Senator Edward Kennedy seems to be at virtually every rally Obama speaks at nowadays. Whenever I see him in the background of TV pictures, I am reminded of the photos from John Redwood's 1995 campaign launch, when an amply bosomed and yellow-bedecked Teresa Gorman and a stripy jacketed Tony Marlow tended to distract attention from the main event.
However, that would be to misjudge the effect a Kennedy endorsement can have. Last week I flagged up Obama's endorsement from Caroline Kennedy. These things really matter here. However, the Ted Kennedy endorsement may well reenforce the core vote, but it is not something which will attract many undecided voters. It really was one in the face for Hillary though.
11 comments:
Sea Shanty Irish here:
Most significant Kennedy endorsement was that of Caroline. Because this is the first time she's gone "political" in a major way. And because no American between 55 and 85 will ever forget the imagine of her holding her mother's hand, while her brother saluted the grave of their dead father.
Impact of Teddy is more directly political. While he's a downer for many voters, most of these are not Democrats. And even many Republicans conceed he's one of the most hardworking and productive senators ever.
Among Democrats, Teddy's impact is strong with older lefties, with the media, and with insiders. In particulur, the fact that he broke with the Clintons due to the dirty South Carolina campaign was a huge signal to all these groups.
But Ted Kennedy's strongest potential impact is with Latinos voters. Because the memory of Bobby Kennedy is still revered among them.
Obama is not going to win the Latino vote against Clinton. BUT with Teddy's help, he can significantly reduce his losing margin in many Hispanic congressionnal districts, give him a chance statewide in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and most esp California.
And don't forget Maria Shriver Schwartzenegger. She and hubby Arnie shows the advantages of being a savvy bipartisan couple.
Hillary would only worry that he might drown her.
Not drowning but waving.
One in the face for Hillary?
Oooh, errr, Missus.
Nay, nay and thrice nay.
It's not fair.
Titter ye not.
Off topic but the conclusion of Pepe Escobar's recent piece gives you the real foreign policy questions to ask (assuming you are allowed to ask questions, being a foreign journalist and all):
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/JA30Ak01.html
"Even barring a possible Dr Strangelove-like attack on Iran, Bush is set to leave to Obama or Clinton, apart from a nearly $10 trillion black hole, a lost war in Afghanistan, total chaos in Pakistan, an open wound in Gaza, a virtual civil war in Lebanon and the heart of darkness of Iraq.
Both Obama - still unwilling to defend progressive ideas on progressive grounds - and drowning-in-platitudes Clinton owe it to US and world public opinion to start detailing, in "the fierce urgency of now", how they realistically plan to confront such a state of (dis)union. "
It's amazing that the Kennedy family so shamelessly pimps the reputation of their beloved John and Robert. Election after election, the useless senetor Ted Kennedy plays his only card to crown a king as it were.
Few in America want to call him out for the disgrace that he is.
And that's not just for the Chappaquiddick incident either.
I thought the Kennedy endorsement was meant to be, quite literally, the kiss of death?
PS Shock, Arnie's bipartisan? That'll explain all that nude modelling in gay mags.
I really think that all you need to know about modern day America is summed up in the fact that the electorate voted in two Bushes to the White House, but only one Kennedy.
So, is Teddy sober nowadays? Maria Shriver came out for Obama earlier today as well, making a clean sweep of the Kennedys for him. So fucking what? It didn't do Robert any good, nor Teddy when it counted, either. This ONLY matters to the people who have to fill tv time.
Interesting suggestion I saw the other day - Obama's endorsements are great when you are fighting Democratic primaries (especially closed ones) and caucuses, but not so great when it comes to November and you are seeking to attract middle ground voters fearful of liberal extremists.
On the other hand McCain's endorsements (Giuliani, Schwarzenegger, Crist) may not endear him to the conservative fringes of the Republican coalition, but come November they will prove to be a positive tick in his box.
I think that's probably right. Hope so!
Oh yes, the John Redwood support group picture. I remember that someone at the time described those grinning fruitcakes as resembling "Ward 8 from Broadmoor on day-release". There were Gorman [who lied about her age, and flouted planning law] and Marlow [who was in favour of caning children] certainly, but let's not forget the loathsome Teddy 'Carpetbagger' Taylor, with his ridiculous patent-leather comb-over, his impenetrable accent and his conviction that the world was flat and Presbyterian.
Gorman/Marlow = Kennedy?
No, I don't think so.
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