Uncle Teddy's Endorsement Hold-up: It's the Judges, Stupid

[CorpGovActivist]

Speculation is growing over when Senator Kennedy might throw his weight behind a primary candidate.

Boston-based sources suggest that the key issue for Kennedy is simple: judges - as in, "Which of these candidates has the best chance of being sworn in, so that we can restock the Federal Courts in MA with a new crop?"

But the issue is more complex than that.

Senator Clinton does not have the same naive awe of Senator Kennedy that her husband did, and will likely not open herself up to criticism over marginal Kennedy candidates for the bench.

Senator Obama is a wild card. Some think he's as awe-struck as Bill Clinton; others think he's savvier than he seems.

Senator Edwards shares many of Kennedy's progressive views, but also has his eyes wide open to the Kennedy connections to the Federal benches in MA.

"If he could just go with his gut, he'd go with Biden or Edwards," says one source of Senator Kennedy. "But it's hard to do that when Joe, Jack, and Bobby drilled it into his head that the courts in Massachusetts are a key pillar in the power base. Biden would play ball, but he's not going to win. And Edwards won't play ball."

We all have our burdens this primary season.

- Dave

[Buzz Clik]

1. What's with your fixation with "Uncle Teddy"?

[CorpGovActivist]

3. Having Lived in MA for 8 Years...

... after hearing the UMWA-stoked mystique about 1960 and 1968, I developed a healthy appreciation for the complexities of Senator Kennedy's public service.

I also resided in Winthrop House, three floors above the suite the Kennedys still have set aside as a museum piece (junior year).

Thirteen Days was required reading, I worked and did coursework at the JFK School and in the undergrad Government Department (my concentration), and have done extensive research into the national security legacy of the Kennedy years.

That just begins to scratch the surface of past reasons, but with the announcement of the memoirs and the growing talking head speculation about if/when/who regarding a Kennedy Endorsement, it's only natural.

- Dave

[Virginia Dare]

2. I think Bobby Jr. has endorsed Hillary...

and his mother has endorsed Obama...it will be interesting to see if and when Ted endorses.

[CorpGovActivist]

4. The Endorsement Splits...

... are interesting in and of themselves, but only one Kennedy gets a say on judges, assuming victory in 08.

- Dave

[AlertLurker]

5. A Toss Up?

Can't see hi mwith Edwards - nothing in common.

He sits on the Senate Arms Services Commitee with HRC,

Health, Education, Labour and Pensions Commitee with HRC, Dodd and Obama,

Judiciary Commitee with Biden...

Haven't looked at Subcommitees...

[CorpGovActivist]

6. If You Serve at Least Half a Senate Term with Kennedy...

... you'll eventually co-sponsor legislation with him.

So, it's not surprising that the Edwards campaign site highlights the areas in which Edwards partnered with Kennedy while in the Senate.

- Dave

[book_worm]

7. If Biden could get his endorsement it would be a big help

but still probably not enough to win. BTW, Biden would be a good VP for Edwards.

[CorpGovActivist]

8. Biden on Ticket = Problems; Biden in Edwards Cabinet = Great Idea

Don't get me wrong: I think Senator Biden is every bit as sharp intra-synapse as his tongue is pre-synapse.

- Dave

[Romulox]

9. What in heck does "Edwards won't play ball" mean?

And why would a candidate seek out the endorsement of a polarizing figure such as Ted Kennedy, especially when so many strings are attached "...play ball..."?

[CorpGovActivist]

10. The Degree of Deference Given to Home State Senators...

... in drawing up judicial nominee candidate short lists varies.

- Dave

[CorpGovActivist]

11. "And why would a candidate seek out the endorsement of a polarizing figure such as Ted Kennedy?"

That raises an interesting question of its own. To prevent an awkward moment for all involved, such high-profile endorsements often entail staff discussions first.

It may be strategic for one or more campaigns to have it emerge that they said, "No thanks."

- Dave