Kennedy Helps Clinton And Obama Break Ice

Washington Post: Back In The Senate, Rivals Chat And Laugh After Kennedy Approaches Clinton

(WASHINGTONPOST.COM)  This story was written by Paul Kane.

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This time there was no "snub."

Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.) returned to the Senate yesterday after Tuesday's mega-battle in 22 state contests left their nomination fight practically deadlocked. Clinton and Obama talked briefly and let out a pair of loud laughs during a close vote on a $158 billion economic stimulus plan pushed by Democrats, trying to set a different tone -- at least in public -- for a race that their closest advisers now say could last into the summer.

The person who broke the ice was Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), whose endorsement of Obama played a key role in an earlier awkward Clinton-Obama encounter in the Capitol. Yesterday, after Clinton won handily in Kennedy's home state, he approached her while she was talking to Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), a prominent Clinton backer.

Kennedy cut in and made jokes at his own expense, prompting Obama to join in on the fun. Kennedy noted before a group of senators that Clinton's New York Giants had just stunned his New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, as well. "It's not been a good month for Ted in terms of contests," said Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), an Obama supporter.

What a difference nine days makes.

On Jan. 28, fresh off his trouncing of Clinton in South Carolina, Obama was endorsed by Kennedy. During a pair of appearances on the Senate floor, Clinton and Obama studiously avoided each other as supporters treated Obama like a returning hero. Just before the start of the State of the Union address that night, Clinton reached out to shake hands with Kennedy as Obama turned to talk to McCaskill.

Played repeatedly on political chat shows on cable television, the event was turned into "The Snub."

With each candidate securing wins to be proud of on Tuesday, Obama and Clinton were decidedly upbeat. "She's in a great mood," said Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), a Clinton supporter who spoke with both candidates. "They both look tired, and they're both losing their voices."

Before leaving the Senate, Obama was pulled aside for some jovial banter with Sen. Larry E. Craig (R-Idaho), whose men's room arrest last year caused a national stir. On Tuesday, Obama won the Democratic caucuses in Craig's state.

Clinton, meanwhile, appeared to be more strategic in her final chats. She ventured into the far left corner of the chamber reserved for newcomers, where she buttonholed Sen. James Webb (D-Va.), who has remained undeclared in advance of Tuesday's Virginia primary.

Missing was Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who took a commanding lead for the GOP presidential nomination. McCain's supporters celebrated on his behalf, after Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) spied Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.). The two had spent the previous several days stumping for McCain.

"The rabbi! The rabbi!" Graham called out to Lieberman, as the two men laughed and hugged.

[grazinggoat]

It is called covering all bases.

Vote against politics as usual, i.e. the Clintons.
Vote against the status quo, i.e., the Clintons.
Vote against divisive partisan politics.
Vote against arrogance, corruption, and incompetence in Washington, i.e., the Clintons.
Vote against members of Washington''''s "good ole boys/girls" club, i.e, the Clinton''''s.

Vote for change.
Vote for Obama.

72 year old white veteran.
Posted by tibu987 at 07:21 PM : Feb 07, 2008

- Way to go tibu987 !

[pepperp1]

Me thinks Kennedy has trotted on his dead brother on time two often. Mass voters should retire this guy talk about old gaurd....

[bizzzz-2009]

You know what I''m going to enjoy when Hillary or Obama is elected? Osama Bin Laden taken advantage of a weak leader(s), just like he took advantage of Bill Clinton. Boy, those were the days to be a terrorist! Terror camps springing up all over Pakistan and Afganistan, Attacks met with no response, I can''t wait Clinton or Obama to be elected. Long live Jihadists.

[shutupnvote]

Ted been is office to long he needs to step down, and O is no JFK not even close its silly.

