# Does anybody care who Ted Kennedy endorses for President? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 28, 2008, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-care-who-ted-kennedy-endorses-for-president/435379 "2008-01-28T23:17:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-care-who-ted-kennedy-endorses-for-president/435379/61 "2008-01-30T04:20:44Z")
[QUOTE=DMC] No, I don’t have you confused, as I remember you being libertarian. What probably threw me was the fact that a lot of self-proclaimed libertarians have been little more than Republicans in sheep’s clothing over the past 10-15 years or so, which always seemed stupid (or dishonest) to me. Socially conservative and fiscally liberal? Oh yeah, that’s a match. I still don’t think you’re at the top of their target list at this time (although likely more so in the general election than now), but I was wrong to assume you were a libertarian with a big “R.” I’m sorry about that. I’m still confused why the endorsement would actually sway you away from a candidate. The most it would do for me would be to get me to look closer, for good or bad. [/QUOTE] Not to get into the whole libertarian thing again, but I’ve heard a few conservative republicans say that libertarians are just liberals in disguise. And it’s socially liberal and fiscally conservative, btw (gay rights and lower taxes, baby!) I believe my original post said something about “all other factors being equal” which, of course, they aren’t. If Obama and Edwards were the current frontrunners and had an equal chance, I’d be more interested in who’s endorsing who. But if it’s Obama vs. Huckabee (? isn’t he the bible-thumper?) then it doesn’t really matter No, neither of the parties will care until the general election, somehow forgetting that we’re all watching them shoot themselves in the collective foot by tearing their fellows down in a frantic attempt to propel themselves to the top. What’s the point of endorsements, anyway? If you think Ted Kennedy is the greatest person since FDR, would his endorsement cause you to give Obama another chance? If hell froze over and Dubya threw his support behind Obama, would you feel this was a point in his favor? If you’re not entirely sure if you like Obama or Edwards better, then one suddenly was talked up by someone you don’t much care for while the other was joined by someone you respect, would that make a difference? Sorry for the disjointed and rambling post. Trying to get the kids to bed and I’m not really a big political junkie anyway. ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-care-who-ted-kennedy-endorses-for-president/435379/62 "2008-01-30T04:47:02Z")
[QUOTE=Bobotheoptimist] Not to get into the whole libertarian thing again, but I’ve heard a few conservative republicans say that libertarians are just liberals in disguise. And it’s socially liberal and fiscally conservative, btw (gay rights and lower taxes, baby!) [/QUOTE] Yes, which is why I find it stupid that many self-identified libertarians side with Republicans, considering that recent Republicans have been the exact opposite. Either way, that’s for a different debate. I agree that the endorsements shouldn’t matter, but like yourself, many people are busy doing things like putting the kids to bed, etc., and have little time to research every candidate under the sun. If an endorsement gets them to at least look more closely at a candidate, then it’s accomplished something. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-care-who-ted-kennedy-endorses-for-president/435379/63 "2008-01-30T04:49:24Z")
[QUOTE=Antinor01] In response, another [arm of the Kennedy clan](http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-kennedy29jan29,0,1618955.story) has spoken out to say they support Clinton. [/QUOTE] See? I _told_ you Hillary wanted to destroy the family! ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-care-who-ted-kennedy-endorses-for-president/435379/64 "2008-01-30T05:34:04Z")
[QUOTE=Liberal] Like \*\*BobLibDem \*\* said, it’s the Latinos. In fact, Ted has said (according to a spokesman for him on MSNBC) that he has never been so excited about an endorsement, and he’s preparing now to go to Nevada, Arizona, and California to campaign actively for Obama in the Latino community. It could make a huge difference. [/QUOTE] That was my thought. It’s not a question of “Will I vote for Obama simply because Kennedy likes him?” but rather the fact that Kennedy can go out and campaign for Obama. Kennedy is a big name and can rally more folks and, of course, get them to open their checkbooks. He can also draw the establishment Democrat crowds that Obama has more trouble with. Plus, when the primary attack against you is lack of experience, it’s a nice bulwark to have seasoned and well-known politicans saying that they see in you the potential to be a great president next year. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-care-who-ted-kennedy-endorses-for-president/435379/65 "2008-01-30T11:33:30Z")
I never buy into the “lack of experience” thing. It’s almost like people think Hillary would have an advantage because she knows where the silverware is kept. Everybody lacks exerience unless they’re running for their second term. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-care-who-ted-kennedy-endorses-for-president/435379/66 "2008-01-30T17:23:01Z")
I don’t buy it either but it’s (and will be) the well-worn meme in this race. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-care-who-ted-kennedy-endorses-for-president/435379/67 "2008-01-30T17:42:35Z")
[QUOTE=Wee Bairn] When they ask who a longtime politician is endorsing, its maybe kind of relevant as they supposedly know more about politics than the average Joe and maybe their endorsement is supposed to carry weight for that reason. … 😕 [/QUOTE] This viewpoint presupposes that any longtime politician actually has the nation’s best interests at heart, rather than his party’s interest or some obligation due to a previous backroom deal. I don’t trust longtimers. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-care-who-ted-kennedy-endorses-for-president/435379/68 "2008-01-30T18:03:57Z")
