Two key Kennedys to endorse Barack Obama

[Richard Tafoya]

LA Times Political Blog:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/01/a-kennedy-endor.html

On Sunday the Associated Press, quoting "party officials," was the first to report that Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts would endorse Sen. Barack Obama at a news conference in Washington on Monday. As an influential party elder, Kennedy's endorsement has been eagerly-sought and long-awaited in Democratic circles, not least for its accompanying connections to his (http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-kennedy28jan28,0,2707805.story)broad national political and fundraising network.

And its loss is a blow to the Clinton campaign, although perhaps not a surprise after Caroline Kennedy's endorsement reported below.

The Times' Maria LaGanga confirmed the impending Ted Kennedy endorsement, which will come on Monday in Washington during a joint appearance at American University with his niece, Caroline. According to Times sources, Sen. Kennedy will actively campaign for Obama around the country with special emphasis on labor and Latino groups, where Kennedy is strong after his ardent advocacy of immigration reform.

The other two big Democratic endorsements much-sought in this campaign were Sen. John Kerry and former vice president Al Gore. Kerry has already also endorsed Obama. Gore has yet to take sides, although his relationship with Hillary Clinton during their White House years was often fraught with friction.

Sen. Clinton was in Memphis at a black church service when her spokesman, Doug Hattaway, sought to downplay the Kennedy endorsement by issuing the following statement: "She has a great deal of respect for Sen. Kennedy and is very proud of the endorsements she's received from her Senate colleagues. At the end of the day, people will select a candidate based more on their merits than on their endorsements.''

[DoubleEdgeSword]

Very interesting. Pundits thought he would endorse Clinton.

[Regis Philbin]

Of course he abandoned you, ladies. He abandoned you just like he did Mary Jo... :]

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/

Women's group slams Kennedy for 'betrayal'

Posted: 07:34 PM ET

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy is under heavy fire from a state chapter of the National Organization for Women for his decision to back Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton.

In a sharply critical statement, the New York state chapter of NOW took aim at Kennedy Monday for what it called an "ultimate betrayal," and suggested the Massachusetts Democrat "can't or won't" handle the idea of Clinton becoming President of the United States.

"Sen. Kennedy’s endorsement of Hillary Clinton’s opponent in the Democratic presidential primary campaign has really hit women hard," said the statement. "Women have forgiven Kennedy, stuck up for him, stood by him, hushed the fact that he was late in his support of Title IX, the ERA, the Family Leave and Medical Act to name a few."

"And now the greatest betrayal! We are repaid with his abandonment!" the statement continues. "He’s picked the new guy over us. He’s joined the list of progressive white men who can’t or won’t handle the prospect of a woman president who is Hillary Clinton."

[DoubleEdgeSword]

Of course he abandoned you, ladies. He abandoned you just like he did Mary Jo... :]

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/

I don't know what is more idiotic, the NOW statement or yours.

[LesterX]

Agreed, DES. The NOW NY Chapter's statement is beyond idiotic. As for Regis, it's pretty much a given. I award them equal points for idiocy in this case.

Fortunately, the national NOW President didn't say anything stupid:


Statement of NOW President Kim Gandy

January 28, 2008

The National Organization for Women has enormous respect and admiration for Sen. Edward Kennedy (D- Mass.). For decades Sen. Kennedy has been a friend of NOW, and a leader and fighter for women's civil and reproductive rights, and his record shows that.

Though the National Organization for Women Political Action Committee has proudly endorsed Sen. Hillary Clinton for president, we respect Sen. Kennedy's endorsement. We continue to encourage women everywhere to express their opinions and exercise their right to vote.

http://www.now.org/press/01-08/01-28.html