Sen. Kennedy Faces An Endorsement Dilemma

Massachusetts Senator Has Close Ties To Several Presidential Candidates

(AP)  Democratic presidential contenders flocked to Sen. Edward Kennedy's 75th birthday party earlier this year.

Sen. Barack Obama showed up at Kennedy's home with a bottle of wine as a gift. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton pulled Kennedy aside to schmooze. Sen. Christopher Dodd needled Kennedy about getting older.

The shower of personal attention underscored Kennedy's star power in the White House race. The liberal senator's endorsement is among the most coveted by the eight Democratic contenders.

The birthday party was also a reminder of the tough endorsement choice Kennedy faces as the 2008 contest unfolds.

The Massachusetts senator has close ties to several candidates who are eagerly seeking his support. Whatever he decides, he's bound to disappoint some longtime friends and colleagues.

"It's going to be difficult choosing," Kennedy told The Associated Press. "I've got a lot of friends who want to be president."

Obama, Clinton and Dodd serve on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee that Kennedy chairs.

"Even though they're running, they're all keeping in touch," Kennedy said. "I'm working with all of them in the Senate."

Dodd and Kennedy are longtime pals who teamed up years ago during their freewheeling bachelor days. Kennedy's sons, Ted Jr. and Rhode Island Rep. Patrick Kennedy, are backing Dodd. Kennedy's older sister Eunice gave Dodd a $5,000 check.

"He's been helpful - as I am sure he's been to others as well," said Dodd.

Former Sen. John Edwards partnered with Kennedy on patients' rights legislation in 2001. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Joe Biden are also Kennedy friends.

Clinton and Kennedy forged a friendship while working together on health care in the early 1990s. During the Clinton administration, Kennedy was a key White House ally. The Kennedys and Clintons often sailed together during first family vacations on Martha's Vineyard.

"Senator Clinton has a tremendous amount of respect for Senator Kennedy, and she considers him a friend," said Clinton spokesman Mo Elleithee. "We would love to earn his support in this campaign."

Kennedy's relationship with Obama does not stretch nearly as far back, but the two have struck up a friendship.

"He gave me a good bottle of wine," Kennedy joked of Obama's gift. "I'm sure it was an American wine."

Above all else, Kennedy said, he is looking for a candidate who can light a spark with voters. The policy differences between the candidates are relatively small, he said.

"Inspiration," Kennedy said. "I'm looking for a candidate able to galvanize the country to get things done. I want to find the candidate who can inspire people. That's what we need. That's what our party needs."

He said he expects the crowded field "might winnow down by mid-December. That's when people really get engaged in presidential politics."

The value of endorsements tends to get overblown in presidential politics. But Kennedy's popularity with liberal party activists who tend to dominate early voting states puts his support at a premium.

Kennedy can also lend organizational muscle by sending his Massachusetts supporters across the border to neighboring New Hampshire, the leadoff primary state. He boasts a broad national fundraising and political network as well.

"Most endorsements aren't worth much," said veteran Democratic consultant Michael Shea. "But if you get Kennedy's endorsement, it's really worth something. He wants to win."

Kennedy's support made a difference to Massachusetts colleague Sen. John Kerry's struggling 2004 primary campaign.

Kennedy gave strategic advice and key advisers to Kerry. He campaigned heavily on Kerry's behalf at a time when few believed Kerry could win. The moves helped fuel Kerry's comeback victories in Iowa and New Hampshire that paved the way to the nomination.

Kennedy, whose own presidential ambitions were dashed in 1980, said his family has kept up many of the political connections made in key states over the years.

"We've got a lot of friends out there," Kennedy said. "We've kept up the relationships."

[tucano2]

It will be the "Kiss of Defeat" to the candidate cursed with Teddy''s ''endorsement''.

[gunnerv1]

Get his bloated carcass out of office!

[speakinup]

Gee - did I touch a nerve, kansas1946 ? I didn''t think Hillary supporters had nerves. I mean, what good are nerves when you have no brains.

[kansas1946]

The American doctor, not to be outdone, interjected,
"You guys are way behind. We are about to take a woman with no brains, send her to Washington where she will become President, and then half the country will be out looking for work."
**************************************
And Karl Rove said, "Hell, that is nothing, I took a guy with NO brains, shoved him up the American people''s a**, and he is still there, picking their pockets, now and so far into the future that American''s will be working to pay for it until hell freezes over!!

[speakinup]

Doctor''s convention:

A Japanese doctor says, "Medicine in my country is so advanced that we can take a kidney out of one man, put it in another, and have him out looking for work in six weeks."

A German doctor says, "That is nothing. We can take a lung out of one person, put it in another, and have him out looking for work in four weeks."

