Caroline Kennedy Endorses Barack Obama

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 07:55:00 PM EST
Tags: Barack Obama (all tags)

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Caroline Kennedy in Sunday's New York Times, writes "A President Like My Father."

Shorter version: It's all about change. He's inspiring to her children. Hope, vision and again, change.

On his experience, aside from his three years in the Senate and community organizing:

in Illinois... he helped turn around struggling communities, taught constitutional law and was an elected state official for eight years.

This is a disappointing piece, very short on substance.

< Cheering In The Press Box | John Edwards' South Carolina Speech >

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Caroline Kennedy Endorses Barack Obama | 38 comments (38 topical)

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But I thought (5.00 / 4) (#8)
by BDB on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 08:39:59 PM EST

we wanted to move beyond the 1960s? I'm so confused. I think I'm missing some rule book about when invocation of the 1960s is good and when it's bad. I heard one of the CNN commentators invoke the hip hop generation in support of Obama one moment and then compared him to Robert Kennedy the next. Do folks honestly think 23-year-olds look at Obama and see Robert Kennedy? I doubt most of those folks know very much about Robert Kennedy.

Caroline was not one of the "excesses" (none / 0) (#9)
by Cream City on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 08:47:57 PM EST

of the '60s . . . like the civil rights movement, antiwar movement, women's movement, etc.

She is another one of the beneficiaries of the good things of the '60s -- if a sad, sad reminder of the worst moment of the decade as well, the moment when the '60s really began.

Parent

The Myth of JFK (none / 0) (#11)
by BDB on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 09:08:27 PM EST

is certainly one of the excesses of the 1960s and baby boomers in my book. It's so weird, the JFK worship is symbolic of most of the things that drives me crazy about "baby boomers." Is there anything more symbolic of baby boomer self-absorption than the constant re-telling of Kennedy's death not in political terms but in terms of its emotional effect on them, to be recounted and celebrated every November?

So the JFK myth we're supposed to celebrate (not that I blame Caroline Kennedy for trying to continue it), just as we're apparently supposed to believe the Reagan myth, but the actual events of the 1960s (and 1980s), the messy partisan battles that left folks battered and bruised but are a key part of this country's history, we're supposed to leave in the past, completely ignoring what Kennedy and Reagan were actually fighting about in favor of their pretty, pretty speeches.

What a weird country we live in.

Parent

Caroline Kennedy's endorsement will (none / 0) (#13)
by oculus on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 09:50:15 PM EST

not attract Republican voters, I suspect. My former father in law (who I'm certain always voted Republican) would go ballistic at the mere mention of a Kennedy.

Parent

: Might Help Obama (none / 0) (#16)
by BDB on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 10:32:25 PM EST

rally liberals, a part of the party he had been losing since NH to Clinton until his big win tonight.

Parent

Sounds like she wants a post partisanship (none / 0) (#1)
by Molly Bloom on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 07:54:28 PM EST

presidency. Too bad the GOP isn't going to play along.

If she were to speak around the country between (none / 0) (#2)
by robrecht on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 08:02:34 PM EST

now and Super Tuesday that would really mean something. But of course she won't so not sure how significant this will be.

LOL I cant help it but (none / 0) (#3)
by athyrio on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 08:09:20 PM EST

Obama's supporters are so confusing
First they say that they want the post partisanship administration that Obama wants...
then they say they hate clinton because of his lack of partisanship in his administration...
talk about a contradiction...my head is exploding...A small part of me says, let them win and let them live with the disasterous results, but I love my country to much to follow thru with that thought...

This endorsement and (none / 0) (#4)
by RalphB on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 08:11:46 PM EST

$4 will get you a Starbucks. Seriously, who could care?

: very cute (none / 0) (#25)
by lily15 on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 11:45:44 PM EST

Parent

If only she had (none / 0) (#5)
by Jgarza on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 08:17:31 PM EST

laundry listed some issues.

Good for Caroline (none / 0) (#6)
by xjt on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 08:20:25 PM EST

As for the rest of us, those of us living in the real world, with mortgages, unaffordable health care, student loans we struggle to pay, gas prices and heating that we can barely afford, measly savings, lousy retirement income prospects, we'd prefer a candidate with the experience and the proven track record of Hillary Clinton. Because we're kind of up sh*t creek w/o a paddle these days.

But I'm so glad that Carolyn Kennedy Schlossberg, in her Upper East Side suite, (or country house or wherever the hell she resides) could feel all warm and nostalgic over BO. Bless her heart.

