I gotta admit -- Teddy has made me look more favorably at Obama

[Armstead]

For years, Ted Kennedy has been a symbol to me of what the Democratic Party should be but lost. He was a staunch and unapologetic fighting liberal of the inspirational Democratic model that I recall from my youth. And more important, he continued to carry the torch during very dark years when many of his Democratic peers dropped the ball.

He stayed true to that vision when his fellow Democrats were repudiating those very ideals in favor of a phony form of "pragmatism" and -- worse were selling us out so they could cash in and join the elites.

(Plus he's my senator, and I'm proud as hell of him as the representative of our state.)

I'm a John Edwards supporter largely because, among the three Democratic candidates, Edwards has most embodied the message and the values and goals that Kennedy represents. I frankly, wish that Ted had chosen Edwards.

I've been suspicious of Obama. Still am, to tell the truth. I recognize his insirational qualities and his commitment to hope and positive change. But I also have feared that Obama is merely a new and updated version of Bill Clinton. An inspirational figure who might ultimately do nothing to change the core crises in this country regarding the concentration of wealth and power.

Teddy is making me take another look at Obama, though. I hope this doesn't sound too lemming-like, but frankly, a big part of me thinks "If Obama is good enough for Kennedy, he's good enough for me." I trust Ted, because he is not going to fall for snake oil. I'm confident that Kennedy did his due diligence regarding Obama before he came out for him.

I'm still going to consider myself an Edwards Democrat, just as in my gut I consider myself a Kucinich Democrat and a Wellstone Democrat and Bernie Sanders independent.

But if the prevailing winds continue, and Edwards isn't able to ignite a fire, I can at least be more comfortable and -- dare I say enthusiastic -- with Obama as the standard bearer.

[adabfree]

1. Hey

You are supporting a good guy too...but Kennedy is right about Obama, he's the future generation of politics...

[Avalux]

2. Thanks for your post. Did you hear what Obama said about his dad and JFK?

His grandmother gave him about 30 letters his father wrote to colleges in the USA, trying to get accepted to come to school here. As a senator JFK spearheaded a bill giving grants to young people in foreign countries so they could study here. Obama's father got one of those grants, came here and met Obama's mother.

Now I don't subscribe to fate and all that stuff, but if it wasn't for JFK's efforts Obama wouldn't be here.

[Stephanie]

7. Not only that but the Kennedy foundation helped pay for hsi travel.

That was a remarkable story!

[sfam]

3. It really was an inspirational speech and ringing endorsement from someone that matters...

I wonder how many minds this changes, hopefully a number of them. But I think perhaps the more important thing it does is lower the sense of unease some who don't support him feel. This is sort of what you're saying. Perhaps if Obama does win, Kennedy's speech will make Hillary supporters look at Obama in a different light.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. Me, too.

I'm sticking with Edwards as long as he stays in; but if he gets out I think I can support Obama without feeling too bad about it. Teddy's endorsement did help in that respect.

[MelissaB]

5. You've put on paper what I couldn't.

:hi:

[saracat]

6. Not me. Kennedy has exactly the same voting record as Edwards on many things.

and the Kennedy family has split their endorsements between Obama and Clinton.Rezco was arrested today and $42 million in Fed Money was found to be siphoned to 11 buildings in Obama's district.These buildings were left without heat in the Chicago winter. The headline was "Obama fundraiser Rezco Arrested". How proud is Teddy going to be when Obama is dragged into this and he WILL be?

[RaleighNCDUer]

23. Saracat, you and I agree on a lot of things and we both back John

but I think you're wrong about the Rezko thing. The fact that Obama helped Rezko get the funding initially has nothing to do with Rezko's abuse of those funds. Obama's influence ended with his letter writing - he had no oversight on the project. The reality of it is that Rezko betrayed Obama's trust, when Obama was working to fund low-income housing. There is as much of a real connection here as there was between the Clintons and Whitewater. None.

[saracat]

25. Where did I say Obama had oversight into that project? I said he will be "dragged into this.

He does have a 17 year relationship with Rezco.Rezco DID bankroll a lot of his state Senate Campaign.Those are facts. It isn't going to look good, is all.

[RaleighNCDUer]

30. And I'm just saying he's clean, as far as Rezko is concerned -

at least as far as I can tell from all I've read. The prosecutor who indicted Rezko has flat out said their is no Obama connection.

Obama was a power player in Chicago. Rezko was also. Rezko's real relationship was with Obama's former boss, Davis, and Obama did a piddling little work for Rezko's company as a lawyer in Davis's firm. Documented at 5 hours work over six years - that averages to 45 minutes a year. Hardly what I'd call a 'relationship'. As for the campaign contributions, those were to his state and senate campaigns, not the presidential campaign, and according to what I've read Obama divested of those contributions as soon as Rezko's problems moved past the theoretical. Not to mention that Obama was just one a many politicians that Rezko was contributing to. It's all about the appearance of taint, not of any real taint as far as Rezko is concerned.

There's plenty of other things to be bothered about with Obama - we don't need to hitch onto a Whitewater slander.

That's why I'm for Edwards. He's savvy enough to avoid even the appearance of corruption.

[saracat]

31. I agree.it is that "appearance" I worry about that is all! Perception can be everything!

[OzarkDem]

8. Ted is not what you think he is

He's not JFK or RFK. He's done some good things and I'm happy to defend his reputation on issues like COBRA, etc. But his disastrous trashing of Jimmy Carter in '80 during his ill-fated bid for the presidency is still a dark mark on his record and shows his tendency to put his own ego ahead of the party.

He's also been very disappointing as a leader in the Dem controlled senate. He should resign as chairman of the HELP committee - his record there has been abysmal of late.

