Kucinich urges supporters to back Obama on second Iowa ballot

Adam Doster Published: Tuesday January 1, 2008  del.icio.us |
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Presidential candidates usually urge their supporters to back a rival after they exit the race officially. But one long-shot Democrat is telling his flock to consider another even before the first vote is tallied.

Dennis Kucinich is suggesting his backers throw their second ballots to Illinois Senator Barack Obama if the Ohio congressman doesn't reach the all-important 15 percent threshold.

"I hope Iowans will caucus for me as their first choice this Thursday, because of my singular positions on the war, on health care, and trade. This is an opportunity for people to stand up for themselves," said Kucinich in a press release. "But in those caucus locations where my support doesn't reach the necessary threshold, I strongly encourage all of my supporters to make Barack Obama their second choice. Sen. Obama and I have one thing in common: Change."

Obama was pleased with the development. "I have a lot of respect for Congressman Kucinich, and I’m honored that he has done this, because we both believe deeply in the need for fundamental change," he said in a statement. "He and I have been fighting for a number of the same priorities -- including an end to the war in Iraq that we both opposed from the start, reforming Washington and creating a better life for America's working families."

The unique mechanics of the Iowa caucus could make this endorsement important. For a candidate to receive any delegates from a specific precinct, he or she must garner the support of at least the percentage of participants required by the "viability threshold," most often 15 percent of participating causus-goers. Once candidates are determined unviable, their supporters can realign, shifting their vote to another politico in the race. And the small size of the caucus population means every vote counts.

In 2004, Kucinich was not expected to earn many delegates, but made a late deal with Senator John Edwards, helping boost the North Carolina underdog to a second place finish. Kucinich won 1.3 percent while Edwards netted 31.8 percent.

Kucinich made sure to remind voters that his advocation of Obama was limited to Iowa. "This is obviously an 'Iowa- only' recommendation, as Sen. Obama and I are competing in the New Hampshire primary next Tuesday where I want to be the first choice of New Hampshire voters," he said.

Obama received equally encouraging news last night. The Des Moines Register’s final poll of Iowa caucus-goers showed the Illinois Democrat ahead of Senator Hillary Clinton and the rest of the field by seven percentage points. However, a new CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll -- released Tuesday -- shows Clinton with a two point advantage over her rival as the caucus nears.

According to the New York Times, Obama was optimistic on the stump today. “I think 2008 is going to be a good year," he said. "That’s what I think. I think some big things might happen in 2008.”

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