On the June 9 edition of MSNBC's Imus in the Morning, host Don Imus suggested that Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) could replace Abu Musab al-Zarqawi as leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq.

Co-host Charles McCord paraphrased Kucinich's response to Zarqawi's death, stating: “He [Kucinich] said Zarqawi was a small part of a growing anti-American insurgency, and that it is actually just time to get out.” Imus declared that Kucinich "[j]ust got back from Neptune," and suggested Kucinich join “the circus.” McCord continued, noting reports saying “it's unclear who will step forward to take Zarqawi's place in Iraq.” Imus responded: “Maybe Dennis Kucinich could.”

Kucinich issued a press release (reprinted here) June 8 detailing his reaction to Zarqawi's death:

“Mr. al-Zarqawi only represented a small portion of the large and growing anti-American insurgency in Iraq, so his killing is unlikely to end the violence in Iraq.

”According to a January 2005 estimate by Iraqi intelligence service director General Mohamed Abdullah Shahwani, Zarqawi's group is a mere sliver of the non-Baathist insurgency, while Baathists make up the majority of armed insurgents.

“The only way to end the daily attacks on US troops and innocent Iraqis is to end the war in Iraq and bring all our troops home in a quick and orderly manner.”

From the June 9 edition of MSNBC's Imus in the Morning:

McCORD: And another “I[mus]” fav, Congressman Dennis Kucinich weighed in --

IMUS: Oh, God!

McCORD: --an Ohio Democrat --

IMUS: Just got back from Neptune.

McCORD: He said Zarqawi was a small part of a growing anti-American insurgency and that it is actually just time to get out.

IMUS: Hey, the circus is in town, Dennis! Go back and get in the Volkswagen!

McCORD: Officials in the Iraqi capital, bracing for the possibility of more trouble in the wake of the killing of Zarqawi. Interior Ministry banning cars and trucks from the streets of Baghdad today, also Baquba, in an attempt to prevent any repeat of yesterday's violence, which left more than 30 people dead. A Time magazine reporter in Baghdad says American forces should expect revenge attacks for the killing of al-Zarqawi.

[...]

McCORD: Reporter [inaudible] in the Baghdad bureau for Time magazine says Al Qaeda, at some point, will strike back and most likely strike back hard. He said it's unclear who will step forward to take Zarqawi's place in Iraq.

IMUS: Twelve minutes after the hour. Maybe Dennis Kucinich could.