Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg Endorses Barack Obama

MSNBC just announced that The New York Times will publish an editorial by Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg tomorrow endorsing Barack Obama.

Update [2008-1-26 21:0:52 by Todd Beeton]:Keith said she writes of Obama "a president like my father..."

Update [2008-1-26 22:1:57 by Todd Beeton]:The editorial is up. Many folks poo pooed it in the comments but I think Hillary supporters would be well-advised not to ignore its importance. I think symbolically it's quite powerful. Just read these two grafs:

We have that kind of opportunity with Senator Obama. It isn’t that the other candidates are not experienced or knowledgeable. But this year, that may not be enough. We need a change in the leadership of this country — just as we did in 1960. ...

I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president — not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans.



Display:


Re: Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg To Endorse Obama (none / 0)

I thought she already endorsed him previously?


by kristoph on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 08:20:53 PM EST

who? (1.00 / 2)

who?


by prisonbreak on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 08:21:04 PM EST

Re: who? (none / 0)

Blowout Central


by marketingman on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 08:22:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: who? (none / 0)

John F. Kennedy's only surviving child.


by Drummond on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 08:23:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: who? (2.00 / 1)

My, your lack of graciousness is showing.


by upper left on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 10:14:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

To Endorse Obama (none / 0)

The daughter of a president from 45 years ago.  Good catch!


The sharpest criticism often goes hand in hand with the deepest idealism and love of country. ~RFK
by Vox Populi on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 08:23:17 PM EST

Re: Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg To Endorse Obama (none / 0)

Doesn't make a difference to me and I doubt it will have any impact.


Restore America's Strength.
by RJEvans on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 08:24:34 PM EST

Re: Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg To Endorse Obama (2.00 / 1)

It won't. But it's a good endorsement.


by lonnette33 on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 08:26:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

It might matter to older Catholics (none / 0)

Catholics over 60 are among Obama's weakest demos.  I don't know how many older Catholics you know, but among the ones I know there is still a lot of admiration for President Kennedy and RFK.  I don't think Caroline's endorsement will make a huge difference overall,  but I think it will be helpful with older Catholics.  And if her uncle Teddy endorses next and becomes a forceful surrogate for Obama against the Clintons' attacks, that would be a big help in certain demographics and states.


Voter Genome Project
by Ron Turiello on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 08:35:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It might matter to older Catholics (none / 0)

No, not at all.

Catholics don't have any special affinity for Kennedy and certainly not Kennedy's daughter.

It's not like she is a religious leader.

She is more likely to influence liberals and partisans.


by kristoph on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 10:12:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It might matter to older Catholics (2.00 / 1)

Of course, nothing would matter to you.  Your lack of objectivity is oh, so subtle.


by upper left on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 10:17:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It might matter to older Catholics (none / 0)

I and my whole family are Catholic, we have Catholic friends ... you get the idea.

I can assure you most Catholics have no idea who this woman is and none would be swayed by what she said.

Now if the Pope endorsed him, then you can be sure that would make a difference.


by kristoph on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 02:38:02 AM EST
[ Parent ]

You may be right (none / 0)

Keep telling yourself that and maybe it will make it so.


Voter Genome Project
by Ron Turiello on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 03:53:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It might matter to older Catholics (none / 0)

While I'm not sure that this endorsement is as worthless as others suggest, I agree that it won't particularly affect Catholic voters.  Didn't Kerry only get roughly 50% of the Catholic vote?  Things have changed since 1960, Catholics don't seem to be practicing much identity politics anymore.


by CountMippipopolous on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 01:47:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It might matter to older Catholics (none / 0)

Maybe not...but the Kennedy name still carries some weight with them. They won't make their decision based on it, but if they are on the fence it could push them one way or the other... and if nothing else it will be a masterfully written op-ed that will get tons of media coverage...and that is never a bad thing.


Oh Mammy Dear, we're all mad over here livin' in America
by JDF on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 02:31:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg To Endorse Obama (2.00 / 1)

Why do we care if any endorsement makes a differece to you. You are voting for Hillary regardless. So your comment is irrelevant. Obama will still not get your vote if you biggest hero endorsed him.


by Pravin on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 09:05:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg To Endorse Obama (none / 0)

It's scary how you think you know what I believe and feel. So, in essence, fuck you.


Restore America's Strength.
by RJEvans on Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 08:14:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg To Endorse Obama (none / 0)

Another Wine-and-cheese Liberal comes out for Obama? Shocking only because I thought that they had all endorsed already.


by ND1979 on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 08:28:14 PM EST

Re: Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg To Endorse Obama (2.00 / 0)

Nicely put.

I've posted this elsewhere but I need to keep saying it: My head is spinning. Is Caroline Kennedy's endorsement getting this kind of publicity because of Obama or because it's from JFK's daughter? The letter from Martin Luther King Jr.'s son to John Edwards got virtually no publicity. And if you read it, it was far stronger than an endorsement. What gives? I guess people don't take King as seriously as they do Kennedy...


by Julia02110 on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 11:01:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg To Endorse Obama (none / 0)

Actually she already endorsed him before. So you thought right.

