The Nation Endorses Kucinich

Dennis Kucinich, has won a special endorsement from The Nation. The editors of the leading political magazine explained their support for the Democratic presidential candidate by saying, "In his stands on the issues, Dennis Kucinich comes closest to embodying the ideals of this magazine". Kucinich was chosen for this honor from amongst all the other Democratic candidates.

The magazine in its lead editorial said that a vote for Kucinich "would be a principled one". It continued, "He has been a forceful critic of the Bush administration, opposing the Patriot Act and spearheading the motion to impeach Vice President Dick Cheney. He is the only candidate to have voted against the Iraq War in 2003 and has voted against funding it ever since." The editorial noted that only Kucinich, along with Bill Richardson, from amongst all the serious contenders in the race for president, had called for a full and immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq. It also noted that only Kucinich had proposed funds for reparation.

The editorial also referred to the Kucinich's championing of causes such as reduction of the country's military budget, a stop to nuclear armament, reforms in campaign finances, a universal single-payer healthcare plan, gay marriage, and ending the death penalty and the war on drugs."

Praising Kucinich's progressive vision, the editorial continued, "With Democrats running left and Republicans slouching right, we believe this election presents a historic opportunity to precipitate a progressive realignment. There is ferment in the air, a yearning for change and for a resuscitation of America's most inspired dreams of justice and equality. The kindling is in place, but the right spark has not yet been struck."

The magazine also discussed the other leading Democratic candidates. It noted Hillary Clinton's shift on the Iraq issue and said that the "presence of familiar and high-priced pollsters and lobbyists in the upper echelons of her campaign, as advisers and donors, is a worrisome sign." Both, Barack Obama and John Edwards, it conceded, were "reaching for new ground", but "also presented the risks – and promises – of unknown potential".

Referring to the Iowa caucus that is about to take off in a week, the editorial wrote, "Simply put, many Iowans will soon face a question that the rest of us may have to answer later: if not Dennis, then who?".