Kucinich hopes for Gephardt backers
Originally published in the Nashua Telegraph
Kucinich hopes for Gephardt backers
By J.M. HIRSCH
The Associated Press
Published: Saturday, Jan. 24, 2004
CONCORD - Dennis Kucinich said Friday it is inevitable that he will pick up supporters from former fellow Democratic presidential candidate Dick Gephardt, though the numbers may not be apparent by Tuesday’s primary.
Kucinich, who is polling around 1 percent in most polls of likely New Hampshire voters, said he is the most likely recipient of Gephardt’s supporters because of his strong commitment to labor.
“Dick Gephardt had a lead of about 20 years on me of working with labor as a member of Congress,” Kucinich said while campaigning at Heritage Heights retirement community.
“But now that he’s out of the race there’s no one evenly remotely approaching the kind of standing I have in fighting for the rights of workers,” Kucinich said.
Gephardt, a congressman from Missouri, abandoned his presidential bid Tuesday after coming in fourth in Monday’s Iowa caucuses. He has not endorsed any of the other candidates.
Gephardt’s backing would be an important factor in Missouri, one of seven states that will hold primaries on Feb. 3.
But Kucinich was confident that regardless of any endorsement, Gephardt’s supports would come his way.
“I think it’s inevitable that I’m going to (get his supporters), and here’s why,” he said. “Going into this race, I have the strongest AFL-CIO voting record of anyone running.”
The Ohio congressman said he doesn’t expect that support to necessarily show up in New Hampshire’s primary.
“Mr. Gephardt’s withdrawal just happened a few days ago and so it takes a while for the word to get out. People are aware of my strong record in support of working men and women.”
John Kacavas, a former Gephardt supporter, said most New Hampshire Gephardt supporters now are backing John Kerry.
They believe the Massachusetts senator has the best chance of defeating President Bush.
“Maybe the congressman has some basis for saying that, but . . . the Gephardt supporters I’m in touch with for the most part have gone with Senator Kerry,” Kacavas said.
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