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Cleveland Plain Dealer...
Rep. Dennis
Kucinich gets Barney Frank’s endorsement in primary battle
Former House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank of Massachusetts
is backing Cleveland Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich in his primary
battle against Toledo Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur.
Frank, who will retire from the House of Representatives at the end of
this year, announced his support in a letter posted on Kucinich’s
campaign website.
“I am very appreciative of his strong support for an end to
discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity,” said
Frank. “And, we have been the most active in the House in arguing for a
cause that is now getting the recognition it deserves – substantially
reducing America’s military activity across the world.”
Frank said that his support for Kucinich is not meant to denigrate
Kaptur, who was put into the same district as Kucinich by Republicans
who controlled Ohio’s redistricting process.
“This is not a case where supporters of progressive principles have to
choose between two people who both fall short of our ideals,” said
Frank. “It is, however, in my judgment a situation in which there is
one candidate who has brought an extraordinary set of qualities to the
House.”
Kaptur spokesman Steve Fought said Frank’s endorsement was no surprise,
since Kaptur opposed the financial industry reform bill that Frank
authored with former Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd. Fought said the bill
“pampered the Wall Street banks rather than holding them accountable
for the damage they did to our country.”
A spokesman for longshot candidate Graham Veysey of Cleveland, who is
running in the Democratic primary against the two established
incumbents, was also unsurprised by the endorsement.
“Congress is a club, and we’re more concerned about picking up
endorsements from voters in the 9th district than career politicians,”
said Veysey spokesman Paul Vogelsang.
Kucinich said he was “honored” to have Frank’s support.
“He has been a pioneer for so many Americans who would otherwise be
discriminated against or shut out of the system,” said Kucinich.
Frank’s backing for Kucinich goes as far back as the 1996 race in which
Kucinich defeated incumbent GOP Rep. Martin Hoke of Lakewood. Frank
held a fundraiser for Kucinich in Lakewood that year.
Read this and other articles at the Cleveland Plain Dealer
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