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Obama-Kennedy Move Will Reverberate in the Senate
The endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama's (D-Ill.) presidential bid by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) is the talk of the campaign trail today.
But Kennedy's political blessing of Obama over Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) will also have intriguing implications in the Senate in the short term -- as the chamber gears up to tackle the economic stimulus package -- and for the rest of the year if Obama is the Democratic nominee.
The relationship between the two Senators has come a long way since January 2005, when Obama had just been elected and Kennedy said at a National Press Club event: "Why don't we just ask Osama bin -- Osama Obama -- Obama what -- since he won by such a big amount. Seriously, Senator Obama is really unique and special."
Now, they're primed to play a key role in shaping the stimulus bill that will be on the House floor tomorrow and will then move to the Senate. Kennedy has signaled his plan to be a vocal proponent of adding several worker-friendly provisions to the stimulus, and Obama could earn some goodwill with the Democratic base -- which is not thrilled with the current package on the table -- by echoing that call on the hustings.
Last Tuesday, Kennedy made an impassioned speech on the Senate floor calling for the stimulus package to include far more benefits for lower-income families. After the deal was reached, he praised it as an "important first step." But he pledged to fight for amendments "to strengthen this package -- to provide unemployment insurance to workers looking for jobs, and to help families coping with high heating costs and skyrocketing food prices."
Obama is already on record with his own stimulus wish list, and it includes a similar call to "extend and expand unemployment insurance." While Obama has missed plenty of Senate votes as he's been on the campaign trail, it will be interesting to see how hard he works to make it back to D.C. when key stimulus provisions, particularly Kennedy's amendments, come up for a vote.
This same dynamic could continue right through November if Obama is the nominee. Kennedy may be his chamber's most effective Democrat at getting media attention and pushing Senate debates in a more liberal direction, and he will be able to serve as an invaluable Obama surrogate on the Senate floor.
Obama serves on the panel Kennedy chairs -- the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee - and the two men have worked on a handful of bills together, particularly on workers' rights and employment safety. You can expect a lot more such partnerships in the Senate as the year goes on.
By Ben Pershing |
January 28, 2008; 11:53 AM ET
2008 Campaign
,
Senate
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Posted by: SSMD | January 28, 2008 1:28 PM
How about the rather intriguing implication (a pretty obvious one to us simple folk) that Kennedy's endorsement is a loud and clear indication to the voters that HRC is not REALLY the favorite candidate of the Democratic party?
If you can't spin it the "correct" way, I guess, you just gotta' overlook it, huh?
Posted by: miraclestudies | January 28, 2008 1:41 PM
This endorsement brings voice to the growing sentiment that, simply put, Clinton and her campaign have insulted the American people of every age, race and gender by putting her ugly politics into the forefront instead of explaining why we should put our trust in her.
How could anyone with a modicum of sense think that Clinton's campaign is a testament to experience, judgment and reparation? Please.
Hilarity Clinton has the right to shred her own integrity, but I think its time for her to stop shredding ours.
Posted by: mishte | January 28, 2008 2:55 PM
We have a saying in Spanish: "The fish dies because it opened its mouth too much"
That's what happened to the "dynamic duo"
Posted by: HectorGasquet | January 28, 2008 5:10 PM
As a supporter of Barack Obama, I wish to thank Bill Clinton from the bottom of my heart for all his assistance thus far.
Our success in South Carolina is due, in large part to Mr. Clinton's demonic rantings.
Please! Please! Please!
Bill keep it up!
We need your hysterical voice now more than ever!
As you have eloquently done, so far, please exploit every opportunity to remind Americans of Mr. Obama's color and therefore your determination that he is unsuitable for the Presidency.
Go Bill!
Show them who's the real MAN!
Posted by: elronyo | January 28, 2008 8:09 PM
OMG, face it that endorsement of Democrat
Presidential Candidate Barack Obama by
Senator Teddy Kennedy has to be the kiss
of death for the Obama 2008 Campaign as
Teddy Kennedy is as despiced as President
George W Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. Teddy Kennedy needs to retire from
the Senate here and now.
Posted by: Carleen | January 28, 2008 8:54 PM
Please, somebody post Kennedy's National Press Club 2005 introduction of Obama-Osama!
Posted by: Roseann | January 29, 2008 12:15 PM
I think Bill Clinton knows that his wife is not the best qualified person to be president and that is why he is helping Obama to win the nomination over Hilary.
Whenever Bill Clinton opens his mouth, he helps Obama with voters of all ages, genders and race. Deep in Bill Clintons heart, he knows that Barack is the right person for this job at this critical point in our history. l hope Barack wins because we need him right now!!!
Posted by: sandra | January 29, 2008 1:11 PM
Everyone needs to review Barrak Husseins Obama's Website.
If anyone believes that this Muslim wrote these programs you got to be kidding. I just spent some time on the political page and realized that this guy will be spending more money perhaps than GOD BUSH on his programs.
Campaign workers had to have written his policies/dreams/wants... and having only been a Senator since 2005 he does not have enough clout on the HILL to control the GOP and the Democrats.
Beware he who preaches hope, faith and change.
Posted by: Miller51550 | February 18, 2008 7:23 PM
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Hillary Clinton sits on the HELP committee too. that should make for some uneasy moments this year.