Teddy Kennedy's Speech For Obama: "It Is Time Again For A New Generation Of Leadership"
Teddy Kennedy opens his speech endorsing Obama by turning to Caroline Kennedy, who also endorsed Obama, and saying:
"Your mother and father would be so proud of you today."
After offering heartfelt praise of both Hillary and John Edwards, Kennedy distills down his message about Obama:
I believe there is one candidate who has extraordinary gifts of leadership and character, matched to the extraordinary demands of this moment in history...He will be a President who refuses to be trapped in the patterns of the past.
Kennedy also hits high notes on the power of the young to affect change, Obama's early opposition to the war, and "his grit and his grace."
Kennedy, in a reference to Hillary's campaign message that seems tailor made for a future political ad, also said that Obama will be ready to be president "on day one."
And Kennedy, in what's of course a reference to JFK, closes on the key quote: "It is time again for a new generation of leadership."
The choice of American University is a good touch. It's of course the place where JFK delivered his famous speech looking forward to world peace and nuclear disarmament.
Full text of speech after the jump. Video soon.
Kennedy's full speech, as prepared for delivery:
Thank you, Caroline. Thank you for that wonderful introduction and for your courage and bold vision, for your insight and understanding, and for the power and reach of your words. Like you, we too “want a president who appeals to the hopes of those who still believe in the American Dream, and those around the world who still believe in the American ideal; and who can lift our spirits, and make us believe again.” Thank you, Caroline. Your mother and father would be so proud today.Thank you, Patrick, for your leadership in Congress and for being here to celebrate and support a leader who truly has the power to inspire and make America good again, “from sea to shining sea.”
Thank you, American University.
I feel change in the air.
Every time I’ve been asked over the past year who I would support in the Democratic Primary, my answer has always been the same: I’ll support the candidate who inspires me, who inspires all of us, who can lift our vision and summon our hopes and renew our belief that our country’s best days are still to come.
I’ve found that candidate. And it looks to me like you have too.
But first, let me say how much I respect the strength, the work and dedication of two other Democrats still in the race, Hillary Clinton and John Edwards. They are my friends; they have been my colleagues in the Senate. John Edwards has been a powerful advocate for economic and social justice. And Hillary Clinton has been in the forefront on issues ranging from health care to the rights of women around the world. Whoever is our nominee will have my enthusiastic support.
Let there be no doubt: We are all committed to seeing a Democratic President in 2008.
But I believe there is one candidate who has extraordinary gifts of leadership and character, matched to the extraordinary demands of this moment in history.
He understands what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called the “fierce urgency of now.”
He will be a president who refuses to be trapped in the patterns of the past. He is a leader who sees the world clearly without being cynical. He is a fighter who cares passionately about the causes he believes in, without demonizing those who hold a different view.
He is tough-minded, but he also has an uncommon capacity to appeal to “the better angels of our nature.”
I am proud to stand here today and offer my help, my voice, my energy and my commitment to make Barack Obama the next President of the United States.
Like most of the nation, I was moved four years ago as he told us a profound truth—that we are not, we must not be, just red states and blue states, but one United States. And since that time I have marveled at his grit and his grace as he traveled this country and inspired record turnouts of people of all ages, of all races, of all genders, of all parties and faiths to get “fired up” and “ready to go.”
I’ve seen him connect with people from every walk of life and with Senators on both sides of the aisle. With every person he meets, every crowd he inspires, and everyone he touches, he generates new hope that our greatest days as a nation are still ahead, and this generation of Americans, like others before us, can unite to meet our own rendezvous with destiny.
We know the true record of Barack Obama. There is the courage he showed when so many others were silent or simply went along. From the beginning, he opposed the war in Iraq.
And let no one deny that truth.
There is the great intelligence of someone who could have had a glittering career in corporate law, but chose instead to serve his community and then enter public life.
There is the tireless skill of a Senator who was there in the early mornings to help us hammer out a needed compromise on immigration reform— who always saw a way to protect both national security and the dignity of people who do not have a vote. For them, he was a voice for justice.
