Barack Obama becomes heir to JFK

January 28, 2008 5:19 AM

Edward Kennedy prepares to give Barack Obama a prized endorsement on the day that voters in South Carolina award him a landslide
posted by wyspa03 (14 comments total)

I'm as up for another round of "ding dong the witch is dead" as anyone, but I'm less up for the reprised disappointment when she sweeps Super Tuesday.
posted by DU at 5:33 AM on January 28, 2008

Obama/Edwards 2008!


/not an American
//not a fan of conservatives in general
///would like to think that George W. Bush never happened....
////I know, I know: "GET IN LINE!"
posted by spoobnooble at 5:45 AM on January 28, 2008

That's the sort of endorsement that the GOP will love using as ammo against him if he wins the nomination. And if he doesn't, and HRC does, the slimefest will look even worse.
posted by pax digita at 5:52 AM on January 28, 2008

To the extent that you enjoy election speculation, the results of the Washington and Lee Mock Convention this past weekend may be of interest.
posted by Wolfdog at 5:53 AM on January 28, 2008

That's the sort of endorsement that the GOP will love using as ammo against him if he wins the nomination.

I'm tired of making decisions based on how liars will lie about it.
posted by DU at 5:55 AM on January 28, 2008 [9 favorites has favorites]

That's the sort of endorsement that the GOP will love using as ammo against him if he wins the nomination. And if he doesn't, and HRC does, the slimefest will look even worse.

Heh. Lynn Cheney just endorsed Mitt Romney, who will probably win the nomination.

Anyway, I think you're overrating the effect of an endorsement on the other side. The people who really hate Kennedy are not going to vote for Obama anyway.
posted by delmoi at 5:56 AM on January 28, 2008

I'm tired of making decisions based on how liars will lie about it.

Agreed. The silliness of doing so was pointed out in Paul Krugman's opinion piece in today's NY Times. He was addressing the "I don't want a return to the nastiness of the Clinton era" reasoning. Summary: Liars lie. Obama will not get the kid-gloves-treatment.

A Kennedy endorsement really has nothing to do with it.
posted by dsword at 6:04 AM on January 28, 2008

He was addressing the "I don't want a return to the nastiness of the Clinton era" reasoning. Summary: Liars lie. Obama will not get the kid-gloves-treatment.

That's such an absurd argument, although it's one I hear all the time from Clinton advocates. The republicans are going to do it anyway, so why shouldn't Hillary do it? Well, certainly she can, but why in gods name would I want to support something like that. If she lies and plays unfairly on the campaign trail, then why would you expect her to govern in a straightforward and honest way? I don't want to live in a country where only liars can get elected.

The argument that "Republicans will do it anyway" is tantamount to arguing that "Hillary Clinton has the morals of a Republican".
posted by delmoi at 6:14 AM on January 28, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Never mind that Kennedy guy, this is the endorsement of the day.
posted by octothorpe at 6:20 AM on January 28, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

Congrats, Barack. Invite Teddy to your next rally, but you'd better drive.
posted by jonmc at 6:21 AM on January 28, 2008

Delmol: And the policies.
posted by BrianBoyko at 6:22 AM on January 28, 2008

wow...this qualifies as an FPP? um. why?
posted by davidmsc at 6:23 AM on January 28, 2008

A lot of endorsements don't really matter, but this one's a biggie. Here's why:

1) Kennedy's stature with the Democratic old guard. Yes, conservatives love to hate him, but like him or not, he's a big player in the party machinery. This creates at least the perception of the party swinging behind Obama, and gives political cover to a lot of other superdelegates who might otherwise be hesitant to defy the Clintons.

2) He's huge with Hispanics and organized labor, which are two constituencies that Obama's had some trouble with and that he'll need to win. Kennedy's going to be hitting the campaign trail for Obama, too, and he'll be able to tell Hispanic immigration activists that Obama was a big help to him during that immigration dust-up in the Senate (true). Instant credibility.

3) The Kennedy mystique. There are already comparisons of Obama to JFK, and this plus Caroline's endorsement in the NYT yesterday ("A President Like My Father", for god's sake) is going to create a second-coming-of-Camelot spasm in the media that, while certainly overblown, is going to grab all the headlines for at least an entire news cycle.

Not to mention--Kennedy today, Gov. Sebelius of Kansas tomorrow (who's also a pretty good get). I think there's a fair chance the Obama people have another ace in the hole to play just before Super Tuesday. Wouldn't be shocked to see Gore finally step in.
posted by EarBucket at 6:25 AM on January 28, 2008

Gore has a lot to lose by backing the wrong horse.
posted by smackfu at 6:33 AM on January 28, 2008