lily
01-29-2008, 03:42 AM
I have to say, whithout trying to sound over dramatic, that when I watched this live this afternoon, I felt like I was watching history in the making. I have to admit that I'm feeling something that I haven't felt in a long time and that is passion for a candidate.......and it feels good. (http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/28/kennedy.obama/index.html?eref=rss_topstories)
Kennedy: 'It's time now for Barack Obama'
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Edward Kennedy backed Sen. Barack Obama for
president Monday, saying, "It is time again for a new generation of
leadership."
.
"It is time now for Barack Obama," the Massachusetts senator and brother of
the late President Kennedy added.
He stood with Obama, his son, Rep. Patrick Kennedy, and his niece, Caroline
Kennedy, before a screaming capacity crowd of students at American
University in Washington.
"Like you, we want a president who appeals to the hopes of those who still
believe in the American dream," he said.
"I've found that candidate. And it looks to me like you have too," he said.
Watch Kennedy compare Obama to JFK »
After Kennedy spoke, Obama told the boisterous crowed: "I know what your
support means. I know the cherished place the Kennedy family holds in the
hearts of the American people."
The Illinois Democrat said he would work to carry on the vision the
senator's brother laid out when he was president nearly five decades ago.
"The dream has never died ... it lives on in those Americans, young and old,
rich and poor, black and white, Latino and Asian and Native American, gay
and straight, who are tired of a politics that divides us and want to
recapture the sense of common purpose that we had when John Kennedy was
president of the United States of America," Obama said.
"That is the dream we hold in our hearts," Obama said. "That is the kind of
leadership we long for in this country. And that is the kind of leadership I
intend to offer as president of the United States of America."
Kennedy said he has always planned to "support the candidate who inspires
me, who inspires all of us, who can lift our vision and summon our hopes and
renew our belief that our country's best days are still to come." Watch
Obama explain why Kennedy decided to endorse him »
Kennedy praised Sen. Hillary Clinton and former Sen. John Edwards, saying
Edwards "has been a powerful advocate for economic and social justice. And
Hillary Clinton has been in the forefront on issues ranging from health care
to the rights of women around the world.
"Whoever is our nominee will have my enthusiastic support," he said.
But he also took a line from Clinton's campaign, saying Obama "is ready to
be president on Day 1."
In what may have been a veiled swipe at Clinton, Kennedy said of Obama,
"From the beginning, he opposed the war in Iraq. And let no one deny that
truth."
Clinton has pointed to various statements Obama has made about Iraq,
suggesting he has not been consistent -- an accusation he has denied.
Kennedy -- a fixture of the Democratic Party popular with many liberals --
was introduced by Caroline Kennedy, who spoke of her father, the slain
president. She said Obama offers the "sense of hope and inspiration" that
Americans today need. In fact, she said, her children "were the first people
who made me realize that Barack Obama is the president we need."
The New York Times reported Monday that Sen. Kennedy endorsed Obama despite
pleas from the Clinton camp to remain neutral in the Democratic race.
The Massachusetts senator decided to endorse Obama after becoming concerned
about the often-bitter campaigning involving former President Clinton before
Saturday's South Carolina primary, which Obama won, the newspaper reported.
The Times said Kennedy was angry the former president had introduced what he
felt were racial themes into the campaign and that Bill Clinton had made
misleading statements about Obama, matters Kennedy and Clinton discussed
during two heated telephone conversations earlier this month.
Caroline Kennedy endorsed Obama in a weekend New York Times editorial.
Members of the Kennedy clan are split in the race. Former Maryland Lt. Gov.
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend issued a statement Sunday stating her support for
Clinton.
"I respect Caroline and Teddy's decision, but I have made a different
choice," she said. "While I admire Sen. Obama greatly, I have known Hillary
Clinton for over 25 years and have seen firsthand how she gets results. As a
woman, leader and person of deep convictions, I believe Hillary Clinton
would make the best possible choice for president."
She added that her brother Bobby and sister Kerry are also backing Clinton.
Kennedy Townsend is the oldest child of Robert F. Kennedy.
Sen. Kennedy's decision to endorse Obama could help Obama's campaign as he
seeks momentum toward Super Tuesday on February 5, when 22 states and
American Samoa will weigh in on the Democratic race. In polls, Obama has
trailed Clinton nationally.
Obama, coming off the South Carolina victory, has been seeking to expand his
support nationwide. He won that state with the help of a large majority of
African-American voters, while most white voters supported Clinton or
Edwards.
Sen. Kennedy spoke enthusiastically, interrupted by frequent applause from
the young crowd.
"When John Kennedy thought of going to the moon, he didn't say no, it was
too far, maybe we couldn't get there and shouldn't even try," he said.
"I am convinced we can reach our goals only if we are not petty when our
cause is so great -- only if we find a way past the stale ideas and
stalemate of our times -- only if we replace the politics of fear with the
politics of hope -- and only if we have the courage to choose change.
