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Monday, January 28, 2008

From the Mouth of Ted Kennedy

posted by on January 28 at 10:00 AM

With multiple Kennedy endorsements swirling around today, commenter Big Sven says:

Let me reiterate that the only Kennedy opinion that matters is Ted’s.

Well put, at least politically-speaking. Here, then, is what Big Ted had to say today at the Obama rally in Washington, D.C.:

I feel change in the air.

Every time I’ve been asked over the past year who I would support in the Democratic Primary, my answer has always been the same: I’ll 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.

I’ve found that candidate. And it looks to me like you have too.

But first, let me say how much I respect the strength, the work and dedication of two other Democrats still in the race, Hillary Clinton and John Edwards. They are my friends; they have been my colleagues in the Senate. John 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.

Let there be no doubt: We are all committed to seeing a Democratic President in 2008.

But I believe there is one candidate who has extraordinary gifts of leadership and character, matched to the extraordinary demands of this moment in history.

He understands what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called the “fierce urgency of now.”

He will be a president who refuses to be trapped in the patterns of the past. He is a leader who sees the world clearly without being cynical. He is a fighter who cares passionately about the causes he believes in, without demonizing those who hold a different view.

He is tough-minded, but he also has an uncommon capacity to appeal to “the better angels of our nature.”

I am proud to stand here today and offer my help, my voice, my energy and my commitment to make Barack Obama the next President of the United States.

Like most of the nation, I was moved four years ago as he told us a profound truth—that we are not, we must not be, just red states and blue states, but one United States. And since that time I have marveled at his grit and his grace as he traveled this country and inspired record turnouts of people of all ages, of all races, of all genders, of all parties and faiths to get “fired up” and “ready to go.”

I’ve seen him connect with people from every walk of life and with Senators on both sides of the aisle. With every person he meets, every crowd he inspires, and everyone he touches, he generates new hope that our greatest days as a nation are still ahead, and this generation of Americans, like others before us, can unite to meet our own rendezvous with destiny.

We know the true record of Barack Obama. There is the courage he showed when so many others were silent or simply went along. From the beginning, he opposed the war in Iraq.

And let no one deny that truth.

More thinly-veiled Clinton hits, lots of talk about young people, and a comparison to John F. Kennedy in the jump…

There is the great intelligence of someone who could have had a glittering career in corporate law, but chose instead to serve his community and then enter public life.

There is the tireless skill of a Senator who was there in the early mornings to help us hammer out a needed compromise on immigration reform— who always saw a way to protect both national security and the dignity of people who do not have a vote. For them, he was a voice for justice.

And there is the clear effectiveness of Barack Obama in fashioning legislation to put high quality teachers in our classrooms—and in pushing and prodding the Senate to pass the most far-reaching ethics reform in its history.

Now, with Barack Obama, there is a new national leader who has given America a different kind of campaign—a campaign not just about himself, but about all of us. A campaign about the country we will become, if we can rise above the old politics that parses us into separate groups and puts us at odds with one another.

I remember another such time, in the 1960s, when I came to the Senate at the age of 30. We had a new president who inspired the nation, especially the young, to seek a new frontier. Those inspired young people marched, sat in at lunch counters, protested the war in Vietnam and served honorably in that war even when they opposed it.

They realized that when they asked what they could do for their country, they could change the world.

It was the young who led the first Earth Day and issued a clarion call to protect the environment; the young who enlisted in the cause of civil rights and equality for women; the young who joined the Peace Corps and showed the world the hopeful face of America.

At the fifth anniversary celebration of the Peace Corps, I asked one of those young Americans why they had volunteered.

And I will never forget the answer: “It was the first time someone asked me to do something for my country.”

This is another such time.

I sense the same kind of yearning today, the same kind of hunger to move on and move America forward. I see it not just in young people, but in all our people.

And in Barack Obama, I see not just the audacity, but the possibility of hope for the America that is yet to be.

What counts in our leadership is not the length of years in Washington, but the reach of our vision, the strength of our beliefs, and that rare quality of mind and spirit that can call forth the best in our country and our people.

With Barack Obama, we will turn the page on the old politics of misrepresentation and distortion.

