Barack Obama won the endorsement of the two biggest Kennedys of all, Ted and Caroline, but he cannot claim to have the whole clan in his pocket. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend (in photo), Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Kerry Kennedy — children of the late Robert Kennedy — endorsed Hillary Clinton in a forceful Los Angeles Times commentary as the “strongest candidate for our party and our country†and someone “battle-tested, resilient and sure-footed.â€
They went on: “Her measured rhetoric, political savvy and pragmatism shield the heart of our nation’s most determined and most democratic warrior.â€
69 Comments
Something is screwed up, yet again, with this blog. Can’t post anything on the open thread.
Obama once said that he would raise the minimum wage to $10.00 an hour.
That convinced me that he doesn’t know what he’s doing.
Is the blog working this a.m.?
Isn’t that special…
At least Hillary doesn’t propose raising the minimum wage to $10 an hour like Obama does. He has no sense of the real world and will say anything to get elected.
?
Folks, I believe the comments are working again. I apologize for the glitch. We had a spam filter go nuts and eat everyone’s comments.
Obviously, we’re still working out some kinks in the Wordpress system, and we are very appreciative of your patience as we work to stabilize and perfect the new system.
- Nick Jungman, Kansas.com
“strongest candidate for our party and our country” and someone “battle-tested, resilient and sure-footed.”
Isn’t that special…
Well, seeing as whoever the nominee is will have to go up against the Limbaugh et.al. hate crowd being battle tested might not be bad. Of course, with McCain the likely candidate on the GOP side it will be lots of fun watching what Rush and others over there do.
I’ve picked a side, and I’m standing by it now. I can’t believe I’m not voting for the first woman presidential candidate, but it just doesn’t feel right to me right now. I really think Obama can start to heal this country that is so battle fatigued, not just from the war, but from 16 years of petty squabbling and bickering, stolen elections, impeachments, and on and on.
Gee who might be the best to counteract the hateful, mighty right wing wurlitzer?
Hillary, who’s successfully fought them for years? Or Obama and his childish “cant we all get along here” DLC spin tailor made by Pelosi and Reid?
Check out Obama’s girl sebelius’ SOTU response, and the national reaction to it. Then tell me, do you want someone who can REALLY change what’s gone on the last seven years?
Or a softy newbie with stars in his eyes and the “strength” of governor “leadership” at his back?
I know who I’d pick…
I’m tellin’ ya, electing Obama would be like putting Pelosi and Reid in the White House.
And we all see how well THAT worked out when we put them in charge of congress…
With Edwards dropping out, I think I’ll caucus for HillBillY, but Obama’s a very close second.
“I really think Obama can start to heal this country that is so battle fatigued, not just from the war, but from 16 years of petty squabbling and bickering, stolen elections, impeachments, and on and on.”
And exactly HOW do you think obama will do that?
Maybe he can get Donnie McClurkin and Kirbyjon Cauldwell to help?
Or maybe.. he can do it with pretty words like “can we all get along here”?
heh. HEHEH. HEE HEEE HEEEEEE. HEHEHEHEHEHHEHEEHEHHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHHEHEHEEHEHE!
Oh yeah. That ought to stop those right wing meanies DEAD in their tracks.
Like I said, putting obama up against the wingnut machine would be like putting pelosi and reid in charge of congress.
And we’ve all seen how THAT DLC move worked…
hee hee hee hee!
And seriously TDT, HOW do you think obama’s gonna keep the republicans at bay and change things for the better. Not what he promises, but HOW will he do it?
Obama. “born to be mild”
He might get his changes/healing done through getting the masses behind him. Repub. pols. especially love their jobs.
Looks like nick’s work is not done yet…
Second that kfg.
Make Obama ambassador to the GOP. He likes them so much.
Heh, sebelius turned off democrats with her “let’s play nice” crap.
How do you REALLY think that will work with republicans sore from a butt kicking? This post is no big deal, but read the comments. These are democrats who VOTE!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389×2783495
Inspirationally, Obama’s the best candidate, realistically, I’d say Hill.
That’s right phantom. If pretty words were all it took, we’d elect Maya Angelou president.
And since this appears to be the only thread working…
This cant HELP but benefit all democrats in November.
Exactly how many times will the Fed do the same things over and over and expect different results?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080130/ap_on_bi_ge/fed_interest_rates
Farmie,
From that link, not trying to sharp shoot, just honestly curious…
“The problem is the entire system of governance. Capitalism is antithetical to democracy. If it wasn’t the DLC some other corporate entity would come along and fill the same corporate role. It’s capitalism, not one bad organization.”
