I feel Kennedy endorsement and South Carolina proved nothing. Mrs. Clinton will win and she will
nothing to South Carolina, Kennedy and Carey. Alot of bridges are being burnt up.

It should have some impact, but he still has to convince older women to vote for him over Hillary.

I saw the Kennedy mystique at work in the 60s and if I were the Clintons, I’d be very worried. This may be a turning point.

Hard to believe that Kennedy’s endorsement of Obama will aid him overmuch. Those Democrats and Independents who support progressive causes are already pretty much in the Kennedy or Obama camp; those who distrust charisma and the purely inspirational are unlikely to find magic in the Kennedy name. Jack Kennedy may have been as vigorous as Obama, but the former was responsible for the Bay of Pigs and the original build-up in Vietnam, so his name doesn’t say Shazam to many, and the comprison between him and Obama rings a little flat. These remarks should not be taken as a preference for Hillary Clinton, but that is not the question at hand.

Hillary Clinton’s brush-off is just spin. This is HUGE for Barack Obama. It sends a message to those who felt they had to back the establishment candidate that even veteran Democrats see Obama as a better investment in our future, and as what the party should stand for.

With more than four decades of leadership experience under his belt, the endorsement by the Democratic Party elder statesman Senator Edward Kennedy is a slap in the face to those who insist that Senator Obama is somehow not qualified to lead the nation. If anything, Kennedy’s support, in addition to the earlier support of John Kerry, shows that the most respected members of the Democratic Party have faith in Barack Obama’s strength as a leader, uniter, and President.

The duplicity of hrc to see the kennedy endorsement was meaningless. If that is true, why in the world was she and hubby on bended knees asking for his support?

Having someone like Ethel Kennedy say that Obama reminds her of her husband combined with the endorsement of Ted Kennedy, could, in my opinion, push the “transformation versus transition” catch words of Obama’s campaign to the forefront and get him the Democratic nomination.

About as helpful as tits on a fish……..

This is huge for Obama..It says that Ted can not work with Hillery and no longer respects the former president. It says that a woman that lost her father and has maintained a quite and productive life has been thoughtful enough to recognize the tide has turned and shehas put her eyes on the future.
The clintons are a co-dependent pair…This in DSM terms means that they will do anything to maintain the illusion of their relationship. Lie, steal, cheat and defame anyone in their way.
This is very dangerous for the party[which they have tried to split twice] and the nation as a whole. Let us not be returned to the divisions of the past.

Caroline Kennedy’s endorsement, especially her NY Times article, is most meaningful. Particularly to we “baby boomers” who experienced 3 great political heros of the 20th C (JFK, MLK,Jr; RFK). The generations who have come after us don’t know what that experience is like….until now.

I think it boils down to message and the very human desire for change after many years of stagnancy and this tiresome War in the Middle East and now the implosion of the American economy thanks to misguided policies that created the current Mortgage Crisis Debacle that now very pointedly threatens the US and more broadly, the World Economy.

The American people have frankly -had it- with the current elitist establishment, which explains the attraction Obama draws. He’s not one of the elitists that presided over the current train wreck we are witnessing day after day in the news.

I plan on voting for him and I see a similar level of support for him among American expats here in Taiwan. Obama is the only candidate for many of us that represents a bold level of change we genuinely need, not just politically but as a society as well. The acidic nature of our person overall is quite noticed. Americans are at each others throats now more than ever before. Obama represents a movement to change that mentality and it explains his attraction by so many.

It’s going to be a very exciting election.

For Obama, it sure can’t hurt in teh Primary and it should help to the degree the Kennedy-endorsement -related media coverage and their (Edward, Caroline and Patrick’s) campaigning bring voters into the Obama camp.

For the Clintons, it is a serious loss on three counts. First, they could have benefited if they got the endorsement. Second, Ted Kennedy’s words (if they get heard) clearly refute that it is only the Clinton’s who are “ready on day one”. Third, it reinforces the thinking of those who found Bill Clinton’s recent ‘nasty’ comments to be a turn-off — if Ted reacted this way, so can they!

Net, it gives Obama a significantly better chance as it shows momentum in the days preceding Feb 5.