With Barack Obama, we will close the book on the old politics of race against race, gender against gender, ethnic group against ethnic group, and straight against gay.

With Barack Obama, we will close the door on the old economics that has written off the poor and left the middle class poorer and less secure.

He offers a strategy for prosperity—so that America will once again lead the world in better standards of life.

With Barack Obama, we will break the old gridlock and finally make health care what it should be in America—a fundamental right for all, not just an expensive privilege for the few.

We will make the United States the great leader and not the great roadblock in the fateful fight against global warming.

And with Barack Obama, we will end a war in Iraq that he has always stood against, that has cost us the lives of thousands of our sons and daughters, and that America never should have fought.

I have seen him in the Senate. He will keep us strong and defend the nation against real threats of terrorism and proliferation.

So let us reject the counsels of doubt and calculation.

Let us remember that when Franklin Roosevelt envisioned Social Security, he didn’t decide—no, it was too ambitious, too big a dream, too hard.

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.

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.

I love this country. I believe in the bright light of hope and possibility. I always have, even in the darkest hours. I know what America can achieve. I’ve seen it. I’ve lived it—and with Barack Obama, we can do it again.

I know that he’s ready to be President on day one. And when he raises his hand on Inauguration Day, at that very moment, we will lift the spirits of our nation and begin to restore America’s standing in the world.

There was another time, when another young candidate was running for President and challenging America to cross a New Frontier. He faced public criticism from the preceding Democratic President, who was widely respected in the party. Harry Truman said we needed “someone with greater experience”—and added: “May I urge you to be patient.” And John Kennedy replied: “The world is changing. The old ways will not do…It is time for a new generation of leadership.”

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.

RSS icon Comments

1

Geez, Eli. I like Obama too, but you don't need to turn the Slog into his PR office. Besides, you might inadvertently goad ECB into posting a half-baked anti-Obama screed again.

Now I wonder who the Stranger is going to endorse ...

Posted by tsm | January 28, 2008 10:14 AM
2

This pretty much summarizes my reasons for supporting Obama. Tired paeans about "the first woman president" aside, she is the candidate of the political machine, and to assume that one is going to get change from that is dangerously naive at best.

Posted by bma | January 28, 2008 10:14 AM
3

Every time we compare JFK to Obama, I think of his assassination.

In Dude Where's My Country?, Moore wrote about how David Palmer, the black president on 24 had prepared the real America to have a real black president. He might be right. Of course, David Palmer assassinated also.

Posted by Notecarder | January 28, 2008 10:20 AM
4

Yeah, I admit, that this was a big blow for the Clinton campaign. But ultimately, I still believe that Clinton will win the nom.

Apparently there's talk that Clinton is getting a lot of pressure to put Obama on the ticket if she gets a nom, so now I also have renewed hope that it will be Clinton/Obama '08.

Posted by arduous | January 28, 2008 10:21 AM
5

Every time we compare JFK to Obama, I think of his assassination.

In Dude Where's My Country?, Moore wrote about how David Palmer, the black president on 24 had prepared the real America to have a real black president. He might be right.

Of course, David Palmer was eventually assassinated as well.

Posted by Notecarder | January 28, 2008 10:21 AM
6

Patrick Kennedy's opinion actually does count for something, as he is a super-delegate for Rhode Island. He's for Obama

Posted by marie | January 28, 2008 10:22 AM
7

@3, I thought le Kiefer saved him from imminent assassination?

Posted by arduous | January 28, 2008 10:23 AM
8

It's about now that Sen Clinton is realizing that she really needs to buy a leash for her husband.

But it's still too late.

Posted by Will in Seattle | January 28, 2008 10:23 AM
9

Nay, Palmer was shot several seasons later.

Posted by Notcarder | January 28, 2008 10:25 AM
10

Nevermind. But seriously, how can you argue that a super delegate's vote doesn't matter?

Posted by marie | January 28, 2008 10:25 AM
11

@7 he gets assassinated as an ex-president in a later season, 5 i think

Posted by vooodooo84 | January 28, 2008 10:26 AM
12

@8, eh. One thing I've learnt this campaign season is that it's never too late for pretty much anything. This race is wide, wide open.

