This is why Kennedy's endorsement will help Obama big time.

[Big Blue Marble]

"Ted Kennedy has the largest machine in the Democratic Party. When I used to work in the Senate, I marveled at the Kennedy franchise -- at the number of people who had started with Kennedy, who then went on to different positions in government and the private sector, and then came back for his annual "friends only" Holiday Party at which he and his wife always showed up in some extremely cool but outrageous attire (I was there for Beauty and the Kennedy Beast). There were thousands upon thousands at this close friends' party."

The Clintons have a franchise of course. So does Joe Biden and Daschle and John Breaux. But the Kennedy empire is enormous -- and when Tom DeLay tried to stop the hiring of Democrats by K Street, it was Ted Kennedy's machine and his acolytes that he was really trying to hurt.

So this endorsement by Kennedy does have magnitude -- and bolsters Obama's position. The Clinton machine remains formidable and nationally deployed -- and may still have an edge. But there is no doubt that Kennedy's endorsement is not about Massachusetts nor about an aging white liberal -- it is about the thousands and thousands of followers who owe their careers to Ted Kennedy."

snip

"Obama is fresh enough and new enough that he doesn't have such a machine; now Kennedy has gifted Obama an enormous vehicle which Kennedy hopes Obama will take as his own and keep intact."

Steve Clemons The Washingon Note.
http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/002753.php

[Dogmudgeon]

1. I thought it was HILLARY who was the "machine candidate" --

-- and that it was a BAD thing.

Oh, well. I guess things really do change.

--p!

[DJ13]

2. "I thought it was HILLARY who was the "machine candidate""

Hillary is the machine.

Kennedy has the machine.

[aquart]

6. Am I really not allowed to say that was a sexist pig remark?

[Alexander]

15. Only if I'm allowed to say yours is a complete bullshit remark.

[psychopomp]

20. Your posts are serially over-the-top

Perhaps you should step away from the keyboard for a couple of days, take some long walks in the park? These forums will be here when you return...

[aquart]

5. If it's Obama with a machine, it's a GOOD thing.

You have to keep up. The hypocrisy does keep one hopping, though.

[BrklynLiberal]

3. Having someone elected by a "machine" does not sound exactly like a positive thing to me.

[Big Blue Marble]

19. If the term machine bothers you,

call it his network. Either way all successful campaigns depend on them.

[nancyharris]

4. With, Kennedy, Kerry and Governor Deval Patrick

all endorsing Obama, I think there is a very solid chance that he will win the MA Primary next week.

[aquart]

7. Not the least doubt in the world.

[jasmine621]

8. So Obama's campaign is really NOT about "change."

It's about using the same old machine.

[nancyharris]

9. I guess if your definition of change

is that no senior members of the Democratic Party can support him. Then I guess according to your definition Obama is not for change. However, that is a rather absurd definition.

[AX10]

10. Oh so now having a political machine is a good thing.

Anything for Obama. :eyes:
Kennedy is as inside as they get.
:puke:

[Big Blue Marble]

11. Are you saying that the Clintons are running without one?

Notice the commentary refers to theirs as well. In fact, that is why Clinton has
been at such an advantage, because of her machine.

You are being totally hypocritical, ignorant, and just plain silly.

[AX10]

13. I never denied that.

Obamites such as you are being totally hypocritical because you claim that Obama is not part of any establishment, he's a new "clean face" even though he has a powerful machine behind him now.
That puts him in the same league as most other politicians. He's nothing special now.

[dmosh42]

12. Yes, plus backing of pharmaceutical industry as a reward....

to Kennedy (&Kerry, & other Dems)for killing the Dorgan amendments amendmnt 990) back in May. This would have allowed imports of cheaper prescription drugs from other countries (like Canada). They voted for Thad Cochran's(R-Miss) amendment requiring inspections of these imports by FDA, which had said there was no way they would be able to do it. But this way Kennedy and the rest could say they voted for importation. It sits in the House, with an unlikely chance of being voted on. Thanks Teddy!

[BenDavid]

14. excuse me but turning your back on friends is not a good thing

and just like ted did to hillary, and kerry did to john, some of those friends of ted might tell obama no thank you.....

[AX10]

16. It's politics Ben,

Ted and Kerry are nothing special. There are very few truly principles people in politics, ever.
Hey, Kerry sat out August 04' when he was being swiftboated. I have no respect for him after that unfortunate incident.

[GoldieAZ49]

17. It also signals to all other elected democrats

that are super delegates that they can switch votes to Obama

The super delegates make up 40% of the delegate count

They are the king makers

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18277678

[AtomicKitten]

18. Teddy's embrace of Obama is historic.

Teddy is prepared to take this on in a Kennedy vs. Clinton kind of way, and the Clintons will find the Kennedy roots reach much deeper than they could ever have imagined but are about to find out.