Yeah, right. Why then she (or her husband) sought Kennedy’s endorsement for her own? Another example of hypocrisy of status quo.

I see no negative impact. This endorsement can help Senator Obama where he is presently weakest — with the Hispanic community. Whether it has time to soak in before February 5 remains to be seen.

There are a lot of people in this day and age that aren’t enchanted with the Kennedys. I’m not so sure this endorsement will do much at all. I think Hillary can survive, if not thrive, after this.

ARE YOU GUYS NUTS ? iF kENNEDY ENDORSES OBAMA HE IS ON THE DOWN HILL KENNEDY HAS LOST MY RESPECT

Kenndy,s endorsement will have no impact whatsoever.Infact it makes me more determined to vote for Hillary.With friends like them who needs enimies.All these other haters like John Kerry and AL Gore were not able to beat the republicans and now they want to give us another loser like them.Can anybody please tell me what Barrack Hussein Obama stand for.

I respect John Kennedy for not only the inspiration, but the doing; but wonder about endorsements from both his daughter and kin folk, especially ones that I feel are outside the mainstream of much of America. I would vote for Obama, if he paid more attention to our economic situation rather than to mostly social issues.
- Snowflashdrop

This is significant to me because not since Bobby Kennedy has a candidate inspired me and so many of the folks I know to hope that America may start doing the right thing again,we may have a chance at inspiring the poor of this country and the rest of the world and we may be able to spread love and recieve it as JFK did for us from the rest of the world.

This is going to be huge. Not only will it help Obama accumulate many more superdelegates, but it will be an enormous help in getting the Hispanic and Union voters who may not have been familiar with the way Obama’s policies have and would benefit them, voters who were overwhelmingly in the Clinton camp.

Also, the combination of his endorsement with Caroline Kennedy’s will help with the older white female demographic that is Clinton’s core.

And, finally, this is the stamp of approval needed to dispel any lingering doubts about just how seriously Obama should be taken as a candidate.

All of this will translate into donations, too, which will be a big help in advertising through the 22 states who are voting on Feb. 5. Since Hillary Clinton’s lead often depended upon name recognition, the importance of this should not be underestimated.

But you know what I like best about it? The timing. After Bill Clinton’s reprehensible dirty politics in South Carolina, and the way he has been trying to divide the party into black, white and brown, the endorsement of Caroline and Ted Kennedy is a show of unity telling the American public that we reject that path once and for all. We may have different races, genders and religions, but we are all Americans and we are ready to work together to bring this country back from the edge of disaster.

Camelot was about hope and change, too. So it couldn’t be a better fit.

Ohhhh, I hope it’s HUGE. Bet Hillary put a hip outta place doing THAT about face.

This is a HUGE lift for Obama’s campaign. I think this comment by Hillary Clinton (”at the end of the day this is not about anyone else other than the candidates”) is much more candid than her previous enthusiastic agreement with a questioner at one of her events that it’s not about the candidates but about the American people. I guess when you’re addicted to spinning every news event with campaign talking points, you’re bound at some point to contradict yourself and reveal your true colors.

Teddy Kennedy helped Hillary by endorsing Obama. It is a good sign for her. Teddy K. has a history of backing the losing presidential candidate: John Kerry; Michael Dukakis; and (oh yeah); himself. Based on Kennedy’s presidential track record, it would actually be more troubling if he did endorse Hillary.

I take the Kennedy endorsement seriously. I am an undecided voter who has now decided to vote for Obama. But I didn’t make up my mind based on this endorsement. I do not want to see a co-presidency between Hillary and Bill. That won’t work. I like Hillary, but I think Bill will be overbearing and has an ax to grind with his old enemies. That frightens me.

I think it showcases the hypocracy that has defined the Obama campaign. He’s all about “Change”, but yet he covets and touts the endorsement of the party’s establishment (Ted Kennedy should have retired from politics long ago and John Kerry..well, we all know how popular he is with Dems). Let’s try again to go back to square 1 since I’ve yet to have any Obama supporter, let along Obama himself, illustrate one key policy or piece of legislation this man was responsible for. And, for the record, I don’t think any realist believes JFK himself would make a great president today. It is about experience and Obama just doesn’t have what it takes.

