Kennedys Matter.

[VolcanoJen]

I was blown away by Caroline Kennedy's heartfelt and inspirational endorsement of Barack Obama in today's New York Times... but nothing could prepare me for the moment I heard Teddy Kennedy, one of my heroes, had decided to throw all-in for him as well.

This matters on so many levels. If Teddy believes in this man, feels that he represents the leadership America has craved for seven years, then how could progressives and liberals alike reject that? If Teddy believes, isn't he also telegraphing to US Senators that it's ok, in fact, good, to side with Obama? That they have nothing to fear from not siding with the Clintons?

The other beautiful thing about the timing of the endorsements is this: They will dominate the news cycle. There is no downside for Obama here. It is a wave of good will and of hope.

Thank you, Ted and Caroline, for helping to show us the way. My gratitude is deep, and emotional.

[MichiganVote]

1. Among republicans Teddy is the next best thing to a B.Clinton impeachment

[VolcanoJen]

6. I'll highlight your words...

... "the next best thing."

[ursi]

12. But I thought Republicans don't matter?

[Fredda Weinberg]

2. And I'll repeat myself ... for those who decry political dynasties, the

irony is striking.

[graywarrior]

3. Having grown up in MA and watching how Ted works, he's thought this one through.

[bicentennial_baby]

28. Yep, exactly...

:thumbsup:

[sallyseven]

4. Not any more they don't.

What the hell has caroline ever done for the democrats? Last month people were trashing Ted.

[dkf]

8. You are right that Caroline doesn't usually step into the

political limelight. It just makes her endorsement that much more significant.

[VolcanoJen]

9. "What the hell has Caroline ever done for the Democrats?"

Oh, I dunno.

[H2O Man]

5. Nominated.

Thank you.

[babylonsister]

7. Rec'd! with thanks to you and the Kennedys! nt

[YvonneCa]

10. "My gratitude is deep, and emotional"...

...mine, too. Thanks for this...Kennedys DO matter.

[Tatiana]

11. Civil, thoughtful, discourse. Why I almost didn't recognize it!

:pals:

I don't understand the attempt to downplay the significance of these endorsements. They are all the more powerful for their lack of guile and political maneuvering. They were sincere expressions of support and belief in the leadership abilities of Obama.

I also liked how Caroline made the important point that a candidate's leadership qualities are important. Irrespective of Bush's policy positions, what has made him such a poor president (the worse in our nation's history), is his lack of leadership. Our disappointment in Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi is due to their poor leadership.

Good leadership is what we needed after 9/11. Good leadership is what we needed after Katrina. Good leadership is what we need during this economic crisis. The value of a good leader cannot be underestimated.

[Tarheel_Dem]

13. Tatiana, as you can see I'm an Edwards supporter, but what an

inspiring post. I am not so blinded by my support for Edwards that I can't see that Obama is indeed the tranformational figure that he has been characterized as. His detractors only make him more attractive to me. I could easily transfer my support to him from Edwards, but only after Edwards makes the decision to exit the race.

Kudos to the Kennedys, and to Obama's supporters.

[Tatiana]

17. JFK was a true leader.

Yes, he made some mistakes, both personally and in terms of policy. But it took a truly visionary person to inspire people like Bill Clinton to become participate in government. It look a leader to create the Peace Corps and motivate Americans to serve in nations less privileged than ours. Dennis Kucinich's idea of a Department of Peace is only the extension of an idea JFK was assassinated before he had the opportunity to realize.

A leader doesn't just fight the enemy; a leader simultaneously trailblazes and sets forth a new pathway for his or her fellow citizens. Part of the backlash against Hillary's candidacy that we are seeing come to fruition is due to the fact that the idea of "change" isn't just a catchy slogan. Obama and Edwards supporters truly are sick of the same old politics and the same old government. They understand these are critical times and we need something radical and new. Maybe people differ on what that radical and new policy looks like. But I think a majority of people have rejected the perennial ideas of "experience" and "reality" for "change" and "hope." We cannot continue on this downward trend and we can't go back to the the era of the '90s.

I hope Edwards is in this thing until the convention. We need his input and power to move the direction of the front-runners away from the center and further left.

[Tarheel_Dem]

19. very eloquently said, and I completely agree (eom)

[BenDavid]

14. So let me get this right....obama accuses clinton of viewing

through a different lens of jackson's victories in south carolina, in reference too that was the politics of yesterday and now obama is out there happy with the endorsements of back in the day ted kennedy and john kerry......damn!

[VolcanoJen]

15. Yes, I know, "ideological purity" gets a lot of people all tangled...

...and caught up. Like you.

What you're saying is pretty twisted. One has positively nothing to do with the other.

[CreekDog]

23. it was a contrast: Jackson had his race held against him in the 80's

The Kennedys have done much to change America for the better.

That both were in the past doesn't mean that I can't dislike one thing and like the other.

Consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds.

[sunonmars]

16. As i said earlier, its total irony

that the candidate thats anti establishment and whose supporters are anti-dynasty are being endorsed by the biggest US family dynasty of them all.

[ZinZen]

18. Excellent post

I was surprised by Caroline Kennedy's written endorsement as well as she has not endorsed a candidate since Ted Kennedy in 1980. I was really surprised and happy that Ted decided to endorse Obama also. This is very good for Obama.

[Tennessee Gal]

20. "Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy.........

Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy."

[VolcanoJen]

21. You do realize that line was used against Dan Quayle, right?

Right after he compared his "teh awesum!11" to JFK's. Lloyd Bentsen took him to the woodshed.

I'd say the Kennedys will always be on the side of Democrats and Progressives. I don't think you should throw that amazing and historic line around against a Democrat.

[Tarheel_Dem]

22. Well, it seems that the Kennedys WHO MATTER, beg to differ with you..(eom)

[aka-chmeee]

24. Of course,

Had they endorsed the female candidate not to be named, this thread would be toxic enough to make the Superfund finals.

[VolcanoJen]

25. Do you have a crystal ball?

It's hard for me to buy that, considering that Obama's tone in this campaign is what attracted so many of us to him in the first place.

Had Caroline Kennedy felt so strongly about Hillary Clinton that she shed a lifetime of non-endorsements and fray-jumping to stand up and be counted for her, why, I'd applaud both Caroline and the great Senator from New York.

Everyone could really stand to take a deep breath around her and admire ourselves. Democrats are breaking turnout records, inspiring a real youth movement, and shattering conventional wisdom. I'd say it's a good day, a beautiful day, an important day for the party as a whole.

[aka-chmeee]

26. No, no crystal ball

I prefer to use the entrails of small rodents (and the avatar will have to change hats!)
If you say that would have been your reaction, I can do no less than accept your word. However, the OP usually comprises only a small part of the entire thread, and while I don't often post I have been here watching for years....can make you cynical a little bit.
So sorry. Did not mean to offend and as an Edwards supporter I don't even have a chicken in this particular match but the irrational Hhatred here can produce a biased picture of Obama supporters.

Huck (NOT THAT ONE!)

[GoldieAZ49]

27. The NYT article and endorsements could help Obama in Florida

As will todays event with her and Ted

perfect timing, but they planned it that way...great momentum!