January 16, 2008: Kucinich Defeats Clinton in MI Primary
In the most shocking upset of the 2008 Presidential Race, Rep. Dennis Kucinich squeezed out a narrow victory over front runner Sen. Hillary Clinton in yesterday’s Michigan Democratic Primary.
Votes continued to be counted well into the morning, when victory for Kucinich was finally declared by a margin of 42% to 41%. On the Republican side, Sen. John McCain easily defeated Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney by a margin of 33% to 27%. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee placed third with 19%, followed by former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson with 7%, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani with 3%.
Political analysts were at a loss to explain Kucinich’s sudden exponential increase in numbers. Polls taken two days before the primary had Clinton winning by a landslide, 56% to Kucinich’s 3%, with 33% uncommitted and 5% undecided.
“It’s even more mind-boggling when you look at the money factor,” said Political commentator Ralph Reed. “Clinton has spent twenty times more than Kucinich. This is truly an outstanding victory.” Going into the Michigan Primary, Clinton had spent $40,472,775, to Kucinich’s $1,803,576.
Unfortunately for Kucinich, he will receive no delegates, as the Democratic National Committee stripped Michigan of all its delegates to the national convention because it moved its primary date ahead of Feb. 5 without permission. Still, the reaction in the Kucinich camp was extremely positive.
“You have made a choice today,” said Kucinich, to thundering applause. “You have chosen true change instead of the same stale corporate lip service that has mired this country in dynasties for the past 19 years.”
Clinton congratulated Kucinich in a statement submitted this morning. “I am very happy for Mr. Kucinich. I wish him the best of luck in the subsequent primaries.”
“Time will tell if Kucinich’s Michigan victory will have an impact on the rest of the race,” said Reed. Time and money: Clinton still has $50,463,013 cash on hand, while Kucinich currently has only $327,094.
Votes continued to be counted well into the morning, when victory for Kucinich was finally declared by a margin of 42% to 41%. On the Republican side, Sen. John McCain easily defeated Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney by a margin of 33% to 27%. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee placed third with 19%, followed by former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson with 7%, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani with 3%.
Political analysts were at a loss to explain Kucinich’s sudden exponential increase in numbers. Polls taken two days before the primary had Clinton winning by a landslide, 56% to Kucinich’s 3%, with 33% uncommitted and 5% undecided.
“It’s even more mind-boggling when you look at the money factor,” said Political commentator Ralph Reed. “Clinton has spent twenty times more than Kucinich. This is truly an outstanding victory.” Going into the Michigan Primary, Clinton had spent $40,472,775, to Kucinich’s $1,803,576.
Unfortunately for Kucinich, he will receive no delegates, as the Democratic National Committee stripped Michigan of all its delegates to the national convention because it moved its primary date ahead of Feb. 5 without permission. Still, the reaction in the Kucinich camp was extremely positive.
“You have made a choice today,” said Kucinich, to thundering applause. “You have chosen true change instead of the same stale corporate lip service that has mired this country in dynasties for the past 19 years.”
Clinton congratulated Kucinich in a statement submitted this morning. “I am very happy for Mr. Kucinich. I wish him the best of luck in the subsequent primaries.”
“Time will tell if Kucinich’s Michigan victory will have an impact on the rest of the race,” said Reed. Time and money: Clinton still has $50,463,013 cash on hand, while Kucinich currently has only $327,094.