"Barack Obama is the one person running for president who can bring us that
change. Barack Obama is the one person running for president who can be that
change."
Kennedy: 'It's time now for Barack Obama'
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Edward Kennedy backed Sen. Barack Obama for
president Monday, saying, "It is time again for a new generation of
leadership."
.
"It is time now for Barack Obama," the Massachusetts senator and brother of
the late President Kennedy added.
He stood with Obama, his son, Rep. Patrick Kennedy, and his niece, Caroline
Kennedy, before a screaming capacity crowd of students at American
University in Washington.
"Like you, we want a president who appeals to the hopes of those who still
believe in the American dream," he said.
"I've found that candidate. And it looks to me like you have too," he said.
Watch Kennedy compare Obama to JFK »
After Kennedy spoke, Obama told the boisterous crowed: "I know what your
support means. I know the cherished place the Kennedy family holds in the
hearts of the American people."
The Illinois Democrat said he would work to carry on the vision the
senator's brother laid out when he was president nearly five decades ago.
"The dream has never died ... it lives on in those Americans, young and old,
rich and poor, black and white, Latino and Asian and Native American, gay
and straight, who are tired of a politics that divides us and want to
recapture the sense of common purpose that we had when John Kennedy was
president of the United States of America," Obama said.
"That is the dream we hold in our hearts," Obama said. "That is the kind of
leadership we long for in this country. And that is the kind of leadership I
intend to offer as president of the United States of America."
Kennedy said he has always planned to "support the candidate who inspires
me, who inspires all of us, who can lift our vision and summon our hopes and
renew our belief that our country's best days are still to come." Watch
Obama explain why Kennedy decided to endorse him »
Kennedy praised Sen. Hillary Clinton and former Sen. John Edwards, saying
Edwards "has been a powerful advocate for economic and social justice. And
Hillary Clinton has been in the forefront on issues ranging from health care
to the rights of women around the world.
"Whoever is our nominee will have my enthusiastic support," he said.
But he also took a line from Clinton's campaign, saying Obama "is ready to
be president on Day 1."
In what may have been a veiled swipe at Clinton, Kennedy said of Obama,
"From the beginning, he opposed the war in Iraq. And let no one deny that
truth."
Clinton has pointed to various statements Obama has made about Iraq,
suggesting he has not been consistent -- an accusation he has denied.
Kennedy -- a fixture of the Democratic Party popular with many liberals --
was introduced by Caroline Kennedy, who spoke of her father, the slain
president. She said Obama offers the "sense of hope and inspiration" that
Americans today need. In fact, she said, her children "were the first people
who made me realize that Barack Obama is the president we need."
The New York Times reported Monday that Sen. Kennedy endorsed Obama despite
pleas from the Clinton camp to remain neutral in the Democratic race.
The Massachusetts senator decided to endorse Obama after becoming concerned
about the often-bitter campaigning involving former President Clinton before
Saturday's South Carolina primary, which Obama won, the newspaper reported.
The Times said Kennedy was angry the former president had introduced what he
felt were racial themes into the campaign and that Bill Clinton had made
misleading statements about Obama, matters Kennedy and Clinton discussed
during two heated telephone conversations earlier this month.
Caroline Kennedy endorsed Obama in a weekend New York Times editorial.
Members of the Kennedy clan are split in the race. Former Maryland Lt. Gov.
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend issued a statement Sunday stating her support for
Clinton.
"I respect Caroline and Teddy's decision, but I have made a different
choice," she said. "While I admire Sen. Obama greatly, I have known Hillary
Clinton for over 25 years and have seen firsthand how she gets results. As a
woman, leader and person of deep convictions, I believe Hillary Clinton
would make the best possible choice for president."
She added that her brother Bobby and sister Kerry are also backing Clinton.
Kennedy Townsend is the oldest child of Robert F. Kennedy.
Sen. Kennedy's decision to endorse Obama could help Obama's campaign as he
seeks momentum toward Super Tuesday on February 5, when 22 states and
American Samoa will weigh in on the Democratic race. In polls, Obama has
trailed Clinton nationally.
Obama, coming off the South Carolina victory, has been seeking to expand his
support nationwide. He won that state with the help of a large majority of
African-American voters, while most white voters supported Clinton or
Edwards.
Sen. Kennedy spoke enthusiastically, interrupted by frequent applause from
the young crowd.
"When John Kennedy thought of going to the moon, he didn't say no, it was
too far, maybe we couldn't get there and shouldn't even try," he said.
"I am convinced we can reach our goals only if we are not petty when our
cause is so great -- only if we find a way past the stale ideas and
stalemate of our times -- only if we replace the politics of fear with the
politics of hope -- and only if we have the courage to choose change.
"Barack Obama is the one person running for president who can bring us that
change. Barack Obama is the one person running for president who can be that
change."