Why Ted Kennedy Didn't Endorse Clinton

Washington Post: Hillary Clinton's Comments On LBJ Infuriated Liberal Icon

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Mary Ann Akers in washingtonpost.com's blog .

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There's more to Sen. Edward Kennedy's endorsement of Barack Obama than meets the eye. Apparently, part of the reason why the liberal lion from Massachusetts embraced Obama was because of a perceived slight at the Kennedy family's civil rights legacy by the other Democratic presidential primary frontrunner, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.).

Sources say Kennedy was privately furious at Clinton for her praise of President Lyndon Baines Johnson for getting the 1964 Civil Rights Act accomplished. Jealously guarding the legacy of the Kennedy family dynasty, Senator Kennedy felt Clinton's LBJ comments were an implicit slight of his brother, President John F. Kennedy, who first proposed the landmark civil rights initiative in a famous televised civil rights address in June 1963.

One anonymous source described Kennedy as having a "meltdown" in reaction to Clinton's comments. Another source close to the Kennedy family says Senator Kennedy was upset about two instances that occurred on a single day of campaigning in New Hampshire on Jan. 7, a day before the state's primary.

The first was at an event in Dover, N.H., at which Clinton supporter Francine Torge introduced the former first lady saying, "Some people compare one of the other candidates to John F. Kennedy. But he was assassinated. And Lyndon Baines Johnson was the one who actually" signed the civil rights bill into law.

The Kennedy insider says Senator Kennedy was deeply offended that Clinton remained silent and "sat passively by" rather than correcting the record on his slain brother's civil rights record.

Kennedy was also apparently upset that Clinton said on the same day: "Dr. [Martin Luther] King's dream began to be realized when President Johnson passed the Civil Rights Ac. It took a president to get it done."

Both comments that day, by Clinton and her supporter, were meant to make the point that Clinton would be better equipped to get things done as president than Obama, her chief Democratic rival. Sources say Clinton called Kennedy to apologize for the LBJ comments. But whatever she said clearly wasn't enough to assuage Kennedy, who endorsed Obama earlier this week.

Kennedy insiders say the Massachusetts senator has also been angry with former President Bill Clinton for his "Southern strategy" themed comments on the campaign trail. The senator didn't hide his disdain for the nasty tone of the campaign during his endorsement speech at American University on Monday.

Kennedy's spokeswoman, Melissa Wagoner, would neither confirm nor deny that the senator was angered by Senator Clinton's LBJ comments. She simply said: "Senator Kennedy knows that candidates can't always be responsible for the things their supporters say. He's proud of President Kennedy's role in the civil rights movement, and believes that it's time to unify and inspire Americans to believe we can achieve great things again."

The Clinton campaign hasn't responded yet to our evening-time request for comment on Clinton's telephone apology to Kennedy. On the day of the LBJ rhetoric, however, a Clinton campaign spokesman was quoted on the New York Times' politics blog distancing Clinton from the surrogate who made the inappropriate assassination comment.

[christiansin]

If this is all true, it is all quite petty. Are these people running around on the playground of an elementary school calling each other names or what? I really hope that these types of decisions are not made entirely based on self-interest and ego as this story implies.

There are some who might argue that an endorsement from Ted Kennedy is a kiss of death among some groups in some regions of the U.S. I''d like to see an article on the drawbacks to getting an endorsement from Ted Kennedy. Obama may not be better off in the end.

[jjp735i]

If John or Bobby Kennedy were to throw support to a candidate it would mean something, but Ted Kennedy? Who cares.

[paris1969]

I think voters are wise enough to know that when politicians do anything, it is political gain. I like Ted Kennedy but his opinion is not mine. And in Florida, his endorsement did not seem to make a difference for Clinton ... she still won and will continue to win the vote of people who are ready to turn this economy around.

[lorinkundert]

If Teddy is so worried about his brother''s legacy, he should not be the Socialist that he is now.

[hawksprings]

Go to ABCNews and read about how Hillary was on Walmart''s board for years and never supported the unions at Warmart.
She''s a opportunisitic, ammoral, angry, bitter, meglomaniac woman.

And we want her for president?

