Profiles In Courage: Endorsements When They REALLY Mattered...

1980
Choice: Reagan or Carter
Endorsement: NONE

1984
Choice: Reagan or Mondale
Endorsement: NONE

1988
Choice: Bush or Dukakis
Endorsement: NONE

1992
Choice: Bush or Clinton
Endorsement: NONE

1996
Choice: Dole or Clinton
Endorsement: NONE

2000
Choice: Bush or Gore
Endorsement: NONE

2004
Choice: Bush or Kerry
Endorsement: NONE

If a high-profile Democrat who has the platform of an immensely powerful family name that might affect how many people vote IF he/she made an endorsement - and yet FAILED to endorse the Democratic candidate in ANY of the last seven Presidential elections - finally decided to endorse a candidate now in the Democratic primaries...

How much respect should we give that endorsement?

Someone who had the opportunity and responsibility to speak out against the Republican presidential candidate at SEVEN elections that really mattered - yet declined to publicly oppose:

• Ronald Reagan
• George H.W. Bush
• Bob Dole
• George W. Bush

Someone who had the opportunity and responsibility to speak up for the Democratic presidential candidate at SEVEN elections that really mattered - yet declined to publicly support:

• Jimmy Carter
• Walter Mondale
• Michael Dukakis
• Bill Clinton
• Al Gore
• John Kerry

Exactly.

Meet Caroline Kennedy.

Now Caroline Kennedy has done wonderful charity work over the years. She is to be commended for that work. And her grace and nobility throughout her life are exemplary. She has carried herself with dignity despite repeated family tragedies.

However - WITHOUT IN ANY WAY DEMEANING ANY OF THAT - before we pay heed to her views of presidential candidates in 2008 - is it not pertinent to politely and respectfully enquire where her endorsements were in the preceding seven presidential elections?

Elections that resulted in us having a cumulative TWENTY YEARS OF Ronald Reagan and two George Bushes.

Just asking...

Comments

[ceti]

Wow, sour grapes.

True, she didn't endorse, nor condemn anyone over the last 20 years. Her children are only now coming of age and were instrumental in pushing her to endorsing Obama because he inspired them. This is a very personal move, so I don't see how you putting the past 20 years of disasters on her head have to do with anything.

===========MARTIN RESPONDS==========

Thank you for the straw man argument. I didn't put "the past 20 years of disasters on her head". I DID ask how much import should be given to her views NOW - when she wasn't in the trenches publicly (in terms of endorsing Democrats over Republicans) in seven elections - some of which mattered crucially. Many of us were in the trenches even without the prod of children coming of age...

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[MDDem444]

Thank you for this. I am saddened by all of those jumping on the Obama endorsement band wagon. And yet, none of their endorsements are substantive. They speak to some type of moral high ground that he supposedly possesses. Yet with his actions I just don't see it. He was the first to truly attack Hillary in the primaries calling her the old guard. He is now sending out these disgusting ads about her healthcare position that harkens back to the tactics of Rove and the Republicans. I just don't see how this man claims the high road and how these respected endorsers are so hoodwinked by it. He's a politician plain and clear, just as calculating as the rest. And on the issues he has nothing new to offer.

The Kennedy's have really disappointed me. They didn't have to do this now.

[sanglug]

Um, those are general elections. Did you need her to say out loud that she was going with the Democrat?

===========MARTIN RESPONDS==========

I personally didn't. But an endorsement from JFK's daughter MIGHT have had some impact in some of those other 7 elections. Think about how narrow the Bush "victories" were in 2000 and 2004.

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[LoRiseAntlers]

So,you're saying that now,when she endorses a candidate that happen s not be the one you support,that endorsement is without value?

Nice try,Skippy,but Clintonista hit jobs are have become painfully transparent.

============MARTIN RESPONDS===========

Read what was written carefully. Not "without value". But the value should be considered carefully in the light of her abdication from endorsing in 7 crucial elections. Is it wrong to point out something as glaring as that - and respectfully enquire about it?

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[Rosanneofpgh]

Exactly!! She didnt care about politics for so many years. I question why she decided to put her 2 cents in for this particular election. If she was sooo concerned about the welfare of this country, she should have spoken out years ago before prez fucksupalot stole the first election.

Thanks a lot, caroline!! Why dont you just go sit in your ivory tower and STFU!!

[boonagain]

This is nice.

I'll tell you that the way the Clinton's go after their perceived enemies is making them far from endearing to me.

insulting Caroline Kennedy?

and you're a Democrat?

Shameful

=======MARTIN REPONDS===========

If I DID insult her - it WOULD be shameful. If you read carefully - I DON'T insult her. I respect her greatly. I simply question the value of her endorsement in the light of her abdication from endorsing in seven important elections for this nation. There is a difference. It requires thought. Something that I hope all Democrats engage in before voting... You included.

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[VicPerry]

Yes, Caroline Kennedy, I was trying to figure out how to vote all those years....I mean I...I FIGURED you supported the Democratic candidate in those elections....but I didn't really KNOW, you know? It's all your fault that the republicans won....most of those elections. I'm not listening to you. I'm waiting for the endorsement by Martin Lewis. Hmmm. I wonder who he'll endorse? It's really hard to guess.

===========MARTIN RESPONDS==========

My endorsement - were I to make one - would be of zero consequence. Perhaps Caroline Kennedy's in some of the elections between 1980-2004 MIGHT have affected some votes. Not YOURS. But those of some people who respected her father.
As stated on multiple occasions - my loyalty is to the Democratic Party. I will fight as hard for Obama or Clinton in the General Election. My only role now is to ask provocative questions that make people think rather than be a rubber-stamp. I'm always fascinated when people refuse to answer the questions I ask - but instead query my motivation. My loyalty to the party is unwavering. And I look forward to campaigning vigorously for either Obama or Clinton.

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[itmaybetoolate]

Wonderful! In fact, where was she in 2004? Why didn't she stand up and endorse the democratic ticket in the face of the illegal actions of bushie and co.? What would her father have done? You know what - I don't care who Caroline Kennedy or anyone else endorses. Why should I? Why should any of us? People who vote for Obama because a Kennedy endorsed him are as bad as those who voted for bushie because it seemed he'd be a good beer buddy.

===========MARTIN RESPONDS===========

I'm sure Bush would make a WONDERFUL beer buddy! In fact it might have been better for us if he hadn't be a twisted dry drunk - feigning faith and piety as a crutch for his raging alcoholism.

I'm glad you take my point. We can respect Caroline Kennedy as a person (which I do) but question the relevance of her endorsement when she chose to be AWOL 1980-2004.

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