And there is the clear effectiveness of Barack Obama in fashioning legislation to put high quality teachers in our classrooms—and in pushing and prodding the Senate to pass the most far-reaching ethics reform in its history.
Now, with Barack Obama, there is a new national leader who has given America a different kind of campaign—a campaign not just about himself, but about all of us. A campaign about the country we will become, if we can rise above the old politics that parses us into separate groups and puts us at odds with one another.
I remember another such time, in the 1960s, when I came to the Senate at the age of 30. We had a new president who inspired the nation, especially the young, to seek a new frontier. Those inspired young people marched, sat in at lunch counters, protested the war in Vietnam and served honorably in that war even when they opposed it.
They realized that when they asked what they could do for their country, they could change the world.
It was the young who led the first Earth Day and issued a clarion call to protect the environment; the young who enlisted in the cause of civil rights and equality for women; the young who joined the Peace Corps and showed the world the hopeful face of America.
At the fifth anniversary celebration of the Peace Corps, I asked one of those young Americans why they had volunteered.
And I will never forget the answer: “It was the first time someone asked me to do something for my country.”
This is another such time.
I sense the same kind of yearning today, the same kind of hunger to move on and move America forward. I see it not just in young people, but in all our people.
And in Barack Obama, I see not just the audacity, but the possibility of hope for the America that is yet to be.
What counts in our leadership is not the length of years in Washington, but the reach of our vision, the strength of our beliefs, and that rare quality of mind and spirit that can call forth the best in our country and our people.
With Barack Obama, we will turn the page on the old politics of misrepresentation and distortion.
With Barack Obama, we will close the book on the old politics of race against race, gender against gender, ethnic group against ethnic group, and straight against gay.
With Barack Obama, we will close the door on the old economics that has written off the poor and left the middle class poorer and less secure.
He offers a strategy for prosperity—so that America will once again lead the world in better standards of life.
With Barack Obama, we will break the old gridlock and finally make health care what it should be in America—a fundamental right for all, not just an expensive privilege for the few.
We will make the United States the great leader and not the great roadblock in the fateful fight against global warming.
And with Barack Obama, we will end a war in Iraq that he has always stood against, that has cost us the lives of thousands of our sons and daughters, and that America never should have fought.
I have seen him in the Senate. He will keep us strong and defend the nation against real threats of terrorism and proliferation.
So let us reject the counsels of doubt and calculation.
Let us remember that when Franklin Roosevelt envisioned Social Security, he didn’t decide—no, it was too ambitious, too big a dream, too hard.
When John Kennedy thought of going to the moon, he didn’t say no, it was too far, maybe we couldn’t get there and shouldn’t even try.
I am convinced we can reach our goals only if we are “not petty when our cause is so great”-- only if we find a way past the stale ideas and stalemate of our times – only if we replace the politics of fear with the politics of hope – and only if we have the courage to choose change.
Barack Obama is the one person running for President who can bring us that change.
Barack Obama is the one person running for President who can be that change.
I love this country. I believe in the bright light of hope and possibility. I always have, even in the darkest hours. I know what America can achieve. I’ve seen it. I’ve lived it—and with Barack Obama, we can do it again.
I know that he’s ready to be President on day one. And when he raises his hand on Inauguration Day, at that very moment, we will lift the spirits of our nation and begin to restore America’s standing in the world.
There was another time, when another young candidate was running for President and challenging America to cross a New Frontier. He faced public criticism from the preceding Democratic President, who was widely respected in the party. Harry Truman said we needed “someone with greater experience”—and added: “May I urge you to be patient.” And John Kennedy replied: “The world is changing. The old ways will not do…It is time for a new generation of leadership.”
So it is with Barack Obama. He has lit a spark of hope amid the fierce urgency of now.
I believe that a wave of change is moving across America. If we do not turn aside, if we dare to set our course for the shores of hope, we together will go beyond the divisions of the past and find our place to build the America of the future.
My friends, I ask you to join in this historic journey -- to have the courage to choose change.
It is time again for a new generation of leadership.
It is time now for Barack Obama.
