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

[Troubledwawa]

Senator Kennedy,

Do all those "He will"'s you listed add up to a new New Deal?

[gayleg]

I'm also one of your constituents. I'm voting for Hillary Clinton.

Now is no time for an amateur speaking platitudes. Really, Senator, everyone knows there is no love-lost between you and the Clintons. But you're hurting your reputation with this endorsement.

[TheWesternBreed]

Mr. Democrat has spoken: case closed!

[larry278]

Senator, Your family is noted for daring in times of victory & in times of adversity, acting with panache & grace in times of triumph & in trying times of loss, very dificult losses. Today you showed courage & grace in endorsing Sen Obama. Your niece, Jack's daughter, also showed the same qualities which you showed with her OP-ED in the Sunday NYT.
Both your foes & supporters must acknowledge the grace & courage which the two of you have shown in the last two days. You two have done your family & your country proud in the last two days. Thanks for setting a good example for all of us. To be trite: quality will out & will show quietly sans fanfare.

[FairAndUnbalanced]

Well as I see it we now have Monica BJ's vs Mary Jo bridge diving. I'll forgive BJ's before DUI + manslaughter anyday.

[MyThought]

What hyprocacy - Obama says you can't go back and yet he's letting you go back to the 60's. We all felt so awful when the world lost your brothers, but you can't bring them back.

Mr. Kennedy, do you realize there's hidden discrimination here? Obama has constantly acted like anyone who is older than him has no vision, no ideas, etc. He even once said that you were too old and should get a spine.

As a baby-boomer I resent his attitude on this. Resent it very much and he'd never get my vote for that reason.

I have a real problem with spewing hope and expecting this messiah to save the world.

...there's a song..."it­'s only words and words are all I have to steal your heart away". Keep that in mind.

You are cheating Hillary Clinton because you are angry rather than what's good for the country - you should be ashamed.

You can't bring brother and daddy back and you can go back - this is what Obama is campaigning on - not going back but he sure doesn't mind using 40 years ago when he needs it.

[alkamm]

Sen. Kennedy,
Thanks for helping return Sen. Clinton to her greatest level of competence. I hope she'll continue to do her good works in the U.S. Senate and support the policies and goals Obama will provide a grateful, healing nation.

[2LaneIA]

What a great speech today, Senator, and an inspiring, energizing moment for our party and our country. Thank you.

I hope that we will look back on the vote in South Carolina, and today's event, and say: this is when we began a new chapter in our history. This is when we decided to leave behind the racial politics, Karl Rove, and all the other debris that sullies our relationship with each other, and began to make change happen.

[SidSchwab]

Senator Kennedy: I was a student at Amherst College when JFK appeared there to dedicate the Frost Library and to speak at a convocation of the college. It was one of his last public appearances before Dallas, later that month. Being in the audience was as inspiring a time as I've had in my life; I feel it again as I hear Sen. Obama speak; watching your speech today, and his following yours gave me the sort of thrill of hope I felt back then. Thank you for carrying the torch all these years, and for taking the step you did today. As we emerge from the trauma of the past seven years, it actually seems possible once again that we might feel pride in our country and hope for the future. We can only hope!

[greejambri]

Grandmaster Ted Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy, who has NEVER endorsed a presidential candidate before now, must know something about this, people. Get on the OBAMA Express, or miss the train to a new tomorrow.

[union79]

Thank you Senator Kennedy for standing up so eloquently and so accurately.

I thought the story of why the person joined the peace corps was so right then and even more so now ~ in this era when our nation goes to war and only the armed forces and family are asked to sacrifice.

As you spoke and as I responded personally to your words. my heart went back to that night your brother Bobby had to face a large Afro-American crowd~ a crowd that didn't yet know Martin Luther King, Jr had been shot. He spoke words of calm and empathy from the heart that night. I still remember the image ~ a small man in the darkness offering quiet words of light to that hushed crowd. The right man at the right time with the right words.

Your words today were for a more celebratory occasion but given by the right man, at the right time with just the right words!

[IAM4CLINTON]

Snator Kennedy,
While the lofty rhetoric and dreamy hopes always feel good- at the end of the day- as an american voter- I look for 2 proven competencies in picking my President- ability to keep us safe and in keeping the economy strong so that we can be employed. On both these counts- Hillary Clinton is proven, tested and has shown the gravitas to deliver. I will vote for Hillary. Obama's time will and should come after he is seasoned enough to take on the toughest job in the world.Not now.

[venicesurfer]

dont jinx him teddy.

[candlewax]

Senator Kennedy, I want to thank you for doing this. I know you didn't have to, you could have sat on the sidelines and just watched and waited. I live in Illinois and I once watched on the sidelines as a woman struggled to decide which medicine she could afford for her son. She needed both but could only afford one. I sat on the sidelines and that memory still haunts me but thanks to Senator Barack Obama, he pushed through legislation that guarantees healthcare for all children. Hopefully, as a civilized nation, no child or adult will be without healthcare and needed medicine. No mother will have to confront a dreadful decision with no good outcome and maybe someday, we can lift our heads with pride knowing that we are our brother's keeper and healthcare is not an entitlement, it is a human right. Barack Obama didn't stand in the shadows like me, he took action and I believe he will be a force for change that this great country truly needs. Barack Obama inspires me and now, Senator Kennedy, because of your actions, so do you.

[goldstategirl]

Thank you Sen. Kennedy, Caroline and Patrick.

I wholeheartedly agree.

All those harping on the EXPERIENCE factor can check his policy papers and background online at his site just like every other candidate.

No candidate has to be a policy wonk espousing micromanaged detail-after-detail in stump speeches long as your plans are available for whomever wish to inquire.

Let's just pray the voting machines aren't tampered with so we can at least have a TRUE election that represents all people -- unlike that last election where the Supreme Court appointed Bush.

No more Bush-Clinton-Bush dynasty-type crap in the White House. Too much drama, interns, blowjobs, impeachment, weapons of mass destruction found-not-found, CIA outing, first female president has to come with a loose-cannon egomanianc husband who's acted as if he's campaigning for an unconstitutional 3rd term?

No thank you.

West Coaster for
OBAMA/EDWARDS