Ted Kennedy endorsing Obama

[ProSense]

Ted Kennedy endorsing Obama

By Susan Milligan
Globe staff

WASHINGTON -- Senator Edward M. Kennedy will endorse Barack Obama for president tomorrow, breaking his year-long neutrality to send a powerful signal of where the legendary Massachusetts Democrat sees the party going -- and who he thinks is best to lead it.

Kennedy confidantes told the Globe today that the Bay State's senior senator will appear with Obama and Kennedy's niece, Caroline Kennedy, at a morning rally at American University in Washington tomorrow to announce his support.

That will be a potentially significant boost for Obama as he heads into a series of critical primaries on Super Tuesday, Feb. 5.

Kennedy believes Obama can ``transcend race'' and bring unity to the country, a Kennedy associate told the Globe. Kennedy was also impressed by Obama's deep involvement last year in the bipartisan effort to craft legislation on immigration reform, a politically touchy subject the other presidential candidates avoided, the associate said.

The coveted endorsement is a huge blow to New York Senator Hillary Clinton, who is both a senatorial colleague and a friend of the Kennedy family. In a campaign where Clinton has trumpeted her experience over Obama's call for hope and change, the endorsement by one of the most experienced and respected Democrats in the Senate is a particularly dramatic coup for Obama.

Obama's landslide win in South Carolina yesterday gives Obama and Clinton two wins each in the primary campaign, and puts the two senators in a fierce battle for delegates on Feb. 5, when 22 states will hold Democratic primaries and caucuses.

While polls show Clinton ahead in some large states, including her home state of New York and delegate-rich California, the Kennedy endorsement gives Obama a stamp of approval among key constituencies in the Democratic party that could make Super Tuesday more competitive.

Kennedy plans to campaign actively for Obama, an aide said, and will focus particularly among Hispanics and labor union members, who are important voting blocks in several Feb. 5 states, including California, New York, New Jersey, Arizona and New Mexico.

The Massachusetts senator was key in helping his colleague, Senator John F. Kerry, score a comeback win in Iowa in 2004, sending Kerry on a path to the nomination. Kennedy campaigned on his own and released several senior members of his staff to work for Kerry.

[FairyTaleComeTrue]

1. Your thoughts

eom

[livetohike]

7. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[neutron]

9. Robert Kennedy Jr. Supports Hillary Clinton

I'm with him.

[Hart2008]

17. Probably only because he wants her Senate seat. n/t

[bluestateguy]

2. That may deliver Massachusetss on Feb. 5

nt

[Adelante]

5. I hope it does

But Kennedy helped Kerry out in Iowa, so maybe he has plans to campaign for Barack in other states, as well.

Oop, just noticed he does plan to campaign in other states. Fantastic.

[neutron]

12. didn't help Kerry in the national

[Adelante]

15. Neutron, you will find any dark cloud to stand under nt

[1corona4u]

14. Maybe, maybe not...

[Adelante]

3. A joint endorsement, that's so nice

:)

[SoFlaJet]

4. Once again it speaks a LOT to how many of her colleagues

DON'T like Mrs. Clinton. Thanks Teddy-good move-no more Billary...

[Pirate Smile]

6. I wonder if his endorsement will include the story of how JFK was critical

to the fact that Barack Obama as a person even exists today. That will be a great story to use. It has such an amazing sense of fate and destiny to it.

[neutron]

11. sounds like a warm Oprah fuzzy

everything in soft dewy focus. Profound orchestration. Makes my eyes well up with tears.

[Pirate Smile]

It is really pretty awesome but I have feeling you wont care.

[Pirate Smile]

13. whoops - dupe

[City Lights]

8. Thanks, ProSense!

Excellent read!

[Meshuga]

10. Nice!

This would be huge and nice timing for Super Tuesday!

[Tashca]

16. Wow....this is big.

There really are just a few really coveted endorsements....this is definitely one of them.

Oh my ....the plot thickens...

This is the best Primary season I have ever seen.....

[dailykoff]

18. Very big!

The Obama train has definitely left the station!

[Tropics_Dude83]

19. Tommorrow is going to be SO moving

Senator Edward M. Kennedy will endorse Barack Obama for president tomorrow, breaking his year-long neutrality to send a powerful signal of where the legendary Massachusetts Democrat sees the party going -- and who he thinks is best to lead it.

Kennedy confidantes told the Globe today that the Bay State's senior senator will appear with Obama and Kennedy's niece, Caroline Kennedy, at a morning rally at American University in Washington tomorrow to announce his support.

That will be a potentially significant boost for Obama as he heads into a series of critical primaries on Super Tuesday, Feb. 5.

That rally will bring many democrats to tears I'm sure. Caroline, Teddy and Barack all on the stage together. Just wow.

[tishaLA]

20. I LOVE that Teddy is campaigning for Sen Obama

and working to help him with the Latino vote. Excellent news.

[usregimechange]

21. The Liberal Lion now on board...

[AtomicKitten]

22. That endorsement kicks ass.

[populistdriven]

23. K&R! nt