January 28, 2008
Kennedy On Obama: "He's Ready To Be President On Day One."
WASHINGTON, D.C., American University -- For Barack Obama, today's endorsement from the Kennedy family's patriarch marked a critical turning point in the senator's presidential campaign. Sure, after a half century in public life, there is irony in placing Sen. Edward M. Kennedy next a sign proclaiming "Change You Can Believe In," but the symbolism inherent in Kennedy's decision, the legitimacy it conveys, overwhelms it.
Kennedy, joined today by his niece, Caroline Kennedy, and son, Rep. Patrick Kennedy, is the liberal standard bearer of the Democratic Party. His decision not to stay neutral in the contentious primary contest between frontrunners Obama and Hillary Clinton, speaks loudly of Kennedy's dismay with the tenor of the discourse offered by the other side.
And though he saluted Clinton and John Edwards, too, for their respective commitments to health care and economic and social justice, he said today that it is Obama who has shown "grit and grace" in conveying that this campaign is "not just about himself but about all of us."
"In Barack Obama I see not just the audacity but the possibility of hope for the America that has yet to be," the Massachusetts senator said.
Without naming Clinton or her husband, Kennedy also sought to disavow several of their routine claims on the stump.
"From the beginning he opposed the war in Iraq, and let no one deny that truth," Kennedy said of Obama.
Clinton also routinely sells herself as the only candidate in the race who can govern from her first day in office.
"I know," Kennedy said today of Obama, but echoing Clinton's frequent refrain, "I know that he's ready to be president from Day One."
Perhaps more evident of change than Kennedy's endorsement was that of his often press-shy, politics-averse niece. Caroline Kennedy told the crowd of 4,000 (many were turned away at the door of Bender Arena because the gym was at capacity) that her three children had first urged her to take a close look at Obama. She said he has urged Americans to believe in themselves again, linking the ideals of hope, justice opportunity and peace to their dreams of a better country. He has instilled in people, she said, the ability again "to imagine that together we can do great things."
Obama said he was humbled by the Kennedy endorsements. "I know what your support means," he said. "I know the cherished place the Kennedy family holds in the hearts of the American people."
But with the Kennedy blessing -- and make no mistake, no matter the Kennedy baggage, it is a blessing -- Obama can move forward with the establishment's seal of approval. He is the outsider, the neophyte, but he now also trudges toward Feb. 5's critical contests with a new bona fide. He can say to those working class and blue collar voters who have long lionized the Kennedy family that he has their endorsement and support.
The election, Obama said today striking a typically Kennedyesque populist tone, is "not about black versus white. It is about the past versus the future. It is about looking back or marching forward."
Sen. Kennedy put it simply. "I feel change in the air," he said.
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
Posted at 02:35 PM
Comments
His decision not to stay neutral in the contentious primary contest between frontrunners Obama and Hillary Clinton, speaks loudly of Kennedy's dismay with the tenor of the discourse offered by the other side.
Yet oddly enough, no one has ever offered any evidence to support this contention. Not even a direct quote or comment from Teddy? Your stenography skills earn you an A.
"From the beginning he opposed the war in Iraq, and let no one deny that truth,"
You would have to be dropped in from outer space not to know Obama gave an anti-war speech in 2002, but then proceeded to vote in favor of every bill to fund the war under some half-cooked premise of "supporting the troops."
Caroline Kennedy
Her proper name is Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg. She's still married and an endorsement is not a sufficiently valid reason to drop her married name.
Obama said he was humbled by the Kennedy endorsements.
And they each get one vote, just like the rest of us.
he now also trudges toward Feb. 5's critical contests with a new bona fide.
What would that be? Don't forget Obama would have voted in favor of the Iraq War. And JFK would have done so, if he had been in the Senate at that time because he was also a war hawk.
But I will say that JFK, as significant a leader as he was, was a hard core Cold War hawk. He approved the invasion of other nations and approved of regime change as a tool of American foreign policy. While in the end, his intellect and the assembled high quality intellectuals he had around him kept the world from falling into a nuclear catastrophe with the Soviet Union, it was Kennedy's youthfulness and his combination of hawkishness and Wilsonian rhetoric that helped precipitate a number of crises.
