With Kerry Backing Obama, What Will Ted Kennedy Do?
Now that John Kerry is backing Barack Obama, the next big endorsement prize -- Al Gore aside -- is Kerry's fellow Senator from Massachusetts, Ted Kennedy.
"What will Teddy do? That's the question," one Hillary adviser tells Election Central. It's unclear whether Kennedy will endorse at all, of course -- he may prove reluctant to wade into this battle.
The adviser says that the Clinton team really wants Kennedy's endorsement -- because it would carry heavy symbolic weight given the frequent comparisons of Obama and another certain Kennedy.
"They have really worked Teddy hard," this adviser says. "Especially because of the analogies between Barack and JFK."
Interesting stuff. Stay with us.
Comments (67)
AS wrote on January 10, 2008 10:39 AM:>>>Bill Clinton has never been a classy person. But I think his conduct over the last couple of weeks is tacky even for him. Think about it for a minute. Here is a former president going out on the campaign trail in the early primaries and trashing one of his own party's greatest new talents. Can you recall any other president doing such a thing in an election campaign? The abuse he has heaped on Obama both tarnishes his former office and cheapens his role as an elder statesman in the Democratic party.
Steve in SC wrote on January 10, 2008 10:40 AM:HOT RASMUSSEN POLL:
No bounce for Hillary in SC: Obama still leads 42%-30%
Mcain overtakes Huckabee to lead 27%-24% in South Carolina. Romney trails far behind with 16% and Thompson with 12%.
aimey mays wrote on January 10, 2008 10:42 AM:AS wrote on January 10, 2008 10:39 AM:
>>>Bill Clinton ---
Your "greatest talent" may be someone else's greatest phony. Keep it to yourself!
Again, if the Clintons decide to swift-boat Obama as they were beginning to do in NH (but didn't) they will be dead to me.
Sanitron wrote on January 10, 2008 10:45 AM:Yeah, the Clinton's can't allow there to be another JFK. They have to suck all the air out of the democratic room and leave us begging them for gift-wrapped presents. Let's see, now where did I put that universal pre-k for you little people?
How sad that our elder statesman is traveling around trying to submarine a groundswell movement. It's all false hopes! It's all fairy tales!
grover_rover wrote on January 10, 2008 10:45 AM:I don't think Kennedy (or anyone else concerned about their political career) really wants to get associated with the Clintons' dirty campaign.
And what frequent comparisons to JFK? He mentioned JFK having a dream of Americans landing on the moon, but there isn't much else there. He also hasn't compared himself with MLK Jr really either. Hillary compared him to MLK Jr, in that both are apparently all talk and can't get anything done without whitey, but aside from that..
Jess wrote on January 10, 2008 10:46 AM:On NPR last night, Marianne Pernold, the woman who asked that "defining moment"
question, said that she voted for Obama
~ Jess
>>>Your "greatest talent" may be someone else's greatest phony. Keep it to yourself!
Yes, let's all just shut up. Everyone knows this country is too complex for anyone to rule it other than a Bush or a Clinton. Only they have the machines that make the yum-yum.
I'm not sure that Kennendy is going to endorse Obama after this nice quote from Obama in 2003:
"We've got to call up not just Republicans," said the Illinois Democrat, "but we got to call up Ted Kennedy and say, Ted, you're getting a little old now, and you've been a fighter for us before I don't know what's happening now, Ted get some spine and stand up to the Republicans."
Bupalos wrote on January 10, 2008 10:51 AM:>>>It's all false hopes! It's all fairy tales!
LOL. This is what Clinton is reduced to I guess. It must be a pretty freaky situation for the man from Hope, if he could step back and see it. But he wants back in the White House, and he'll say anything at this point.
aimey mays wrote on January 10, 2008 10:53 AM:You can have your talker. I will take a doer anyday!
M Miller wrote on January 10, 2008 10:56 AM:No matter who you support, Bill Clinton is tarnishing his name to many people by supporting his wife as much as he is. People that don't like her will be really turned off by what he does to get his wife elected. That's even if you are like me and liked Bill until now.
She is less likable than Bill, and Bill is bringing his likability down to that of Hillary.
