participants interviewed for the poll. Her closest rival, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, was the choice of 23 percent. Former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina came in at 11 percent.

All other candidates came in at single digits: New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, 5 percent; Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, 4 percent; former Sen. Mike Gravel at 1 percent and Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich at 1 percent.

Full story

Programming note: Watch CNN's Democratic presidential debate live from Las Vegas on Thursday at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

Related: Analysis: Las Vegas has become a political boomtown 

Click here to see CNN's new political portal: CNNPolitics.com

Rep. Dennis Kucinich would like to have the House debate impeaching Vice President Cheney.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - The House voted Tuesday to stop Rep. Dennis Kucinich's, D-Ohio, effort to bring up a debate on impeaching Vice President Dick Cheney.

Kucinich, who is vying for the Democratic presidential nomination, has tried to bring up the issue on three separate occasions. The House voted 218-194 to send it to committee, effectively killing it.

On the House floor, Kucinich said Cheney "acted in a manner contrary to his trust as vice president." Kucinich also said Cheney harmed national security by openly threatening Iran.

"Vice President Richard B. Cheney by such conduct is guilty of an impeachable offense warranting removal from office," Kucinich said.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino criticized Democrats in Congress for spending time on this debate rather than focusing on health care for children and veterans.

"This Congress has not sent a single appropriations bill to the president’s desk this year – a new record of failure," Perino said.

"Yet, they find time to spend an entire work period on futile votes to impeach the vice president or to pass contempt citations against the president’s chief of staff and former counsel. It is this behavior that leaves the American people shaking their head in wonder at this Congress,” Perino added.

–CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich

Watch President Carter's interview on CNN's American Morning Friday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich caused heads to turn earlier this week when he acknowledged he once saw a UFO.

But if elected to the White House, Kucinich wouldn't be the first president to have such an encounter.

"When I was back as a peanut farmer in southwest Georgia, I and about 25 others saw something in the air that changed colors and was round and came and left," former President Jimmy Carter said in an interview with CNN’s John Roberts on American Morning. "We couldn't figure out what it was."

But while he couldn't identify the object, Carter said he doesn't think it was space aliens.

"It was unidentified as far as we were concerned, but I think it's impossible in my opinion, some people disagree, to have space people from other planets or other stars to come to us - I don't think that's possible," he said.

At Tuesday's presidential debate, NBC’s Tim Russert asked Kucinich, a congressman from Ohio, about a recent account from actress Shirley MacLaine that he saw a UFO at her home in Washington State.

“It was an unidentified flying object, OK? It's, like, it's unidentified. I saw something," Kucinich responded.

Related: A UFO lands in the '08 White House race

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

Have you ever seen a UFO?

(CNN) - Jeanne Moos takes a closer look at UFO's and presidential politics in light of Rep. Dennis Kucinich's revelations at a recent Democratic presidential debate.

Click here to see CNN's new political portal: CNNPolitics.com

Watch Kucinich explain his UFO experience.

PHILADELPHIA (CNN) - So if there are space aliens, can they register to vote?

Perhaps Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich is courting their support, discussing a UFO sighting in Tuesday night’s debate.

He confirmed an account in actress Shirley MacLaine’s book that he saw a UFO at her home in Washington state. Though he didn’t address the rest of her description, that the Ohio congressman “felt a connection in his heart and heard directions in his mind.”

Kucinich said to moderator Tim Russert’s question, “It was an unidentified flying object, OK? It's, like, it's unidentified. I saw something.”

To laughter, he added, “I'm also going to move my campaign office to Roswell, New Mexico, and other one in Exeter, New Hampshire, OK? And also, you have to keep in mind that more - that Jimmy Carter saw a UFO and also that more people in this country have seen UFOs than I think approve of George Bush's presidency.”

Rival candidate Barack Obama, asked if he believes in life on other planets, responded, “You know, I don't know. And I don't presume to know. What I know is there is life here on Earth, and that we're not attending to life here on Earth.”

“We're not taking care of kids who are alive and unfortunately are not getting health care," Obama continued. "We're not taking care of senior citizens who are alive and are seeing their heating prices go up. So, as president, those are the people I will be attending to first."

"There may be some other folks on their way," he added.

The Democratic presidential candidates next square off November 15 at CNN's debate in Las Vegas.

– CNN Political Desk Managing Editor Steve Brusk

Kucinich, with wife Elizabeth, questioned the president's mental health.

