John Kerry's help a blessing or a curse?
latimesblogs.latimes.com
John Kerry's decision to publicly back Barack Obama in the Democratic presidential campaign invites comparisons to a star-crossed endorsement during the party's 2004 race: Al Gore's embrace of Howard Dean. And, on the surface, that won't evoke pleasant thoughts for the Obama camp.
Gore wasn't the acclaimed prophet of global warming when he endorsed the former Vermont governor -- then a hot candidate -- in early December 2003. No, at that point Gore was, to a swath of Democrats, the guy who blew a presidential election he should have won (without the angst and controversy of the Florida recount). Kerry, of course, is viewed much the same by some.
In political lore, Dean's collapse four years ago is often correlated with Gore's support -- mostly jokingly, but with some serious undertones. And Gore's backing, to some degree, did appear to undercut Dean's anti-establishment appeal. But Dean's undoing was mostly of his own making -- a series of verbal gaffes on his part just coincidentally happened to follow in the wake of Gore signing up with him.
That said, Kerry's endorsement does seem ...
to cut against the grain of Obama's effort to pitch himself as one who can redefine the ways of Washington. Kerry, given his career path, is an embodiment of those ways. And their personas could not be more different -- Kerry is as charisma-challenged as Obama is laden with that elusive quality.
Perhaps that's the upside of the Kerry endorsement -- he can help Obama deflect criticism that he's mostly flash. And then there's the 3-million-strong donor list that Kerry and his aides love to tout. We imagine most of those folks already have given and committed to a candidate in this cycle's contest, but perhaps a small number have been waiting for a nod from Kerry. And perhaps some of those who have been for Obama now will sign up to actively work for him
Add it all up and, as with most endorsements, the bottom line on Kerry's announcement is that it's worthy of note, but then quickly becomes a footnote in the campaign's narrative.
Ironically, one of the two Democratic bigwigs whose support might make a big difference but who remain on the sidelines now includes Gore (the other being liberal lion Ted Kennedy).
-- Don Frederick
January 10, 2008
________________________________________
Comments
Everyone knows that Obama (in contrast to Hillary) is an anti-establishment politician who believes in a hopeful, positive message.
Kerry supporting him helps Obama. Obama supporters are not going to say "oh, Kerry likes him, i'm supporting HRC now"... it gives Obama more weight. When people think about Kerry they think about his unfortunate loss to Bush... unfortunately the rest of the country had yet to realize how terrible Bush was in the 2004 election.
Posted by: dave a | January 10, 2008 at 02:17 PM
I don't expect that Obama will get too much of a boost out of Kerry's endorsement; at least not here in CA, though maybe he's more relevant in MA and other northeastern states. But it certainly doesn't look like it will hurt him. The real effect is that Obama got the first news headliner after the NH primary, which makes him look like he's still gaining momentum, despite the results from NH.
Posted by: Kim | January 10, 2008 at 02:18 PM
Here's another Obama supporter. Female, over 40, lifelong Democrat. I think Kerry's support won't hurt. Not sure if it will help. But I don't think being the wife of a president qualifies as experience. Hillary Clinton never received briefings or had security clearance. Her one big policy pursuit, healthcare, was a major disaster. She is not a leader. She carpetbagged her way into the senate (she's from nowhere near New York) and used her husband's name and connnections. She surrounds her self with Clinton admin sleazeballs, the Karl Roves of the Democratic party. No, thanks. Kerry is wise.
Posted by: Mary C. | January 10, 2008 at 02:56 PM
Kerry's endorsement of Obama isn't big news. The SEIU's endorsement of Obama is big news. Anyway, all this stuff doesn't matter if you don't bother learning the facts about each candidate for yourself.
For that matter, here are some to ponder:
Clinton worked for the Rose Law Firm, legal representatives for union-busting companies, and was on the board of Wal-Mart. Obama was the first black editor-in-chief of the Harvard Law Review, and, instead of taking a job with one of the biggest law firms in the country, he became a community organizer and litigated civil rights cases. Clinton claims to have 35 years of experience, but refuses to give public access to her White House papers. Obama, well, go read his books. His life is laid out in them. Clinton's unelected shot at health care policy, unfortunately, was a disaster. A law Obama sponsored, requiring the videotaping of subject interrogations, got the support of Illinois police and passed unanimously. It was the first such law in the nation.
Another thing to remember, Clinton will continue the divisive politics of the past two decades. Obama will breath new life into the presidency and bring world respect.
Posted by: sbc | January 10, 2008 at 03:33 PM |