You don't have to be a Republican to be anti-Hillary.
monk wrote on January 10, 2008 10:58 AM:Ah but Ted Sorenson JFK's aid has endorsed Obama with glowing praise including comparisons to his boss.
TheraP wrote on January 10, 2008 10:58 AM:Thank you, AS, above, for an interesting point. From a perspective I hadn't considered till now.
Just suppose Obama wins. How will it be that a former prez trashed someone before they became president? I didn't like bill's behavior in any case, but yes, it looks unseemly.
At this point we have a former president, who traveled around with the current, failed president's father. On top of that he's wading into the current race and trashing a candidate who's a black man. I wonder if that will ultimately take black voters away from hillary.
Hillary should stay in the Senate and bill should stay out of the "race."
dcshungu wrote on January 10, 2008 10:59 AM:Why Hillary Won ...
...is a Great WSJ Commentary by none other than Karl Rove. I found little to disagree with in the piece, which I thought was one of the few objective commentaries I have read recently.
As for Kerry endorsing Obama, I guess his former running mate just was not good enough, although 4 years ago he apparently was...
Obama supporter wrote on January 10, 2008 10:59 AM:"We've got to call up not just Republicans," said the Illinois Democrat, "but we got to call up Ted Kennedy and say, Ted, you're getting a little old now, and you've been a fighter for us before I don't know what's happening now, Ted get some spine and stand up to the Republicans."
Ted Kennedy is serving as a lightning rod there and it's pretty obvious. Obama is attacking the rhetorical Teddy Kennedy, the long-serving senior Democratic statesman, not the man himself. He's saying the Democratic Party needs to fight back. I think Ted Kennedy is smart enough to realize this and not allow it to impact his selection.
Bupalos wrote on January 10, 2008 11:00 AM:"Ted get some spine and stand up to the Republicans."
Well, he didn't heed the call then. He wouldn't stand up against Republicans. But maybe he will stand up against the DLC, which is Republican-lite.
Good numbers in SC! Fired up! Ready to Go!
JR wrote on January 10, 2008 11:02 AM:So aimey,
Other than survive as Bill's First Lady, what has Hillary actually done? Vote for the Iraq war while under the delusion that Bush would negotiate (incredible naivete) - Yes. Vote to push the argument for a new Iran war - Yes. What else has she done during her 7 years in elective office? She's not a doer, she's the true talker - all attack, all the time.
CADem wrote on January 10, 2008 11:02 AM:"greatest new talents" huh... all talks, no executive experience at all as compared to Hillary. Obama knows only one thing..to talk.
southpaw wrote on January 10, 2008 11:05 AM:grover_rover-
The distinction between MLK/LBJ was between activism and legislation. W/O the legislation (legal protection) the activism may die-they need each other. Of course the activism started in the Black community. Although, by no means did Northern liberals ignore segregation. Also, think back to the abolishionists.
Do you think the students in Little Rock in '57 would have been able to attend LRHS had Ike not provided protection? What about Brown v. Board? When "whitey" controls every legal institution, where are you going to get protection?
Back to Kennedys--
RFK Jr., as many of you probably know, endored Obama-at least a year ago when I heard him speak. Carries some weight with me because RFK Jr. tells it like it is.
John McCutchen wrote on January 10, 2008 11:05 AM:Death Watch: Tale of the Tape
(Rasmussen)
Clinton 32
Obama 31
Edwards 19
Date 01/09/08
Clinton 42
Obama 23
Edwards 16
12/30/07
Bupalos wrote on January 10, 2008 11:00 AM:
"Fired up! Ready to Go!"
Don't be childish and follow the fashion. Obama is a phenom, like American idol. You cry for an idol, like the fellow cried for people to leave Britney alone. When you mature, you will realize how silly you are!
Bupalos wrote on January 10, 2008 11:06 AM:"You can have your talker. I will take a doer anyday!"
I'll take someone who understands the relationship between the two. What your "doer" is going to "do" best case is split the electorate 50.5-49.5 and commence railing against the VRWC that just gridlocks us back to the late 80's.
