Surprise: Dem Drops Out

There are two kinds of presidential candidates that have no reason to withdraw from the race: the ones who still have a chance of winning, and those who came into the race knowing they wouldn't win. For the latter, the whole point of running is to be heard. If they drop out, even the little media attention they received will be gone.

For that reason I was surprised to hear that Rep. Dennis Kucinich is dropping out of the race. In his case, he isn't withdrawing because of a sudden realization that he can't win or that his candidacy is going nowhere. After all, in 2004, he continued campaigning well after John Kerry secured enough delegates for the nomination, finally dropping out only shortly before the Democratic convention. More than anything, his early withdrawal indicates his congressional re-election campaign may be in jeopardy. I hope one of his Democratic rivals in Ohio's 10th District will defeat this marginal, ineffective pol.