Comments (52)
Sue wrote on January 28, 2008 1:15 PM:Bill Clinton would not be good for America in the white house
in any capacity.
His ego has finally gotten the best of him
and he does not realize it. A little sad because he has - or had the talent.
But this is what happens when ego begins to obscure all else.
How he could convince himself to play the race card is beyond me.
But then to wag his finger at us again on national tv.
C,mon - he has got to realize what that looks like.
LJ wrote on January 28, 2008 1:17 PM:We know the true record of Barack Obama. There is the courage he showed when so many others were silent or simply went along. From the beginning, he opposed the war in Iraq.And let no one deny that truth.
Not much doubt who he's talking about here.
Mitch wrote on January 28, 2008 1:21 PM:This is great news for all Americans.
I feel Obama will be a great leader.
He is poet at heart. Look at all the great leaders down through history who were great speakers and writers.
There is a reason for it, it is because there is something in their spirit and heart that moves them to act in the better interests of those they serve.
And for Obama to convey this in such a meaningful way is so refreshingrefreashing
Shelly wrote on January 28, 2008 1:22 PM:A wonderful testament to Barack's ability to lead and inspire - both of which are required in order to get anything done.
What exactly is he going to get done?
Check out his "Blueprint for Change" where he:
1 - Identifies the problems he sees facing our country and the world.
2 - Identifies what he believes to be the ROOT causes of those problems.
3 - Lays out a comprehensive plan to being solving these problems in a real, lasting way so that we do not have to keep fighting the same battles over and over and over...
www.barackobama.com/issues
Worth a look to see what actions will be the result of his inspiration...
Yes We Can!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No it(Billary) won't!!!
Please Oabama people. Listen to this man.
Send money if you can. Go to Obama headquarters. Volunteer on election day and before. This is up to us.
Obama is a leader and a statesman. My 80 grandfather said that Obama's books changed his mind on the issues and that if Obama gets the nomination he'll vote D for the first time in his life in a presidential race.
tonid wrote on January 28, 2008 1:26 PM:"After offering heartfelt praise of both Hillary and Obama, Kennedy distills down his message about Obama:"
I think you meant to say Hillary and John Edwards.
brad wrote on January 28, 2008 1:27 PM:Obama supporters:
Let's stay positive, lets work the phone banks, talk to our friends and family, knock on the doors, donate our time and money, and stay focused. Great speech, but it only matters to the extent we act on our convictions. Thanks.
benjoya wrote on January 28, 2008 1:30 PM:teddy also said that obama would be 'ready on day one,' which got a big laugh. teddy was gleeful, pointing at the camera.
Seth H. wrote on January 28, 2008 1:31 PM:Not that I'm one to complain about Bill-bashing of late, but what's up with these little robo-whiners (Sue in this post, Mike in the last)? Not coo'.
John McCutchen wrote on January 28, 2008 1:33 PM:Teddy Takes a Dump
ON DEADLINE: Kennedy dumps on Clintons Ron Fournier
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080128/ap_ca/on_deadline_kennedy_1;_ylt=AgVb7vXGWO96bq.V1uAlB8Zh24cA
That is an amazingly well argued endorsement. I hope they are working on a TV spot based on it right now.
Tim wrote on January 28, 2008 1:37 PM:Seth H.
Well if we could show you our tears
would that help convince you.
Are you from N.H.
It'll be interesting to see if Obama gets a bump from this. He does not yet appear to have gotten a national bump from his SC victory. In fact, if you look at the daily Rasmussen tracking polls, Hillary seems to have held pretty steady for a long time around 40% except for a brief decline after IA. And even then, her lows were within the MOE of her previous lows. Meanwhile, Obama's peak (after his IA bump) has declined slightly and he seems to be holding steady around 30%, which is also within the MOE of previous highs months earlier. If I was a gambling man, I would still be betting on Hillary. Also, not sure if Teddy's endorsement is going to play well with the indies and moderate repugs. They might just start flipping to McCain.
