Rep. Kucinich kicks off 2008 campaign

CLEVELAND, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, kicking off another campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination Tuesday, said he only decided to make the run last week.

At an appearance at Cleveland City Hall, Kucinich said that he was not lying when he told voters in his Ohio district in October that he did not plan a second presidential race, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported. He said he was pushed into the race by the failure of other Democrats to really oppose the Iraq war.

"It's not credible to say you are opposed to the war but to keep funding it," he said.

Kucinich remained in the presidential race in 2004 until close to the end, although he picked up only a handful of delegates. He is only the second candidate on the Democratic side to make a formal announcement for 2008.

But the field could become a crowded one. In addition to Kucinich and former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, U.S. Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson are widely expected to jump in.