Kucinich in the Pits, Sues Congressional Café for Unsavory Wrap

Jan. 27, 2011— -- Two-time presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich is an unabashed liberal with a reputation for being one of Congress's more unique figures. His own website declares him "America's Most Courageous Congressman."

But apparently he was no match for a sandwich wrap he bought at one of the cafeterias on Capitol Hill.

The Ohio Democrat filed a legal complaint Wednesday in D.C. Superior Court, spelling out the case in chilling detail: The wrap was "unwholesome and unfit for human consumption, in that it was represented to contain pitted olives, yet unknown to plaintiff contained an unpitted olive."

Kucinich, who ran for the Democratic nomination for president in 2008, bought the sandwich from the Longworth House Office Building cafeteria April 17, 2008, according to the complaint.

The complaint also says that Kucinich "sustained serious and permanent dental and oral injuries requiring multiple surgery and oral procedures" and says Kucinich has sustained other damages, "including significant pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment."

He didn't mention the incident publicly until five days after it happened. He even gave a speech on the House floor without any apparent problem.

Kucinich is seeking $150,000 in damages, plus interest and costs, from Restaurant Associates, which manages the cafeteria, and three other businesses that stock and help run the operation.

Kucinich has a colorful history: When State of the Union time rolls around, he's known for waiting hours to get an aisle seat and a moment with the president, even George W. Bush, whom he tried to have impeached.

Another example, as part of his 2004 presidential campaign, he invited women to enter a contest to go on a date with him. Eighty women entered the contest that produced one lucky winner.

And, finally, during his 2008 campaign, he only won 2 percent of the vote in the New Hampshire primary, but demanded a recount.