Kucinich, a hero to anti-war liberals and a two-time candidate for president, wants to be in position to defend the administration with the same pugnacity that he used fighting his way up through the tough ward politics on Cleveland’s west side. But he is not the heir apparent to the ranking minority position on the panel. The obvious choice is Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.), the outgoing chairman. And Towns wants the job.