BTW, just what has this wonderfully experienced "doer" done? 35 years of change on the board of Walmart? I guess they are making much bigger parking lots than they did in the 90's, and they added groceries in some of them.
Anonymous wrote on January 10, 2008 11:09 AM:southpaw wrote on January 10, 2008 11:05 AM:
grover_rover-
Wow, you are so wrong! RFK Jr. compaigned for Hillary in Iowa. What have you been drinking, magic posion from Obama?
Anonymous wrote on January 10, 2008 11:09 AM:"no executive experience at all as compared to Hillary."
Excuse me?! Hillary has executive experience? Care to flesh that out?
D-KY wrote on January 10, 2008 11:11 AM:So let me get this straight. In order for Bill to stay in your good graces his has to roll over and not do the same for his WIFE that she did for him all because you are tick off that he has the guts to point out that everyone needs to a closer look beyound the hoopla surrounding Obamba Before we hand nomination. That just maybe we might want to lake a long hard look at his ACTUAL record outside of his ripped off speeches. Obama supporters take the cake. Several years ago All of Clinton supporter were caught up in this same movement you guys are all caught up in. Then Reality checked in. Now that the CLintons have born the struggles challenged the systems and gained the clout to get it done you want to throw them out and start all over from scratch. Thats what Bill is trying to tell you. Grow up and listen. He is not putting Obama down but trying to give you a reality check that comes from dare i say it EXPERIENCE
sid wrote on January 10, 2008 11:12 AM:Folks, "AS" seems to have swiped a part of Andrew Sullivan's excellent post this morning. Here is a link to the whole thing:
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/01/classy-bill-cli.html
aimey mays: Exactly what has Hillary "done" that makes her more of a "doer" than Obama?
sid
Bupalos wrote on January 10, 2008 11:15 AM:"When you mature, you will realize how silly you are!"
Right, when I turn 52 next month I'll give up my false hopes that we can have change in this country. I'll realize that only president's son's and president's wives and president's brothers can be presidents...that only Clintons and Bush's are genius enough to lead us in this terribly complicated a nasty world. That we shouldn't believe in the fairy tale of a candidate that actually excercises judgement instead of tacking whatever way the political winds blow.
Ah, but it's still a month to my birthday, so until then, indulge me, oh mature one!
In all the talk about the reasons for Clinton's victory in NH, nobody mention the old Obama Muslim smear. But you know what, it seems, as ugly as it is, that the smear is working. I already talk with 2 friends, both of them not heavily involved in politics, one of them a democrat, the other one more or less independent, that were convinced that Obama is a Muslim. Even when it should'n matter, even when it is not even true, my God, it is out there. And it is a consequence of a democrat swift boating another democrat. I was leaning Obama, but I did not have strong feelings against either of them. But now it is going to be very hard for me to vote for Hillary.
southpaw wrote on January 10, 2008 11:16 AM:grover
Didn't know that-I stand corrected. I also said it was a year ago when I heard his comments. Easy there, hoss.
I wonder why he went w/ Clinton 'cause he sounded pretty firm in Obama's camp back then...
twc wrote on January 10, 2008 11:17 AM:But Hillary's got all that experience. That's how she knew all about the WMDs that Iraq had so she didn't even need to read the National Intelligence Estimate before authorizing the war against Iraq.
And she knows all about the Iranian WMD program, too. She doesn't need any NIE to tell her whether to take the big stick to Iran, either!
Minnesota Dem wrote on January 10, 2008 11:18 AM:I'm so glad that the woman who asked Clinton the question openly stated she voted for Obama. Can you imagine the constant harping about the planting of the woman for the question if she had voted for Hillary? This woman singlehandedly eliminated a meme before it started!
aimey mays wrote on January 10, 2008 11:20 AM:Deval Patrick is a disaster in MA. Clinton cannot use him as an example against Obama. Someone else will be perfectly willing if given the chance.
Anonymous wrote on January 10, 2008 11:20 AM:I don't hold Hillary responsible, but I'm shocked at how many of my non-political acquaintances think Obama is a Muslim.
