rssThe Courting of Ted Kennedy, 2008
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at 4:59 pm
- 6 Comments
I’ve been re-reading “Clash of Dynasties,” the twelfth chapter of Dan Balz and Haynes Johnson’s campaign history “The Battle for America,” which is all about the negotiations between Kennedy and the leading candidates for the 2008 Democratic nomination — negotiations that ended in Kennedy’s pivotal endorsement of Barack Obama, without which it’s hard to imagine him winning the nod. It’s a fascinating first draft of history with several revelations.
Revelation one: John Edwards, who at that point was several months into his career-killing affair with Rielle Hunter, told Kennedy that it would be “right for the party” if he endorsed him.
I know you’ll do that and when you do what’s right for the party you will be with me. It can make all the difference. We can win this. I’ll win Iowa.
Revelation two: Bill Clinton definitely lost Kennedy after his attacks on Obama, but what really got Kennedy angry was when Clinton claimed that his wife was not really voting for a war in Iraq by voting for the 2002 resolution. Clinton “cited the support for the resolution by Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel.”
Kennedy, who had led the opposition to the war, was furious. “It was a vote for war,” he said firmly. “I was there. I said it at the time. That resolution was a vote for war. Everybody understood it.”
Revelation three isn’t as big of a surprise. When Kennedy endorsed Obama, “his endorsement came with conditions. Kennedy wanted a commitment from Obama that as president he would push for universal health care. He wanted it to be a first priority of an Obama administration. Obama agreed.”
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6 Comments
Pingback posted August 26, 2009 @ 5:13 pm
[...] the original post here: The Courting of Ted Kennedy, 2008 Categories: Object Tags: america, barack-obama, been-re-reading, dynasties, first-draft, haynes, [...]
Comment posted August 26, 2009 @ 9:38 pm
The Senate HELP committe already passed their health bill. Why doesn't the senate just vote on that bill? Why is everyone so focused on the Finance Committee which doesn't represent the United States of America in any demographic sense at all. Democrats have an overwhelming majority in both the house and senate and Barack Obama was given a mandate to pass universal healtcare with a public option if one so chooses. It comes as no surprise, he talked in depth about healthcare and the need for reform in almost every stump speech of nearly 2 years. Why then, is the finance committee composed of 3 barely there democrats and 3 republicans? How is this an accurate reflection of the mandate that the voting populace gave to Obama? It isn't. Furthermore, all 6 senators come from sparsely populated states and if I am not mistaken, Grassley told Todd on MSNBC that he wouldn't even vote for his own healthcare bill no matter how many concessions were granted. I also believe Enzi is on record almost bragging about blocking/delaying the bill in committee. How is this right in any sense of the word? It's disgusting and an obstruction of the will of the people.
Comment posted August 26, 2009 @ 11:00 pm
The U.S. Senate is the least democratic institution in the government, possibly in any democratic government. In that respect, the Finance committee is highly representative.
/irony
Pingback posted August 28, 2009 @ 2:53 am
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Comment posted August 28, 2009 @ 6:35 pm
There's also a practical reason. The Senate HELP Committee doesn't have jurisdiction over several matters that are crucial to health reform, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the tax code.
Comment posted September 8, 2009 @ 1:52 am
Kennedy isnt anyone DONT EVER FORGET THE LADY HE LEFT IN THE CAR TO DIE, THE BOOZE HIS FAMILY GOT RICH EVEV WHEN IT WAS ILLEGAL, THE BANKS HIS FAMILY,WAS IN DURING THE DEPRESSION,They made out quite well.I think he and soros were good budies,wonder where there money is hidden.
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