This should be huge. I hope it is. Bill is playing too much of a role in Hillary’s campaign. He has hurt her by dividing the democratic party and her would be supporters with his dirty politics. The Kennedy’s could not have come at a better time to endorse Obama, with the question purposefully planted by the Hill-Billy’s of his mainstream appeal. I hope people take this seriously and realize that hope and trustworthiness are possible in politics through Obama; and reject the corrupt and manipulative… no deceitful political practices of the Clintons. Who would you trust to tell you the truth? Remember what scandals and lies Clintons told the first time around. Why would anyone think it will be different now? I commend the Kennedy’s for their timing, and their dedication to endorse the best candidate for the the welfare of our country. This is going to be exciting to watch for the next few weeks!!! Oh, yeah. I am a Obama supporter, if you could not tell.

I have written before but I must not forget that I am proud to see this shift in American politics the vision of HOPE and Change. As a feminst, white democrat I want a woman as president but NOT this woman..I want a true feminist, a real champion of people’s rights, a person with character who does not trade on her husbands ‘experience’, who does not ride on the backs of people who have walked the walk of womwns issues and civil rights but has been in the trenches and not just on the plane. Maybe that is the Gov from Kansas but it is not clinton.

Ted Kennedy endorsed John Kerry and campaigned for him non stop in 2004 and Kerry did not Win the presidency. Ted Kennedy also endorsed his Niece Kathleen Kennedy when she was running for Governor in Maryland in 2002 and campaigned for her and she did not win. His endorsement does not mean much. In a few days this will be history. He is grandfather liberal and some democrats do not care for him. I will never vote of Obama. Yes, he is inspirational and eloquent.

However, it takes more than those qualities to win the White house and to fight for the middle class and the poor. Hillary has my vote. Regardless of her dislike by the media and others, she will deliver for the poor and the middle class. Plus, she is harder to beat.

I am very confident that Hillary will win the nomination.

That Kennedy mystique has power that will translate into votes. Obama, an unknown candidate to many, will be heard and supported, as too many still alive respond to that mystique. If it were not so about its ability to draw attention, also acting as free advertisement via word of mouth, then the entire entertainment industry wouldn’t continue to present Kennedy movies, documentaries, books, television shows, etc for over forty years throughout the world. It still generates profit for them. In fact, suddenly many not politically inclined were calling me to discuss Obama after that Kennedy endorsement. Wind of change!

It seems so ridiculous for the Kennedy family to in any way
equate Obama to JFK. I think EMK has lost his marbles finally and in doing so has dragged his son and niece into pandering to the media in support of someone unqualified to lead this nation. Obama is no JFK..to paraphrase another Democrat. He has a long way to go to take on that mantle. I am seldom shocked or surprised, but this endorsement takes the cake. This is nothing but a shabby political ploy.. Nothing in politics is unplanned. There are supported facts that show that Kennedy and Obama have been close Senate allies & friends Instead of coming out to support him in the beginning, it is apparent that Kennedy timed this “staged endorsement” to coincide with Super Tues. A transparent political move geared more to scuttling Hilary’s lead in the polls than to genuinely embrace “the hope of the future”. The good-old-boy network in Congress is shaking in their boots from the possibility of turning the reins of power over
a qualified woman. There has never been a doubt who is the most qualified in this race…so the conclusion is that any man regardless of his experience, or lack of qualifications will always trump a more qualified woman.
Shame, shame shame…wake up America…At great cost to us all….we have mistakenly chosen image over substance before.

What is most significant is Kennedy sticking it to Bill Clinton for being the egomaniacal out-of-control adolescent that he is, and for implying that Obama is nothing more than the next Jesse Jackson in South Carolina. What’s important is not the impact (or lack of it) from Ted Kennedy, but rather the acknowledgment that the Clintons are way over the line. And, God forbid the guy should show some respect for the Presidency; he never has in the past, why start now?

