Dennis Kucinich Makes A Rare Bow To Pragmatism

Dennis Kucinich is withdrawing from the presidential contest. This is hardly surprising since his candidacy has been little more than a footnote to the overall picture. Nevertheless, his voice has been refreshing in its idealogical consistency. It has never been difficult to determine where Kucinich stood on the issues. His was a clear voice of liberal politics that was strong on idealism that rarely deferred to pragmatism.

The lack of pragmatism was undoubtedly one of the things that doomed the Kucinich candidacy from the outset. American politics is strong on ideals at the extremes of the parties, but pragmatism is what draws most of the electorate to the center. Dennis Kucinich was never in the center.

Of course, competing against a viable black candidate, a viable woman candidate, and (in the beginning) a viable Hispanic candidate did not help. Each of those represented constituencies which have been subject to some measure of oppression historically. The liberal components Kucinich relied upon were conflicted between an intellectual support for Kucinich's ideas and positions and an emotional inclination toward some sort of affirmative action. So, Dennis Kucinich was never able to line up the support he otherwise might have counted on.

Because Kucinich ran a campaign based entirely on ideals, I thought he might actually stay in the race even when it was obvious he had no chance of winning. Just being out there with his message seemed to serve a purpose. However, since he has been excluded from the most recent debates, his voice was not being heard.

Meanwhile, Dennis Kucinich is facing opposition in the race for his congressional seat from within his own party. Understandably, his challengers have complained that with all Kucinich's focus on the presidential race he has neglected his own district. (Of the remaining candidates, only John Edwards is immune from such charges.) While finding his voice greatly diminished in the presidential race, Kucinich is in danger of losing his congressional voice as well.

This predictable turn of circumstances has pushed Dennis Kucinich into making a very practical decision. To retain any significance, he must focus on his congressional re-election. Once again, pragmatism wins the day.

That's Wade's two cents.

Wade Houston
January 25, 2008