Watch your inboxes, folks. The scurrilous anti-Obama smear emails are gonna come fast and furious.
bob wrote on January 10, 2008 11:21 AM:What do you mean they didn't, MNPundit? What do you call these things?
Top 5 Clinton Campaign False Attacks in New Hampshire
1. The ridiculous stuff Bill said about Obama's continued opposition to the Iraq War being a fairy tale.
2. Hillary's ridiculous direct mail in the last few days to NH voters. One mailer said that while Hillary fights to cut taxes on the middle class, Barack's plan would increase taxes by a trillion dollars -- patently misleading stuff about Social Security taxes that would not touch the middle or upper middle class.
3. They also made false claims about Obama's pro-choice record in a mailer sent to female voters:
http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2008/01/hillary_mailer_hits_obama_on_abortion.php
4. This mailer used Rove-style politics of fear:
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0108/ProHillary_mail_Be_very_afraid.html
5. And Hillary herself basically suggested that if we elect Obama, Al Qaeda will attack us:
DOVER, N.H. – Facing the prospect of defeat in tomorrow’s primary, Hillary Clinton just made her strongest suggestion yet that the next president may face a terrorist attack – and that she would be the best person to handle it.
She pointed out that the day after Gordon Brown took office as the British prime minister, there was a failed attempt at a double bombing in London and Glasgow.
"I don’t think it was by accident that Al Qaeda decided to test the new prime minister," she said. "They watch our elections as closely as we do, maybe more closely than some of our fellows citizens do…. Let’s not forget you’re hiring a president not just to do what a candidate says during the election, you want a president to be there when the chips are down."
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/01/clinton_heighte.html
twc wrote on January 10, 2008 11:25 AM:I don't hold Hillary's camp responsible, but I've been amazed at how many of my non-political acquaintances have already mentioned the "fact" that Obama is a Muslim. It makes me wonder how many others just haven't bothered to mention it!
Watch your inboxes. The flood of scurrilous anti-Obama smear emails and rumors is just beginning.
Anonymous wrote on January 10, 2008 11:26 AM:"So let me get this straight. In order for Bill to stay in your good graces his has to roll over and not do the same for his WIFE that she did for him..."
First, I don't remember Hillary running around and saying Tsongas was some kind of naive, inexperienced fairy-tale. But in essence, yeah, that's right, I expect ex-presidents to stay the ?#@! out of primary elections. It's called class.
As our party's elder statesman, I expect him to put the party above his own WIFE's interest. But then Bill told me most of what I needed to know about his priorities when he screwed over our party and gave us the 8 year shakes because he couldn't control his juvenile personal desires and angrily lectured the country with a lie about it. Hillary basically did the same with her VRWC reflex. I can't believe we think we want these two back.
W Action wrote on January 10, 2008 11:27 AM:I'm beginning to believe that the role of the rank and file is to insure that There is, in whatever order, an Obama-Clinton ticket. I have been an Edwards supporter on the issues, but increasingly think he doesn't have the voter support, for whatever reason. And the more I think about November, the more I'm coming to believe that, for reasons both shallow and substantive, an O-C ticket will be very powerful. What do you think? As voters and caucusers, how about we lay off the other candidates and work to see there is an even result in every state from here on. Then the question is who heads the ticke4t, but both are there.
Anonymous wrote on January 10, 2008 11:31 AM:Minnesota Dem wrote on January 10, 2008 11:18 AM:
I'm so glad that the woman who asked Clinton the question openly stated she voted for Obama. Can you imagine the constant harping about the planting of the woman for the question if she had voted for Hillary? This woman singlehandedly eliminated a meme before it started!
--- Really? They may say she lied. How her vote could be verified? But her role is pivotal and we supporters of Madam President have her to thank for! She single-handedly save this nation from a disaster like what is happening in MA.
southpaw wrote on January 10, 2008 11:32 AM:Uggh..
My last comment was meant for anonymous-sorry, grover...need more coffee...
The more time Bill spends hanging out with Bush the Elder, the more like a BUsh he becomes. It's sad,r eally, I had so much regard for him when he left office, I hate to witness his metamorphosis into a discount oligarch.
nerdoff wrote on January 10, 2008 11:41 AM:Bill Clinton would give a crack whore a rim job. There is no depth to which he will not sink.