Isn’t Ted Kennedy very much of the party’s partisan past that we’re suppose to be transcending? Enough with the symbolism and celebrity endorsements already. Let’s start talking about the issues. Then we can decide which candidate has the ideas to carry the party and the country forward. Barack, Hillary, whoever. Do any of these people know anything about economics? The shifting balance of economic power to the E.U. and China? The enormous debt we’ve built up with the Japanese, the Saudis, etc.? How do they plan on handling these things? What about the impending loss of well paid service jobs (including accountants and lawyers) to cheaper second and third world practitioners? Where are those good jobs everyone promises to create going to come from?

I’m all for getting beyond mindless partisanship, but that’s just the first step.

We live in a culture corrupted by greed, created by those, like Bush, who want survival of the fittest while they crush the world with horrific weapons, at the same time taking educational and health resources away from our children.

Barack Obama offers excellent credentials and powerful rhetoric. But can he deliver? What are his programs for children’s education? Children’s health? These programs need to be formulated and communicated for mothers and fathers to join. But once they do, nothing will stop Barack. I believe he can do it!

Unless the US can overcome its inate colour prejudice – absolutely NO real impact at all.

Kennedy is not exactly an angel – so why all the fuss?

The media needs to be more rational and down-to-earth!

I Wish I could believe in Barack Obama, but I don’t. The parallel with John Kennedy is striking; not only does he have the Kennedy charisma, and, now the evocative, almost archetypal image of “Camelot” behind him, but the nation is in a profound state of disillusionment and disgust after the Bush regime. No one _believes_ anymore. And, frankly, that is healthy. There is nothing in this system to believe _IN_.

Jesse Jackson fed us the line “Keep Hope Alive,” even as the last vestige of hope in this system was on it’s death bed.

Obama speaks to that hopelessness, and like any demagogue, he raises hope through empty rhetoric.

The yearning for hope and belief might carry him through to the White House, but if he gets there, what we’ll see is all of the bad of JFK right along with the charisma. Instead of the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile crisis and Viet Nam, we may face the threat of nuclear war between the major powers, if Obama carries through with with his Bush-lite threats against Iran, or other invasions and more of the endless imperialist wars in the Middle East if he carries through with his threat to invade Pakistan.
Don’t just listen to what Obama says – listen to what Obama SAYS.

Don’t just see the Kennedy glow; remember how close he came to launching world thermonuclear war, and the profound evil of the war against Viet Nam.

Yep: Obama is another JFK. That’s exactly why he disturbs me so. Not that Clinton or Edwards is a lick better.

Endorsements by the failed wing of the democratic party have got to be a net negative for Obama! We could expect nothing less from the same old ’snap defeat from the jaws of victory group.’

The next best thing for Clinton would be for that failing TV network, MSNBC, to actually admit their own bias against her.

If the liberal elite of the democratic party are against her, Clinton may actually have a real chance at winning the nomination and the election.

Why do so few seem to notice that Obama or his clan have consistently been the first to attack and then whine about any effort to respond to those attacks?? Where is the hope when all Senator Obama seems to want to say is that some mistruths have been said about him? The constant complaining while (as Edwards pointed out) Obama and wife are doing the very same or more is the real audacity going on. Wake-up people!

I feel Ted Kennedy is backing Obama to make a statement to the Clinton’s. In reality Obama doesn’t have enough experience to help our country. He keeps repeating the word CHANGE, but I have yet to hear what changes he plans and how he will do go about making the change! The Kennedy’s should think about what is good for the country and not what is good for them. OBama is not a Kennedy, nor should he be compared to them.

looks like the guys dont want the girl to play the presidential game. The Kennedys have only devalued their brand and lost the respect of many democrats.
Some (Many) Democrats will bolt if Clinton is not nominated. The Republicans are starting to look like a better option.