What would they replace capitalism with?
test
What would they replace capitalism with?
A meat substitute.
Soy Socialism or perhaps Vegan Veggies.
KFGrrl, JR et al.
Obama can do nothing on his own.
Just like Bush could do nothing on his own.
But he can mobilize PEOPLE to support his programs and put pressure on their elected officials to support them too.
When was the last time you heard Republican voters and Independent voters say, “I really like this Democratic candidate” or “I want to change my registration so I can vote for this Democratic candidate in the primary”?
I haven’t seen it in my lifetime. In fact, the last time it happened, people were changing their registration so they could vote for REAGAN.
Voters are hungry for Obama’s message, and that’s why his campaign has caught fire while the “inevitable” front-runner of Hillary Clinton, the most divisive and polarizing candidate ever and darling of the big money politics as usual, is having to fight a rear-guard action.
You want a confrontational “take no prisoners” populist?
I think we can do better than a reverse image of George WMD Bush, and besides, Hugo Chavez isn’t a US citizen . . .
Sorry Capn.
THe Dems are gonna lose all the same people who voted for Nader in 2000 AND a good chunk more of passionate Democratic voters.
If you think he makes up for it with converts from the squishy middle it’s probably a wash numberswise.
Obama talks of working with people who are my enemies and in so doing gives the back of his hand to people I call friends. I don’t abandon my friends.
You’re assuming those “enemies” will still be there after Nov 2008.
The voters still aren’t done kicking Neo-Con ass yet, JR, far from it.
Obama’s the perfect catalyst to motivate people to get involved and kick the reich-wing out.
You can catch more flies with sugar than with $h*t sometimes . . .
people who are my enemies
Americans are your enemies. Outstanding JR. What a sunny disposition you have. Or is that a Sunni disposition?
Dream on captain. If you think the rank and file repukes are just gonna swoon over obama’s pretty words and beat their swords into plowshears…
I have some irrigated land to sell that I’d like you to see!
The repukes get away with what they do because their voterss support it. For crying out loud, if I didnt know better, I’d think you never read here.
You think the wingnuts here are not representative of republican voters at large? Really? Is that why the senate is so divided? The nation so divided?
The right wing spin machine will eat obama alive, and give his still beating heart to halliburton and blackwater for dessert.
They are not gonna roll over and play dead captain, just because obama and sebelius say “please, pretty please?”
They have a hell of a lot invested in the status quo. It’s going to take an experienced fighter to wrest control of the power levers from them.
And like I said before, look how well Pelosi and Reid have done in reigning in the wingnuts. They are DLC through and through. So are obama and sebelius.
SO…. I gotta ask… how’s THAT working for us?
…and right on cue, an example of sebelius and how triangulation works. I think I should start calling her governor “wishy washy”.
I called it early on. She would find a way to get this Holcomb plant built, save her relationship with Hays, and still manage to come out of it looking clean and smelling like a rose.
And THIS is who you want to be one heart beat away from the presidency?
http://www.kansas.com/business/updates/story/296576.html
Make no mistake. It’s got sebelius’ fingerprints all over it.
Governor Compromise.
Yeah, she and obama are THE ones to bring the repukes to heel…
Before I can take a gamble, I have to have a margin in my budget. Our nation does not have a margin in terms of our infastructure, our national spirit, or on anything really. Thus, I am inclined to go with known quantities rather than experiment with someone untested.
But, I do keep teetering back and forth.
I’ve never been to a caucus. How do they work [sic]? My tax lady is coming the 5th, so I can’t spend all night at the caucus.
Republicans are Republicans first, conservatives second, rotten bast54ds third, and Americans…. um…maybe fourth there sol.
I cite how they treat Ron Paul.
They are NOT to be worked with. They are to be worked OVER.
… and they wonder why democrats have the “wimp” stink all over them…
I agree Steven. I think Obama is “inspirational enough” but when it comes to changing the nation…
I’d prefer a battle hardened, smart and experience leader.
I mean, if KU really wants to win a football game, do they put the cheerleaders on the field? Or the tough and experienced A team?
you decide…
Perhaps obama could do his inspirational schtick from the VP chair? That way he could watch and learn and get some experience fighting the wingnuts before taking the big chair 8 years from now.
