On the stage of the Cleveland labor hall stage packed with union officials and local politicians, Dennis Kucinich preached to the choir, promising to end the war, withdraw from the WTO and provide not-for-profit healthcare.
"It's time to break the hold these insurance companies have on our political process. We need to do it in the 10th district, we need to do it nationally and we have to have a congressman who's ready to take that stand. I take it not only to the highest hill in the land, but to anywhere we can get the message out to organize the American people."
Kucinich faces four fellow Democrats in the congressional primary. All have criticized him for spending time away from the district to run for president.
He told the crowd that his stands on national issues benefit the people of the District, and that he campaigned mostly on weekends.
"I would be happy to step off the national stage, if one person would come and join me and say, 'yes, Dennis, it is time to cancel NAFTA'."
The announcement came the day after the New Hampshire primary. Kucinich is still in that race too. Both races go to the polls in Ohio Tuesday, March 4.
Kymberli Hagelberg, 90.3.