Ted Kennedy is kicking some Republican ‘you know what’ today. First, Kennedy came out swinging with his speech on the ’surge’ earlier today at the National Press Club, when he “launched a pre-emptive strike Tuesday against President Bush’s anticipated plans to send more troops to Iraq.” Kennedy, scheduled to speak on healthcare at the National Press Club, did an about face and used the time to introduce “legislation to require congressional approval before force levels can be increased.”

Then, later on Hardball tonight, Ted Kennedy made it crystal clear where his allegiances lie in the ‘08 presidential race, and he went on take a firm swipe at Mitt Romney:

KENNEDY ENDORSES KERRY; CALLS ROMNEY ‘MULTIPLE CHOICE’

In addition to coming out strong against plans for any troop surge in Iraq, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) told Chris Matthews he will back John Kerry for president in 2008. When asked about former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, who is running for president from the Republican side of the aisle, Kennedy called Romney “multiple choice.”

Chris: Who will you endorse in 2008 for President for the Democratic party?

Kennedy: Well we have to find out who’s going to run. Isnt that the circumstances? My colleague and friend John Kerry’s taking a look at it, he’s going to make his mind up very soon.

Chris: Do you have a deadline for who will get your support?

Kennedy: I dont have a deadline.

Chris: Its been said that you have a deadline.

Kennedy: Is that said?

Chris: Its been said in the world out there that you want him to make a decision here.

Kennedy: I think that John understands that you have to make a decision earlier rather than later, and I expect he will.

Chris: Will you back him?

Kennedy: I will back him. but I think that the, in the meantime, we’ve got a superb new governor, Deval Patrick, he’s doing an outstanding job.

Chris: Let me ask you about your last governor, my last question, the governor who just left office, Mitt Romney. When he ran against you, people noticed that he was moving to the center, if not towards the left. he was for a women’s right to choose in an abortion, he was for gay rights generally, now he’s out there, running to the right, saying he’s against any kind of gay union of any kind, he’s against any kind of abortion rights, which is the real Mitt Romney that you’ve gotten to know?

Kennedy: He’ll have to explain it to me, even in our debate he was, he had moved back and forth on the choices, he was a pro-choice, he’s anti-choice, he’s multiple choice, and he’s going to have to probably respond to that as he gets closer to the countryside. And we’ll wish him luck.

Chris: Thanks very much, Senator Kennedy.

Kennedy: Good to see you.

Chris: Thanks alot.

MSNBC has the video of Kennedy on Hardball here.

Personally, I felt the hoopla about Kennedy’s comments about supporting Kerry last month were just that — a whole lot of hoopla. I never had any doubt that the senior Senator from MA would back anyone but John Kerry. So, it appears we are just waiting for the good Senator from MA to give the word…

The Fix was on rumor watch today with this piece about the possibility of John Kerry ‘08: Kerry Prepares Another White House Run. The blog at JohnKerry.com has more.

UPDATE: Speaking of Romney, Sen. Jim DeMint endorsed Mitt in the 2008 race today.

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