JFK was a war hawk because he was afraid of being tagged as soft on communism. Obama doesn't appreciate the value of looking back. And I have little patience with reporters who don't know their history.
corinne | 01.28.08 08:31 PM
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This endorsement stands as a rejection of Bill Clinton's recent string of self-important speeches and baseless attacks he's made on Obama. He stumps for Hillary, but inevitably talks about *his* days as President. Instead of praising Hillary, the speeches eventually evolve into spasms of self-acclaim. He's not an advocate for his wife, but for himself. On top of it all, rewinding back to 1992 is simply not forward motion to any voter, no matter how the Clintons attempt to spin it.
Nancy | 01.28.08 11:08 PM
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Super Tuesday is only a week away.
Isn't it time for Hillary to cry?
just me | 01.28.08 11:15 PM
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Super Tuesday is only a week away.
Isn't it time for Hillary to cry?
just me | 01.28.08 11:15 PM
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MY FELLOW AMERICANS, PLEASE, LET'S COLLECTIVELY RESIST TO BE DISTRACTED BY SENATORS KERRY AND KENNEDYS 'CALCULATED' ENDORSEMENTS.
My fellow Americans, the economy, Iraq and our image abroad are the overwhelming challenges confronting us in the 21st century. Our Nation is better off choosing a candidate capable of ending the United States military presence in Iraq rather than finding a pure anti-war standard possessor (Sen Obama). The most important thing is who can do it. Hill Clinton will. I totally agree with Clinton, as a result of these failures, the next president will inherit some of the greatest foreign policy challenges in our history. We desperately need a strategic expert on war and foreign policy. We desperately need Hillary Clinton to reconnect America to the world. ONLY Clinton offers authority on the the economy, our international standing and the complicated situation in Iraq and presents the most winning exhaustive strategic plan. She is exceedingly ready and prepared to lead America from day one in the Whitehouse. God bless Hillary Clinton, our next President, for a strong and globally respected America. God bless America.
I beg to draw the attention of my fellow Americans, to the GENUINE AND SINCERE endorsement of New York - Abyssinian Baptist Church Pastor Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III, who like many Americans without specific number have after a rational thought endorsed Hillary Clinton for President, issuing the following statement:
“Over the course of the past year, I have given careful consideration to the varied perspectives and agendas of the 2008 Presidential Candidates. I have observed, evaluated, and compared each of their strengths in the context of the current state of our nation and what will be required in the next 4 years to help us repair, restore and rebuild.
I, too, join countless Americans in a collective desire for change, and I do so with a vital recognition that change and experience are not mutually exclusive. The rhetoric of change in which we are presently engaged must also be accompanied by the experience and ability necessary to successfully and resourcefully accomplish it. Experience is not synonymous with status quo nor should it be vilified for the sake of campaign soundbites. With experience, comes the value of lessons learned. With experience, comes proficiency and understanding. With the right experience, comes change. Thus, I have not based my decision on the idea that I must embrace one over the other. I have instead based my decision on the candidate whom I believe will effectively use both - change and experience - to lead our nation to a place of domestic and international prosperity.
After thoughtful deliberation, I am decidedly confident that Senator Hillary Clinton is the candidate best suited to be the Democratic Presidential Nominee and the next President of the United States. I have personally had a positive working relationship with Senator Clinton for a number of years. In her current position as United States Senator from New York, she has also been very supportive of Abyssinian Baptist Church’s development work in Harlem. Thus, I have seen first-hand the wisdom, insight and concern she brings in her approach to community development, educational and developmental opportunities for youth, and economic revitalization, as well as tirelessly advocating for families, promoting health care reform, and fighting the global HIV/AIDS crisis.
I believe that we can benefit greatly from the value of Senator Clinton’s 30-plus years of service to our country that have uniquely positioned her to be a formidable leader on issues including homeland and national security, human rights, and restoration of our national image before an international audience. Her willingness to examine the issues and listen to the questions and concerns of everyday Americans is encouraging. Her proven ability to effectively work across both party and geographic boundaries towards solutions to our country’s problems and needs substantially distinguishes her from other candidates.
I go on record as endorsing Senator Clinton for the 2008 Presidential Election. As a nation, we cannot afford four more years of uninspired and uninspiring leadership. In our quest for change, it’s time that we returned to the fundamentals - experience, ability, respect, character. It’s time for Senator Hillary Clinton.”