Keith wrote on January 28, 2008 1:39 PM:Excellent endorsement and what a way to continue to win the news cycle coming into the February 5th primaries. I'm with brad and others: I'd highly encourage Obama supporters posting (or reading) on TPM to put your money or your energy to use. This is no time to get lax and trust that the Clintons are putting every ounce of their political muscle into the next 8 days.
If we don't do it, no one will.
Judy Van Wickler wrote on January 28, 2008 1:40 PM:"...and the light from that fire will truly light the world"
These words are truer today than when JFK spoke them nearly 50 years ago.
This was powerful.
http://ruralvotes.com/thefield/
Nick wrote on January 28, 2008 1:42 PM:It just doesn't matter. Endorsements are nice but the American voter is not so dull as to be swayed by Ted Kennedy nor Caroline. How can Obama preach "change" and "a new politcs" when he is so desperate to tie himself to politics from almost 50 years ago? What's new about Ted Kennedy? What's new politics about seeking endorsements from those who arguably have as much or more baggage than the Clintons (Chapaquiddick, anyone)? No, for my money, I would rather take a deep breath, let the MSNBC hysteria (they covered this endorsement live and breathlessly)die down and have a discussion of the issues. Not the horseshit horserace that TPM, and the other MSM depends on for revenue. You can bet that when Obama surges now, these same pundits will find a way to take him down, too, so as to keep the game from ending too soon.
Groan, he is old politics he is the shining example of why this Dem Party almost receded into oblivion, Liberal identity politics, he reminds me of why I am not and never will be a Dem, I was hoping from 06 that the Party platform and standards has changed, we shall see on Feb 5.
i guess this means I will have to go buy a pickup and rack...lol
Mike wrote on January 28, 2008 1:43 PM:I have enormous respect for the Kennedy family.
I appreciate that Bobby Kennedy Jr., Kerry Kennedy, Anthony Kennedy Shriver and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend all made different choices and are supporting Hillary Clinton.
Regardless of which Kennedy supports which candidate, I am aware that ultimately this election will be decided not by one family but by the voters themselves.
TheraP wrote on January 28, 2008 1:45 PM:Any possibility of a Gore endorsement coming?
Al..... please step forward!
ding wrote on January 28, 2008 1:51 PM:The contradictions of Obama.
He's not a BLACK candidates but embraces the ubiquitous references to MLK.
He's wants to rise above the "old politics" but uses JFK (hello, Mayor Daley) as a symbol.
Anonymous wrote on January 28, 2008 1:54 PM:So ding is Barack black or not black enough today
One thing is for sure
The First Black Family, The Clintons have been impeached
Greg DeLassus wrote on January 28, 2008 1:54 PM:Man alive, some of the Clinton folks are getting really desperate on this thread. Honestly folks, your candidate is still ahead. Why the tubs full of sour-grapes?
If I was a gambling man, I would still be betting on Hillary.
Indeed, it gives me no pleasure to say that, but Sen Clinton is still comfortably ahead in an awful lot of races. It is hardly as if she should be writing her concession speech.
Barth wrote on January 28, 2008 1:55 PM:Edward M. Kennedy made the speech of this campaign. The contrast with the speeches of the last Democratic president is breathtaking in its scope. I signed on to this Obama thing over the weekend, http://edsbarth.blogspot.com/2008/01/obama-for-president-explanation.html, and damn proud that I did.
brad wrote on January 28, 2008 1:56 PM:ding, do you have a modern political candidate you can point to who is/has been a model of consistency and who has few inherent contradictions?
ARR wrote on January 28, 2008 2:01 PM:The Kennedy endorsement DOES matter--a great deal. Not only does it help Obama in Massachusetts, but it gives him free, positive press leading up to February 5th. The equivalent in paid airtime is more than any of the campaigns could afford.
And Kennedy is a universally recognizable and widely respected Democratic politicians. If he says Obama is "ready on day one," that gives assurance to those who might have been leaning towards supporting him.