To continue the football analogy, I’d send in the Clinton A team for eight years to soften up the wingnuts, then let obama move in and clean up with his inspirational rhetoric.
AFTER the repukes had the stuffin’ kicked out of them.
I mean really, how MANY times to the democrats want to be Charlie Brown to the republican’s Lucy in kicking the ball.
I guess you think the republicans REALLY will play nice this time? heheheheh.
See also: pelosi and reid….
I’m reposting this from last night:
Got off the phone with a “Tiahrt Town Hall” meeting.
1st caller–Old guy: No GD amnesty for those stinking Mexicans!
Thank you, Jesus Jr. “For what you do unto the least of these, ye do unto me.”
Unless they’re Mexicans, of course.
2nd caller–New geeser: Todd, go to 78mpg.com. Government is to blame for not letting engineers market a gasoline VAPOR engine that gets 100 mpg. All the patents were bought by big oil companies.
Say, science idiot. Gasoline doesn’t burn. Only gasoline VAPOR does. That’s why it’s turned into vapor in a carburator (or now fuel-injection) system.
Not only that, Mr. Logic, why is government responsible for technology that is bought by big business?
3rd caller–Whiny female: I’m a baby boomer whose kids are grown up. Why does everybody have their hand in MY POCKET for education for THEIR kids. We paid our dues. Enough taking from me to give to them.
Dear Dumbbeyotch, who paid for your kids when they were going to school? For that matter, who paid for YOU back when “butter” was a food group?
And nothing ruins the value of one’s biggest assest, one’s HOUSE, faster than bad neighborhood schools.
So if you want your house’s value to fall to about 1/2 of what it is now, go with the “I shouldn’t have to pay taxes for your kid” idea.
Not only is it unconscionable; it’s also bad economics.
4th caller–younger female: I like the idea of people who have kids getting more money with the stimulus package. But won’t this make welfare moms want to have more kids so they can make more money?
Dear Mrs. Limbaugh, you are nucking futs.
******
At this point, I had had enough and hung up.
But this is why I support Obama. I think it’s possible that he can get a majority of Americans to see themselves as part of a society (again) in which we all sink or swim dependending on our cooperation with each other.
The RePukes preach “individuality” so they can divide and conquer us on issues like gay marriage, illegal immigration, health care (”I got mine, so screw you”) and everything else . . .
Everybody’s so interested in climbing over the back of their supine neighbors, they feel they have to pull them down to get ahead.
Wrong.
We can only go forward together. That’s why FDR said this: “In our personal ambitions we are individualists. But in our seeking for economic and political progress as a nation, we all go up or else all go down as one people.”
So captain, how is obama gonna do it?
With inspirational speeches?
hehehehehehhehehehehehhehee….
MAYA for president!
I dont hear you touting any of obama’s solid plans for change. Just “vote for me and hope for the best” inspirational rhetoric.
Do you REALLY think the repukes are just gonna swoon over his words and good looks?
I mean, did you LISTEN to what you just posted? That fifty percent or so of the voters you cited are just waiting for the right words? The right inspiration to change their politics?
Jesus WEPT captain. If I didnt like you so much I’d flame yer ass… heheheheh. :)
“That’s why FDR said this: “In our personal ambitions we are individualists. But in our seeking for economic and political progress as a nation, we all go up or else all go down as one people.”
I agree with those words. Whole heartedly.
And I see how well those “words” have worked for the last seventy or so years to bring us to the economic shit hole, the two americas we have today.
But keep on believing the power of those “inspirational” words…
Someone once said “the race does not always go to the swift and the strong, but that’s DAMN SURE HOW YOU BET YOUR MONEY!”
With a nod to Steven!
Or to quote someone else…
Speak softly and carry a big stick.
I say let obama speak softly from the VP chair while Hillary uses a BIG stick to change the direction of this country.
And btw… Hillary has said the most important thing is to get a Democrat in the White House and that she would support the nominee.
Still waiting for obama to say the same.
Or will this self styled “uniter” pick up his marbles and go home to pout if he doesnt win?
I’d sure like to hear him also say he’s gonna support the nominee no matter what.
It’s what he’s asking of the rest of us, no?
1. King didn’t have much more than “inspirational words” either, but it killed Jim Crow.
2. Obama has a lot more than “inspirational words.” He has pledged that everyone will have access to universal health care (without “pre-existing condition” BS) by the end of his first term, for instance.
“I’d sure like to hear him also say he’s gonna support the nominee no matter what.