[rowdytexan2]

Horse hockey! Yes, the Kennedy brothers fought for civil rights. But it was in fact, LBJ that put the legislation on the table and got it passed!

There was absolutely no misstatement by the Clintons, and Ted Kennedy''s bruhaha over semantics is a pitiful snit!!!

JFK''s legacy was not harmed by a simple statement, nor was MLK''s.

The fact still remains that HIllary Clinton is best equipped to run this government than Barak Obama!

[l00ker]

Well, the country has withstood over 80 years of Kennedy influence in American politics, but it has also come to realize that this Clinton swamp, needs to be fumegated from the political scene, like yesterday.

[battyellison]

What bothers me is Obama has been the ultimate cheerleader but he acts as though you can''t question him on his stands or tactics, I am african american so this is not an attack or playing the race card but i''ve been watching him as the campaigns have gotten closer to super tuesday and he seems to act like he can''t be questioned about any thing but for him to question Bill Clinton''s legacy about black america shows me he''s playing the race card and he was the uniter remember? He is trying to attack the Clintons but feels like they can''t return the favor i use to like Obama but now i see he is what he is a good "DO BOY" for the Clinton haters in the democratic party

[cbs4me3]

And here I thought Teddy was furious over Kerry''s loss and maybe blaming Bill. Actually, President Johnson, as we all know, was a Texan and took a most magnanimous stand against southern white opposition in promoting the black cause. President Johnson is largely ignored with the Kennedy aura and that is unfortunate indeed.

[destardi]

Ted Kennedy is an immature ______.

Obama supporters are infatuated with...nothing.

The Clinton''s get raked over hot coals by the media for statements twisted out of context:
http://mediamatters.org/items/200801130004

Obama''s group pushes the RACE CARD by "leaking" an internal memo outlining those twisted statements:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/12/obama-camps-memo-on-clin_n_81205.html


Sorry Obama, you lose.

[destardi]

Go to ABCNews and read about how Hillary was on Walmart''''s board for years and never supported the unions at Warmart.
She''''s a opportunisitic, ammoral, angry, bitter, meglomaniac woman.

And we want her for president?


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Posted by hawksprings at 09:50 AM : Jan 31, 2008
+ report abuse


Go to NYTimes instead of reading the Note by Mark Halpern on ABC which biased against Hillary...

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/20/us/politics/20walmart.html

Walmart was 10 times smaller than it is now, headquartered in her husband''s state, and she pushed equal pay/treatment for women...she was the ONLY woman on the board, fighting against the good ol''boys club.

Be HONEST hawk!

[destardi]

think voters are wise enough to know that when politicians do anything, it is political gain. I like Ted Kennedy but his opinion is not mine. And in Florida, his endorsement did not seem to make a difference for Clinton ... she still won and will continue to win the vote of people who are ready to turn this economy around.


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Posted by paris1969 at 09:38 AM : Jan 31, 2008
+ report abuse


Amen paris!!!

[battyellison]

Obama''''s group pushes the RACE CARD by "leaking" an internal memo outlining those twisted statements:

http://www.huffingtonpost
.com/2008/01/12/obama-camps-memo-on-clin
_n_81205.html


Sorry Obama, you lose.





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Posted by destardi1 at 10:07 AM : Jan 31, 2008

Well Said and absolutly the truth and now he''s using the same tatics by comparing Clinton to Nixon and himself to Ronald Reagan. Reagan was a uniter to white america Do u remember Reaganomics or the fact that Ronald Reagan called Dr. Martin Luther King a communist i wonder why he didn''t use those Reagan examples when praising a man that is despised by Black america

[grazinggoat]

Ted speaking of Barack Obama: ''He refuses to be trapped in the Casts of the Past.'' Ain''t that great? Ain''t that refreshing and full of hope?

[j_flood]

I find a hollow effect coming from Ted Kennedy''s endorsement of Obama. If it helps Obama - well and good. But for it coming from Ted Kennedy it really doesn''t do much for me. Here''s a man with so much baggage. I value Caroline''s endorsement far more than Ted''s. Her moral stance is steady, while Uncle Ted is shaky. Ted was the first person of whom I recognized that there are two forms of justice - one for the rich and privileged and one for the rest of us. He got away with murder (manslaughter in the least) and I find him to have no moral stance - in spite of his work in the Senate. I wish we were saying goodbye to a retiring Senator Kennedy.