Perhaps even more important, Kennedy provides leadership for superdelegates. Don't forget, a large number of the final delegate count for the Democratic nomination will be superdelegates. I suspect that many of them have not endorsed anyone yet because they fear retribution from the nomination winner, particularly if it is Billary. I also suspect a large number of superdelegates, most of whom hold elected office, would prefer Obama because he would drive up Democratic turnout and depress or convert Republican turnout, while Billary would do just the opposite.
Kennedy makes it safe for superdelegates who were keeping quiet to go ahead and support Obama. If the delegate count ends up being close, as it looks like it might, superdelegates will have a large role to play. So, yes, this endorsement matters!
Nathan S wrote on January 28, 2008 2:05 PM:Have to admit I have never been a big Tedd fan but that was pretty awesome. I think Kathleen Sebelius' endorsement tomorrow after giving the Dem response to the State of the Union tonight will also be pretty powerful.
The deck is still clearly stacked against him but perhaps the momentum (and a few more key endorsements this week) will put him ahead in CA, IL, MA and NY?
franklyn wrote on January 28, 2008 2:06 PM:Like many of you I watched the entire event live...it just feels like its the beginning of the end for the Clintons...The cry for change is becoming overwhelming and more and more people arent seeing the clintons as change agents...
A generational tide is sweeping the country and the Clintons may get swept away by it...
Heretic: You'll notice that the Rasmussen polls are four-day tracking polls. The most recent poll listed, released this morning, includes only 1/4 who were interviewed after the SC results whereas 3/4 were interviewed prior to the results. (Try reading the press release that accompanied the poll results you linked to!) It's not at all surprising we haven't seen a bump for Obama yet. We'll know whether or not there was one in a couple days, but not before.
upper left wrote on January 28, 2008 2:10 PM:"So let us reject the counsels of doubt and calculation."
Truer words have not been spoken in this campaign season.
Do not call us "Hillary-haters" when we point out that we need a new politics that is not based on distortion, misrepresentation, and division.
Do not say that we are calling the Clintons "racist," when we point out that they are making race an issue for political gain.
Do not attack the character of a brilliant and profoundly decent man, who is not perfect, but who is trying to make our politics cleaner and more transparent, fairer and less negative.
Do not question his commitment to progressive values and policies when two of the most progressive Dems, Leahy and Kennedy, have chosen to endorse him when they have nothing to gain.
Stop distorting his pro-choice record. Quit misrepresenting his comments on Reagan and the Republicans. Desist from trying to paint his proposal to raise payroll taxes on the top 4% as some sort of trillion dollar tax on the middle-class. Having been on the receiving end of so many smears, can the Clintons devise no better strategy than to continue the politics of personal destruction?
Let us have an honest discussion about where each candidate wants to lead the country and which one has the character, skill, and experience to get the job done.
Lets be honest. Most of the attacks emanating from Team Billary have been very thin gruel, a concoction that is damaging our party and playing into the hands of the Republicans.
The country needs catharsis after the Dark Years of the Bush Imperium, and whether you want to analyze it, criticize it, doubt it, or just plain feel confused by it, it looks like Obama is the vessel by which the catharsis is going to take place.
Any of you who studies psychology, sociology will know of what I speak.
The bottom line is that after Bush, asking people to onl use their heads is folly. Just look at the turnouts in the first 4 states. That's not "calculation." That's passion.
tress wrote on January 28, 2008 2:13 PM:I grew listening to my Mother wax poetic about how altruistic the Kennedy's are.
My grandmother had three commerative plates on the wall, hung in a place of honor: White Jesus, Martin and Kennedy.
They are not southern or southern baptist or black but the genuiness of their spirit has, for numberous reasons, spoken to our community for generations now.
So as I sit here today and hear the Kennedy family effectively hand over the torch of their legacy to Barack Obama I am afraid that I may be dreaming.
Win or lose, this man not only looks presidential today - he looks like great American history in the making.
And who would know what that looks like better than a Kennedy?
Live stream: http://www.cnn.com/video/live/live.html?stream=stream1
tress wrote on January 28, 2008 2:15 PM:and let me add that Upper Left's comment has earned him/her my adoration. Many thanks.
