A Texas judge has agreed that the Democratic Party can keep Dennis Kucinich's name off the Texas ballot because the candidate refused to sign a pledge to support the party's eventual nominee. Kucinich's lawyer says the issue could be appealed.
According to the Dallas Morning News:
U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel said the courts should intervene sparingly in political party rule-making. While the Democrats' oath may be "inartfully worded," it does not place such a burden on Kucinich that it should be struck down, Yeakel said.
(Kucinich's lawyer) argued that Kucinich's First Amendment rights would be violated by the required oath. He said it blocks his ballot access and would restrain his future speech if he didn't support the Democrats' presidential nominee.
Kucinich signed the pledge in 2004 during a previous bid for president, but he says his views on the occupation of Iraq prevent him from taking the pledge now.
- Jim Grinstead
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