Judge: Let Kucinich debate

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential dark horse Dennis Kucinich won a legal fight Monday but it remained to be seen whether he gets to debate Tuesday in Las Vegas.

Judge Charles Thompson ruled the Ohio congressman must be allowed to participate in the debate and indicated he would sign a formal order Tuesday morning, KLAS-TV reported.The judge said if Kucinich isn't allowed to debate he will issue an injunction stopping the event.

But NBC, which is televising the political event, contends Thompson has no standing in the issue and intends to appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court, the Las Vegas TV station said.

Kucinich claims he was initially invited to take part in the debate but the offer was rescinded. Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois, and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards are the only other contenders extended invitations.