Bubba wrote on January 28, 2008 2:19 PM:Great speech.
brad wrote on January 28, 2008 2:24 PM:I'd also say that as Obama supporters, we do ourselves more favors when we stay positive. I don't for a second think that Bill Clinton (or Hillary) is a racist. I think they are capable of using racial identity as a wedge issue to further their own ambition (which is a tactic better used by the Pat Buchanan wing of the Republican party), but that's a big stretch from calling them out as racists.
I don't like the implication coming from the other camp that I am naive or a closet Republican because I am an Obama supporter. I'm sure the implication of racism to Clinton supporters is just as noxious to them.
I don't want to sound like your least favorite uncle or something, but I really do think we win to the extent we walk the talk regarding the rationale for Obama's campaign. I'll try to do better my own self.
That is all.
Gee wrote on January 28, 2008 2:24 PM:Wow. Just wow.
Sean wrote on January 28, 2008 2:31 PM:And next up, the Rezko endorsement --- maybe film footage from jail -- can they use that in a commercial?
Jess wrote on January 28, 2008 2:40 PM:If endorsements do not matter,
then why try to stop them?
Why did Bill and union leaders
call Ted Kennedy re: endorsements?
I am sure the union leaders said something
like: if you endorse Obama,
we won't vote for you.
Why try to stop endorsements if they
do not matter?
~ Jess
If you don't know the patterns of the past you're condemned to repeat them. I'm with Krugman, anyone who thinks our government can be united is naive. The republicans have shown time and again that they have no interest in working with the democrates, they will go after their agenda whether they're in the majority or minority. The democratic candidate has to be super tough and battle tested. Hillary is, Obama has yet to show that he can take a punch.
brad wrote on January 28, 2008 3:17 PM:Maxx,
It seems that Obama is withstanding punches very well so far. I'd point to South Carolina as the most recent example.
Also, a note of thanks to all the posters who are innoculating Obama on the Rezko non-story by bringing it up ad infinitum. For Clinton's supporters to be so fixated on a story like that reminds me a little of the Helsinki syndrome where captives start to love their captors. I mean, how can you decry everything from Whitewater to Geniffer Flowers to god knows what else but cling to such a thin reed as Tony Rezko?
Chris wrote on January 28, 2008 3:30 PM:I'll vote for Obama or whoever the Dem candiate is, but can we as a party please move past the Teddy worship? I mean the mention of the guy's name makes me look at my feet in embarrasment. Why is this guy's endorsement not seen by everybody as a liability? Sorry, but I'll never be able to "just move past" the dead girl in the car thing. He drove off the bridge, panicked, went to friend's house to get it together for 6 hours, then called police. If anyone else had done that, there would be jail time involved, and rightfully so. He's a drunken dolt, and I don't care about how righteous his politics are at this point. What does our party's embrase of this turd say about us? There are certain events that time just can't heal. Yuck.
Jess wrote on January 28, 2008 4:52 PM:
> Mike wrote on January 28, 2008 1:43 PM:
Whoa, Mike .. you and Hillary think
alike, don't you? What you posted
appeared verbatim in this article:
Plagiarism? Naah, you substituted
'we' with 'I', and you omitted the
last point. Good job!
~ Jess
If endorsements don't matter then why does Hillary's website have an entire page devoted to them?
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/endorsements/
dmaci wrote on January 28, 2008 6:22 PM:I like all the demo frontrunners, but I'm getting a little tired of the demonizing of Hillary and/or Bill Clinton...for "injecting race" into the campaign?! c'mon! hasn't the media been trumpeting for months now that Barak Obama is the first African-American candidate with a real shot at the White House? and ever since before the Iowa caucus I'd been reading/hearing the analysis about how S. Carolina's black voters would probably vote for Obama.
How interesting that Ted Kennedy has decided to “turn the page” on the divisive politics of the past... a past he's a big part of. I wonder if he’s ready yet to shake Jimmy Carter’s hand? That was one of the nastiest ,most divisive Democratic primaries ever, and when the convention confirmed Carter, Teddy couldn’t bring himself to make even a token show of support for the sake of unity.