I thought it was the economy. I guess it's inspiration, stupid.

Schlossberg = ??? (5.00 / 1) (#12)
by joejoejoe on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 09:14:31 PM EST

Your italics are ugly.

Parent

I assumed (5.00 / 1) (#14)
by Jeralyn on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 09:53:42 PM EST

he was referring to the fact that she left her last name off the op-ed.

Parent

I'll assume the best (none / 0) (#15)
by joejoejoe on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 10:21:43 PM EST

I'm not sure what the proper way to use your maiden and married name as author, professional, or politician. Caroline Kennedy has published many books without the Schlossberg and her bio as President of the JFK Library also lists Caroline Kennedy. I don't see anything to her leaving the Schlossberg off her signed op-ed and I was questioning why it was even worth a mention.

Parent

the whole post was nasty (5.00 / 1) (#19)
by Judith on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 10:55:20 PM EST

a nice slam on her for being wealthy.

Parent

: I referred to xjt's post (none / 0) (#22)
by Judith on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 11:00:41 PM EST

in case it was not clear.

Parent

so (none / 0) (#31)
by Jgarza on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 02:30:03 AM EST

If being wealthy makes your opinion irrelevant, then I guess all our Dem candidates are in trouble. JE and the Clintons are way wealthier than the Obamas BTW.

It is pretty sad that there are some people that will trash any Democrats the endorse Obama, but hey scorch the earth, win at all costs.

Parent

Probably means nothing. . . (none / 0) (#7)
by LarryInNYC on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 08:25:21 PM EST

but Caroline Kennedy was in the Bloomberg Administration for a about a year.

: not insignificant (none / 0) (#10)
by Klio on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 08:51:46 PM EST

thanks for reminding me

Parent

sore losers (none / 0) (#17)
by Heather on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 10:53:22 PM EST

thankfully the rest of the world was impressed by what Caroline had to say:

I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president -- not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans.

I think powerful is word most people are using....

: please dont assume you speak (5.00 / 1) (#20)
by Judith on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 10:56:38 PM EST

for the rest of the world.

Parent

I'm sensing some outrage (none / 0) (#18)
by lily15 on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 10:53:33 PM EST

Good analysis. So....let's get some outrage going..Frankly, I'm sick of this political correctness meme...it's getting old...I don't want any more feel good narratives, or Republican frames...I want a fighter...I want a Hillary...I want to take the fight to all the wimps who are good at whining and not much more...Let's see...John Kerry..big fighter for Obama but so noble when he conceded Ohio...Gee, he never could get it together to actually fight a Republican...but Hillary...yes, he can get it together to fight that woman, Hillary,...and Tom Daschle? Another fighter for Obama who prostated himself in front of the new Bush Administration...until they made him roadkill in his home state...the Republicans violating Senate tradition without a tear and going after the Majority Leader where he lived....But now he's a fighter against that woman, Hillary...All those good liberals...who have bent over for the Republicans...now for Obama...and only the Clintons have taken the fight to the right wing...gee...Are we going to be wimps and lay down for the great Obama or the great McCain or the arrogant Romney...or are we going to take the fight to them? Proof is in the pudding if we are the type of Democrats who will fight. Obama has never stood on principle...and fought...instead he has voted present...a real politician masquerading as a visionary...I'm so sick of this posturing and faking...when the real thing is in front of our faces...Hillary...do we have what it takes to fight for a candidate who will deliver?

What you said is really true of Kerry and (none / 0) (#24)
by Teresa on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 11:20:07 PM EST

Daschle..they didn't fight for themselves or against Bush as much as they are fighting against Hillary. I wish I understood what makes people dislike her so much.

Parent

They dislike her because she is effective (5.00 / 1) (#28)
by lily15 on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 11:53:46 PM EST

and she will actually take the fight to them. They haven't forgotten how the Republicans play or how the Democrats wimp out. But they have a lot of experience behind them and there are two of them. The losers are scared to death of them...They could powerfully change this country for the good and the very entrenched interests are very worried so they are putting their big money into defeating her...and that starts with narrative...and repeating over and over how bad she is...They have control of the media and the political elites and they are paying well...But she can't be bought..and they know it...that's why they must destroy her by pushing a false narrative...And the wimpy Democrats offer no pushback. They should be defending Clinton...Republicans defend their own...And women could have an effect if they pushed back...and were offended enough...I hope they will...Because it is all false..this narrative...and offensive to women especially...Interestingly, the working class is for her and the elites aren't. But when have the elites been right and fought for us?