[truthspeake2]

OBAMA 2008...

[grazinggoat]

she still won and will continue to win the vote of people who are ready to turn this economy around.
Posted by paris1969 at 09:38 AM : Jan 31, 2008

-As long as the ESTABLISHMENT (which she represents) is taking hold on the blooded neck of the American Economy, no turn around will be made...

[xlib]

destard-ABC "biased against hill" are you serious??? Come on, lefty, there is not one msm outlet that isn''t a tool for the clinton war camp. Wasn''t ABC who took it in the ying yang and cut out parts of "Path to 9/11" (you lefties do remember 9/11, don''t you??). Isn''t it ABC that is still taking it in the ying yang and NOT releasing the show on DVD?? Biased against hill!!
As for the madame being on the board of Walmart not being an issue, that''s a hoot!! The way you leeemings make excuses for your crooked, lying politicans is a riot. How''s that koolaid??
Also, explain away the ties between obama, clinton''s and the "slum lord". Enlighten us.

[jack3213]

What about a leader who can stand on their own laurels without comparison to other Presidents? Is there nothing more than copy-cats everywhere you look? Kennedy is slime thru and thru- no matter who he endorses, a Democrat is not destined to be Presdient with the two UNQUALIFIED candidates running!!

[realpatriot1]

RowdyTexan2,

Kennedy is correct and you are not. LBJ did not put Civil Rights "on the table", JFK did. JFK put it on the table because of the attention drawn by MLK, the Birmingham bombings, the Grennsboro 7, the Selma March,etc.

What makes Hillary better able to run the government? She had one job in her husband''s administration and she totally failed. She stuck her nose into the travel office and other areas where it didn''t belong and produced scandal. She has no more experience than anyone else running,she just does a better job of lying on her resume.

Hawksprings,

The Klinton Klan can''t deal with the truth. The fact that she advocated for equal pay for women shows that she could''ve done the same for other union workers.

Being 10 times smaller has nothing to do with anything, it was still a huge multinational running Mom and pop establishments out of business and buying cheap overseas while claiming to buy American

As the wife of the Governor in the companies home state and a Board member she should''ve been able to have major influence. If she didn''t, what does that say about her ability to persuade and lead others? Not much!

[l8c6]

Hillary overall is running the healthier campaign. In reality her campaign is cleaner and more balanced. It''s not a, I can give it to you but don''t you dare give it back or I''ll call you a woman hating sexist, campaign. All the anti-Hillary rhetoric that goes after her being female far outweighs any other.

She is the strongest candidate. She doesn''t have the classic strong deep male leader voice but she''ll lead effectively none the less. She''ll lead a pack of men who have behaved like little boys at the expense of the american people for way too long in cases sitting on the laurels of their own or their families legacy for far too long.

She''ll lead a blossoming group of young woman from a group of pathetic self-loathing women who support the status quo of boys who keep perpetuating the type of garbage that gets conveyed from the media through the messages and nuances of Ann Coulter, Chris Matthews, Brittany, a long list that defines a nothing of real value role for women in america.

Hillary is more likely the change and the right and left wing boys club knows it.

[grazinggoat]

Kennedy is slime thru and thru- no matter who he endorses, a Democrat is not destined to be Presdient with the two candidates running!!
Posted by jack3213 at 10:21 AM : Jan 31, 2008

-The most UNQUALIFIED president to have taken office is form your party and he''s in now. See what catastrophe the country is running through, because of his policies? or maybe you''re a one-eye blinded person and can''t or don''t want perceive the other colors in life.

[grazinggoat]

"-As long as the ESTABLISHMENT (which she represents) is taking hold on the blooded neck of the American Economy, no turn around will be made..."

At least Clinton''''s "Establishment" isn''''t headed by a Saudi prince...

Regards,

Posted by Nancy_Naive at 10:26 AM : Jan 31, 2008

-Enlighten us Nancy_Naive: whom Establishment is headed by a Saudi Prince? Please make yourself clear.