And now he’s lecturing Bill Clinton?! Unbelievable...except, most people seem to buy into it.
Oh well. Repeat something often enough, and people will believe it to be true.
Political Logic wrote on January 28, 2008 6:51 PM:Well we have Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. BJ's and DUI+Manslaughter. I'll forgive the BJ's but Ted should have gone to jail. What do you say Barak?
Roberto Dice wrote on January 28, 2008 7:28 PM:A very interesting article by a psychologist theorizes that Bill Clinton is a psychopath. Here is the link:
http://askdrrobert.dr-robert.com/psychopath.html
It may be that Teddy knows this, and that this is part of the reason why he has taken this strong stand.
Nick wrote on January 29, 2008 8:51 AM:Bill Clinton did not introduce race into this election. Obama was very vocal early on about how important the SC Black vote would be to his chances.
The media is continually telling us that Obama is the first African American with a shot at the presidency. Oprah campaigned with Obama in SC specifically to target the Black vote. Then Clinton makes some innocuous and true statement about jesse Jackson winning SC primary back in the day and the white media elite at TPM and the MSM begin foaming at the mouth as their minions write in calling the Clintons racists. I mentioned this a few months ago . . . Obama's continuous playing of the poor racial victim is going to wear very thin with the voters trying to navigate the PC mine field and it will backfire on him.
Regarding Ted's endorsement, turning the page back 50 years is not the "change" people are looking for. Also, how will Obama respond to the inevitable question about whether he believes Teddy should have served jail time for his actions which resulted in the death of Mary Jo Keppecknie?
In October, Jesse Jackson Jr. invoked his father's success in South Carolina in supporting Obama.
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2007/10/jesse_jackson_jr_cuts_ad_for_b.html
The senior Jackson won the South Carolina Democratic primary during his 1988 campaign for president, a victory the younger Jackson recalled in the ad, which is airing on gospel and R&B stations with a predominantly African-American audience.
“Once, South Carolina voted for my father, and sent a strong message to the nation,” the younger Jackson said. “Next year, you can send more than a message. You can launch a President.”
Mary wrote on January 29, 2008 3:10 PM:It's the kiss of death for Obama.
To the general public voting in the general election, to the moderates, Independents, and Reagan Democrats watching,
Obama has now aligned himself with the most liberal branch of the Democratic Party, admitted he supports drivers' licenses for illegal aliens, and admits he helped Kennedy write the comprehensive immigration reform legislation that Bush tried to push through, widely viewed as amnesty.
It may be inspiring, but it won't win the general.
If anything, gaining Teddy Kennedy as a patron will frame Obama as John Kerry's liberal little brother.
And we ALL know how the Republican machine handled that.
Out in Peoria, where Americans fall into the centrist or centrist-right range, a Teddy Kennedy endorsement speaks VOLUMES, and will not help.
In the rabid Clinton hating , the Democratic Party has cut off its nose to spite its face.
AGAIN.
With all due respect.
Anonymous wrote on January 30, 2008 3:48 PM:The support for Hillary Clinton in our Latino community continues to grow,”" Hillary, is commitment to public service continues today. Whether it's fighting for universal health care, making college more accessible or creating better job opportunities, her record on issues important to Latinos speaks for itself. I am proud to support Hillary, and to be joined by such a strong group of leaders working on her behalf.” I support Hillary Clinton because she is the candidate that will help create opportunities to empower our communities across America Mauro ChInchilla
The support for Hillary Clinton in our Latino community continues to grow,”" Hillary, is commitment to public service continues today. Whether it's fighting for universal health care, making college more accessible or creating better job opportunities, her record on issues important to Latinos speaks for itself. I am proud to support Hillary, and to be joined by such a strong group of leaders working on her behalf.” I support Hillary Clinton because she is the candidate that will help create opportunities to empower our communities across America I will pull a meeting together with the Latino Community at East Boston so we can activate this important base I am proud to stand and offer my help, voice my energy and my commitment to make Hillary Clinton the next President of the United State
Latino Will not vote for Obama
