Do endorsements matter? Maybe not, but big political or even celebrity endorsements do one very important thing...direct media attention to a candidate. Whether or not Oprah herself actually convinced people to go for Obama can be argued, but there is no question that the media used it to fit into the new storyline of Obama’s momentum. With three weeks left, candidates are desperate for every second of air time...will any of these important progressive figures help them out?
Al Gore- has said he will mostly likely endorse back in October in this interview. He has said that he likes Obama and that Chris Dodd has the most bold energy plan. Who will it be? It seems like a likely scenario to me that he will endorse this time AFTER Iowa. If Obama wins I predict he will jump in and endorse to keep the momentum going and give him a boost in New Hampshire and elsewhere. Some will belittle his influence by recalling how it had the wrong effect for Dean in 2004, but remember public opinion of Al Gore has shifted A LOT since 2000, and he is probably one of the nation’s most respected public figures.
Ted Kennedy- His endorsement usually matters a lot in Iowa (for some weird reason- I guess because he is popular among the base) and he certainly has some influence in neighboring New Hampshire. Kennedy is yet to endorse but told CNN: "Inspiration," Kennedy said. "I'm looking for a candidate able to galvanize the country to get things done. I want to find the candidate who can inspire people. That's what we need. That's what our party needs." There have been rumors he would endorse Obama any day now, but other rumors he was conflicted because he is close to Dodd....
John Kerry- My instinct tells me he won’t endorse, for a while at least. He has kept a VERY low profile lately and I suspect it will stay that way. Either way, if he does endorse, would you care?
Bill Bradley - has endorsed Chris Dodd’s energy plan, but not a candidate as of yet.
Any other influential progressives yet to endorse? Who else might endorse? Key newspapers in the early states? More celebrities? Influential bloggers? Chat it up!