By Roldo Bartimole

You really have to wonder if the Plain Dealer thinks it can fool all the people all the time.

That’s my thought when I see a rather long editorial “un-endorsing” Rep. Dennis Kucinich and telling readers to vote for a woman who ran as an independent in 2004 and who appears to be a Republican now.

No matter to the Plain Dealer. She is not Kucinich. That is what seems to matter to this Republican newspaper. On the other hand, maybe they believe by electing Ferris, the Republican candidate will win District 10 in November.

I gather her Republican leanings from a ringing endorsement on her web site from Republican Robert Brown. He heads up a “Republicans for Ferris” though she’s running in a Democratic primary.

This news seems to have escaped the Pee Dee editorial writers.

Brown apparently wants voters in the 10th District who are Republicans to lie to election officials next Tuesday and say they are Democrats.

Here’s what you will find on her web site:

“As a long time Republican, I am asking you to vote for Barbara Anne Ferris, Democrat for Congress on Tuesday, May 2, 2006. When you get to the polls on May 2, 2006, our Primary Election Day, you will automatically be given a Republican ballot. Refuse it and ask for a Democratic ballot,” says Brown, an immigration official during the Republican Ronald Reagan administration, now in private business on immigration matters.

The Pee Dee editorial appears, judging from the writing, to be the work of PD editorial writer and resident right-winger Kevin O’Brien.

In a 20-paragraph, two-column, 13-1/2 inch editorial, the writer spends little time actually on the endorsed candidate and lots of space on Kucinich.

The Plain Dealer admits the Ferris “lacks elective experience.” It says, “That cannot be denied.” However, she’s a “serious person.”

That’s impressive.

Kucinich, upon whom the editorial mostly dwells, is put on the Pee Dee rack again for his “Quixotic journey of increasingly grandiose proportions,” in other words, his quest for President in the last election.

Of course, Kucinich is “belligerent,” and again the Pee Dee can get its jollies referring to the Congressman as the once “boy mayor.” Belligerent means he speaks out what he believes.

Will they ever get over 1977?

The editorial finds admirable some things Kucinich has done.

“… among them his consistent opposition to the Iraq war since before it began,” says the editorial.

That’s not a little thing, I’d say. It’s one of the major reasons America needs a Kucinich around. He speaks his mind. He speaks to power, a rare and necessary quality these days among Democrats or Republicans.

“And his office’s record for providing constituents with needed services,” says the Pee Dee, “is said to be excellent.”

The Pee Dee wants to silence one strong voice that speaks for ordinary people. Dennis isn’t perfect but he fights the good fight, not the corporate fight, which makes up the Pee Dee’s agenda.

Let’s keep the little guy.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Roldo Bartimole roldoATadelphia.net (:divend:)