Reports from the campaign trail, November 5
From Melinda Arons:
Kucinich rocks vote, aims to rock boat
Nov. 5 — For perhaps the first time in this campaign, Congressman Kucinich and General Clark were on exactly the same page: they, or at least their consultants, think that young voters really like black mock turtlenecks circa 1991. When asked if he picked his outfit to attract young voters, Kucinich responded, "I'd just say I keep trying to clean up my act," and that he now knows what it feels like for women who show up to events in the same dress.
But despite several candidates' confrontation with Dean last night, the man with whom Kucinich had the most bitter words was not a fellow candidate on the stage, but a journalist in the spin room. Kucinich supporters, angry that their candidate had been canceled by CNN's Paula Zahn show while five other candidates were interviewed, started insisting to Time columnist and CNN commentator Joe Klein that CNN interview Kucinich.
Klein pointed out that he wasn't a CNN producer and had no say in the matter, but went a step further to explain that were he to make the decision, which he does when it comes to his column, he would never dedicate space to Kucinich. Kucinich himself confronted Klein in front of reporters and the altercation became heated. Klein walked away as Kucinich was mid-sentence.
Later Klein told ABC News he wouldn't dedicate one line to Kucinich because "I think he's cluttering the stage and his position on the most important issue out there, which is the war, is totally ridiculous." Campaign spokesman David Swanson would only state the campaign's standard line on the media: "Members of the media should communicate to the public all of the candidates' positions and let the voters decide."
Kucinich didn't seem to let the harsh exchange dampen his mood. Usually bitter after debates over getting stiffed on time, he said tonight was "just wonderful." He also may nab another celebrity endorsement soon. Actor Casey Affleck (brother of Ben) was heard saying he was leaning toward supporting Kucinich. And then there was John Edwards' wife Elizabeth, who as usual stopped by to say hello with a hug and a "Good job tonight, Dennis."
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