[sfam]

Whether you like his Senate performance, he "is" the conferrer of the Kennedy mantle

In this sense he's exactly who everyone thinks he is. He's also one of the most respected voices in the party. So yeah, he "is" who we think he is. Just as he would be if he endorsed Edwards or Clinton.

And personally, I wish he had won the election in 1980. He was the better choice for our party, and could have beaten Reagan.

[Armstead]

15. I never said he was perfect

Sure he has had his missteps and is not pristine, either politically or personally.

However cumulatively, he is a great Senator, and one who has consistently stuck to his principles at times when it would have been a lot more expedient to go along to get along.

[samdogmom]

9. You've put my fears into words. Thanks!

As a fellow Edwards supporter (as well as a Kucinich admirer and a Wellstone grassroots booster), I am saddened that Sen. Edwards is not doing well.

On the positive side, I am always inspired when I listen to a Sen. Obama speech--he is eloquent and deeply moving! (And I think he gets the big picture.)

A President needs to inspire the masses to be effective. I truly think Sen. Obama has that quality. He could prove to be an exceptional leader. I will happily cast my vote for him in November.

(And, I will look forward to any speech he makes as President. They will be moving and memorable--such a contrast to our present situation.)

[GalleryGod]

27. Teddy

So it is with Barack Obama. He has lit a spark of hope amid the fierce urgency of now.

I believe that a wave of change is moving across America. If we do not turn aside, if we dare to set our course for the shores of hope, we together will go beyond the divisions of the past and find our place to build the America of the future.

My friends, I ask you to join in this historic journey -- to have the courage to choose change.

It is time again for a new generation of leadership.

It is time now for Barack Obama.

[Henny Penny]

32. Sounds like utter codswallop to me.

They are from completely different wings of the party it makes no sense for Teddy to back Obama unless (as I believe he was forced to).

The whole Obama campaign seems like pure marketing hype to me down to that oh so well set up pic you've posted. The elder statesman, partly obscured by a great leader that wasn't, seeing a chance to undo the wrong and pointing the future path out to the young inexperienced heir apparent, who's duly taking note. And all in the presence of Bobby.

I can't help being reminded of those well orchestrated "democratic revolutions" in Eastern Europe.

[Barack_America]

10. Thank you, but it is my sincere hope that you don't have to choose.

It's my hope that if Obama gets the nom, that Edwards is guaranteed a significant role in his administration.

Edwards is one of the good ones and deserves to be in a position of influence. Hopefully, someday, THE position of influence.

[vssmith]

33. I would like to see Edwards on the Supreme Court

[grantcart]

11. it feels as if history is overtaking events

[adabfree]

14. We are living History...

it's unfolding in front of our very eyes

[InvisibleTouch]

12. Kerry's endorsement had much the same effect on me.

I just don't know as much about Obama as I do about the other two, so I've been the least enthusiastic about him - but as he gets endorsements from people I respect, I feel more and more confident that there's a good reason for them. If that's the way it goes, I will be quite happy to vote for him in November.

[Tatiana]

13. Good points. "Pragmatism" hasn't worked for us in Congress and it won't win this election.

The candidate who asks us to "stay the course" is going to lose. Eight years have been enough to teach America a hard lesson. Elect people who actually believe in government.

[BattyDem]

16. Thanks for putting my feelings into words.

:hi:

[mzmolly]

17. You spoke for me Armstead.

When I look at Edwards platform, I am reminded of Paul Wellstone. "We have a viable Wellstone," I thought to myself today. However, in contrast, I'll take a viable "black Kennedy" any day! LOL. ;)

[Tom Rinaldo]

18. I understand

It makes sense to me. You are not handing over your independent judgement to another person, but you are taking in the perspective of someone who you admire. Wes Clark and RFK Jr had that effect on me. They didn't convert me to a Hillary supporter, but they made me rethink my feelings on her. Good luck in reaching whatever decision that you do.

[rucky]

19. Teddy is a good judge of character.

this endorsement is meaningful to me, as well.

[Armstead]

21. I hope he doesn't endorse Walken though

:)

[mckeown1128]

20. Your post is very refreshing.

Nice to see a post were the supporter of candidate A is says something nice about candidate B.

[babylonsister]

22. I hope you'll take some time to

read this. It's from an unbiased source in 2006, a guy who is a policy wonk who discusses what he has found out about Obama. He's not just talking the talk but is trying to make a real difference; I'm sure Kennedy is aware of this, too. Anyway, thanks for your thoughtful post.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4248901&mesg_id=4248901

[GalleryGod]

24. Quality Post,Friend.

We are the Party -- We are the Party of the New Freedom, the New Deal, and the New Frontier. We have always been the Party of hope. So this year let us offer new hope, new hope to an America uncertain about the present, but unsurpassed in its potential for the future.


Senator Edwad M. Kennedy August 12th, 1980

[David Zephyr]

26. Armstead

Teddy is awesome. I contribute to his campaigns from here in California. Once I was on his "list" of supporters, I guess they kept me on. He's been there in every fight and when we were down he would always stand up.

I only came to Obama's campaign this month, so I am a late-comer. I am so proud that I did. I feel like I'm 16 all over again watching Bobby Kennedy.

In any event, thanks for the kind words for Teddy.

[andyrowe]

28. Great Post Armstead.

I know that if my guy Obama wasn't in the running, John would be the go-to guy.

[busymom]

29. Look favorably on obama

because of who he is...and not because one of the "popular kids" said he was cool today....

[dkf]

34. I think Teddy's opinion is that he can get a lot more done under

a President Obama than a President Clinton.

This is what gets him excited! He wants to be able to fulfill his brothers' dreams too. :)

[FlyingSquirrel]

35. Obama's still my second choice. TK&CK's endorsements are good tho

[joeprogressive]

36. k/r