He’s done this before. Remember when he turned up there in September 2007 to mumble about Halliburton on the very day David Petraeus was showing off graphics to Congress about jihadis flowing into Iraq from Syria? As usual, his timing is exquisite: According to Lebanese media, the UN’s tribunal just handed down indictments in the assassination of Rafiq Hariri against four of Assad’s pals in Hezbollah. That means new, possibly violent sectarian agony for Hezbollah-dominated Lebanon and, if Assad is desperate enough, maybe some sort of pretext for war with Israel to divert the energies of Syrian protesters. Way to pick ’em, Kooky.

The Daily Caller has a full transcript and video, but the last two minutes have most of what you need to say. Lowlights:

“What I learned from my meeting with President Assad is that he does care about what’s happening, that he wants to respond, that he’s thinking about the different ways that would be the best way to address the needs of the people,” Kucinich said in the interview, video of which was provided to TheDC by The Middle East Media Research Institute. “And that’s what he’s talking about. He’s talking about the people. He’s very engaged in that kind of a discussion. And frankly, that’s a positive development.”

Kucinich does note that there is a democratic movement afoot in Syria, but says that the government is responding appropriately.

“There are great democratic aspirations for freedom. And it’s part of this desire for freedom which is really sweeping the region and the world. And that the government is listening to the people,” Kucinich said. “But you’re at the point right now where it must, from what I’ve seen, the government shows a willingness to listen, shows a desire to help the people, work with the people to bring about change.”

His office notes that he also condemned the violence, which is sporting of him: The death toll of civilians killed by Assad’s forced stands at 1,500 and counting since the protests first began, with 10,000 more people safely locked away in regime prisons. What’s especially stupid about this is that Kucinich had a moment of traction in Congress a few weeks ago when his Libya resolution drew bipartisan support. This performance will end that, I hope. Note to the GOP: Do what you want on Libya, but stay away from bills with this tool’s fingerprints on them.