Ted Kennedy’s endorsement of Obama? The kiss of death, if you ask me. Hillary should be thankful he didn’t endorse her. I believe his credibility as a lead politician diminished campaigns ago. Too many view him as far left and today’s voters are more center than left or right. And, where have Kennedy’s previous endorsements led candidates? Not to office, that’s a fact.
Obama scares me as a candidate. Like many others have written, he is inexperienced. I’m concerned about a proven track record and actions…talk is cheap. I’m also somewhat concerned about the controversy of whether or not he has a Muslim background. Maybe not, but even the most remote possibility that a Muslim could occupy the seat of this country’s Commander in Chief at a time when we are at war with Muslim extremists scares the hell out of me! Am I the only one?
I believe Hilliary has the heart, soul, wisdom, and experience to lead this country. The “billary factor” does not scare me. Eight years of Bill Clinton’s proven track record–personal stuff aside, which has nothing to do with running this country effectively–would be an asset in another Clinton administration.
It’s what I’m hoping for. This country needs it!

Response to # 31.

Funny thing how we talk about qualifications. Conveniently forgetting that the most “qualified” are actually the republican candidates…and oh yes, qualifications alone should make Donald Rumsfield, or Dick Cheney for that matter – great presidents.

What nonsense!

Dont know how many others are as incensed as I am about these chain emails being sent to religious groups and others that question Sen. Barack Obamas patriotism and religious beliefs. (See press link to last weeks open letter from Jewish groups being bombarded with these emails: http://www.adl.org/internet/Letter_obama .asp)

The use of the Internet to spread false information about a political candidate— and thus to affect the outcome of an election— is particularly abhorrent to me.

We cannot regress to old-style dirty tricks. In the public interest, we need to get behind these emails—and identify who originated them.

If you have received such an email, please forward it to me.

negemail53@gmail.com

Positive impact because it gives Obama more legitimacy on the electability question. It will drive more white working class Democrats to his camp and it continues to send a message that the Clinton’s don’t own the party anymore. They are too devisive. This will put Obama closer to the nomination and then it will prompt Gore to finish Hillary off by endorsing Obama.

The link below from Caroline Kennedy reminds me of how I felt so many years ago…hopeful that the world I would leave to my children and grandchildren and future generations would be a better place than the world my parents were leaving to me. I remember watching the race riots in the south and realizing that beating on someone or denying them the privilege of eating at a lunch counter because of the color of their skin was simply ridiculous. I remember JFK telling me that I could make a difference. I remember the echo of that statement when his brother Bobby spoke. I remember Martin Luther King talking about “All God’s Children” and I remember thinking that if I loved everyone as I wanted them to love me, my world at least would be a better place. Then JFK, Bobby and Martin were killed and I put those thoughts to rest…for awhile. About a year ago I heard Barack Obama speak and he reignited that desire in me to make the world a better place. I knew there was something special about this man, not just his diverse ancestry or his eloquent oratory skills, but noted that he genuinely cares about this country and the people in it. He touched my soul the way JFK did when I was young. You’d think that by this time (some 49 years have passed) I would have become cynical and more “realistic”. However, I have read all of Senator Obama’s position papers; heard him speak in person several times; spent hours on the NET looking for a “realistic” reason to not support him; and, I have come away thinking what I did when I first heard him speak, he is the voice of unity and hope – he is the voice of America’s future. He has the experience to lead our country and bring respect and admiration to the White House as well. Although he was an ordinary middle-class family man just a few short years ago, there is something absolutely magical in his ability to bring out the best in people. So my friends who live all over the world, I ask you to listen to the last remaining voice of “Camelot” below and then read all you can about Barack Obama. Finally, I ask those of you who will have the opportunity to vote on Tsunami Tuesday to do so with an informed viewpoint. I hope you will make the same choice I made and vote for Barack Obama.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content  /caroline_ad

Hey Lee, Janet and June – nice point about a Kennedy nomination (of Kerry or Dukakis) not guaranteeing the Whitehouse. But that ain’t the question – its abotu the Democratic nomination folks – and yes Teddy helped to deliver that just fine for Kerry and Dukakis. Look for Obama to take this nomination right to the bank.

As for the Whitehouse – after what the Republican Party has sheepishly allowed our President to do to our nation’s economic standing & international reputation – and given Obama’s clear appeal – Obama will have a much stronger shot than Kerry or Dukakis ever had to carry his bid the rest of way.

Finally,after the ugly partisan battles of the last decade and our collective foreknowledge of what Mr. Rove is capable of doing – Why on God’s green earth would any democratic want to support a candidate(s) as divisive as Hllary & Bill