Rep. Dennis Kucinich greets attendees at the Truth Art Gallery in Toledo, Ohio, on Saturday. Kucinich and Rep. Marcy Kaptur are both Democrats running for Ohio’s 9th district.
“It’s just frustrating for us that we have to choose,” said Kristine Pagsuyoin, a 45-year-old Democrat who says she is undecided for whom she will vote. “No matter how Republicans want to say we’re like Toledo, we’re not.”
Kucinich’s Many Faces
Kucinich possesses multiple political personalities: There’s the outspoken peacenik and civil liberties spokesman on cable news. Then there’s the activist star who hangs out with the likes of Shirley MacLaine, Sean Penn and Nelson.
As he goes around Toledo, stopping at local haunts such as the Summit Diner, folks recognize him from television, but not as their Congressman — at least not yet.
“I’m running out here in 24 days,” he says to diners before placing an order for oatmeal cooked in water — no butter for the vegan, please.
Back home in his district, Kucinich champions workers rights, social justice for minorities and local transportation projects.
On the campaign trail, he’s the empathizer-in-chief. Over the course of a long Saturday morning in Toledo, one person was moved to tears at each of his three campaign stops.
At the diner, Peggy Green spills her woeful tale of unemployment as tears well in her eyes and her face reddens. She was laid off by a law firm at the end of last year, and she’s about to lose her home because she can’t pay her $340 mortgage.
Lois Lerner, director of exempt organizations for the IRS, arrives for a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on the investigation of the IRS' targeting of political groups. Lerner invoked her Fifth Amendment right to not testify and caused a protest from some committee members when she offered an opening statement and engaged in dialogue with members before invoking the right.
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