“It’s what he’s asking of the rest of us, no?”
No, it’s not.
I haven’t decided to vote for Hillary if she is the nominee.
I haven’t seen any evidence that she would be less of a corporate-shill and status quoist than McCain for instance.
And speaking of waiting to hear something, I’m still waiting to hear Hillary say she was wrong to vote in favor of Bush’s war.
“Jesus WEPT captain. If I didnt like you so much I’d flame yer ass… ”
PHEWWW!! I’d rather fight a Wokalar or kiss a Gondarf before I’d want an ‘ole fashioned ass-flaming! And then it makes you walk real funny. No way…
Why should anyone care who the Kennedy’s endorse? Only Senator Ted is worth mentioning. Even then only hardcore leftists would even care about his endorsement.
It is a fair criticism of Hillary that she is in bed with the same corporate people as the Republicans are. But it is not an either/or question on business vs. government. Bill showed us a president can shrink the deficit and grow the economy.
Fair taxation on the weatlhy is what it takes – cue up, wingnuts screams of pain.
Is Bill’s history part of Hillary’s legacy? That is a fair and relatively unknown question. But a question no one seems to be posing. Then there is also the question, will Bill be our hidden president? – Cheney, anyone?
Sorry, I know this is OT, but because I posted the link about the Holcomb plant sell out, er, compromise, I’m going to post this here.
Oh yeah. They are NOT expecting an announcement from governor leadership about Holcomb. I guess that’s why she’s coming all the way out to Hays to present a couple of local awards when Parkinson was scheduled to do it first.
Uh huh. You bet. governor sell out. Er, Governor Compromise….
http://www.hdnews.net/Story/sebeliuspre013008
Hey! I thought you said endorsements don’t matter?
Obama getting endorsements, but how much do they matter?Monday
Captain, I suspect you are not nearly as much for obama as you are against Hillary. Whatever. I dont think she’s perfect either, and I also have concerns about her votes for the war, and her corporatist ways.
But…
She’s STILL the only one strong enough and experienced enough to fight the wingnuts.
Sorry. Obama just dosnt have it. And as someone said, all the lofty poetry in the world wont solve our problems.
I want someone tough enough to WIN in November and make REAL changes later on.
Ever heard of winning the battle and losing the war? You may get obama nominated, but the repukes will beat him like a rented mule in November and beyond.
Especially if he choses born to be mild sebelius. But after her bomb of a response to SOTU this week, I think that’s not likely.
And as I recall… While I admire and respect him endlessly, Dr. King never ran for office or won an election.
Maybe Obama could be preacher in chief while the big kids whoop up on the wingnuts?
KFG – The Clinton’s already had a chance, and THEY did not keep the Republicans at bay. He was impeached, smeared, supported NAFTA, G.H.W. Bush’s baby, and one of his first “landmark” policies was to enact “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, which is bullshit. I voted for him twice, but I am now ready for someone else, anyone else. Because if Clinton gets in office, she will do no better than her husband at keeping the Republicans at bay. So YOU tell ME HOW she will do it!!
This is the best site I’ve found for answering questions about the KS Democratic caucus:
http://www.ksdp.org/SuperTuesdayFAQ#ST8
CapnAmerica
Posted January 30, 2008 at 12:15 pm | Permalink
…
He has pledged that everyone will have access to universal health care
…
Capn, if health care for everyone is SOOO important to you, I’ll make it ever so easy for you to get the good feeling going. I currently pay $300 per month for myself and my son. So just send me that $300 check each month and START DOING YOUR PART !!!
Don’t just sit there and whine and bitch that universal health care doesn’t exist here yet Capn. Show some balls and DO something about it. You Capn, you personally. Get off that check book and start writing. As a matter of fact, I’ll go talk to my neighbors down the road. I’m sure it’d just tickle you pink to pay their way too.
That IS what you’re about right Capn? Taking money from X and spending it on Y and Z? Well put up or shut up capn. Start writing checks.
Writin’ those checks are ya capn?
test
Uh, TDT? I asked you first.
So… we can put you down as the “anyone but Hillary vote”?
So I guess you “just” made up your mind to vote for obama?
You sound suspiciously like another famous poster here. Why so angry at me and at Hillary?
I asked you a questioh first about how Obama intends to deal with the wingnuts.
hope and a prayer?
