Ted Kennedy Will Endorse Obama
By Justin Gardner | Related entries in 2008 Election, Barack, DemocratsBig, big, big news for Barack. Because between Caroline Kennedy’s editorial likening Barack to JFK and now JFK’s own brother saying, “This is the guy,” Hillary’s “experience” message is pretty much shot to hell.
Kennedy believes Obama can “transcend race” and bring unity to the country, a Kennedy associate told the Globe. Kennedy was also impressed by Obama’s deep involvement last year in the bipartisan effort to craft legislation on immigration reform, a politically touchy subject the other presidential candidates avoided, the associate said.The coveted endorsement is a huge blow to New York Senator Hillary Clinton, who is both a senatorial colleague and a friend of the Kennedy family. In a campaign where Clinton has trumpeted her experience over Obama’s call for hope and change, the endorsement by one of the most experienced and respected Democrats in the Senate is a particularly dramatic coup for Obama.
“The America of Jack and Bobby Kennedy touched all of us. Through all of these decades, the one who kept that flame alive was Ted Kennedy,” said Representative Bill Delahunt, A Quincy Democrat who is also backing Obama. “So having him pass on the torch [to Obama] is of incredible significance. It’s historic.”
The transformation of Obama from junior Senator to the new leader for the Democrats is nearing completion.
Now comes Super Tuesday…
This entry was posted on Sunday, January 27th, 2008 and is filed under 2008 Election, Barack, Democrats. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Hi Justin — Not to sound like a wet blanket or anything, but the Ted Kennedy endorsement may weigh Obama down a tad. There’s a certain polarizing aura around him that doesn’t really match with Obama’s message.
Also — The win feels really really good — I’m with ya! — and there’s some real energy to be tapped coming out of such a massive win. BUT, Obama’s road still points pretty much straight uphill against the Clinton lead on Super Tuesday. I’m hoping, but I’m also kind of holding my breath…
January 27th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Oh, there’s no doubt that Obama has an uphill climb, but the base loves Kennedy and I don’t think he’ll have the wet blanket effect you’re thinking he will. Still, I could be misreading it. Wouldn’t be the first time. :-)
January 27th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I had to go consult with Dear Husband on this one. He thinks that a Ted Kennedy endorsement indicates the Democratic “establishment” is coming apart in the background, and that the Clinton’s can no longer count on those Super Delegates in their back pockets. That strikes me as a pretty decent analysis, actually.
You may very well be right about an impact on “the base”, too. Dunno, since I’m totally disengaged from it (on either side). Which would mean I’m the one misreading. All very interesting, regardless.