Anonymous wrote on January 10, 2008 11:43 AM:Chesire111 wrote on January 10, 2008 11:33 AM:
The more time Bill spends hanging out with Bush the Elder, the more like a BUsh he becomes. It's sad,r eally, I had so much regard for him when he left office, I hate to witness his metamorphosis into a discount oligarch.
--- It is sad that you claim yourself an Obama supporter but does not want to see Clinton and Bush Sr. togehter. Is not your candidate the one who is uniter and who wants people to work together solving problems? Shame on you for not even following his creed but claiming you are a supporter for him!!!
Obama seems more of an RFK than a JFK to me. JFK was a young, charismatic, talented guy who ran pretty much against the Republicans (Nixon/Eisenhower).
RFK ran against the Democratic establishment (LBJ), clearly an anti-war, "youth candidate," as is Obama.
Etaoin wrote on January 10, 2008 11:45 AM:The first thing the Democratic nominee will have to do is pull in all these candidates and put them to work in the administration. Heal the party divisions first. To hell with worrying about bringing in the Republicans who have so thoroughly destroyed the checks and balances system.
JR wrote on January 10, 2008 11:58 AM:"Clinton’s Strategy Echoes Bush in 2000"
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/09/clintons-strategy-echoes-bush-in-2000/
So, Aimey, we're still waiting for you to tell us about all the exciting progressive things Hitlary has "done."
Anonymous wrote on January 10, 2008 12:07 PM:All of you referring to African-American Gov. Deval Patrick in Massachusetts and then saying that Obama will be the same as him are making a disgusting argument.
aimey mays, I'm talking to you.
Would you say that b/c some female politician who supports Hillary is not doing a good job then Hillary won't do a good job b/c they are both women?
No? Well, there's absolutely no difference. Stop it. Now. You are not helping Hillary.
Michael wrote on January 10, 2008 12:08 PM:My understanding is that Obama and Kennedy's legislative relationship is much better than Hillary's with Teddy.
If you go look in THOMAS at the transparency bill Obama did with Coburn, half the amendments to it (and there were a ton of amendments) were worked on by either Obama/Kennedy or Coburn/Kennedy or all 3. Though the bill is "Obama/Coburn", Teddy did a lot of work to help usher that through congress.
Conversely, my understanding is that the child's healthcare initiative Hillary has been crowing about when talking up her legislative accomplishments was actually Ted's baby, and he had to really work Hillary hard b/c she almost abandoned it in the face of GOP pressure.
Just two little anecdotes worth considering.
Anonymous wrote on January 10, 2008 12:10 PM:To be honest, if you look deep enough into who put the most work into most Dem/progressive legislation, you usually find Kennedy's staff.
Greg DeLassus wrote on January 10, 2008 12:13 PM:ugly as it is, that the smear is working.
The other day, as I was waiting for the bus, the woman next to me at the bus stop saw the Obama button on my sweater and asked me "Do you know what Obama's full name is?" When I answered that question she said "did you know that he was educated in a Wahabi madrassa?" When I protested that he was not and that she might do well to check her facts, she insisted that she had. She had seen the claim all over on the internet, and if so many people were saying it, there must be some truth to it. When I tried to point out the fallacious nature of that line of reasoning, she said "we'll just have to agree to disagree." I have no idea how representative this woman is, but clearly there are at least some folks like her out there, so we have our work cut out to educate people.
Dan Nexon wrote on January 10, 2008 12:43 PM:"Well, he didn't heed the call then. He wouldn't stand up against Republicans. But maybe he will stand up against the DLC, which is Republican-lite."
Clearly written by someone who has paid no attention to Kennedy's career during the Bush administration. Except for on NCLB, he's been one of the most strident, eloquent, and consistent opponents of the Bush administration.
http://www.commondreams.org/views02/0930-05.htm
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/09/19/politics/main574154.shtml
Kennedy deserves enormous credit for COLA extensions, S-Chip, and almost all of the progress made on health care over the last two decades. He voted against virtually all of the Bush policies we love to hate.
