WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic presidential contenders flocked to Sen. Edward Kennedy's 75th birthday party earlier this year.
Sen. Barack Obama showed up at Kennedy's home with a bottle of wine as a gift. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton pulled Kennedy aside to schmooze. Sen. Christopher Dodd needled Kennedy about getting older.
The shower of personal attention underscored Kennedy's star power in the White House race. The liberal senator's endorsement is among the most coveted by the eight Democratic contenders.
The birthday party was also a reminder of the tough endorsement choice Kennedy faces as the 2008 contest unfolds.
The Massachusetts senator has close ties to several candidates who are eagerly seeking his support. Whatever he decides, he's bound to disappoint some longtime friends and colleagues.
"It's going to be difficult choosing," Kennedy told The Associated Press. "I've got a lot of friends who want to be president."
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Above all else, Kennedy said, he is looking for a candidate who can light a spark with voters. The policy differences between the candidates are relatively small, he said.
"Inspiration," Kennedy said. "I'm looking for a candidate able to galvanize the country to get things done. I want to find the candidate who can inspire people. That's what we need. That's what our party needs."
He said he expects the crowded field "might winnow down by mid-December. That's when people really get engaged in presidential politics."
The value of endorsements tends to get overblown in presidential politics. But Kennedy's popularity with liberal party activists who tend to dominate early voting states puts his support at a premium.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hfJOsQ2fi3xy5O3MevO_X_ryPH6AD8S0AD0G0
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