Okay, I answered you on the Soft Sebelius thread. And I don’t mean to sound angry, just trying to emphasize my points. And it’s not anti-Hillary; if she is nominated, I will proudly rally around her. But I haven’t seen the “fight” in her that you seem to see. I think she thought she would have an uncontested nomination, and now that she is having to “fight”, all she has is Bill Clinton to do it for her. I think Obama has stood up well to any of the machinations of the Clinton’s, and I think he will stand up well to the GOP candidate.
Well said, TDT.
Here’s what Obama said on the issues:
• Health care — Obama called for a system in which people could keep their current insurance through their employment or join a federal plan similar to the one that insures members of Congress. “You pay my salary. You are my boss. I shouldn’t have better health care than you,” he said.
• Iraq — Obama said U.S. troops have done the job they were sent to do and should now be withdrawn.
• The economy — Obama said he supports an effort by the House and President Bush to provide several hundred dollars in tax relief to workers and their families to spur spending and commerce. But he said it needs to go further, with additional relief for seniors and expansion of unemployment benefits for the jobless.
• Ethics reform — Obama said he would work to reduce the influence that lobbyists have over national policy, which he said has blocked needed programs such as universal health care and renewable energy.
• Business policy — Obama said he wants to reduce the incentives for companies to export jobs overseas and crack down on corporations that attempt to evade responsibilities to workers. “I’ll make sure the CEO can’t dump your pension with one hand while they collect a bonus with the other,” he said.
• Credit cards — Obama said he wants to change laws that allow credit card companies to change repayment terms after a purchase.
• College — Obama proposes providing youths with a $4,000 tuition credit each year, while requiring them to perform community or national service.
• K-12 education — Obama proposed reducing reliance on standardized testing to reduce “teaching to the test.” He also said he wants to restore subjects such as art and music that have been cut in favor of basic subjects. He also said teachers should get higher pay and more support.
http://www.kansas.com/01/30/2008/Obama on the issues
Sol–
Send me whatever it is that you’re smoking, dude.
LMAO,
A liberal with his hand out. What a shocker !!!
OOOHHH $HIT !!! A liberal with all kinds of hands out. Gimme gimme gimme – oh and get the other guy to pay for it.
Freakin hilarious. And I thought the comedy writers were on strike !!!
A month or so back, Obama said that he would raise the minimum wage to $10 an hour. I thought that he was completely irresponsible then and showed a complete lack of understanding of small business.
My opinion is that he says whatever someone wants to hear but really has no real understanding of the issues. Yesterday someone posted a link to his statement on abortion and it is chilling that he does not admit even the slightest thought that it is a moral issue.
Does he have morals and what are they?
We have had 8 years of an amoral President. We certainly don’t want another one.
Uh . . . on second thought, Sol, whatever you’re tripping on, I don’t want to get near it.
I’d tell you to check into rehab, but of course, if you’re like most Americans, you can’t afford it . . .
BTW, one way to make healthcare more affordable would be if we could pay also the 60 percent less for drugs that the Canadians do . . .
Kansas,
Obama told the crowd at El Dorado that he would raise the minimum wage every year that inflation goes up.
Makes sense, doesn’t it.
As for his other policy positions, see my post above.
I’ll be waiting for my check capn, so you can feel better. Get back with you on the neighbor’s cost too. Hell I live in a small town, you want to chip in for all of us?
I don’t care what the whole Kennedy family thinks anyway.
TDT, go back to the “soft sebelius” (how appropriate) thread. You didnt answer a damn thing, just posted a tirade against Hillary.
I get you dont like her.
Now can you tell me what obama is gonna DO to beat back the wingnuts? I mean, we know what he says.
Which is any freakin’ thing he thinks someone wants to hear at the moment.
Which is any freakin’ thing he thinks someone wants to hear at the moment.
Farmie,
You talkin bout mittens? Whoops, just read the rest of it. Wow, they seem to -almost- be the same person.
l
CapnAm. I was on the same Tiahrt call and heard those people you mentioned, I was glad that they couldn’t hear me laughing at them!
I don’t know how Tiahrt keeps from asking them ‘What the hell are you talking about!’
Did you catch his poll of “How many of you are concerned about the economy or think it is good?” Seems like he was surprised that 40 some thought it was good while high thirties thought it was bad or were worried about their jobs.
Wasn’t long afte the carburetor guy, or was it the 2nd ammendment guy got on, and I just had to hang up!
It doesn’t leave one with a whole lot of optimism for dems. ever winning the Kansas Electorate.