Democrat Dennis Kucinich abandons presidential race

CLEVELAND (AP) — As expected, Democrat Dennis Kucinich, trying to mend fences with his blue-collar base, abandoned his second long-shot presidential campaign Friday and cast himself as an outsider battling corporate interests in his congressional primary.

Surrounded by supporters in a union hall as he announced his withdrawal from the White House race, Kucinich repeatedly passed up chances to rule out another presidential campaign.

Asked specifically if he would try again in 2012, he said, “that’s the last thing on my mind.”

Kucinich, 61, faces four challengers in the March 4 congressional primary in his campaign for a seventh two-year term in the House.

He said he remained focused on ending the war in Iraq and ensuring jobs, health care, education and retirement security for all.