Ethel Kennedy on Barack Obama

[illinoisprogressive]

Ethel Kennedy - widow of Senator Bobby Kennedy
"I think he feels it. He feels it just like Bobby did," Ethel Kennedy said, comparing her late husband's quest for social justice to Obama's. "He has the passion in his heart. He's not selling you. It's just him." Ethel Kennedy invited Obama to deliver the keynote address at a ceremony commemorating the 80th birthday of Robert F. Kennedy. She said she had carefully followed the career of the Illinois senator, whom she referred to as "our next president." (source)

http://www.draftobama.org/celebrities

[madrchsod]

1. i think she`s correct....

my god this nation would be so different if bobby would have lived...

[blossomstar]

51. Agreed! The eyes are the window to the soul....

I see kindness and compassion in his eyes.

[Grandrose]

2. Wow! (K&R)

What a beautiful statement!:applause: :kick:

[Gregorian]

3. Wow. That opens my eyes.

The notion of "rock star" status has been bothering me. It even bothers me with rock stars. But I take this as a meaningful comment. There is more to Obama than meets the eye.

It's going to take some time for me to sort out these candidates. They're almost all good.

I just wish we could stop all of the poll taking and focus on meaningful statistics.

[Colobo]

4. Wonderful!

[AtomicKitten]

5. "Our next president."

Nice. I recall making this comment a few times only to be summarily dismissed by the nay-sayers.
I guess the joke's on them, eh? w00t

Gobama!

[poverlay]

6. I think Kucinich would be a better president, but I will keep my eye on Obama and the rest. Thanks

for the post. Such things are important to know...

[Colobo]

7. Obama haters don't wanna touch this.

[Adelante]

10. And here I was keeping my mouth shut

;)

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Laurab]

29. These are tough ones to spin - he might not be up to it! n/t

[jenmito]

35. Good point...

and on another thread, he denied starting threads implying it's a bad thing for Obama to even say nice things about Repubs. while Edwards said he chose Repubs. to be in his cabinet. :shrug:

[Adelante]

8. Whooooooo

Quite something that there :)

[polichick]

9. Impressive statement...

Perhaps Obama will choose RFK Jr. for veep.

[AtomicKitten]

12. excellent choice for VP

:thumbsup:

[Colobo]

13. Can you imagine an Obama/Kennedy ticket?

Wow! Just... wow!

[AtomicKitten]

14. *** WOW ***

Oh yeah! :)

[H2O Man]

56. I think that

she is too old to give it serious consideration. But having her endorsement is pretty impressive.

[flpoljunkie]

11. Awesome!

[tammywammy]

15. Very nice

[Cameron27]

16. Wow, that's an incredible endorsement,

I've never heard Ethel compare anyone to Bobby.

:thumbsup: to Obama

[Colobo]

18. Ethel should appear on TV shows endorsing Obama

All those great, well known and respected Obama supporters should take over the airwaves!

[democrat2thecore]

17. VERY Interesting!

If anyone would know if Obama is like RFK, it would be her. She is politically savvy herself. I am looking at Obama very seriously.

[stillcool]

19. that's quite the endorsement...

makes me wonder...when I've heard him speak, he has impressed me. When I read what he's said..it gives me pause. Funny, how that works. Maybe I need a refresher course in reading between the lines.

[Mythsaje]

20. He's my second choice...

We could do a LOT worse.

[Jack Bone]

22. My... my.... my...I'm speechless......

K&R....

[Colobo]

23. WOOOOOO!!! Kickin!

[Colobo]

24. Kickin'.

[Ethelk2044]

25. Excellent Post.

[CarolNYC]

26. Wow!

That IS a nice endorsement. Good for Obama.

[Colobo]

27. DMC loves this endorsement.

[Laurab]

28. "Wow" is right.

I've often seen him compared to RFK, and posts saying "he's no RFK - not even close", but I think this is one person you can't argue with. I see much of what Ethel Kennedy sees in Obama, and I hope others start to see it, as well.

[Rocky2007]

34. RFK/Obama via Ethel

I agree -- Obama is a breath of fresh air -- take a deep breath and enjoy!

[alteredstate]

30. What a wonderful endorsement!

:bounce:

[Terri S]

31. I always said...

I haven't felt like this about a candidate since Bobby. I was a little too young to vote for Bobby, and I've mostly voted 'against' people since I could vote. This time I'm voting FOR Obama, for the same reasons I would have voted for Bobby.

This is a priceless endorsement. Oh my.... Obama/Kennedy .. be still my heart!

[FrenchieCat]

32. How Excellent......

My daughter agrees with Mrs. Kennedy. She says that Obama has inspired her because he's down to earth yet educated as all heck. She's young (my daughter) and she's ready to work to elect Obama. Just sayin'! :)

[Colobo]

33. WE NEED TO CHOOSE HIM AS OUR CANDIDATE!!!

Let's make it happen! :hi:

[Terri S]

36. I'm with ya, Katz!

[venable]

37. When Edwards, my guy, was compared to RFK

- as he often was in 03/04 - I thought it was absurd, and I think this is exactly as absurd. Even if it comes from Ethel.

