ThetaBurst

Title
Kennedy: 'It's time now for Barack Obama'

Link
Kennedy: 'It's time now for Barack Obama' - CNN.com
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Excerpt

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Edward Kennedy backed Sen. Barack Obama for president Monday, saying, "It is time again for a new generation of leadership."

Sens. Edward Kennedy and Barack Obama are all smiles after Kennedy endorsed Obama.

"It is time now for Barack Obama," the Massachusetts senator and brother of the late President Kennedy added.

He stood with Obama, his son, Rep. Patrick Kennedy, and his niece, Caroline Kennedy, before a screaming capacity crowd of students at American University in Washington.

"Like you, we want a president who appeals to the hopes of those who still believe in the American dream," he said.

"I've found that candidate. And it looks to me like you have too," he said.

After Kennedy spoke, Obama told the boisterous crowed: "I know what your support means. I know the cherished place the Kennedy family holds in the hearts of the American people."

And the Illinois Democrats said he would work to carry on the vision the senator's brother laid out when he was president nearly five decades ago.

"The dream has never died ... it lives on in those Americans, young and old, rich and poor, black and white, Latino and Asian and Native American, gay and straight, who are tired of a politics that divides us and want to recapture the sense of common purpose that we had when John Kennedy was president of the United States of America," Obama said.

"That is the dream we hold in our hearts," Obama said. "That is the kind of leadership we long for in this country. And that is the kind of leadership I intend to offer as president of the United States of America."

Kennedy said he has always planned to "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."

And picking up on Obama's central campaign theme, he said, "I feel change in the air. What about you?"

Kennedy praised Sen. Hillary Clinton and former Sen. John Edwards, saying 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," he said.

But he also took a line from Clinton's campaign, saying that Obama "is ready to be president on Day 1."

And, in what may have been a veiled swipe at Clinton, Kennedy said of Obama, "From the beginning, he opposed the war in Iraq. And let no one deny that truth."

Clinton has pointed to various statements Obama has made about Iraq, suggesting he has not been consistent -- an accusation he has denied.

The senator -- a fixture of the Democratic Party popular with many liberals -- was introduced by Caroline Kennedy, who thought back to her father, the slain president. She said Obama offers the "sense of hope and inspiration" that Americans today need. In fact, she said, her children "were the first people who made me realize that Barack Obama is the president we need."

Caroline Kennedy endorsed Obama in a weekend New York Times editorial.

Members of the Kennedy clan are split in the race. Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend issued a statement Sunday stating her support for Hillary Clinton.

"I respect Caroline and Teddy's decision, but I have made a different choice," she said. "While I admire Sen. Obama greatly, I have known Hillary Clinton for over 25 years and have seen firsthand how she gets results. As a woman, leader and person of deep convictions, I believe Hillary Clinton would make the best possible choice for president."

She added that her brother Bobby and sister Kerry are also backing Clinton.

Kennedy Townsend is the oldest child of Robert F. Kennedy.

Sen. Edward Kennedy's decision to endorse Obama could help Obama's campaign as he seeks momentum toward Super Tuesday on February 5, when 22 states and American Samoa will weigh in on the Democratic race. In polls, Obama has trailed Clinton nationally.

Obama, coming off a victory in the South Carolina primary, has been seeking to expand his support nationwide. He won that state with the help of a large majority of African-American voters, while most white voters supported Clinton or Edwards.

Sen. Kennedy spoke enthusiastically, interrupted by frequent applause from the young crowd.

"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," he said.


"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."

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Comment:

This is huge.

For Teddy and Caroline to hand over the whole mantle like this, it's truly a spectacular moment.

Teddy's involvement on the road will be highly impactful.

cheapseats

Soooo...what're we saying, that a dynasty not endorsing a dynasty makes all the difference. Big deal, Clinton doesn't endorse Bush either.

Maybe I don't know America at all, but I know I'M sick and tired of individuals, and individual families, having so much influence on the affairs, policies and directions of an entire nation.

You know what I think is huge? That the Kennedy's have virtually abandoned the Family Legacy...except maybe the hifalutin lifestyle thing. Voter registration fraud, anyone?

They're trading on a Ruling Elite name.

Business As Usual.

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Chiefkahuna

Give it a week. We'll see how much anybody pays attention to what Kennedy thinks.

ThetaBurst

And indeed you will.

Kennedy is going on the road for Obama. Do you understand the political weight and significance this carries? It seems you haven't grasped the symbolism of the Kennedy dynasty essentially "passing the torch" to a new generation of leadership -- this is huge, not only for Democrats but for the entire American political landscape.

ANY and all of the candidates sought this moment today. They all wanted it badly. It's a huge blow to the Clintons. It has enormous stature. It takes Obama to a whole new, stonger level now. If he wasn't already, it certainly legitimizes his candidacy. The matter of his experience is officially retired when the 42-year senior lion that is Ted Kennedy says "he's ready on DAY 1".

BillCosby

What I found interesting in addition to he endorsement was the reason why........

I listened to it on NPR & they said he did it now & came out was because of what the clintons have done to Obama......

Kennedy alluded, although not directly to it.............

Maybe these "little triX" have come home to bite them in the ass..........

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Preventive war is not war!!!!Counter-terror is not terror

Chiefkahuna

I understand the concept, but the Kennedy endorsement, on the road or not, is not a sure thing. Is it going to swing 10% of the vote somewhere?

And Bobby Jr. and Kathleen K Townsend all came out for Hillary. So it's not a full backing by the family.

Ted Kennedy does not annoint the Nominee, and it remains to be seen what this all means, beyond the Hype. I think a week from now Hillary still going to be the same formidable contender.

Jonesy

For the people, by the people gets a little ruined when you have generations of entire family's or groups entrenched in government and politics.

djack

Teddy is so polarizing. I'm not voting for anyone he endorses.

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ThetaBurst

I agree that it doesn't make for a sure thing -how would any of us know that- but, it has at least potentially huge ramifications. Who else will fall in line as a result? What super delegates will this draw to Obama?

That's fine but, President Kennedy's daughter, President Kennedy's brother, the last of the "big 3", that's the homerun.

I might just have to whip out my Vaughn Meader collection.

ThetaBurst

You're supporting the number one polarizer of all time, and you're concerned w/ Ted Kennedy?

LOL