wendellrobinson.com Blog

The passing of former President Gerald Ford has resulted, and deservedly so, at a look back at his life and distinguished career.  While he is best known as the nation’s only unelected Vice-President and President, Ford forged his leadership skills while serving in the minority of the House of Representatives.  This quiet and unassuming man did not actively seek the Presidency.  Instead, when the call to duty rang, he answered.      

Ford’s character stands in a stark contrast to the 10^th District’s own Dennis Kucinich.  Always a day late and a dollar short, Kucinich has done little to improve the lot of the citizens of Northeast Ohio.  LTV?  Gone.  Deaconess Hospital?  Gone.  St. Michael’s?  Gone.  Tops Grocery?  Gone.  DFAS and NASA, likewise, would be gone but for the actions of Ohio’s other representatives and senators. 

Yet, despite this record (or lack thereof), Kucinich continues to be re-elected by comfortable margins.  How does good ol’ Dennis repay his supporters?  By once again planning a doomed run for President.  Unlike Ford, Dennis is actively seeking the spotlight at the expense of his constituency.  Even though his party is now the majority in Congress, Kucinich plans to traipse around the country, at taxpayer expense, rather than use his party’s power to help Cuyahoga County.

As Kucinich begins his second campaign for President, he would be wise to remember Ford’s words, “…the presidency and the vice presidency [are] not prizes to be won…”