For those old enough to remember Bobby's speeches, it was a different thing altogether. And he rose and rose in the polls. The more you knew him, the deeper the commitment. I see the opposite happening with BO.

I want BO to be president, but not now. 8 or 12 years from now, or more.

I am ready for nasty responses to this, so I apologize now if my post offends.

[Colobo]

38. Ethel knows best.

[venable]

39. maybe nt

[Colobo]

40. You need to join the Obama movement.

Join us: The excitement is genuine and contagious.

[venable]

43. I do feel his leadership quality - my problem is what he is actually doing with it

i think he is not leading, though he has the capacity to do so, I think he is playing it all way, way too safe...I think he is too young, and therefore lacks the vision and courage to step up to what he is capable of doing, what one day I think he will do.

He should speak truth to power, much as Edwards does. With more outrage than he now displays. It is the end of our Republic, and we have little time to save it, economically, socially, and dare I say it - spiritually (in a non-organized-religion way). Obama acts like things are just in need of some sweetness. We are way beyond that.

There is a reason for Edwards rising numbers, and it is that he recognizes that the entire system is corrupt and stacked, seriously, against EVERYONE but the corporate elite. Edwards may not get elected with this approach, but it is what is needed. Obama is in a position to truly galvanize. Thats who many thought he was, and I think there is a slowly growing disappointment. Maybe he'll win the nom. If he does, I'll be leading the pack for him. But I will hope he grows some real courage and vision. Gandhi and Mandela and Biko and Havel should be his models, not Lieberman (referring to his support of Jomentum in the race with Lamont, ie he was deep in the game, not leading us out of the crooked, fixed game).

He feels more like the 2003 version of Edwards, when he should be more like the 2007 version of Edwards...ie Edwards unplugged from the consultants.

I think if he got rid of Axelrod, and brought on a true visionary, he would be a much more supportable candidate, for me, anyway.

[FrenchieCat]

49. Obama reminds Ethel Kennedy of her husband.....

She has given Obama this ultimate compliment, and as far as she's concerned, she obviously did it for good reason. I, for one, believe that she is telling it like it is....cause she hasn't come out and said that about anyone, including John Edwards of the then nor of the now.

[madmunchie]

55. Joke Joke is the comparison of JE and RFK similarities, that is just plain wishful thinking

the ONLY thing that they have in common is a great head of hair.

Now the statement from (the one who should know best)Mrs. Ethel Kennedy, about her late husband and Obama, is surely food for thought.

[H2O Man]

57. It doesn't "offend."

You are just wrong. It happens.

[CarolNYC]

59. With all due respect....

if it comes down to a choice between you and Ethel as to who knows how it was with Bobby and which, if any, of the current candidates can be compared to him, I'll go with Ethel every time.

Without Wes or Al in the race, I really don't find myself supporting anyone. And I have my doubts about Obama and how ready he is to run the country in these troubled times. But, considering the way I feel about RFK, I can't deny that hearing Ethel say something this wonderful about Barack does make me think twice about him.

I understand that these words of Ethel's probably aren't very welcomed by those Edwards supporters who have been trying to throw the mantle of RFK all over John (and you can't deny that some have tried big time to do this) but they certainly are striking to me.

[Cameron27]

60. I feel the same way Carol. This is a significant endorsement

from Ethel who's NEVER compared anyone to Bobby, so I'm adding this to the list of reasons to support Obama, if I ever do. It's a phenomenal endorsement in my book.

And yes there were threads pitching "JE, the new RFK" posted around here, so I'm very happy to see Ethel Kennedy weigh in with her own personal choice.

[venable]

that's all I'm saying - the je/rfk was not my making...it just was out there

in the meantime - look at rfk's speeches. look at obama's speeches. compare their respective challenges to the powers that be, and make up your own mind.

it's definitely a powerful endorsement, whether I think it makes sense or not.

[venable]

62. that's all I'm saying - the je/rfk was not my making...it just was out there

in the meantime - look at rfk's speeches. look at obama's speeches. compare their respective challenges to the powers that be, and make up your own mind.

it's definitely a powerful endorsement, whether I think it makes sense or not.

[CarolNYC]

72. Yep...

I mean I've really idolized Bobby through the years. I've agonized over the fact that I would never meet him, even, in my younger days, tried to imagine scenarios in which I could get to talk to Ethel so I could hear from someone who was so intimately connected to him. I still miss him, but in a healthier way, I think....It just makes me sit up and take notice when she makes this comparison....

[venable]

61. its not between me and ethel

i never once compared je to rfk...i am simply reporting that this was the recurring claim back in 03 and 04...i thought it was stupid then. I think this is stupid now, whether it comes from ethel or not.

[JI7]

65. i don't think Ethel is saying that Obama is same or similar to RFK

in what they are doing.

but rather it's what they both seem to have even if they say or do things differently.

to Ethel it's not like Obama is the next RFK, but rather she sees in him certain qualities that RFK had.

[CarolNYC]

73. Agreed.....

I don't think she's saying, compare their speeches, you'll see they're the same. I think it's something much deeper than that....