Posted by arduous | January 28, 2008 10:29 AM
13

@10 presumably if the rank-and-file dems line up behind Obama and give him a clear majority of regular delegates, the super-delegates will want to do the politically expedient thing and back the actual choice of the people rather then the back room deals that Clinton set up.

still unlikely unless Obama is a clear winner

Posted by vooodooo84 | January 28, 2008 10:30 AM
14

I can hear the gears turning in Teddy's pickled brain now:

"I feel change in the air. It is time to break away from the political machinations and dynasties of the past. Er-uh... oops, let me start again ...

I feel change in the air. Family dynasties are a good thing. Er-uh ... no that doesn't work either ..."

Posted by Mahtli69 | January 28, 2008 10:31 AM
15

Should Clinton win the nomination, Obama gains nothing by associating himself with her, especially, as is likely, McCain beats her like a gong.

Posted by 1/20/2009 Truth | January 28, 2008 10:35 AM
16

We Democrats are up to our usual hobby of stealing defeat from the jaws of victory. The Kennedy's are welcome to their own opinions. One doesn't have to be against Obama to support Hillary or vice versa. I can tell you without a doubt that Obama, although popular, will not be able to win in November. Several of the Blue state are light blue at best and the average voter is going to have a difficult time voting for what many of them consider an "uppity, black man" named Barak Hussein Obama. I was once young and naive, and a delegate for Jesse Jackson in '88. I now see that the Democrat's only hope of winning is a moderate like Hillary. That is why the Republican's hate her and Bill so strongly and vocally. They realize that the Clinton's are a much bigger threat than the Obamas and the Kennedys.

Posted by Brian in Houston | January 28, 2008 10:35 AM
17

@#1: I'm a committed Obamamerican, but really, it's not being a PR person to report the news fully, and it's nice to read more than a few choice "bytes" of a speech by a legend in politics, regardless of what political stripe. If the speech were in support of Hillary or Edwards or Gravel, whatever, I'd like to see it all.

Thanks for the full entry, Eli.

Posted by Andy Niable | January 28, 2008 10:36 AM
18

@7 (spoiler) -- there was an assassination plot against David Palmer in Season One, when he was a candidate for the presidency, that was foiled by Jack, which set Bauer up to be the President's favorite lunatic rogue agent. At the end of Season Two, Palmer was infected via handshake with some kind of biotoxin. He recovered, but opted not to run for a second term in Season 3. In Season 4, Palmer stepped in to help his crappy successor. He was shot by a sniper in his apartment at the beginning of Season 5. At the beginning of Season 6 (last season), David Palmer's brother, Wayne Palmer, was President.

Posted by Previously on 24 | January 28, 2008 10:36 AM
19

Rezko's trial on extortion and fraud charges comes up 2/25. Obama received campaign funds from Rezko from sham finders fees paid to a firm to handle state teachers pension investments. Obama's name comes up in the indictment as an unnamed candidate.

Keep your fingers crossed

Posted by neo-realist | January 28, 2008 10:37 AM
20

@1 - Printing these remarks isn't turning Slog into Obama's PR office. I'm sure if Kennedy had decided to support HRC, Eli would print those remarks too. This is relevant political news no matter who he chose to support.

Posted by Hernandez | January 28, 2008 10:38 AM
21

A Kennedy endorsment is not always a "good" thing.

Posted by A non E Mouse | January 28, 2008 10:41 AM
22

@17,20 - I'm referring primarily to the quantity of Obama posting today; I don't think we don't need a new post here noting every new high-profile Obama supporter.

Posted by tsm | January 28, 2008 10:41 AM
23

I'm sure that if anyone was making newsworthy speeches about Hillary Clinton today, the Stranger would publish those, too. Unfortunately for Clinton, that's not the case. This is devastating, absolutely devastating, for her standing amongst Latino voters and committed Democrats.

Posted by Trey | January 28, 2008 10:45 AM
24

Better to be endorsed now by Kennedy than in the general, when you're looking for a swing voter. Ted Kennedy isn't exactly the great unifier.