I Reverend Felton McBride of Los Angeles California, a republican feel compelled to add ‘ As a mother, advocate, Senator and former First Lady, Hillary has continually shown us she is passionate about improving family issues, keep America strong, safe and globally respected, healthcare, equal pay and the challenges that people all across America face on a daily basis’. God bless Hillary Clinton. God Bless America. Rev Felton McBride, Los Angeles CA
Rev. Felton McBride | 01.29.08 05:09 AM
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Rev McBride, you forgot to mention that Hillary wouldn't be able to carry 20 states after her campaign fiascos of the last two weeks. She has been vetted? The last six months of the Bill Clinton presidency will be resurrected for all to villify. Presidential pardons, questionable funders for Bill's library, and the fact that Hillary couldn't control Bill last week, how is she going to control Bill when him and Bush Sr travel the world telling everyone there is a new sheriff in town.
RiverRed | 01.29.08 07:22 AM
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Obama is NOTHING more than a motivation speaker. I was thinking that myself a couple days ago, that he is basically just a motivational speaker. I was looking at a speech he had made. He didn't say anything, but he sure was eloquent about it.
His charisma will take him only so far, he needs to come up with some coherent policy positions.
Wil Burns | 01.29.08 11:56 AM
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Obama is NOTHING more than a motivation speaker. I was thinking that myself a couple days ago, that he is basically just a motivational speaker. I was looking at a speech he had made. He didn't say anything, but he sure was eloquent about it.
His charisma will take him only so far, he needs to come up with some coherent policy positions.
Wil Burns | 01.29.08 11:56 AM
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RiverRed: I don't think you know what your talking about. Hillary won in Nevada and New Hampshire plus Michigan and Florida which she is pursuing the delegates and they may change their mind and reinstate them back. What did Obama win? The small state of Iowa and SC which is expected of the blacks to vote for him like they did for Jesse Jackson. Get real and get a life. Hillary did not need SC and what Ted is not revealing, JFK delayed signing the civil rights bill. He died before he could sign it and it did take Johnson to sign it because Johnson became president. Ted Kennedy is another kook like Ralph Nader. Both of them should get out of politics.
Mariann Pepitone | 01.31.08 11:33 AM
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RiverRed: Let me go on record to advise you that Hillary will win California, Texas, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and possibly Wisconsin but not Illinois. She will obtain the largest amount of delegates to win the nomination and leave Obama in the dust to be swept up. Evidently you don't listen to the news or you have a problem understanding what they are saying. Either way I agree with the Rev. and he knows the good book better than you.
Mariann Pepitone | 01.31.08 11:52 AM
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RiverRed: Let me go on record to advise you that Hillary will win California, Texas, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and possibly Wisconsin but not Illinois. She will obtain the largest amount of delegates to win the nomination and leave Obama in the dust to be swept up. Evidently you don't listen to the news or you have a problem understanding what they are saying. Either way I agree with the Rev. and he knows the good book better than you.
Mariann Pepitone | 01.31.08 11:53 AM
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My fellow Americans, I have been listening to the voices of the American people as I have traveled this country, preaching the Gospel: I want to EMPHASIZE the urgency of the situation we find ourselves in:
My fellow Americans, the stakes in this election are so very high, and it will take a leader with Hillary Clinton’s strength, will, resolve, determination and experience to tackle the challenges we face. Not only is she the best qualified candidate, Hillary Rodham Clinton will win in November, take back the White House, and deliver real tangible and VALID results for America and globally by creating a strong, secure, prosperous and globally respected America, AGAIN.
My fellow citizens, NO candidate (republican/ democrat) approaches the power and promise of Hillary Rodham Clinton. Clinton has used all of her time in the Senate to establish herself successfully as a genuine and sincere political and economic powerhouse. Moreover, Clinton offers Americans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to break the world's most prominent glass ceiling and elect a female President of the United States of America. I will say this again for my fellow Americans: NO candidate (republican/ democrat) approaches the power and promise of Hillary Rodham Clinton. Clinton has used all of her time in the Senate to establish herself successfully as a genuine and sincere political and economic powerhouse. Moreover, Clinton offers Americans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to break the world's most prominent glass ceiling and elect a female President of the United States of America. If Hillary should succeed, America and the world would be changed forever and for the better.
Fellow Americans, there will be a clear choice November 2008, and I strongly believe that Hillary Clinton's life has prepared her to lead our country, the country we love so very much in the transcendent challenge of the 21st century. God bless Hillary Clinton, our next President for a secure, strong, prosperous and globally respected America. God Bless America. Reverend Felton McBride, Los Angeles California
Reverend Felton McBride, Los Angeles California | 02.03.08 08:23 AM
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