This is just an op-ed.


by kristoph on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 02:40:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg To Endorse Obama (none / 0)

It's a good endorsement, but if she already endorsed Obama and this is just an op-ed why is the Media selling it for more than what it is?  


by lonnette33 on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 08:57:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

The complete lack (none / 0)

of class shown by Clinton supporters here is amazing.


by fladem on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 01:03:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg To Endorse Obama (none / 0)

It will be well read.  How important matters more on what she said.


by Piuma on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 08:30:05 PM EST

As goes Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg. . . (none / 0)

. . . so goes. . . er. . . no one at all.


by freemansfarm on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 08:31:27 PM EST

Re: As goes Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg. . . (2.00 / 1)

thanks for adding substance to the conversation.


Oh Mammy Dear, we're all mad over here livin' in America
by JDF on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 02:32:37 AM EST
[ Parent ]

The Words of Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg (2.00 / 2)

"I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president -- not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans."


Our Moment Is Now
by mboehm on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 08:47:43 PM EST

"A President Like My Father" (2.00 / 1)

"OVER the years, I've been deeply moved by the people who've told me they wished they could feel inspired and hopeful about America the way people did when my father was president. This sense is even more profound today. That is why I am supporting a presidential candidate in the Democratic primaries, Barack Obama.

My reasons are patriotic, political and personal, and the three are intertwined. All my life, people have told me that my father changed their lives, that they got involved in public service or politics because he asked them to. And the generation he inspired has passed that spirit on to its children. I meet young people who were born long after John F. Kennedy was president, yet who ask me how to live out his ideals.

Sometimes it takes a while to recognize that someone has a special ability to get us to believe in ourselves, to tie that belief to our highest ideals and imagine that together we can do great things. In those rare moments, when such a person comes along, we need to put aside our plans and reach for what we know is possible.

We have that kind of opportunity with Senator Obama. It isn't that the other candidates are not experienced or knowledgeable. But this year, that may not be enough. We need a change in the leadership of this country -- just as we did in 1960."

Here's a link to the whole editorial.


Voter Genome Project
by Ron Turiello on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 08:51:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg To Endorse Obama (none / 0)

Nice get for Obama.


by superetendar on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 08:56:56 PM EST

Re: Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg Endorses Barack O (none / 0)

nice one for Obama - I dont think it will do much, just like Kerry's endorsement prior to NH


vote blue in 2008
by sepulvedaj3 on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 10:04:45 PM EST

Re: Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg Endorses Barack O (none / 0)

Kerry endorsed after NH.


by upper left on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 10:22:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg Endorses Barack O (none / 0)

true dat!

sry my mind is getting confused with all the dates/endorsements


vote blue in 2008
by sepulvedaj3 on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 10:28:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

unless they bring organization they are useless (none / 0)

Give me a break. If I went out in the street and asked 100 people who Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg was could ten tell me? Todd might consider it the best thing since sliced bread but it's not going to make much difference.


by ottovbvs on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 10:12:29 PM EST

Re: unless they bring organization they are useles (2.00 / 1)

You'd have to be asking a really stupid group of people if only 10 people knew who Caroline Kennedy.  Heck, most could probably sing a song about her if you asked.


by CountMippipopolous on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 01:51:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I can't wait to read (none / 0)

what you say when Ted endorses
this week.  

by fladem on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 01:05:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

My mother who LOVES JFK (none / 0)

loved loved loved Caroline's endorsement.

It fits the MSM narration that Obama is like JFK, RFK, and MLK.


by puma on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 10:15:51 PM EST

Oh, really, well tell your mother (2.00 / 0)

that MLK's son wrote stronger words to John Edwards:

"...I urge you: keep going. Ignore the pundits, who think this is a horserace, not a fight for justice. My dad was a fighter. As a friend and a believer in my father's words that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, I say to you: keep going. Keep fighting. My father would be proud."


by Julia02110 on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 11:09:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Oh, really, well tell your mother (none / 0)

But did he endorse him?  I don't know... I'm truly asking.

I thought he just wrote a nice letter directly to John.  He he sent in an editorial saying he endorses John it probably would mean more.


John McCain defends Bush's Iraq strategy.
by recusancy on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 01:50:20 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg Endorses Barack O (2.00 / 0)

I think it's amazing that the world has changed so much in the past few decades that a man can rise up from the middle class and achieve a dream like this.

Kennedy had a trust fund of 1 million dollars as a child I recently read in the encyclopedia.

But they both attended Harvard!


by Joannems on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 10:21:22 PM EST

Re: Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg Endorses Barack O (none / 0)

Yeah... For all that respect someone with little money to start with Barack is an inspiration.  He's self made.

Here's a cool little graph displaying the candidates net worth.  Quite interesting.  I'm curious how McCain has as much money as he does.


