Barack Obama

Earlier today I endorsed Barack Obama for president, and I couldn't be more excited for the Democratic Party, the nation -- and the world.

Barack inspires me -- it's that simple. In the words of President Kennedy:

"The world is changing. The old ways will not do... It is time for a new generation of leadership."

In Barack, I see that next generation of American leadership: a figure who can transcend the divisions in this country that my family and I have fought so hard to tear down.

We were all moved four years ago as Barack told us a profound truth: We are not red states and blue states, but one United States. Since then, he has matched that rhetoric with action, traveling the country to inspire record turnouts of men and women of all ages, races, parties and faiths. Barack has forged consensus in the Senate on contentious issues such as immigration and pushed through necessary reforms like the most far-reaching ethics reform in its history.

But I'm not only supporting Barack because of what he has done. What counts in our leadership is not the length of years in Washington, but the reach of our vision, the strength of our beliefs, and that rare quality of mind and spirit that can call forth the best in our country and our people.

That's why I'm most excited about the promise of President Obama:

As president, Barack Obama will break the Washington gridlock to finally make health care what it should be in America.

He will turn the page on the old politics of misrepresentation and distortion and bridge the divisions of race, gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation that plague our country.

He will end a war in Iraq that he has always stood against, that has cost us the lives of thousands of our sons and daughters, and that America never should have fought.

He will close the door on the old economics that has written off the poor and left the middle class poorer and less secure.

He will make the United States the great leader and not the great roadblock in the fateful fight against global warming.

When Barack Obama raises his hand on Inauguration Day a new generation of American leadership will take charge and restore the hope, peace and prosperity the country so desperately needs.

Looking out from the stage today, I realized just how powerful his campaign has become. It's a movement for change -- and one that I'm proud to be a part of.

Comments

[Flynnstone73]

I have found most of the posts to be childish, in that its all about” Your candidate sucks and said mean things about my candidate nenernenernener" or idealistic, in that the poster really thinks that their candidate will transform America and bring us back from the dark days of the Bush era. I for one don't hold out much hope for a big turn around. A very wise college professor once told me when discussing politics to always remember the golden rule; those who have the gold make the rules. Until we get our political leaders to disengage from the corporate strangle hold they currently are in, true change will never take place. I fear that Obama may be too inexperienced naive and lacks the weight or gravitas to initiate any movement in a positive direction. Ms. Clinton has all that but I fear she is too hooked up to move us in a more positive direction for the middle class. But the thought of another Republican (the party that is owned and operated by the corporate elite) in office scares me enough to say I will vote for whomever the democrats nominate. I know during an election year it's fun to be all excited about the possibilities of change, but after 50+ years on the planet I see all this optimism misguided. The radical changes that truly need to be made will only happen when we hit our rock bottom. We need to keep remembering this is not a football game or a new season of American Idol but a contest over who you think will do the job of the president the best. If the country was a company and you are going to put someone in charge of your company to assure continued prosperity would you put someone in that position who is a fresh face with little experience or a person who has the breadth of knowledge to do the job. Bottom line is you democrats should have been paying more attention to Joe Biden.

[green12]

Add my thanks as well Senator Kennedy. It is time to make changes and people realize that. It takes a village to make a government work, everyone in the village can discuss the issues and work things out.

[regellner]

Let's just hope that if elected he lives up to his potential to depolarize our nation.

[jcheadsup]

With all do respect Mr. Kennedy, (which is an expression I rarely use these days). I think that just getting the first black president. Or the first woman president isn’t change enough! And as far as I’m concerned, we, (that is the average American) had already lost the election, the day that Dennis Kucinich was ignored by the corporate owned media. But that’s not to say that all is lost, because John Edwards is still in the mix, and why I just sent him a check!

[raymundorassilon]

The silver-maned old lion Senator Kennedy has risen majestically and put his considerable influence behind Barack Obama because of the Clintons' underhanded tactics and also because Senator Kennedy truly believes in the change Obama can bring to the wretched state of American governance which has been sunk to the lower depths by the criminal BushCo. I applaud Senator Kennedy for being a True American who sees the future in Obama regardless of race or religion. The old lion has passed the torch to the young panther and we Americans should realize the deep import of this action.

[bethinCary]

Thank you for your endorsement Sen. Kennedy.
I hope others like you, will see the difference putting your support behind such a great candidate as Sen Obama.
Your work in the Senate and for civil rights (families') is legendary-so any comment or endorsement means a great deal. I believe very strongly in Sen Obama, as you do.

[shutupandvote]

what is this if not a play on fear he is pitting one community in the party against the other liberals against the middle Obama is not JFK that just silly, make no mistake this ugly identity politics code grudges trotted out by these Liberals Clyburn, Kerry and Kennedy has inflamed needlessly and betrayed the centrist pragmatic candidacy of Hillary Clinton and the Clinton legacy on civil rights and if successful will put the Party right back to a party crippled by ARROAGNCE identity politics, group grievance and elitist Liberal behavior and we Americans will just walk right on by ….

