WASHINGTON–Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) just announced that he will–albeit reluctantly–vote for President Obama’s health bill. Kucinich was one of the leading critics of the plan and an advocate for a public option–which is not in the legislation. Kucinich may well have been under intense pressure as Democrats hunt for 216 votes in the House. Obama gave Kucinich a ride on Air Force One on Monday when he flew to Ohio to stump for his plan.
While saying this is not the bill he wanted, Kucinich said the Obama legislation “clearly does not advocate socialism or government takeover of health care.”