The Significance of the Kerry Endorsement
It's easy to view John Kerry's endorsement of Barack Obama skeptically. After all, no one voting in any upcoming Democratic primary is going to pause in the voting booth and think, "Gee, if Obama is good enough for John Kerry, he's good enough for me."
But Kerry's endorsement is nonetheless significant, because of its timing. In the wake of his New Hampshire defeat, Obama needs to convey the impression that his campaign is still on the offensive and that the loss hasn't stalled his momentum at all. The willingness of a big name in the Democratic Party to embrace him two days after New Hampshire caters to this imperative, giving Obama a favorable headline that helps put the New Hampshire mess in the rearview mirror.
Pundits are also playing up Kerry's snub of his '04 running-mate, John Edwards. But it's been clear for some time that the Kerry-Edwards marriage was an awkward and uncomfortable political one from the start. The two men never got along particularly well and fell out of touch almost as soon as the '04 campaign ended. There was never much expectation that Kerry would back Edwards, just as Edwards made it clear very early on that he planned to run for President this year even if Kerry chose to do so as well.
Politically, this is a smart move for Kerry. By endorsing Obama, he has found a way to stand out. Most of his Senate colleagues are backing Hillary or sitting on the fence. By lending his support to Obama—and at such a critical time—he guarantees that his endorsement will be remembered. If Obama ends up winning, Kerry might be in line for a top-level appointment, should he desire one. Had he backed Clinton, though, he would have been only the latest Democratic establishment figure to do so and it wouldn't have made much noise. The line for favors with her is already a mile long, and he would have been pretty close to the end of it.
- Poll
- Obama (D)
- McCain(R)
- Spread
- RCP Average
- 46.4
- 41.6
- Obama +4.8
- Candidate
- Favorable
- Unfavorable
- Spread
- Obama
- 55.7
- 32.7
- +23.0
- McCain
- 52.4
- 34.7
- +17.7
john who? john kerry!? pahleeeze!! this is the same "liveshot" kerry of massachusetts? wow!! what 'bout that yale speech on the death of affirmative action?
this guy put citizen obama on the map because there were NO african americans on prime-time at his convention in boston!! so he picked up the little bro from ill for a speech that blew the lid off a thirsty crowd.
now...to the real business. does the junior senator get the secret hand shake, the drink from geronimo's head, a glimpse of pancho villa's sombrero, and all that other crap skull and bones boyos get?
if so, you go obambam...another first!!!
RE: Kerry & The Inexperienced Kid aka (Mr. Motivational Speaker)
Whoa.....Take this as a serious fight by the insiders wrestling control for New Chairmanship and Leadership of the National Democratic Party.
There is more at stake here the Obama & Hillary clawing at each other.
16 years of Bill Clinton control.
(His eight years plus 8 years while Bush has been in office)
Jim Kelly - NY Conservative Campaigns
John Kerry is an opportunist and his endorsement of Obama is just another example of it. I don't think it will bring anything to the Obama campaign -- Kerry doesn't have a grassroots force, he was the nominee that democrats reluctantly voted for -- and I think in the end, this endorsement could hurt Obama.
I was more interested in the other Kerrey -- Bob Kerrey, who endorsed Hillary a few weeks back. Bob Kerrey is particularly involved in the movement to find a workable solution to the crippling US debt, which will grow to more than $50 trillion as 78 million baby boomers retire unless some kind of reform is enacted. The fact that Kerrey endorsed Hillary tells me that she has the best plan for addressing the long-term fiscal health of our country, as well as the health of social security benefits.
I am aggravated with Kerry in this video clip (see link below) because he is aligning himself as though he is part of the new guard. He is the very mold he speaks of shattering. He is placing his bet on Obama and hoping to find a comfortable place in the White House.
http://www.webcastr.com/videos/politics/kerry-endorses-obama.html
Since he's from the next state over, his endorsement might have given Obama the 2% he needed to win New Hampshire, not lose. They assumed they didn't need him. Now they do. Pathetic.
Kerry endorsing Obama, is like Bin Laden endorsing someone.
John Kerry will not help Obama,just another example of a loser endorsing another loser.
This is a very moving speech where John Kerry said Obama had the greatest potential to lead a transformation, not just a transition.
http://www.webcastr.com/videos/politics/kerry-endorses-obama.html
Typical John Kerry---take a stand when it no longer matters---why didn't he endorse Obama before the New Hampshire primary when it would have helped. The sad state of this country is that 48% of the People voted for this dope. As a Republican I fear the day when the Dems nominate a decent person such as Obama rather than self serving deceitful spineless frauds like the Clintons, Gore, and Kerry. But for some reason the quality of the person doesn't matter to libs---and that my friends is what is keeping them from the White House. Please oh please nominate Hillary---the crying fraud.
Why why why why must politicians point like that!!! As for Kerry supporting Obama, he brings with him over 3 million e-mail addresses so that is significant. But for Kerry it's just another chance to get on camera, and I think the just wanted to tick off the Clinton's.
Who cares? Just a bunch on Establishment-chosen nincompoops supporting each other
There are a lot of rank amateurs posting here, or so it seems.
The endorsement of Kerry for Obama is NEARLY as big as the endorsement of Clinton for Clinton. Sen. John Kerry was our man in 2004 -- like it, or not. He is exceptionally intelligent, and those who want to belittle him for some minor gaffes at joke telling miss the whole character and substance of the man.
If the endorsement would have been better B4 New Hampshire, so what. The point is, now he has some support from a main stream Dem, and that support did NOT go to Hillary. Also, the endorsement of Patrick Leahy is significant. So what if they want a spot on the cabinet, or what to be part of a winning campaign (more likely), if YOU were Obama, would you turn down support from the last Presidential nominee? You'd have to be nuts, and I'm afraid many of you nay-sayers are.
Come on! Rally your support around our great hope for victory in November 2008 -- Sen. Barack Obama! Study him on the issues. Educate yourselves! He will handily beat McCain, Romney, or Huckabee.
To think HRC will defeat any of these three is, in a word, delusional. If you're a Dem and you want to see our platforms advanced in the next four years, Obama is your man.