[gunownerdan]

When congress has the lowest approval rating it has ever had, why are only SENATORS qualified enough to be president?
The sheep will follow.

[olebd]

I hope Teddy''s endorsement bites Obama in the arse.

And it looks as though he is ruining any chance of being VP.

[l8c6]

----. Reagan was a uniter to white america Do u remember Reaganomics or the fact that Ronald Reagan called Dr. Martin Luther King a communist i wonder why he didn''''t use those Reagan examples when praising a man that is despised by Black america

Posted by battyellison

----The things the right can overlook in themselves.

always the pathetic shallow half souls keeping tabs on every little slight indiscretion of the "liberal" enemy, the "lefties".

Before you notice the speck in your brothers eye, notice the log in your own right wingers. You claim to have the upper hand on faith and moral values --don''t you?

[cbs4me3]

Well said j_flood. You remarked Teddy was first person that made you realize there are two kinds of justice--one for the rich and the other for the poor. Now he makes an endorsement that has this underlying basis? It would have been better to have said nothing. If this true, how condescending is he in greeting Hillary on the House floor Monday night? I hope the press stays on this story.

[pepperp1]

See I am not even in the professional punditry and I knew that and oh by the wya she also said she would dump he Kennedy Bush No Child Left behind on day one. And someone needs to check dose Wapos other comapny the one making all the money proiced test materials for that mess of a law?

Look it doesn%u2019t matter out here I being told he Kennedy went to far, these Dems in this State are Clinton Dems not Liberal Kennedy Dems.


And look Obama is no JFK nothing about him screams JFK, no comparison what so ever. So the second JFK coming had no merit it looked like what it was. Touchy touchy ole Dem party group grievances whah whah.

[horse3farm]

Well looks like Ted Kennedy has hit "senile." He can''t seem to hear anything and understand the context in which it was said. Those comments are why he is not endorsing Clinton? I think that''s a good thing anyway. But Ted...get a life.

[realpatriot1]

18c6.

What was so healthy about her launching last minute slanderous robo-calls against edwards in South Carolina?
Lying about Obama''s record on the war and her own? Lying about his support for abortion? Officials from the Edwards camp have been telling reporters that he thinks Hillary is too devisive to be President. He may remain nuetral but he may endorse Obama, and if he does it will be because of the dirt she threw at him.

Why weren''t lies and distortions clean when the republicans were doing it to the Clintons? If I recall they did a great deal more whining about it and reacting back when they were on the receiving endthan anything Obama has done!

[l8c6]

-Enlighten us Nancy_Naive: whom Establishment is headed by a Saudi Prince? Please make yourself clear.

Posted by grazinggoat


Maybe it''s closer to home than you can imagine goat.

[dennisgreen5]

The 1964 Civil Rights bill was signed by President Johnson because President Kennedy was killed in 1963. The legislation was passed due largely to the efforts of Congress to honor the wishes of President Kennedy and President Johnson had the backbone to sign it.

[rowdytexan2]

Hawksprings,

I beg to defer!!! That legislation was passed during LBJ''s term!!!

[l8c6]

realpatriot1

I haven''t heard the things you have, campaigns can be a dirty game. It should be different. I think people who live in the eastern and middle U.S. are hit with garbage alot more than w.coast. I seem to miss all the vile t.v. and radio commercials, the nasty robo calls that people in other states speak of.

Maybe people in the west don''t respond well to that kind of garbage and the candidates know it.

[edward1975-2009]

Reason Teddy endorsed Obama, Hillarious refused to buy him a drink.

[alanrobisch]

The 1964 Civil Rights bill was signed by President Johnson because President Kennedy was killed in 1963. The legislation was passed due largely to the efforts of Congress to honor the wishes of President Kennedy and President Johnson had the backbone to sign it.


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Posted by dennisgreen5 at 10:40 AM : Jan 31, 2008

absolutely correct

[jedi08]

You can sum up the major difference between OBAMA AND CLINTON by this single question at the debate.

QUESTION**** Please tell us one of your biggest flaws?

Obama Response: "I have a messy desk, sometimes my staff gives me what I need as Im leaving my office so I don''t lose it on my desk" Not exact quote but close

Clinton Response: " I have too much passion for bringing about change for the children" Not exact quote either but you all get the idea.