Although I haven't made up my mind, and would be happy with Obama, Clinton, or Edwards, I have to say that many of Obama's supporters on the web seem so taken with the "change" versus "status quo" rhetoric that they're willing to attack anyone else, no matter how liberal, no matter if they hold views similar to Obama's, and no matter how long they've been champions for progressive causes. Obama had no idea what he was talking about in 2003. I expect he knows better now. The question is, do his most rabid partisans?
Interesting comments. The HRC supporters seem very angry and go straight to denouncing the Obama supporters making comments in favor of their supported candidate. Sort of mirrors what's going on in the campaign trail.
I like HRC, and I voted for her in her first Senate race when I lived in Brooklyn. I would take her as my president over any Republican, but she does nothing to inspire me. Obama, on the other hand, inspires me and I believe his presidency would be transformative. He should be the nominee.
Finally, to those scoffing at the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy, I have to defend HRC on this one: It exists, and it's why Republicans have been able to wrest power from the Democrats. Take a look at Krugman's Conscience of a Liberal. He does a great job of describing it - the calculated efforts by the rich and lunatic on the right to build a propaganda machine that has propelled them to power.
KFB wrote on January 10, 2008 12:57 PM:To Greg DeLassus:
At the bus stop...
Why are you so surprised, half the Anerican voters (give or take a few)thought Bush would make a great president and voted for him (twice!). To this day nearly a third of the American people support him despite all the stuff that has come to light about him. A good portion of our fellow Americans are not very bright and many of those ride busses. Get yourself a mountain bike and avoid that segment of the population.
MAB wrote on January 10, 2008 1:07 PM:AS: "Can you recall any other president doing such a thing in an election campaign?"
Ex-President Theodore Roosevelt opposed the sitting President of his own Republican party and, when he couldn't wrest the nomination from Taft, he formed a third party (Bull Moose) to run against him in 1912. I think he got more votes than Taft but Wilson (the Democrat) won.
aimey mays wrote on January 10, 2008 1:20 PM:I am very hopeful Kennedy will back Hillary. Most of his family is supporting Hillary, including RFK Jr., former MD lt. Governor. His son was supporting Dodd but should be in Hillary's camp soon.
We want Kennedy to tell Obama: Senator, I know President Kennedy. He's my brother. You are no President Kennedy. He had 14 years of experience as a Senator and a House memeber. He was a Navy pilot fighting in WWII. If he would be running now, you would call him have too much experience and say he is the problem not the solution.
LOL!!!
Chesire111 wrote on January 10, 2008 1:21 PM:"--- It is sad that you claim yourself an Obama supporter but does not want to see Clinton and Bush Sr. togehter. Is not your candidate the one who is uniter and who wants people to work together solving problems? Shame on you for not even following his creed but claiming you are a supporter for him!!!"
For what it's worth, I do plan to vote for Obama, but I'm fine with any one of the Dem candidates this year (though Clinton comes in dead last on my list). As far as your point about uniting people, I think Obama has in mind more of a united effort for the common good, than a defection to the country club elites by anyone able and willing to whore themselves out to the likes of the Bush syndicate.
Greg DeLassus wrote on January 10, 2008 1:44 PM:Get yourself a mountain bike and avoid that segment of the population.
I bike to work in the summer, but this time of year it is just not practical. Meanwhile, for the one Obama-is-a-wahabi nut I met at the bus stop, I have met many others who were really interested to hear what I had to say in favor of Sen Obama, so as a campaign strategy I dare say that bus-riding has been a net-plus.
:-)
Bupalos wrote on January 10, 2008 2:09 PM:>>>>>"Well, he didn't heed the call then. He wouldn't stand up against Republicans. But maybe he will stand up against the DLC, which is Republican-lite."
Clearly written by someone who has paid no attention to Kennedy's career during the Bush administration
>>>>>
That was supposed to be a bit tounge in cheek, Dan. But it is true that on the Iraq war, none of the dems stood up, and I believe that was the context that Barack was haranging him on. Of course Kennedy has been a leader on the liberal side for a long time. I feel pretty strongly that Clinton has not been a leader on liberal issues, especially contentious ones. She's DLC, and she's simply pretty hawkish.
