Ohio Rep. Kucinich Who Flip-Flopped on Abortion to Run for President 
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
December 12, 2006
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — An Ohio Democratic congressman who flip-flopped on abortion is running again for president in 2008. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, who made his views against the Iraq war on terrorism the centerpiece of his 2004 candidacy, says leading Democrats considering presidential bids aren’t doing enough on the issue.
Though he drew the support of some Hollywood elites and left-wing ideologues, Kucinich’s candidacy failed to gain any traction from most Democrats last time around. He dropped out without capturing any primary states.
Kucinich formally announced his presidential bid today at Cleveland’s City Hall, where he served as the mayor in the 1970s.
"Democrats were swept into power on Nov. 7 because of widespread voter discontent with the war in Iraq," he said in a statement. "Instead of heeding those concerns and responding with a strong and immediate change in policies and direction, the Democratic congressional leadership seems inclined to continue funding the perpetuation of the war."
Kucinich’s name draws the ire of pro-life advocates and fellow Democrats who oppose abortion.
During his Congressional tenure, Kucinich frequently compiled strong pro-life voting records and eagerly with pro-life leaders in his home state of Ohio and expressed appreciation for their efforts against abortion.
But when he sought the national spotlight, the Congressman began casting votes that troubled pro-life observers.
Not long after, Kucinich began his first quixotic quest for the Presidency — and proclaimed himself "pro-choice," — his voting record deteriorated. His votes have been militantly pro-abortion ever since.
In fact, in the 109th Congress, the National Right to Life Committee gives Kucinich a 0% pro-life voting record.
During this session, the congressman has voted to force taxpayers to pay for abortions in numerous instances and embryonic stem cell research, he voted against parental notification four times and against allowing Terri Schiavo’s parents to take their case to save her life to federal courts.
Kucinich, the eldest of seven children, first gained prominence in 1977, when he became the youngest person ever to be elected to serve as a big-city mayor. He was 31 when he took over the Cleveland mayor’s office.
When the city went bankrupt, Kucinich took the political heat and he failed to win re-election.
He did not return to public office until 1994, when he was elected to the Ohio Senate. He later sought and won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he still serves.