Obama doesn''t have Clinton''s resume because he is younger and wasn''t married to a former president but he is more honest and a leader. Clinton is a masterful washington politician and tells you what you want to hear a changes her view based on what is popular at the time. What gets her the votes.

Ill take honesty, courage and leadership over experience every time.

Obama 08

[pepperp1]

Hillary is the one running the righteous campaign, what Kennedy Clyburn Kerry and Obama have done is to exploit old identify politics and victimize through what they knew were old group grievance to inflame against not rally for and in so doing they just walked on the graves of the true dead heroes MLK and JFK using their legacy their lives their sacrifice as a weapons a lie against another who Herself has spent a life championing the causes they belived in and it is disgraceful and desperate and wrong. I do not believe for a second either man would be proud to be so violated as pawns in a campaign. Hillary has the honor here.

[l8c6]

And look Obama is no JFK nothing about him screams JFK, no comparison what so ever. So the second JFK coming had no merit it looked like what it was. Touchy touchy ole Dem party group grievances whah whah.

Posted by pepperp1




There are so many examples of why the republican party needs to be sealed in its crypt.

[shortestfuse]

It should be obvious. Kennedy realizes that the Clintoons are already entrenched in their own brand of self-serving corruption. Kennedy sees a better chance at lassoing Obama into the Kennedy brand of self-serving corruption - after all, Obama is still pretty much part of the "fresh meat" on Capitol hill.

[l00ker]

Like the Kerry-Edwards ticket - Obama-lary will surely go down in flames!


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Posted by badaxmofo at 10:49 AM : Jan 31, 2008


And so will his political career.

[notblue]

Kennedy exemplifies and defines leftwing liberalism, his endorsement for Obama is like the kiss of death. The Democrats will never reclaim the whitehouse if they do not become more centrist. The "SILENT MAJORITY" of Americans are not extreme right or left and until the media and the Democrats understand this truth they will not have an elected president. Once again they will snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

[marcodele]

Why didn''t Ted Kennedy just paint a bull''s eye on Obama''s back?

[l00ker]

Reason Teddy endorsed Obama, Hillarious refused to buy him a drink.


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Posted by Edward1975 at 10:45 AM : Jan 31, 2008



That was Hillarious.

[l00ker]

Why didn''''t Ted Kennedy just paint a bull''''s eye on Obama''''s back?


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Posted by marcodele at 10:55 AM : Jan 31, 2008


There was one already there.

[l8c6]

The repubican party serves a minority of americans. It has enabled treasonous and traitorous behavior to be committed against the american populace. It truly serves a minority of people who at least part time reside in america. It serves global interests. It''s funding comes from global interests. It is the party of third world royals and elites who look to this party to be in power in america because it''s good for maintaining their regimes. It''s against most of human interests. The republican party is also the party of fools who don''t get it just like the nazi party was the party of a large number of fools that just didn''t get it.

[rowdytexan2]

Honesty in 08!!! Keep up the good fight Hillary!

[sjbj2322]

Now I''ve heard it all. Check the Drudge report story of a videotape of Obama in 2004 endorsing the decriminalization of marijuana. Future....sounds like a repeat of the 60''s and 70''s to me. Is there any one this man won''t provide "Hope" for. Anything goes....

[cbs4me3]

So, Obama "I have a messy desk" gets Teddy''s endorsement because Teddy is miffed at Hillary over actions President Johnson clearly participated in? Is Teddy trying to rewrite history? Yes, President Johnson was an integral part of that history. I love President Johnson''s speech when he looked at the Congress and repeated Martin Luther King''s words, "We shall overcome." And, the legislation was passed.

[alanrobisch]

And look Obama is no JFK nothing about him screams JFK, no comparison what so ever. So the second JFK coming had no merit it looked like what it was. Touchy touchy ole Dem party group grievances whah whah.





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Posted by pepperp1 at 10:37 AM : Jan 31, 2008

I totally disagree with you. their are distinct similarities. Kennedy was the first catholic elected. Obama would be the first multiracial president. he also is young and carissmatic with a wonderful ability of inspiring people.

Mind you it was the first election I was aware of and I was a strong backer of Nixon.