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The Kennedy Divide

January 28, 2008 9:09 AM | | Comments (1) |

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The Kennedy patriarch and the former president's daughter are endorsing Barack Obama today at American University in Washington, but Hillary Clinton's campaign sent out a reminder yesterday that not all of the Kennedy clan is with the Illinois senator.

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, daughter of Robert Kennedy and a failed candidate for Maryland governor, issued this statement through HRC's campaign:

“I respect Caroline and Teddy's decision but I have made a different choice," said the former MD lt. gov. " While I admire Senator Obama greatly, I have known Hillary Clinton for over 25 years and have seen first hand how she gets results. As a woman, leader, and person of deep convictions, I believe Hillary Clinton would make the best possible choice for president. She shares so many of the concerns of my father. Hillary has spent a lifetime speaking out on behalf of the powerless and working to alleviate poverty, in our country and around the world. I have seen her work up close and know she will be a great President. At this moment when so much is at stake at home and overseas, I urge our fellow Americans to support Hillary Clinton. That is why my brother Bobby, my sister Kerry, and I are supporting Hillary Clinton.”

Her brother, Robert Kennedy Jr., lives in NY. Rumors routinely abound about his potential interest in running for office there.

Meanwhile, this just in from Obama's campaign ... Featured at AU today: Sen. Ted Kennedy, Rep. Patrick Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

1 Comments

Another perspective

Remember, also, that as much pride as John Kerry takes in having tapped Obama to make the keynote speech at the ‘04 Democratic National Convention, it was Kennedy operative Mary Beth Cahill that convinced Kerry to do that. Teddy Kennedy is not a lone wolf. He’s the team captain for a much larger organization. The movements happening like clockwork right now are signature Kennedy organization moves. My guess is that once Ted makes it official, the next steps - raiding the Clinton bases of elderly, Catholic and Hispanic voters - will be even more interesting.

In the end, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg gets one vote just like the rest of us. Endorsements are nothing but picking out sides in a popularity contest. That, and $4, will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

corinne | January 28, 2008 9:54 AM