Repeat after me You NEED change, You NEED hope, You NEED O, again, You NEED change, You NEED hope, You NEED O, again, You NEED change, You NEED hope, You NEED O, again, You NEED change, You NEED hope, You NEED O, again, You NEED change, You NEED hope, You NEED O, again, You NEED change, You NEED hope, You NEED O, again, WHY because need change hope and O is the dead JFK come back....................poodles

[b-easy63]

He will be told of ultimate sacrifice, of Kennedy''''''''s belief and what a future great leader he will be--but how right now--the most important thing is for the party to capture the WH as well as hold Congress--he will be reminded that this all is bigger than him--and Obama? Will he cave in and bow to party over principle? I don''''''''t think anyone knows--but just in case, Hilary has been willing to allow Kennedy to endorse Obama now, so that she can reap the benefits later. All of this is obvious, as is the fact the DNC have no intention of allowing any but Hilary if they can help it. watch. Anyone here read Dune (not watched the movie--read the book) Kennedy''''''''s move is a classic ploy-the question is, when he has to make his gambit to rein the losing Obama back in--can he? Or will Obama refuse the VP or other carrots and will he not stump or implore on Clinton''''''''s behalf--because if he indicates she is not worth voting for--many followers may emulate his sentiment--and the DNC dare not let that come to pass--just like they dare not let him win. ONe wonders if Michelle is not also aware of the gambit and is why she states quite openly, that she might not support Hilary over McCain? What should have been a dream election time for the Clintons and the DNC could end up being their worst nightmare.

The gamble is that Obama will trust Kennedy and respect him enough to do what he says--he will never know that this was thought and planned out by the DNC and Billary in the first place.

[b-easy63]

Games within games, strategies within strategies, and agendas within agendas. I think Kennedy endorsed Obama with the DNC AND Hilary''''s blessing. His job is to play elder statesman and king maker on the surface but really his job is to placate Obama and convince him to support Hilary in the face of a loss whether by actual delegates or the decision of the DNC. Right now, Obama represents a very dangerous element. He has garnered soo much support and inspired such loyalty that an indication from him that Hilary and Bill are not worth supporting could be enough to persuade those who voted for him to turn their backs on politics as usual and the DNC. Obama does not know it--but it is his style of reaching voters and of not going along with the game plan that worries the DNS more than his race. Dems like the old game plan--esp. when they are in power and no one outside of Obama and his supporters want the game derailed. So Kennedy is there in the sidelines, to act as mentor and confidante to Obama, to whisper in his ear about duty to party and healing and to get the man to convince his followers to follow his lead. see next post

[rowdytexan2]

Hillary is going to do just fine as president. She will get in there and start moving and shaking to get things done. And hopefully a bunch of those Neocons will be out of the Senate...and we can get some GOOD legislation for a change.

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by jack3213 at 03:30 PM : Feb 07, 2008

Jack jumps at his shadows cuz the Neocons told him it might be a terrorist.

[shutupnvote]

Kennedy should retire his voters sent him a clear message ................to move on..

[tibu987]

It is called covering all bases.

Vote against politics as usual, i.e. the Clintons.
Vote against the status quo, i.e., the Clintons.
Vote against divisive partisan politics.
Vote against arrogance, corruption, and incompetence in Washington, i.e., the Clintons.
Vote against members of Washington''s "good ole boys/girls" club, i.e, the Clinton''s.

Vote for change.
Vote for Obama.

72 year old white veteran.

[odyssey101-2009]

Billary will be a mistake to america thats for sure...its one of the biggest gambles ever in american politics.It shows clearly in her campaign so far how far her husband will be a basic part of her administration..you cant take him out of the whole equation,that brings us back to the question what has he left undone in the white house..Besides 35 years of what experience?the issue of experience has never favored when it comes to the real executive admistration,it takes charisma,a special quality of leadership to head a country thats why F.Kennedy and Bill Clinton could do it not 35 years of experience..Thats a different ball game entirely..