[janeb]

I'm for Edwards so I don't have a dog in this fight, but what all Democrats had better realize is that this is an election to restore our country to its rightful owners, meaning the people of this great nation and not just the priviledged few that run it right now.
The Clintons are fighting and fighting hard to win. That is what people do in a campaign. Do you think for one minute the Republicans are going to tip toe through the tulips if Obama gets the nomination. Heck NO! They are going to come after him with everything they have, just like they will if Hilliary Clinton wins. They don't care to use the race card or anything else. (remember Harold Ford) Obama better be ready.
Having said that, I feel that the Clintons are getting a raw deal. The media are the ones making race an issue. They play it over and over and over and they talk about it until we are all sick to death hearing about it. And what do Democrats do? We go right along with them. We hate that Bill Clinton too. They play us like a fiddle. Democrats can't or won't figure them out.
I'm not playing that game this time. I'll get my news from the Internet and I'll get political news from blogs. I haven't made up my mind who'll I'll support in the primaries if Edwards drops out, but I can tell you this; the conservative pundits won't shade my decision by telling me about Bill Clinton. I'll vote for the one I choose because of issues, strength, readiness, and toughness. I'm leaning towards Hilliary, that's true, but if Obama wins I'll work my heart for him too. We need a Democrat in the White House.

[Bobzmcishl]

It would be hugely refreshing to have Obama as the Democratic Party nominee. We could put both the Bush years and the Clinton years behind us. Obama represents the break with that past that we need to put behind us. Not that I couldn't live with Hillary as president, but she doesn't represent the real change this country needs. She carries too much baggage not only from her husband's time in office but also her poorly thought out votes in support of Bush's disastrous policies on Iraq and Iran. Obama is the breath of fresh air this country needs and the Democratic Party needs.

[sweetchildnyc]

While Senator Kennedy is now the Patriarch of the family, I find it interesting that I've only seen one mention of the fact that the children of the late and great Senator Robert F. Kennedy (to whom Barack Obama is often compared to as inspirational) have endorsed Senator Hillary Clinton. This mention was on MSNBC, when Nora O'Donnell interviewed former Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, who in fact stated that she and her brothers were enthusiastically endorsing Senator Clinton.

It is also interesting that Senator Ted Kennedy made several references to his assassinated brother Robert. Also worth mentioning is the fact that while the children of the former Attorney General have endorsed Senator Clinton, a big to-do was never made of this fact, and certainly, one of the great environmentalists of our day is Robert Kennedy Jr. So who's playing politics now?

What troubles me about Senator Obama is that he claims to be different, but he is after all a politician. Politics is a dirty business and it disturbs me that he feels attacked when that is the business of politics. He knew that when he got into the business. The truly disturbing fact about him is that he seemingly holds himself above the rest of the candidates, in a way that is totally hipocritical. Maybe if he would dismount, tell us the reality, and own up to being what he is, a politician (who will do just about anything to win, contrary to what he has said), I could support him.

[thegulliblecitizen]

Another former rabid Republican salutes you Senator for your courage and for your wisdom. How we were thankful for that small coterie of Democratic Senators who warned the nation of the pitfalls of an Iraq invasion and occupation. In an ideal nation you would be the only candidate whose Presidency could repair the curse that your esteemed brothers' murders and Doctor King's murder has wrought upon our land. Senator Obama's candidacy is another chapter in the annals of courage. He is an ideal choice to right the wrongs committed in that evil day. I pray for his protection and for his blessing. If there is another page of America left, let him turn it and begin again the prospering of the world by our good example, and through the dedication that begins at home.

[desertson]

Nice rhetoric, very inspiring. But, this is the kiss of death. I can already hear the Repugnant ads....How could you possibly vote for a candidate endorsed by TEDDY KENNEDY?!

This is exactly what Karl Rove and the dark empire were looking for to energize their cynical base. Teddy and the Kennedy's just played right into their hands.

So, we suffering Democrats will run a "statement" candidate and go down in flames....­once again. Just when it looked like we were on the verge of finally taking this country back for the regular people. We shoot ourselves in the foot. Democrats fall in love while Repugnants fall in line. Unfortunately, we Demos always get dumped while the Repugs stay in power.

I'm soooooooo depressed right now.

[obamajamin]

Thank you, Senator.

Barack will indeed be ready on Day 1.

Barack Obama did not snub Hillary last night. He tried to avoid a potentially uncomfortable moment for Hillary. Would it have been better for him to seem like he was parading his race-changing endorsement in front of her?

You Obama-haters are grasping at straws. The Clintons are sooooo 90's.

[Rosey]

How thrilling! I, for one, am SO SICK of the slime and innuendo coming from Bill Clinton and the Hillary camp. First the Clintons were nasty to Al Gore when he ran for President and now Barack Obama. I am appalled and saddened -- and worried that she will get the nomination. If so, I might sit out that election (for the first time in many many years) or look to Bloomberg! Just to let you all know, I voted for Bill in both primaries and general elections.­....

[Didi47]

Since MSM is ignoring and downplaying Hillary's endorsements, it's up to the public to try to tell the whole truth in this very important election.

LA Times reports! THREE KENNEDY'S FOR CLINTON

She stands for Democrats and for the nation, these family members say.
By Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Kerry Kennedy
January 29, 2008

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-kennedy29jan29,0,1618955.story