[QUOTE=Jophiel] I don’t buy it either but it’s (and will be) the well-worn meme in this race. [/QUOTE] Well then, that’s how Obama should respond when it comes up. If he times it right, he can do a Reaganesque “youth and inexperience” remark. Hillary: I bring experience to the White House that my opponent lacks. I spent eight years there, and I know the ins and outs. I can hit the ground running. I know my way around that place, and my opponent doesn’t.Obama: Well, Hillary, if I need to know where they keep the good china, I’ll give you a call. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-care-who-ted-kennedy-endorses-for-president/435379/69 "2008-01-30T18:55:13Z")
[QUOTE=Liberal] Well then, that’s how Obama should respond when it comes up. If he times it right, he can do a Reaganesque “youth and inexperience” remark. [/QUOTE] I would laugh my ass off if I heard this, but you know it would be roundly criticized as sexist. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-care-who-ted-kennedy-endorses-for-president/435379/70 "2008-01-30T21:23:02Z")
[QUOTE=Diceman] Hell, I wouldn’t take Ted Kennedy’s recommendation on which beer to buy . . . [/QUOTE] _sigh_ You really need to learn to respect – not necessarily accept, but at least respect – the opinions of seasoned experts. [David Brooks,](http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/29/opinion/29brooks.html?_r=1&oref=slogin) nobody’s idea of a liberal, thinks it really **does** matter a great deal whom Kennedy endorses. > [@](#): > > Kennedy went on to talk about the 1960s. But he didn’t talk much about the late-60s, when Bill and Hillary came to political activism. He talked about the early-60s, and the idealism of the generation that had seen World War II, the idealism of the generation that marched in jacket and ties, the idealism of a generation whose activism was relatively unmarked by drug use and self-indulgence. > > Then, in the speech’s most striking passage, he set Bill Clinton afloat on the receding tide of memory. “There was another time,” Kennedy said, “when another young candidate was running for president and challenging America to cross a New Frontier.” But, he continued, another former Democratic president, Harry Truman, said he should have patience. He said he lacked experience. John Kennedy replied: “The world is changing. The old ways will not do!” > > The audience at American University roared. It was mostly young people, and to them, the Clintons are as old as the Trumans were in 1960. And in the students’ rapture for Kennedy’s message, you began to see the folding over of generations, the service generation of John and Robert Kennedy united with the service generation of the One Campaign. The grandparents and children united against the parents. > > How could the septuagenarian Kennedy cast the younger Clintons into the past? He could do it because he evoked the New Frontier, which again seems fresh. He could do it because he himself has come to live a life of service. > > After his callow youth, Kennedy came to realize that life would not give him the chance to be president. But life did ask him to be a senator, and he has embraced that role and served that institution with more distinction than anyone else now living — as any of his colleagues, Republican or Democrat, will tell you. And he could do it because culture really does have rhythms. The respect for institutions that was prevalent during the early ’60s is prevalent with the young again today. The earnest industriousness that was common then is back today. The awareness that we are not self-made individualists, free to be you and me, but emerge as parts of networks, webs and communities; that awareness is back again today. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-care-who-ted-kennedy-endorses-for-president/435379/71 "2008-01-30T23:56:14Z")
[QUOTE=rowrrbazzle] From the press release [http://www.nownys.org/pr\_2008/pr\_011108.html](http://www.nownys.org/pr_2008/pr_011108.html) So to answer the OP, NOW-NY cares. A lot. [/QUOTE] This was before the Kennedy endorsement but…Wow, gangbang? Really? WTF? Here is something about NOW’s response to the Kennedy endorsement. [http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/stories/2008/01/29/nowkennedy\_0130.html](http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/stories/2008/01/29/nowkennedy_0130.html) I wonder what would happen if the NAACP called out all the white politicians that endorsed Hillary Clinton? ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2008, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-care-who-ted-kennedy-endorses-for-president/435379/72 "2008-01-31T00:00:37Z")
[QUOTE=athelas] You have _got_ to be kidding me. [/QUOTE] And people wonder how Rush Limbaugh ever took off. I think he calls them feminazis. ---
**Author:** ![Anomalous\_Reading](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b3f665/32.png) [@Anomalous\_Reading](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anomalous_Reading)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2008, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-care-who-ted-kennedy-endorses-for-president/435379/73 "2008-01-31T01:14:48Z")
[QUOTE=rowrrbazzle] From the press release [http://www.nownys.org/pr\_2008/pr\_011108.html](http://www.nownys.org/pr_2008/pr_011108.html) So to answer the OP, NOW-NY cares. A lot. [/QUOTE] Does anyone else see the statement they released as… ummm… more than a little ironic? ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2008, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-care-who-ted-kennedy-endorses-for-president/435379/74 "2008-01-31T05:00:45Z")
