Report: Ted Kennedy Might Not Endorse In Prez Race:
Below I noted that in the wake of John Kerry's Obama endorsement some Hillary advisers were hoping to secure the support of Kerry's co-Senator from Massachusetts, Ted Kennedy -- something that would take the air out of comparisons between Obama and JFK.
Looks like it might not happen, though. The Huffington Post called up Kennedy's office and got this:
"Senator Kennedy has no plans to get involved at this time," Melissa Wagone, a spokesperson for the Senator, told the Huffington Post. "He has very strong relationships with many of these candidates personally, and has a lot of respect for them."
A bit of wiggle room, but it looks unlikely.
Late Update: I should have been clearer and said that the more likely thing to happen is that he'll come out and pick someone when he/she looks like a foregone conclusion.
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He has to endorse someone eventually.
Like all Democratic members of congress, he's a superdelegate.
http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/01/superdelegates-who-havent-endorsed.html
January 10, 2008 2:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
he did say "for now"...
January 10, 2008 2:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama vs. Hillary on the environment
http://greenpieceblog.blogspot.com/2008/01/obama-vs-clinton-on-environment.html
January 10, 2008 2:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are you nuts old man? You have to endorse me. I'm the only Clinton Bush candidate on the ballot. You want a non-Clinton Bush running the country?
Did you all see my numbers in Michigan!? I'm cruising! Almost 50% of the vote! See, I'm pretty electable when you take everyone else off the ballot.
January 10, 2008 2:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's going to wait until we know for sure who the nominee will be.
January 10, 2008 2:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Perpetual, neverending change! Just like the last 35 years! Vote Clinton Bush VI!!
January 10, 2008 2:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
My own senator, Claire McCaskill has said exactly the same thing, and to be very fair to them, it seems a very sensible position to take. If Sens Kennedy and McCaskill have to work with both Sens Clinton and Obama, why burn bridges now?
January 10, 2008 2:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dear Brandon,
Thanks for that link. Very informative. I feel much better about both of them for having read that.
January 10, 2008 2:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greg Sargent "should have been clearer" and admitted right up front that he and Kleefeld are TPM's resident HillShills
It would have saved me the burden of proving it by highlighting dog waste like this post ferrinstance
January 10, 2008 2:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
I really wish kennedy would have sat out making a decision on every child left behind before he got tooled by the king's administration. It would have made life for my kids and the kids of america a heck of alot better.
January 10, 2008 3:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
After South Carolina.
January 10, 2008 3:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
As much as Kennedy likes Obama as he was fond of Edwards, I don't think he would endorse Obama. People like comparing Obama with Kennedy. But i don't believe Kennedy thinks that way. In his eyes, there is only one JFK. JFK is unique. He would never allow anyone to take his place. By endorsing Obama, he would be validating Obama's claim as a second coming of JFK. If Obama succeeds, JFK may well be eclipsed. If he does not, there will be an eye on his face, like what is happening in MA with Deval Patrick.
On the other hand, his endorsemeent for Clinton could potentially kill Obama's hope. Kennedy can tell Obama on his face: 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 before he ever thought he would be qualified for running for the Presidency. Before that, he was a comander and a Navy pilot fighting in WWII. If he were running today, you would have called him to have too much experience and say he is the problem not the solution.
LOL!!!
January 10, 2008 3:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
aimey mays wrote on January 10, 2008 3:08 PM:On the other hand, his endorsemeent for Clinton could potentially kill Obama's hope. Kennedy can tell Obama on his face: 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 before he ever thought he would be qualified for running for the Presidency. Before that, he was a comander and a Navy pilot fighting in WWII. If he were running today, you would have called him to have too much experience and say he is the problem not the solution.
Not that I necessarily agree, but good one!
January 10, 2008 3:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can never remember-- is being endorsed by Ted Kennedy a good thing or a setback for a campaign?
January 10, 2008 3:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
What is the news here? Kennedy has never endorsed a presidential candidate during contested primaries except those from Massachusetts (Dukakis, Kerry). He didn't even endorse his own brother-in-law, Sargent Shriver, in '76.
January 10, 2008 3:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
(1) The GOP is getting a series of good news in congressional races today, as Doolittle is now out in CA-04 and as they are getting a strong candidate in NC-Gov. Check the full roundup here.
(2) mcc, nice snark, but Kennedy's support probably saved the Kerry campaign all by itself in 2004. And the man is immensely popular among Democrats.
January 10, 2008 4:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Prez"? What is this, The New York Post?
January 10, 2008 4:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
www.hillarythemovie.com
it's definitely worth a look. dick morris may hate hillary clinton, but he sure does not lie.
January 10, 2008 4:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I saw the trailer and was so happy!! The reason I was happy is because everyone seems to forget all of the scandals the clintons gave us!! Hilary gave us "Travelgate & Whitewater" Bill gave us a list so long I don't have enough room! I feel that if anyother canidate or their spouse had all of these scandals in their history, we would never, ever voter for them!
January 10, 2008 7:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
JFK: Before that, he was a comander and a Navy pilot fighting in WWII.
John F was a PT Boat Skipper (PT-109) and his brother Joe was the fighter pilot who died on mission in WWII.
Both were courageous.
January 10, 2008 8:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
That is unfortunate, but let me mention why I believe a train wreck is about to happen a crack and a massive division in the Party that will not heal. The attempt to enthrone Senator Obama against the wishes of the party voters and the largest sect in the base of this Party is very similar to the Republican attempt to enthrone Rudy and shove him down the social conservative’s throat and telling them to bad voteNshutup, thus Hucakbee.
This Party had the opportunity to celebrate celebrate the possibility of nominating and electing the first female President of the United States fighting for her instead they have searched and attempted to enthroned their male view of the anti Clinton elevating one non white male at the expense of the other. Not the voters mind you but who ever it is running this new bets thing marketing campaign, I guess that would be Dean and not Speaker Pelosi. And my view of the code divisive = B, old guard = wrinkled, change = black instead of white, back to the 90’s = no breast
Now my prediction there is no way that women in this party will be marginalized or submissive and abortion comes in a pill poof no difference, so we either end up with a bloodied viscously scared Senator Clinton as a nominee, or a bloodied Senator Obama as a nominee and many women swing with their coattails either way the Party will be changed.
And Senator Kerry cant you just well be silent...
January 10, 2008 8:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is America in need of a monarchy? Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton, are we closing the door to new participants in this political process. I'm not seeing any new faces or policies with Hillary. For the average New Yorker and the poor; her political experience allowed poverty to grow, high unemployment and gentrification of many communities here in NY. Are we afraid of a fresh new face? I hope that Obama gives the Clinton a run for their money. There is no entitlement for the office of the presidency in these United States. If Hillary becomes the president she will be an inept one because of her work in New York. She voted for this unjust war when most of her constituents opposed it. Hail, Hail, King Bill and Queen Hillary.
January 10, 2008 10:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am a Black Memphian in grad school (UofL) and I support Sen. Clinton!
January 10, 2008 11:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Pulitzer Winner and Craig Newmark Go Obama
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=14&entry_id=23347
A Response to Gloria Steinem
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/01/10/6288/
Ned Lamont Endorses Obama In a diary on Daily Kos:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/1/10/184519/630/624/434646
January 11, 2008 1:12 AM | Reply | Permalink