A British doctor says, "In my country medicine is so advanced that we can take half a heart out of one person, put it in another, and have both of them out looking for work in two weeks."

The American doctor, not to be outdone, interjected,
"You guys are way behind. We are about to take a woman with no brains, send her to Washington where she will become President, and then half the country will be out looking for work."

[speakinup]

"Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton pulled Kennedy aside to schmooze."

OH, Pal-leeze, Don''t take me there!

Hey, you know, it''s too bad Billy and Hillary didn''t get invited to Chapaquiddick way back when. Mary Joe would probably still be with us, and Hillary would be feeding the worms.

[mudrose-2009]

Stop being such a feminist -- it was consensual, loser.
Posted by SFTodd at 01:11 PM : Oct 02, 2007

Not according to Broaddrick, Willey, Jones, Zercher, James, Ward, moffet.....need we go on? The only ''''loser'''' is Slick WIllie and the demons who run block for him.
Posted by SignOf4

Righteous!

[nexgen99]

I thought this s.c.u.m.b.a.g Kennedy passed away, oh well just wish full thinking

[signof4]

Stop being such a feminist -- it was consensual, loser.
Posted by SFTodd at 01:11 PM : Oct 02, 2007

Not according to Broaddrick, Willey, Jones, Zercher, James, Ward, moffet.....need we go on? The only ''loser'' is Slick WIllie and the demons who run block for him.

[sftodd]

Bill Clinton is the rapist you idiot.
Posted by b48151 at 09:45 AM : Oct 02, 2007

Stop being such a feminist -- it was consensual, loser.

[signof4]

''Sen. Kennedy Faces An Endorsement Dilemma''

''Let''s see, ah.....should I endorse Grey Goose or Stoli? Better drink on it'' :)

[mudrose-2009]

Mr. Ed would be the LAST person I''''d ask for an endorsement.
Posted by Hwy71So

He''s just like his papa, a Hitler loving socialist pig.

[hwy71so]

Mr. Ed would be the LAST person I''d ask for an endorsement.

[sftodd]

Kennedy is no idiot (I hope) - he''ll back Hillary as America''s best chance to recover from the mess the irresponsible and greedy republican party has created. Whether you like Hillary or not, it''s better to leave the kids with an adult than the rapist (republican) who will be at the helm if democrats lose this election.

[telltruth99]

*** PAID OFF POLITICANS - PROOF ***

Who Is Paying For Your Vote To Keep Control Of You And To Keep This War Going? Remember The Bankers Hold The Stock In Companies That Are Getting Billions In War Contracts, And The President Keeps Their Profit Going!

Obama''s Contributers: bankers / Special interest!
http://tinyurl.com/2nd4f8

Hillary Clinton''s Contributers Lawyers / RealEstate:
http://tinyurl.com/2ontpq

Rudy GIULIANI Contributors: Bankers / Hedge Funds!
http://tinyurl.com/2m2c4n

Ron Pauls Money Is From the People! We have someone who is NOT Paid Off By Special Interest or Bankers Money!!!
http://tinyurl.com/2q8vr3

If you ever want this War to End Vote Ron Paul 2008, No OneElse Is Going To End It!
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues

[armandbeni]

Well this story about says it all, the three candidates for PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, are sucking up to an old drunken pervert who still hasn''t paid for leaving a poor girl to die in his car. Anyone who sucks up to Kennedy isn''t qualified to be President.

[stephengosson]

Instead of squandering time sucking up to long-time politicians, special-interest groups, and money-bag lobbyists, the candidates need to be reminded that they are applying for a job, and we American people are the interview committee.
And, we don''t want a bottle of wine. We want viable, practical, and do-able plans that can pull this country out of the morass that we are in.
To all of them. Stop the verbal gymnastics, finger-pointing, and disengenuous back-slapping of us voters.
Get serious, down to business and, for Christ''s sake, get genuine!!

[signof4]

I''m surprised they didn''t show Ubama the servant''s entrace when he showed up. I''m sure they initially mistook him for the hired help.

[mudrose-2009]

Posted by rafterman1

And this makes you what, an intellectual. Short of calling these people downright traitors like you buddies in MoveOn. We may make up names but I''d rather make up names rather than vile commentaries.

[scottyusa]

Thanks lars008 . Well mudrose I don''t remember saying the democrats were dumb but now that you mention it........ How about telling me about a democratic plan to exit Iraq without surrendering, watching the Iraqis get slaughtered afterwards, having to go back after Iran takes over the place and and get involved in a total mideast war. The only thing they can think of is the ''08 election and getting out of Iraq, in their minds this will win them the election.HA no way. I am a blue dog democrat and I voted for Bush and even Leiberman. Better to be an alert hawk than a dead dove. Do you ever listen to what the terrorists say in their messages? You think they don''t mean it?