(CNN) - Strong words from Democratic presidential contender Dennis Kucinich may be nothing new, but his comments to a newspaper Tuesday questioning President Bush’s mental health are raising a few eyebrows.

“I seriously believe we have to start asking questions about his mental health," the Ohio congressman told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "There's something wrong. He does not seem to understand his words have real impact."

Kucinich's comments were in reference to the president's recent remarks on Iran, in which he suggested World War III could occur if the country obtained nuclear capabilities.

“I've told people that, if you're interested in avoiding World War III, it seems like you ought to be interested in preventing them from having the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon," Bush said at a news conference earlier this month.

The Democratic presidential candidate later said he does not consider questioning the Bush's mental health inappropriate, according the Inquirer's Web site.

“You cannot be a President of the United States who's wanton in his expression of violence," Kucinich said. "There's a lot of people who need care. He might be one of them. If there isn't something wrong with him, then there's something wrong with us. This, to me, is a very serious question."

A Republican National Committee spokesman called the comments "absurd and irresponsible."

– CNN Political Desk Managing Editor Steve Brusk

Watch Dennis Kucinich with wife Elizabeth file for the New Hampshire Democratic primary.

CONCORD, New Hampshire (CNN) – Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, officially filed for the Democratic presidential primary ballot in New Hampshire Friday and shortly after criticized some of his rivals over the war in Iraq.

Signing the state archive document with the words "strength through peace," Kucinich took the opportunity to differentiate himself from Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York, and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards by attacking their positions on the war in Iraq.

The Ohio Democrat acknowledged Obama was against the war before Congress authorized the use of military force in Iraq in 2002, but said, "He voted over and over again to fund the war." He then continued, "If you really oppose something, do you fund it? He cannot square that. And he'll never be able to square it, and this is the difficulty he has with his candidacy."

About Clinton, Kucinich said, "She voted 100 percent of the time to fund the war except the last vote we had as the clock ran out."

But the harshest attacks were directed towards Edwards.

"I know Sen. Edwards has apologized all over kingdom come about having voted for the war. But you know what? Apologies are a little bit late when you've got dead bodies all over the field," he said.

Read the rest of this entry »

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (CNN) –

Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, will file Friday for New Hampshire’s presidential primary. According to Karen Lovett of the Nashua Telegraph, twenty-one candidates have already filed.

Secretary of State, William Gardner is getting closer to announce the primary date. John DiStaso of the Union Leader outlines Gardner's thought process here.

And is the Fox News Channel trying to pull Sen. John McCain’s New Hampshire television ad?

-CNN New Hamsphire Producer Sareena Dalla

Watch Bill Schneider's report on why several Democrats removed their names from the ballot in Michigan's presidential primary.

(CNN) - Is it just an effort to honor the Democratic National Committee's rules or a veiled effort to undermine Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York? Or, maybe a little bit of both? CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider reports.

Related: Democrats withdraw from Michigan 'beauty contest'

Click here to CNN's new political portal: CNNPolitics.com

(CNN)–Senator Hillary Clinton, D-New York, is leading the pack of Democratic presidential candidates in the politically crucial state of Iowa, according to a poll of likely caucus participants released by the Des Moines Register on Sunday.

In the poll, Clinton registered 29 percent of those polled. Former North Carolina senator John Edwards, and Senator Barack Obama, D-Illinois, came in with 23 percent and 22 percent respectively. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson registered 8 percent support in the poll, with Sen. Joe Biden, D-Delaware, at five percent, and Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Connecticut, and Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio at 1 percent each.

The numbers were a significant change from the paper's last poll in May, when Clinton came in third, behind Edwards who was up top, followed by Obama in second place.

On the Republican side, there was no change from the poll in May, as former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney held on to his lead with 29 percent support of those likely GOP caucus goers polled. Former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson, who formally entered the race last month, had 18 percent.

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who came in second place in the Ames Iowa straw poll in August, was third in the poll at 12 percent, followed by former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani at 11 percent. They were followed by Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, at 7 percent, Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colorado, at 5 percent, and Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas at 4 percent. Former Ambassador Alan Keyes had 2 percent support, followed by Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-California at 1 percent.

The Register said the Democratic survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percentage points. The paper said the poll of likely Republican caucus goers had the same margin of error.

Click here to CNN's new political portal: CNNPolitics.com

– CNN Political Desk Editor Jamie Crawford