Kucinich Sells Out After Riding In Air Force One

Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich has bowed to intense pressure, culminating in a jaunt onboard Air Force One with President Obama, and decided to to flip his vote on the pending health care bill to help ensure its passage.

The representative from Ohio has repeatedly voiced his opposition to the bill, calling it “a giveaway to the insurance industry”.

“The fact is that one out of every three health care dollars goes for corporate profits, stocks options, executive salaries, advertising, marketing, the cost of paperwork – this bill doesn’t change that.” he said.

Just last week, Kucinich told MSNBC’s Countdown that that even if it meant he had the deciding vote in the House, he would oppose the legislation, effectively signing its death warrant.

As recently as Sunday, Kucinich was still reiterating the same points. In an column for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, he wrote:

“Even with the few modest improvements in the bill, the insurance companies will still have dozens of loopholes to deny care and continue to find ways to leave Americans with the unpayable bill.”

Today, however, Kucinich announced at a Capitol news conference that he will vote yes on the latest version of the bill...

Kucinich in Obama's Crosshairs

For Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) -- who says he plans to vote no on the president's health-care bill -- it must have felt like a much longer flight.

Obama invited Kucinich and undecided Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) to the ultimate pressure cooker as he tries to nail down a majority for his top domestic priority.

What was said at 35,000 feet is anyone's guess, and Kucinich is -- for once -- not talking. The president talked one on one with Kucinich aboard Air Force One on the flight, a White House spokesman said. But Obama's onetime presidential rival just smiled as he walked across the tarmac upon arrival in his home state...

Kucinich Will Vote To Kill Government Run Health Care

Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich has stated that he is willing to effectively kill the government run health care bill by voting against the party line and sticking to his own principles.

Kucinich explained his position on MSNBC’s Countdown last night, noting that the absence of a public option to provide competition to insurance companies is pivotal.

“This bill represents a giveaway to the insurance industry,” The representative from Ohio said. “$70 billion dollars a year, and no guarantees of any control over premiums, forcing people to buy private insurance, five consecutive years of double-digit premium increases.”...

Kucinich Shreds Democrats for Betraying the Promise of Change

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) on Wednesday said the Massachusetts election was a "wake up call" for Democrats and that his party had better change course or it could suffer devastating losses come November...