The Plain Dealer
Editorials

Ohio's 10th Congressional District

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

OK. We've disparaged him as a Don Quixote for his ego- driven presidential campaigns, chastised him for blowing hot air when hard work was called for, even en dorsed his opponent in last May's primary.

So, how do we turn around and endorse Democrat Dennis Kucinich, Ohio's most left-leaning member of Congress, for a sixth term in the House of Representatives? With a left-handed editorial - how else?

Should the Democrats be successful in gaining control of that chamber, which at this point it appears they might, then Kucinich finally would be well-placed to accomplish something beyond mining the good graces of delegation Republicans to attain positive results for the district, which comprises Cleveland west of the Cuyahoga River and the county's western and southwestern suburbs.

Even in a Congress controlled by Democrats, we doubt that his long-envisioned federal Department of Peace would become any more than the well-intentioned pipe dream it has always been. Perhaps he would focus his energies on the far more practical reforms of military spending he has advocated, and the defense of civil rights against the threats inherent in the Patriot Act and other overzeal ous anti-terrorism measures.

One of Kucinich's most redeeming qualities has been his constant, princi pled and proper ob jection to the war in Iraq. Were he to become part of a Democratic majority, the eloquence of his arguments would find a proper national stage.

Kucinich has a Republican opponent - Mike Dovilla, 31, a Middleburg Heights resident with a master's degree in international management, some military experience and a stint on the staff of GOP Sen. George Voinovich. But Dovilla never has held office and needs some seasoning before he's ready for a seat in the House.

So the best choice for voters in the 10th is the idealist who has represented them for a decade, who now says "I have no plans" to run for president again. We hope that is the case. His district needs his serious, focused representation.