Posted by superyeadon | January 28, 2008 10:46 AM
25

I like seeing political speeches in their entirety. It's sad that so much of our discussion is constrained to pre-selected sound bites. Many times I've been listening to somebody's half-assed rantings and I could tell they had only heard the bites and the money quotes. Often you can completely turn somebody around if you can just get them to read an entire speech and get themselves a little context.

Posted by elenchos | January 28, 2008 10:55 AM
26

@18. Oh. I stopped watching after season 2.

Posted by arduous | January 28, 2008 10:59 AM
27

who gives a fuck about some stale, tiresome TV show .....

dear hot house children, the drama is in front of you noses

start iving in the action packed , over the top, REAL world

in you 70ies you can stare at the tube all day, cause you will forget it all by the next day

Posted by Larkin | January 28, 2008 11:14 AM
28

I can tell you without a doubt that Clinton, actively hated by so many, will not be able to win in November. Several of the Blue states are light blue at best and the average voter is going to have a difficult time voting for what many of them consider a "bossy white bitch" named Hillary Rodham Clinton. I was once young and watched Jesse Jackson earn the eternal enmity of mainstream Democrats by getting his delegates seated in the place of the duly elected ones I had voted for, in 1972. I now see that the Democrats' only hope of winning is not an uninspiring moderate like Hillary, Kerry, Gore, Dukakis, or Mondale, but an inspirational leader like Bill, Reagan, or JFK. The Republicans hate her so strongly and vocally because she embodies the nanny state, having once said, "We have to take things from you for your own good." They realize that Hillary is a much bigger threat to freedom than the Obamas and the Kennedys.

On the corruption front, Norman Hsu is Hillary's Rezko

Posted by obama fo yo mama | January 28, 2008 11:19 AM
29

this is the first well-put, substantial statement of why one should support obama that i've heard. it's not enough to sway me, but at least someone finally made some sense as to why people support the guy, beyond "he makes me feel good." i'll be ok with the world if he wins, but i'll still be caucusing for hillary on feb. 9.

Posted by kim | January 28, 2008 11:20 AM
30

oh man, this post has got to burn sven right up.

Posted by some dude | January 28, 2008 11:44 AM
31

Well, Sven's still stuck waiting for his bus. It's kind of not quite where it needs to be, kind of like a GOP economy plan.

Posted by Will in Seattle | January 28, 2008 11:55 AM
32

#28 you do a wonderful job of using every point I made to prove your own. Well done! I would however like to point out that I was able to make my point without personally attacking Obama. I support Hillary 100 % but I can support her and still like Obama. Although remarks such as yours from the Obama camp is starting to make that increasingly more difficult.
Like it or not there is at least a 50/50 chance that HRC will win the nomination and you will be given a choice between her and "support the war, regardless of the lies" McCain. So please remember to make your words sweet as you may have to eat them soon....

Posted by Brian in Texas | January 28, 2008 11:59 AM
33

Kennedy endorsements are 2 for 1 while we stack them deep and sell them cheap...
Limited time offer not to be confused with something that will actually make a difference....

Posted by Anon E Mouse | January 28, 2008 1:20 PM
34

@18, you're drinking Hillary's Kool-Aid. She may get the nomination, but she has less than ZERO chance of winning in November against John McCain. She has proved repeatedly in the primaries that she cannot win independents. Now her race-baiting and swiftboating has alienated half the left and the black community and depressed the turnout of both for her in November. The last thing the country wants is four more years of Bill Clinton! And the past two weeks have made crystal clear that Hillary cannot control him. He's even more out of control now than when he was in the White House. Hillary supports are so breathtakingly naive in underestimating the degree to which a huge proportion of the American people - Republicans, independents, and even some Dems - just can't stand the Clintons. The choice is to nominate Obama and hope he can win in November, of nominate Hillary and have no doubt that McCain (or whomever) will win in November. @15 is exactly right. What the heck does Obama have to gain from following Billary around like a poodle for a half-year? If she gets the nomination, Obama should immediately focus on unseating McCain in 2012.

Posted by Steve | January 28, 2008 5:53 PM

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