Nation: On the Verge

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All bad enough, but Cleveland's biggest crisis may be one of leadership. "It is my challenge to convert my critics," said Kucinich after beating the recall. That's a large order, since leaders of the Republican Party, of his own Democratic Party and of the black community, as well as 24 out of 33 city councilmen, the Teamsters Union and the Cleveland A.F.L.C.I.O., called for Kucinich's removal. The mayor has hinted that he will make changes in his brash young staff and will also start acting more conciliatory. Preaches he: "Let us work to achieve a new era of good feeling, with malice toward none, with charity toward all..."

Meanwhile, as the joke goes, what's the difference between Cleveland and the Titanic? Cleveland has a better orchestra.