[QUOTE=IvoryTowerDenizen] Ted Kennedy is a “super delegate” which comprise nearly 20% of the delegates needed to win the nomination. Super delegates are not bound by caucauses and primaries. So, if the state belonging to a super delegate (let’s say Mass.) goes to Clinton, the super delegate from that state can still cast his vote for Obama. So, the opinion of superdelegates is important becuase it’s relevant to the final counting of delegates that is not affected by primaries/caucases. How Ted Kennedy’s opinion affects other voters and delegates is up in teh air, but knowing where these wild cards stand is not irrelevant. [/QUOTE] This is most likely the key. Kennedy’s endorsement probably doesn’t mean jack as far getting ordinary voters, but most of the superdelegates are fellow senators, representatives and Washington insiders. Kennedy still wields a great deal of power and influence there, so his endorsement probably will likely carry considerable weight among them. ---
**Author:** ![Anomalous\_Reading](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b3f665/32.png) [@Anomalous\_Reading](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anomalous_Reading)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2008, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-care-who-ted-kennedy-endorses-for-president/435379/75 "2008-01-31T23:09:44Z")
[QUOTE=Sublight] This is most likely the key. Kennedy’s endorsement probably doesn’t mean jack as far getting ordinary voters, but most of the superdelegates are fellow senators, representatives and Washington insiders. Kennedy still wields a great deal of power and influence there, so his endorsement probably will likely carry considerable weight among them. [/QUOTE] And it helped un-black Obama. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2008, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-care-who-ted-kennedy-endorses-for-president/435379/76 "2008-02-02T23:41:04Z")
Ted is a progressive who has fought for the disadvantaged ,even though he is a little wealthy. I see him on cspan and he has his heart in the right place. I have great respect for the work he does. But it does not matter to me who he endorses. I will now have to analyze why . If he sees Hillary as a tool of corporations ,I will agree with him. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2008, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-care-who-ted-kennedy-endorses-for-president/435379/77 "2008-02-03T05:20:55Z")
> [@](#): > > **ArizonaTeach** : Ted Kennedy? Pshaw…it’s Caroline Kennedy’s endorsement that seals the deal! I mean…her father was JFK! That means… > > I mean, she’s… > > Her political experience and history shows… > > What exactly? Her history shows a lifetime of exposure to the most famous political family in the country and to other wide interests which include a doctorate in law and the authorship of two books. She worked in the Senate as an office intern during the summers while she attended Harvard. After receiving her JD in law from Columbia, she co-wrote a book on the Bill of Rights and became a member of the Board of the Citizens Committee of New York City. She serves as President of the Kennedy Library Foundation and founded the libary’s Profiles in Courage awards – an award given to public officials for acts of political bravery. She was asked to chair the Democratic National Convention in 1992, but turned it down. She has actively campaigned for her Uncle for Senate and for her cousin Patrick for Congress. And she gave a speech at the U.N. on behalf of children’s rights. Other than that, she generally stays out of politics. I’m glad that she made an exception to speak out in support of Obama. She must feel that it is a matter of some importance. All of this is in addition to her primary interests which are her children and family and other civic and cultural concerns. What should she have done before she deserves to have her opinion considered? Yes, it matters to me what Senator Kennedy thinks of Obama and of the Clintons. My 95 year old mother has always said that she watches to see how he votes on things. It would take more than that to change our votes, but it does matter. It is part of what tips the scales. Those of you who delight in the “water under the bridge” joke, please consider that it is literally as old as Woodstock, Charles Manson jokes, and man’s first steps on the moon. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2008, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-care-who-ted-kennedy-endorses-for-president/435379/78 "2008-02-04T02:20:18Z")
[Maria Shriver is also endorsing Obama.](http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/02/breaking-news-m.html) ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2008, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-care-who-ted-kennedy-endorses-for-president/435379/79 "2008-02-04T03:13:30Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] [Maria Shriver is also endorsing Obama.](http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/02/breaking-news-m.html) [/QUOTE] I was there, and let me tell you, the crowd went NUTS when Michelle Obama announced her. Her endorsement is HUGE! I was standing on the floor, right up front, just a few feet from the podium. Close enough that when it was over, and the women made their handshaking rounds, I got Michelle Obama’s autograph on my ‘Women for Obama’ rally sign! I uploaded some of my pictures [here](http://www.flickr.com/photos/23298617@N05/sets/72157603844923200/). ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2008, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-care-who-ted-kennedy-endorses-for-president/435379/80 "2008-02-04T04:06:47Z")
[QUOTE=Shayna] I was there, and let me tell you, the crowd went NUTS when Michelle Obama announced her. Her endorsement is HUGE! [/QUOTE] It’s interesting, but why huge? All she is is JFK’s niece and Gov. Schwarzenegger’s wife. And **he’s** endorsing McCain. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-care-who-ted-kennedy-endorses-for-president/435379.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-care-who-ted-kennedy-endorses-for-president/435379.md?page=5)