Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 2, 2008 5:11:48 AM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Why Kennedys Tapped Obama

Posted Jan 29, 08 11:46 AM CST in Politics 

(Newser) – Why did three members of the Kennedy clan anoint Barack Obama as the heir to Camelot and Democratic standard-bearer? In interviews with Time, Ted and Caroline Kennedy both point to the Illinois senator as uniquely capable of overcoming factionalism and uniting the country. As for the timing—before Super Tuesday—Ted Kennedy said, "It was sort of a growing process about the inevitability of Barack Obama."

"Each of these candidates have virtually similar positions on the great issues," he said. "So the issue and the question is, who is going to be able to achieve this and get this done?" And the timing was propitious: Caroline's New York Times op-ed overshadowed the paper's backing of Hillary Clinton, and Ted rode the wave of Obama's South Carolina victory.

Source Time

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Kennedy Returns to Work on Capitol Hill

    Nov 17, 08 1:38 PM CST
    Kennedy Returns to Work on Capitol Hill Ted Kennedy returned to the US Senate today, having undergone 6 months of extensive treatment for a brain tumor, the Boston Globe reports. Accompanied by his wife, Vicki, and their dogs, Kennedy was greeted by applause from his family and staff in the Russell Caucus Room under a banner that read “Welcome Back, Senator.”
    More »

  • Think Big, Obama

    Nov 7, 08 1:50 AM CST
    Think Big, Obama Barack Obama needs to ignore those who are urging him to start small for either political or practical reasons and seize this chance to bring about the real social reforms voters have mandated, Paul Krugman writes in the New York Times. "This year’s presidential election was a clear referendum on political philosophies—and the progressive philosophy won," Krugman writes.
    More »

  • Obama Eyes RFK Jr. for EPA Post

    Nov 5, 08 4:16 PM CST
    Obama Eyes RFK Jr. for EPA Post Barack Obama is considering environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Environmental Protection Agency, Mike Allen notes on Politico. The shrewd move would raise the EPA's profile—pleasing liberals Obama may otherwise disappoint during the budget crunch—and pay back the Kennedys for their crucial support during the primaries.

    More »

  • Washington Faces Seismic Shift

    Nov 5, 08 11:41 AM CST
    Washington Faces Seismic Shift The election of a relatively young black man to the presidency carries obvious historical significance—but beyond the symbolism, John F. Harris and Jim VandeHei write for Politico, last night marked one of the most momentous political transformations in modern American history. The rout of the Republican party means that Barack Obama will be the most powerful Democratic president since LBJ ushered in the Great Society.
    More »

  • IN THE OBAMA COLUMN...

    Nov 4, 08 10:02 PM CST
    Barack Obama started his push to 270 with few surprises, taking Vermont—and then most of New England, including major wins in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Florida. Here's a rundown on the state the Obama/Biden ticket clinched on its road to victory:

    • Vermont (3)
    • Massachusetts (12)
    • Delaware (3)
    • DC (3)
    • Maine (4)
    • Maryland (10)
    More »

Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, talks with Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. as fellow presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., shakes hands upon their arrival...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., followed by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., arrive for President Bush's State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress, Monday...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, laughs with Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., during a rally for Obama at American University on Monday, Jan. 28, 2008, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., right, and Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., left, walk under security tape as they visit an outside overflow crowd on the campus of American University...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., is flanked by from left, Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the late president John F. Kennedy, and Sen. Ted Kennedy,...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Threads (
1
 of 5)

Tags

Barack Obama • Democratic Party • Ted Kennedy • Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Politics Stories