[CarolNYC]

71. Comparing Bobby

I don't know if you ever compared JE to RFK. I don't really keep track of people's posts the way that some here apparently do. But I never said you did. You are, however, saying that Ethel is wrong when she compares Barack to Bobby, though, no? And, in that case, I will take Ethel's opinion on this over yours. I think, in my position, you'd do the same.

I can see by the "dueling endorsements" post downstream and some posts by another elsewhere on these boards that this 'endorsement' rankles some but I guess that's to be expected.

It's not like I'm going to go out and start campaigning for Obama this weekend based solely on the strength of these words but they do make me think....

[venable]

75. no doubt it's a nice thing for Obama supporters

and for the party as a whole.

and, yeah, i don't see what Bobby has to do with BO, except in the most superficial ways, but you're right that Ethel knows a bit more about BOTH of them than I do.

I've never met BO.


I do know a number of Ethel's kids, though, and they are the most public service oriented family imaginable. They live for public service.

[CarolNYC]

76. the kids...

It is true...That generation of Kennedys have had their share of problems but Bobby and Ethel's kids certainly are public service oriented. I applaud them for that.

And, although I'm not quite so obsessed with Bobby and not having met him any more, I'd still love to have a nice long dinner chat with Ethel....We could talk about Bobby and maybe she could convince me that whatever misgivings I have about Barack aren't enough to keep me from fully supporting and campaigning for him...or not. I certainly wouldn't turn down the invitation.

[sandnsea]

41. Very touching

Means the world that Ethel has kind things to say of Obama. I agree that his heart is in the right place and that he believes we can have a better world, to his very core.

[BeyondGeography]

42. "He's not selling you. It's just him."

That's it.

[illinoisprogressive]

44. agreed. and Obama is not going to waste energy on silly things to just to prove something.

He is going to be ready as they go into the end game.

[illinoisprogressive]

45. when it comes from Ethel it is just really special and meaningful.

[rufus dog]

46. good for Obama and Ethel

I am sure it takes some courage for her to come out with an endorsement before Ted.

[ariesgem]

47. K & R

Great find!

[Hekate]

48. Wow. Talk about an anointment of The Heir! nt

[TeamJordan23]

50. Another reason to be proud to be an Obama supporter. nm

[1776Forever]

52. Very nice coming from Ethel - that means a lot :-]

:pals:

[ananda]

53. Edwards for me ..

.. but I will vote for Obama if he is nominated,
as I will for Hillary Clinton.

However, I want someone who speaks and acts
for the poor and working classes.. as top priority.

Sue

[elizm]

54. :) WOW! Kicking this one. nt

[maximusveritas]

58. That's what I like about Obama as well n/t

[venable]

63. I see you, and raise you Carter for Edwards.

I'll take that on balance, and feel good about my guy's chances.

[Cameron27]

64. Carter didn't endorse Edwards.

[venable]

67. i'll take the following:

''I can say without equivocation that no one who is running for president has presented anywhere near as comprehensive and accurate a prediction of what our country ought to do in the field of environmental quality, in the field of healthcare for those who are not presently insured, for those who struggle with poverty,'' Carter said. He predicted that Edwards ''has a very good chance to do well'' in the presidential race....

[Cameron27]

68. Good for you then,

but I don't see what relevance that quote has to the OP, which is a bona fide endorsement. If it makes you happy, post away I guess.

edited to say that Obama's site cautions that these quotes shouldn't be taken as endorsements. Sorry, venable, I didn't see that.

[JI7]

66. i kind of understand what she means

especially about the part "he's not selling you, it's just him". while some people criticize Obama for the way he talks or the pauses, i always viewed it as a positive. it showed that he was actually thinking about the question at the moment and answer it rather than just give a talking point.

[calteacherguy]

69. The difference between Edwards and Obama in a nutshell: "He's not selling you. It's just him." nt

[venable]

74. ?? so sayeth Ethel...??? but what's it mean?

I don't think Obama is selling himself more than any other candidate ever does for any office, nor is he doing so any less.

A candidacy is about which candidate can convince you to vote for him/her.

So, should those people who like Obama vote for someone else - or is he actually asking us to vote for him. If it's the latter, then Ethel's statement makes no sense.


Or does she mean he's not lying when he says things? I agree, he's not. Nor is Edwards, Kucinich, Dodd, Richardson, etc, etc..

Republicans lie - but our field of Dems don't lie.

[maximusveritas]

78. What I think it means

is that Obama doesn't try to score cheap political points by pandering to the audience and telling them what they want to hear. He's just up on the stage being himself and telling the audience what he thinks even if they won't like it.
This is the difference between Obama and some of the other candidates. They're performing. Obamas's just being himself. He still wants votes, but he goes trying to get them in a different way.

[mikekohr]

70. HOPE

A generation of Americans lost hope when Bobby Kennedy was killed. Barack has rekindled that light. I feel hope again for the first time in 39 years.

mike kohr

[UrbScotty]

77. Hot damn! Why didn't I see this in time to rec it?