Parent

"effective fighter" (1.00 / 1) (#37)
by diogenes on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 07:27:21 PM EST

What people instinctively hate about Hillary is the fact that the last instinctive gutter fighter we had who was president was NIXON, and we know where his character flaws led us.

Parent

: oh please (none / 0) (#38)
by Judith on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 09:39:11 PM EST

how dumb is that comment.

Parent

What does (none / 0) (#32)
by Jgarza on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 02:33:38 AM EST

the fact that you hate John Kerry and Tom Daschle have to do with Ms Kennedy endorsing Obama?

Parent

Stick those oratory flourishes in your hat (none / 0) (#21)
by lily15 on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 10:58:27 PM EST

Great speeches never got us anything...and all this crap from ...oops, dynasties...can't say that about a Kennedy...only a Clinton...I don't need inspiring speeches from losers....I need a plan of action...a policy...and tough persistent determination...As for the cable guys...can you sense the resentment towards Hillary...and Bill...because they actually do things...instead of just talk about what they will do..

She didn't even know her father very well (none / 0) (#23)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 11:14:58 PM EST

She was so young.

And I really think her words were a bunch of hero-worshipping platitudes. Dr. Phil might even wonder if she's "looking for her father" in everyone and finally thinks she found him? Because he reads a good speech?

"True believers" scare the hell out of me, piss me off. You should always question politicians motives, even those of the ones we like.

sorry, but that was harsh and unnecessary, IMO (none / 0) (#26)
by byteb on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 11:46:41 PM EST

Parent

actually (none / 0) (#29)
by Ernesto Del Mundo on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 01:27:22 AM EST

so was this entire thread pretty much.

Parent

Harsh? (none / 0) (#33)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 03:09:08 AM EST

The truth is sometimes harsh.

Parent

: Yes, speculating on what Dr Phil "might" (none / 0) (#36)
by byteb on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 11:23:42 AM EST

conclude and then providing an unpleasant and hackneyed take on it is 'truthful'.
Stating that her views on her father and Obama have no credence b/c she was so young when he was murdered and thus she has no memory (why b/c you say so?)is perfectly fine.
I stand by my comment to you.

Parent

That's fine but it's (none / 0) (#27)
by taters on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 11:51:24 PM EST

looking more like Obama knew about hundreds if not thousands of poor people without heat during the dead of winter in Chicago and knowingly - received money and favors from the slumlord who perpetrated it. He didn't know? I doubt that but if it's true he's definitely not fit for the office.

And the now discovered additional 100k is no pittance, despite what Obama's people say - it's five times the amount DeLay's Armpac was doling out to candidates.

: unsourced and off topic (none / 0) (#30)
by Jgarza on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 02:24:20 AM EST

People like you insult the rest of the Clinton supporters on this site. This does not help your candidate, or the people advocating for her. I'm not supporting Hillary, but I like her. If this is the best you can come up with you are "not fit" to advocate for her.
ps i know this may not be. a Hillary supporter, and I hope it is not

Parent
: You're right (none / 0) (#34)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 03:10:40 AM EST

Tell me that someone who is buddies with a slumlord cares about the needs of the poor and I'll tell you you're crazy.

Parent

Celeb and Politico-kid endorsements (none / 0) (#35)
by Nowonmai on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 04:24:37 AM EST

Tend to make me wary.

Children of politicians, unless unbiased history majors, really can't be considered any better a source of information of a candidates' qualifications.

Too often, people buy into the media hype from celebrity endorsements.

Carolyn's endorsement (none / 0) (#39)
by BrianM on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 10:16:00 PM EST

Carolyn Kennedy is as out of touch with America as Bush is. Hello, Obama's middle name is Hussein. Do you honestly believe for more than 5 minutes that a black man with Muslim parents and Hussein as a middle name has a chance to win the presidency in this country. You are dreeeeeeaming. He will hand over the presidency to the old great one from Arizona or any of the other losers from the republican party.

I do consider myself a liberal and I would have no choice but to vote for Hussein if I have to, but I know many Democrats in Florida and elsewhere who will sit out this election or switch party lines than vote for Obama Hussein Barrack.

If Hussein wins this primary, he will lose the general election and we will be stuck with another greedy republican monster for 4 more years.

Obama Hussein Barrack scares the crap out of me.

Caroline Kennedy Endorses Barack Obama | 38 comments (38 topical)

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