Dennis Kucinich

Kucinich: My Health Care Proposals Include Dental (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | February 1, 2011, 12:42PM

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) is still being asked about his lawsuit, settled last week, over an olive pit in a Capitol Hill cafeteria sandwich that destroyed one of his teeth.

In an appearance Monday night on Lawrence O'Donnell's MSNBC show, Kucinich elaborated (again) on the extent of his mouth injuries, also explaining that his public appearances post-injury were done without knowledge of the extent of the damage until an infection set in, and that multiple dental implants were done with varying success.

"This was a very difficult series of dental and medical events that I had to deal with," said Kucinich. "I didn't ask for it. It just happened. But I'm glad it's over. And it really is resolved. And it was resolved amicably, which is the way that I like to resolve disputes."

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Allen West

Allen West: If I Were President, I'd Visit Troops In Combat (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | January 6, 2011, 4:01PM

Rep. Allen West (R-FL)

Newly sworn-in Rep. Allen West (R-FL), an Iraq War veteran whose military career ended after a torture-related incident, is standing by his criticism that President Obama should fly directly out to the theaters of combat when he visits troops. And what's more, the new conservative star might also be getting just a bit ahead of himself on his political career.

West appeared last night on Lawrence O'Donnell's MSNBC show, and stood by his comments in a colorful way:

"Lawrence, I'm not going to retract that statement, because I will tell you this -- if I was sitting at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, I would fly into a combat theater and I would get out there and visit those troops wherever they are. That's just the type of leader that I am, and that's what I believe in. And that's the type of leadership that was instilled in me, and my father who, when I was commissioned as a second lieutenant back in 1982, he said that the number one job for you, Lieutenant West, is to take care of your man -- especially when you go into combat."

Hmm, could this be a sneak preview of a running-mate convention speech in 2012?

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Bob Goodlatte

Lawrence O'Donnell Challenges Rep. Goodlatte's Reading Of The Constitution (VIDEO)

David Taintor | January 5, 2011, 2:13PM

Lawrence O'Donnell and Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R- VA)

Last night, Lawrence O'Donnell challenged Rep. Bob Goodlatte's (R-VA) knowledge of the Constitution, after Goodlatte boasted of his plans to read the document in its entirety on the House floor Thursday.

Goodlatte -- who will become the first congressman to read the Constitution in its entirety on the House floor -- says it will "begin the process of debating" the meaning and role of the Constitution today.

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DE-SEN

Steele, Gillespie Standing By O'Donnell's Claims About Classified Info On China Plot (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 6, 2010, 2:05PM

Christine O'Donnell

Delaware Republican Senate nominee Christine O'Donnell has put leading Republicans in a tough (and funny) spot. In response to her 2006 claim that she had seen classified information about a secret Chinese plot to take over the United States, the current Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele and former RNC chair Ed Gillespie are saying that hey, maybe she's right.

Back when she first ran for Senate in 2006, losing the Republican primary, O'Donnell claimed during a debate that China had a "carefully thought out and strategic plan to take over America," and criticized one of her GOP opponents for wanting the United States to pursue cooperation with the country. "There's much I want to say. I wish I wasn't privy to some of the classified information that I am privy to."

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Christine O'Donnell: Anti-Masturbation Crusader. Witchcraft Dabbler. Republican Senate Nominee.]

Appearing last night on MSNBC's The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell, Steele was grilled by Lawrence O'Donnell (no relation) about this matter. "Michael, you know she`s lying about the classified information, right? I mean, reassure the country," said Lawrence O'Donnell.

"Do you know -- do you know that, Lawrence?" Steele replied. When Lawrence O'Donnell stated that he was certain that Christine O'Donnell was lying, Steele answered back: "Produce your evidence and invite me back on the program and talk about it."

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