Bupalos wrote on January 10, 2008 2:19 PM:"Finally, to those scoffing at the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy, I have to defend HRC..."
The problem is when you grow so paranoid of it that you see it as everywhere and everything, you aren't an effective fighter. You become a clown. I think Hillary either formulated the phrase or at least used in in reaction to the rumors that Bill was tagging Monica. That just made the entire left look like a bunch of paranoid laughingstocks that couldn't understand real life because of their paranoid filters. As a result, Clinton wasn't the only one who got Bush.
I don't want to go back to that kind of mentality. The real irony is that Hillary can't really be blamed for her paranoia, because they did come so hard after Clinton for whatever reason. And I'm sure they would again.
Ron Cantrell wrote on January 10, 2008 2:24 PM:Up front, I am supporting Hillary. Now take a look at the comments above. The O backers are whining about Bill CLinton 'trashing' Obama by quoting some of his speeches, while they are dumping shit all over Hillary, including personal garbage. Step back, take a deep breath and realize that we will all be on the same side in a few months. If the candidates teel lies about each other, that's one thing, but tough campaigning will only make them tougher. I you think Obama is being trashed now, you are pretty naive. If he gets the nomination, He will be glad he had a litle practice in the primary. I will support the nominee whoever it is. I hope it will be Hillary, but if not I will still be there voting Democratic. I hope all the Obama backers will pledge to do the same.
timbnyc wrote on January 10, 2008 2:35 PM:I'd wager Kennedy goes for Obama.
RS wrote on January 10, 2008 2:36 PM:"greatest new talents" huh... all talks, no executive experience at all as compared to Hillary. Obama knows only one thing..to talk.
Evidently you don't know what "executive experience" means.
Up front, I do not like Barak Obama. That said, the last thing he needs is every member of the democratic establishment endorsing him. What is going to happen if he wins the general? Will we have another “democratic elitist” on our hands? We all know how that turned out.
On another note I find it laughable that people believe Obama can unite the country by having independents and some republicans vote for him. No! I am not suggesting that Hillary can, no democrat can or will. Also, stop being fooled by the republican candidates and pundits announcing their desire to run against Hillary, they are terrified of her. They know she can win. Why else were they beaming when Obama won in Iowa? They want to run against him! Stop being gullible, this is right out of the Karl Rove play book. Just watch Sean Hannity talk about him, it is so transparent.
Dan Nexon wrote on January 10, 2008 4:33 PM:Bupalos: see the speech I linked to, given at SAIS prior to the war. I was there. He was angry. It is similar to the speech he made in the floor debate, IIRC, but that included more predictions about the magnitude of the economic cost and the risks to the region.
The fact remains that President Clinton is dammed if he does; and dammed if he dose'nt. So many people are so quick to judge President Clinton on anything he says. All I know is that under his watch he balanced the budgit and left a surplus when he left office. Under his watch my 401k plan did the best ever. Schools improved so much. This president was and is welcomed with open arms anywhere on earth. Every world leader respects him, even Mr Putin. The dollar is down, foreign investments are moving away from America and we are in a recession. If America chooses Hillary, the Clinton team will be productive from day one. There will NOT be a 2 to 4 year learning curve. Foreign investment will start pouring back in to our country
our dollar will start getting stronger and America will be out of a recession.
President Clinton has earned the right to speak his mind. Will any American Husband let anybody belittle his wife????
Come on people, what you are seeing is one of the most brilliant Presidents of this centuary, taking up for his wife in a mild manner, controlling himself in everything he says. Did anybody else raise a Billion for the Tusnami??? A poor kid from Arkansas worked his way up, became a Rhodes scholar, governed a state many times and did what he said he will do, when he came to the White House.
America did prosper under his watch!!!!
Hillary forgave him when he stumbled. So who the hell are we to hold anything against him. All I can say is the Whole world thanks God for Bill Clinton. By the way, I'm not a Democrat. I take a person for what they have done for others.
kerry and kennedy oh how lucky we are that they endorse obama! who gives a "f"! bid deal three assholes!
