Ted Kennedy Offers Wise Advice: “Don’t Write Off Kerry, Romney”
by Pamela LeaveyTed Kennedy was on Meet The Press on Sunday and he offered some wise advice on the ‘08 presidential election, while repeating “his promise to support Kerry if he runs”…
Don’t Write Off Kerry, Romney
Kennedy shrugged off polls showing Senator John Kerry in the single digits — badly trailing likely candidates Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.
Kennedy said Kerry faced an “uphill battle” before the 2004 campaign for the Democratic nomination, which Kerry won.
Kennedy said he’ll endorse Kerry if he opts to run again.
On the Republican side, Kennedy said former Governor Mitt Romney is a strong candidate. He said — quote — “I wouldn’t underestimate Mitt.”
Romney challenged for Kennedy’s Senate seat in 1994.
From the transcript of Meet The Press:
MR. RUSSERT: Hillary Rodham Clinton announced she is running for president yesterday. Here’s the latest Washington Post poll. We’ll put it on the screen. Amongst Democrats, Hillary Clinton, 41 percent; Barack Obama, senator from Illinois, 17; John Edwards, V.P. candidate in ‘04, 11 percent; Al Gore, the former V.P., 10 percent; John Kerry, your fellow Bay Stater, 8 percent. What does that tell you?
SEN. KENNEDY: Well, it tells me that Senator Clinton is in a very strong position for the nomination. I’ve—our family’s had a good personal relationship with the Clintons for the time that he was the president. And she’s been on—I’ve worked with her on our committee on health and education issues. She’s a very competent person and has a lot of ability, and I have a lot of respect for her. And I know all of the other candidates. I know them well and have worked all well with them…
MR. RUSSERT: Are you going to endorse any of them?
SEN. KENNEDY: I—John Kerry will probably make his judgment decision, I expect, soon. I’m going to support, support John. I’ve worked with him in the United States Senate, I—he’s my colleague, he’s a friend, he’s an authentic war hero. I think he’s got a great wealth of information on national security. And I know there are people that think that John would have an uphill battle. Well, he had that the last time, as well, when he went for the nomination. And I think all of these—but he did superbly well. So he’s going to have to make up his own mind. I think it’ll be done in the next very few weeks. I think all of the…
MR. RUSSERT: Are you, are you going to encourage him to run?
SEN. KENNEDY: I’ll—I’ve had long talks with him. It’s a very—at this time, it’s a very personal decision, a judgment that he has—that he has to make.
MR. RUSSERT: But, but, senator, he was the nominee in 2004, and there you see he’s at 8 percent amongst Democrats.
SEN. KENNEDY: That’s right.
MR. RUSSERT: What’s the problem?
SEN. KENNEDY: Well, I think it’s, it’s a question—I think these go up and vary—these polls go up and—up and down. The fact is, no matter where you are, as one who’s had some practical experience with this, you have to go back out to that countryside. You have to get out to Iowa and get to New Hampshire homes and get out to the Iowa countryside, and you have to sort of win that nomination. These polls are interesting for a time, but that’s, that’s where this is decided. And that’s for each and every one of them. That’s, that’s what is going to decide. As we all know, that’ll be entirely different in four, five months from now. And each of these people have a lot of—and some others that aren’t on that list—have some good, good talent.
You know, it’s amazing, the Democratic Party, for the nomination this time, for the candidates for the presidency, really reflect the country in terms of the, the nation itself, the—with the candidates that we have. That’s an extraordinary sense of progress, and I think it’s a reflection of the party itself. I think that’s a very healthy sign. No one knows quite still what’s going to happen. They’re going to have to, to win it. But it’s a very hopeful and good sign for our party.
MR. RUSSERT: One of John McCain’s primary opponents for the Republican nomination is Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. How would you assess Governor Romney as a presidential candidate?
SEN. KENNEDY: Well, I don’t—wouldn’t underestimate Mitt.
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Checking in from Lafayette. Things are still touch and go with dad right now. They started a new and stronger antibiotic and we hope it will show signs of improvement within 24 hours.
BTW, Obama did not make any new friends in Louisiana with his smartass comments before the Saints/Bears game. He made some enemies here in the state that you might recall me posting on the fact that the state might have a bigger say in the 08 elections. He blew it!! Some of the La. bloggers are livid with Obama and that radio jock that suggested playing “rock you like a hurricane” after the Bears make a TD!!!!!
Someone done went and pissed off the locals!
Ted is right on JK has been down before and counted out, but he has always come back. A year in politics is a lifetime, JK can and will rise up over the next year. He just needs to get off the pot and get in the race.
Donnie, thoughts and prayers on your dad. And on your Saints ;>
On John’s point about “getting off the pot” and into the race now, I would disagree. Let the hype of “everyone and their mother is entering the race!” die down. He should announce in the spring, in time to get in on the first debates and rattle some cages by his “surprise” entrance.
Donnie,
Very sorry to hear your father isn’t doing well. You and your family are in my thoughts. Hang in there…
I was cheering for your Saints on Sunday since my Giants and Broncos were already history. Sorry it didn’t help
Dave