Cool Cleveland: Congressman Kucinich, you said in early December at Massimo di Milano's that you need Greater Cleveland's vote in order to win Ohio. There are voters here that believe you are embarrassing Cleveland by continuing to run without winning any state delegates. Are you running and staying in the race because of your ego?

Representative Dennis Kucinich: "Well, obviously they haven't watched any of the debates. Not ony have I held my ground, but I have won some of them. An embarrassment? Who else knows about the concerns of Cleveland better than I do? Who else has brought, will and can deliver Cleveland's message to national attention? I ran third in primaries, beating Clark and Edwards. My campaign is a national campaign. I have always conducted my campaign with honor and integrity. This campaign is about my community. I'll tell you what's embarrassing: 43 million Americans without health insurance is embarrassing. (Millions) of Americans without jobs is embarrassing."

Cool Cleveland: Is there anything you'd like to say to those who think you are impractical?

Representative Dennis Kucinich: "People said I was impractical after I saved an electrical system that was already sold. People said I was impractical when I saved one steel mill after 30 had been shut down. People said I was impractical after I saved 2 hospitals, and still trying to save one. People are saying now that neverending war is practical. I am leading America to peace, manufacturing jobs and education. I'm leading America to non-profit healthcare. What can be more impractical than 43 million Americans without health care? I'm probably the most practical person in politics, wanting paid education and non-profit healthcare. These are pretty practical ideas. If war becomes practical and I am impractical, we are practically finished as a nation. And, I suppose anyone of us who are or who have been optimists have always been considered impractical. It is our responsibility to do that. How can you do that if you don't have hope? If you don't have dreams?"

Interview by Cool Cleveland contributor Charlene Coates

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