I will miss Kucinich's presence in the race, since I agree with him on just about every issue (which explains why he can never be elected), but I understand that he must return to guarding his pot of gold and/or Lucky Charms.

I guess now I can vote for one of the major contenders with a clear conscience.

Well done, Dennis!

It's a sad commentary on our political process that a man whose ideas and policy positions so closely align with the expressed opinions and desires of such a large percentage of the population can suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune with which Dennis Kucinich had to contend.

It's a shame I won't be able to vote for him this year. Even if he never had a shot at the presidency, I still found his presence in the debates refreshing. Without his voice the conversation gets narrower and democracy suffers. I loved it when he forced the other candidates against the wall.

All that's left is the ballot I have to cast.

He's the one and only candidate who has always been right about everything. Everything. So of course I can't vote for him now. Nor can I vote for the only other worthwhile candidate, Dodd.

Unfortunately, I also won't vote for Clinton, Obama, or even Edwards -- after discovering what his voting record actually is. And they're the "best" of what's left.

So now what do I do?

The mainstream media either blacks out Kucinich entirely or mocks him openly. Then they prevent him from participating in debates that they organize, pointing to a lack of support that they helped create. It's a circular, self-fulfilling prophecy, and it's the epitome of either self-delusion or naked hypocrisy to claim otherwise.

I'm not saying the media is keeping Kucinich from a runaway victory, but boy, they sure do keep him in his place. This is totally against journalistic ethics, which dictate no interference in events as they unfold, but members of the mainstream media flagrantly affect the outcome of elections, then express surprise at the results. It's what they do.

None of this is new, of course, and it is so much bigger than Kucinich. The same dynamic was in place leading up to the invasion of Iraq, and is now in place with regards to Iran.

So don't be surprised next January when you turn on the TV and are told that bombs are falling in Tehran and that troop levels are increasing in Iraq under our newly-elected president, not decreasing, because, of course, these things are "inevitable" and it's what "America wants."

Ugh!

I hope Kucinich's "remarks" on Friday include a lengthy commentary on the sorry state of the Republicrat party and its seven years of spineless kow-towing to the Bush regime.

Not that anyone will see it, because you can be damn sure the corporate media won't consider it profitable...I mean, newsworthy.

Before I got a chance to vote for him!

Hey, my next door neighbor agrees with me on pretty much all the issues, too, but I wouldn't vote for her for President (and, I imagine, vice versa). I've never understood the failure of so many Kucinich supporters to see that it takes more to make a good President -- and a viable Presidential candidate -- than simply a basket of correct opinions on all the issues. Things like leadership ability, managerial skills, political judgment, a knack for communication, and a head for policy. These are not "intangibles," or "ethereal qualities" as the media so often describe them -- they are the real-life skills that make an effective President. If you're having trouble visualizing it, look up Clinton, William Jefferson.

I'd gotten so tired of Kucinich supporters arguing that he was essentially entitled to my vote because he'd voted against the war in Iraq. Yes, that's important to me, but even more important is to have a candidate who can speak intelligently about what to do NOW in Iraq, and convince a majority of the American public to follow her or him in a new direction. Kucinich was decidedly unimpressive on both counts (and many others).

the one-eyed man ain't popular. and any virtuous citizen makes people nervous, is he right in the head?

still, where can you go but up, after dubya?

But while he was in the media, especially Salon, ought to have treated him a little better. Really.

and @mattcliff

Dennis Kucinich is not entitled to your vote. However any citizen is entitled to vote for any candidate running, and more to the point hear the opinions of any candidate running.

If Kucinich is such a bad leader, why did he do such a good job in Cleveland?

And why is there no one who has the right "skills" you seek but agrees with you? Is it against fate? Why are all the "good" (by your reckoning) people so damn centrist?

Corporate money and it's malicious use of media has prevailed once more. By threatening the Kucinich congressional re-election campaign in Ohio, war profiteers have finally beaten America's last hope for honest government into withdrawing as a candidate for president. Barring his patriotic dissent from national debate was not enough. They now proceed to silence his voice from national politics altogether. It makes small difference which CNN/DNC-approved 'front-runner' wins to continue rearranging the deck chairs aboard our fast-sinking ship of state. American democracy and the dignity of the American people down will eventually go down with it. We have been taken one step closer to revolution.

I don't believe Kucinich had ever pulled out of the 2004 Presidential campaign. As far as I know, he was still running against Kerry for the 2004 nomination. Maybe he decided to pull out of that race in order to concentrate on the 2008 nomination.

Kucinich had little choice. His presidential bid has made him vulnerable in his own House seat. He now has four opponents running against him in the Democratic primary.

Dennis Kucinich is getting my vote in November. He's the person who is best-equipped to lead this nation in a positive direction. I will not vote for Obama or Clinton. I would consider voting for Edwards, but Democrats are determined to pick a nominee who's going to lose the general election. Again.