Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) said in a statement Monday that he will run for president in the 2008 election, prompted in part by his own party’s decision to continue funding for the Iraq war. Kucinich discussed the funding issue at length in an interview with Truthdig.

  • Read the interview

    • Other Kucinich interviews:

  • No More Money for War on Iraq
  • On Healthcare
  • Cut Off Iraq War Funding
  • America Needs Iraq War Hearings

    • Associated Press:

    CLEVELAND — Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2004, said Monday he is planning another bid because his party isn’t pushing hard enough to end the Iraq war.

    In a statement, Kucinich said he plans to formally announce his candidacy on Tuesday at Cleveland’s City Hall, where he served as mayor of his hometown in the 1970s.

    The liberal, anti-war Ohio congressman said he was inspired to run because he disagrees with the way some of his fellow Democrats are handling the war, including approval of a proposal to spend $160 billion more on the conflict.

    “Democrats were swept into power on Nov. 7 because of widespread voter discontent with the war in Iraq,” said Kucinich, 60. “Instead of heeding those concerns and responding with a strong and immediate change in policies and direction, the Democratic congressional leadership seems inclined to continue funding the perpetuation of the war.”

    The anti-war message was also the cornerstone of Kucinich’s 2004 bid, which drew support from some Hollywood celebrities. His previous presidential proposals also have included a national peace department and a single-payer, universal health care system.

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