Coming on the heels of Hillary Clinton's big win in New Hampshire, this is definitely big news for the Barack Obama campaign. The endorsement is also quite expected because it was John Kerry who chose Obama to speak at the 2004 convention and that speech made Obama's career. Some interesting details from Jeff Zeleny at the NYT:
Mr. Kerry, a Massachusetts Democrat who was the party’s presidential nominee in 2004, will argue that Mr. Obama represents the best prospect for uniting a divided country, aides to both men said, as well as transforming America’s image around the world.
The endorsement is weeks in the making.
In the final days before the Iowa caucuses, Mr. Kerry was on the verge of endorsing Mr. Obama, several senior Democratic officials said, but a final decision wasn’t made because it wasn’t clear how it would affect the campaign. So Mr. Kerry decided to hold off on the endorsement until after the New Hampshire primary.
The endorsement is weeks in the making. This probably would have had more impact several weeks ago, and, if you can read between the lines, the Obama and Kerry camps apparently delayed the endorsement for fear of a backlash in Iowa or New Hampshire. It probably would have hurt in Iowa—the losing "establishment" candidate isn't exactly, well, change—and this would have changed the dynamics of the caucus. The endorsement definitely would have helped in New Hampshire.
On the other hand, Kerry's endorsement should create more momentum for Obama because Kerry will make the announcement later this morning in South Carolina and Clinton is campaigning in Nevada. Although the specter of a Massachusetts limousine liberal campaigning in Charleston and the Carolina low country with Obama seems rather redundant ...
No comment from Kerry on his running mate from the 2004 election: John Edwards.
Interesting. There was some talk that the "old guard" of the Democratic Party would work behind the scenes to stop what they may consider to be a "too risky" presidential nominee. I'd like to hear from Democratic governors in states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Oregon, WAshington, etc. Do they believe a black man or a white woman can really carry their states--Kerry barely carried them. I'm still so skeptical and cynical about the Obama candidacy. I'm so f----king sick of this stupid fight with Hillary Clinton! Both of their asses are risky. It's nice that you idealist Democrats for Hillary and for Barack are runnin' the show right now. But it's startin' to get serious now. I'm no idealist when it comes to who will appoint judges to the federal bench. To hell with "change"-- give me judges who will stand up against Alito, Roberts, Thomas, and that sub-human Scalia: the four horseman of the Apocalypse.
Lord, the one presidential election year when Republicans are at their most vulnerable and Democrats want to take idealistic risks. Rove, Buchanan, Novak, O'Reilly, Robertson--all the right-wing bigots are laughing their asses off, "the Democrats choose to loose."
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | 10 January 2008 at 12:01
Derrick, certainly you aren't arguing the Democrats should nominate a "safe white male"? We tried that in 2000 and 2004, even found a war hero in '04 to run against George Bush.
The only candidates that are exciting the Democratic electorate are Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and, to be honest, all they need to do is win the states that Kerry did plus one more. I have some problems with both Obvama and HRC but would be quite happy to pull the lever for either one. There are no "safe white males" that are energizing the Democratic crowds.
Posted by: chris w | 10 January 2008 at 12:18
Derrick, the new Democratic governor of Ohio, Ted Strickland, is a huge Hillary Clinton supporter.
The politicians who support Obama and Clinton are very passionate, just like their supporters.
Posted by: A. Ronald | 10 January 2008 at 12:36
Kerry supporting Obama? That's riveting.
Posted by: Alan T | 10 January 2008 at 12:46
So are you saying the Kerry endorsement is a kiss of death? Seems like there has to be some upside, mostly from the Kerry email list.
Posted by: BL | 10 January 2008 at 13:17
has abosolutely nothing to do with this post but hey rod i love your brown too :o)
Posted by: jonathan | 10 January 2008 at 15:35
Good god, Senator Kerry, just when I finally manage to get over your sick-ass performance in 2004 (which was yours to lose), you can't even stand up and make an endorsement when it might count, say on the eve of New Hampshire--that is if you REALLY wanted to help Obama. Or perhaps you believed the polls and figured it might help later, and you just waited too long. Either way, it is a bit buried in the news cycle already, isn't it?
Posted by: Andy in Seattle | 10 January 2008 at 17:57