[akona2]

D-emocrats and independents should ask themselves
I-s barack HUSSEIN OBAMA a MUSLIM or NOT?
S-eek for the truth, is that you say
A-ll of you who thought you knew
S-eek for a DNA test and you will know
T-he father is a MUSLIM, the brother and sister are MUSLIMs.
E-ducated in MUSLIM school
R-ight under our nose that we might not know...

DISASTER is spelled out if we get the FIRST MUSLIM PRESIDENT.

[antoniof123]

Posted by mike71067 at 12:07 PM : Feb 07, 2008

You know mike I hate to tell you this but the more you scream and yell the more we are going to bear down on your kind come Novemeber.

Good night and good luck at the election.

[jack3213]

Romney says: ( for which is clear fact) "Barack and Hillary have made their intentions clear regarding Iraq and the war on terror. They would retreat and declare defeat. And the consequence of that would be devastating. It would mean attacks on America, launched from safe havens that make Afghanistan under the Taliban look like childs%u2019 play. About this, I have no doubt."

[sierra20071]

Sierra, you are so out of touch with reality that it baffles logic. I am amongst the "poor"that you allude to but only because I know the hard work of deferring my immediate gratification in an effort to complete my doctoral dissertation in history and political science (Good Job). I didn''''t have white grandparents who could get me scholarships to elite schools from the time I was in the 5th grade (POLARIZING). I''''ve had to do it on my own. Your desire to pigeon hole people and make unwarranted and unjustified generalizations only shows what motivates so many - ignorance!
The polls suggest that the people that supported Hillary are the poor to low medium income group - can''t deny it. You might read your own comment as to pigeon holing - you might be the exception, then again you might not be - the genius is just as ignorant as the poor. Believe it or not there are people just as you (as you claim)have climbed out of the rut, however, there are people that are not as fortunate or as strong as you. There are some people who do not have your genetics and are functioning vocationally as they are not able to persue the big education due to their limitations of the brain. Oh, and by the way did you know with all your genius and all that there are white americans with social, economical, & vocational issues as you may/maynot have had. Are you sure you''re a Democrat

BRAACK bring back CRAACK

[sjbj2322]

By the way...its spelled Marijuana and his statement was that he wanted to decriminalize it but not legalize it. Yep, that''s your man - flipflopping on any issue so that he doesn''t alienate anyone in the process of pandering for votes. The same guy that voted "nay" to gang members on probation being allowed to associate with known gang members because he felt it unfairly targeted blacks. Like the only gangs in this country are composed of blacks. Don''t get me started on his stupid ethics bill. Gotta eat and run but that''s okay as long as I don''t sit down.

[sjbj2322]

Sierra, you are so out of touch with reality that it baffles logic. I am amongst the "poor" that you allude to but only because I know the hard work of deferring my immediate gratification in an effort to complete my doctoral dissertation in history and political science. I didn''t have white grandparents who could get me scholarships to elite schools from the time I was in the 5th grade. I''ve had to do it on my own. Your desire to pigeon hole people and make unwarranted and unjustified generalizations only shows what motivates so many - ignorance!

[cmp271]

Obama is so much better than Billery! Let''s hope he gets the nomination. We need someone to bring the country together-not keep it polarized.

They don''t need to do anymore debates, I think the public know what a sleaze she is, and is trying to bring down a good man.

Send the b-t-ch some kleenex after she lose the election. Who wants a leader who bursts in to tears and gets emotional. What sort of leadership is that???

[colonieny]

If O. has the chance ( or for that matter anyone at CBS)- Could he please ask Teddy about the Kennedy Family TRUST FUND ? I understand that it is secure in TAHITI, far from US TAXES, such as the rest of us have to pay, for our "fair share". How is this possible yet not an issue for the PRESS ?

[colonieny]

If O. has the chance ( or for that matter anyone at CBS)- Could he please ask Teddy about the Kennedy Family TRUST FUND ? I understand that it is secure in TAHITI, far from US TAXES, such as the rest of us have to pay, for our "fair share". How is this possible yet not an issue for the PRESS ?