John McCain defends Bush's Iraq strategy.
by recusancy on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 01:55:42 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg Endorses Barack O (none / 0)

Well when your father is a bootlegger who avoids prison, you tend to be pretty wealthy.  Even though he was rich, he did risk his life in WWII... so you have to give him some props.


by yitbos96bb on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 02:03:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg Endorses Barack O (none / 0)

WOW!  Good get for Barack.  I wonder if the people endorsing him really believe he can win in a general election.  Or are people speaking with their hearts.


by nzubechukwu on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 10:27:29 PM EST

Re: Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg Endorses Barack O (2.00 / 0)

or both


by aiko on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 12:14:09 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg Endorses Barack O (2.00 / 2)

Obama should have in an ad using some of her words about JFK and about inspiration.

Some of you may poo poo this, but for anyone over 50 who is a Democrat, this will be very powerful.  In political terms, it goes straight at a demographic that HRC has been winning.  

And JFK still lives on as a symbol of the young, vibrant, creative, optimistic America for so many people.

Bill Clinton knew that in 1992 and kept showing that picture of him shaking Kennedy's hand.

Obama knows that now, as he runs (as Bill did in 1992) a campaign about the future, not the past.


by mainelib on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 10:28:40 PM EST

Stagecraft (none / 0)

Man, that is some good symbolism.  Hey, we can talk about who has heard of her or whether it affects a vote, but...

stagecraft is stagecraft.


by ChrisR on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 10:30:25 PM EST

Re: Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg Endorses Barack O (none / 0)

Obama's my second choice, and CKS seems like a lovely woman, but I don't think endorsements count much. If her mother were still alive and endorsed, that might bring out the starry-eyed Camelotians. Maybe Uncle Teddy....


by BlueinColorado on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 10:33:46 PM EST

Re: Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg Endorses Barack O (1.00 / 2)

Obama is trying to make race an issue in his quest for the White House.
He will do anything to win.
He plays dirty, and will not win.
New York will laugh at him, and people will get sick of him.
Super Tuesday will break him, but he will try to lie his way to some wins.
See through him, and vote for another candidate.
I am,

George Vreeland Hill


GEORGE VREELAND HILL
by Vreeland on Sat Jan 26, 2008 at 10:39:14 PM EST

Re: Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg Endorses Barack O (none / 0)

Spammer.


John McCain defends Bush's Iraq strategy.
by recusancy on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 01:57:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg Endorses Barack O (none / 0)

Speaking of people who lie...

How are you 39 here:
http://www.myspace.com/acting

and 51 here?
http://www.bikerornot.com/browse/ride

Quite the age difference... plus do you live in LA or NH, as you claim on the NH Blog?

http://www.blogsnh.com/drupal//user/316


by yitbos96bb on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 02:14:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg Endorses Barack O (2.00 / 1)

distasteful...at best.... and you are pretty far from at best.


Oh Mammy Dear, we're all mad over here livin' in America
by JDF on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 02:35:16 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg Endorses Barack O (none / 0)

I think it's a nice item to add to an impressive list of endorsements for Obama and he should be proud of it, but I'll have to disagree with Todd. I don't think it will carry any real weight at all, symbolic or otherwise. I really doubt that most people even know who she is.  It will have about as much effect as most endorsements do - none.


"It pays to be obvious, especially if you have a reputation for subtlety". Salvor Hardin
by Denny Crane on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 01:38:43 AM EST

New York (2.00 / 1)

In New York, this is very big -- trust me.


by horizonr on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 01:53:57 AM EST

Re: Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg Endorses Barack O (none / 0)

Throughout the country this will be big.  Everyone understands the symbolism of the endorsement.  It gives credence to the notion of this generation's JFK.  It's very interesting to look at this in context of the last paragraph of the St. Louis Dispatch endorsement in tomorrow's paper:


In January of 1961, Ann Dunham Obama was six weeks pregnant with Barack Obama Sr.'s child when President Kennedy said at his inauguration that "the torch has been passed to a new generation." It's that time again.


by Piuma on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 01:58:26 AM EST

Re: Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg Endorses Barack O (2.00 / 1)

You overlook the subtle dig: "I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them."

I guess she wasn't singing Fleetwood Mac songs in 1992. Of all the endorsements I've seen both sides get, this one definitely has the capacity to influence the over 55 demographic. Coupled with the size of Obama's SC victory, it could just keep him in the race past Super Tuesday.

Hillary needs a sizable delegate lead by Feb 6th is she's going to hold him off.


by KevinHayden on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 03:42:05 AM EST

Re: Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg Endorses Barack O (none / 0)

Controlling and manipulating the media narrative is key to winning. The press will eat this up. Obama as the new JFK. The message of hope versus the politics of fear and sleaze.

Together with getting the majority of white youth, half of white males and more votes then the 2 leading Republicans in a Republican state and trouncing Hilary in a landslide after Bill Clinton threw everything he had at him?

The Clinton's have lost control of the narrative in the media and that could be huge for Barack's momentum. After hearing Barack's victory speech I'm switching my vote from Edwards to Obama.


by hankg on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 06:36:46 AM EST

Re: Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg Endorses Barack O (none / 0)


by hankg on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 06:37:18 AM EST


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