UPDATED: ABC & TIME strongly hinting at Ted Kennedy endorsement for Obama

In last night's Chicago Sun-Times, political reporter Lynn Sweet said a major Obama endorsement was set to be unveiled in the next 48 hours.

Link

Most have assumed that the Caroline Kennedy Op-Ed in today's New York Times was the endorsement.

However, just a short time ago, Time's Mark Halperin added a new post teaser strongly hinting Teddy Kennedy is ready to endorse.

Teddy is Ready...

Stay tuned....

Update: On ABC This Week, George Stephanopolus confirmed Time's reporting that a Teddy endorsement is coming:  More after the jump

Mark Halperin reports, on Time Magazine’s Web site this morning –
and our reporting seems to confirm it — that Ted Kennedy is also on the
verge of endorsing you. Is that true?

OBAMA: Well, you know, I’ll let Ted Kennedy speak for himself. And
nobody does it better. But obviously, any of the Democratic candidates
would love to have Ted Kennedy’s support. And we have certainly
actively sought it.

And you know, I will let him make his announcement and his decision
when he decides it’s appropriate.

Link

•  Tip jar

  by ILPundit on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 05:25:51 AM PDT

  •  second link more promising than the first

    I'd expect that when it hits, its going to be done in order to dominate the news cycle....say in the PM Monday so that it makes both the evening news, the newspapers in the morning.

    by mihan on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 05:49:27 AM PDT

    •  Worst day to do that as Bush

      is giving his last State of The Union babble.

      by Pithy Cherub on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 06:13:43 AM PDT

      •  oh yeah

        shows how much I care about that as I had completely forgotten. I'm sure they'll figure out the timing better than I would here typing, eating cereal in my sweatpants.

        by mihan on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 06:20:14 AM PDT

        •  well seems they will do it tomorrow

          both he and Caroline in DC.  ;-)

          by Pithy Cherub on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 11:50:06 AM PDT

      •  the thing is

        A lot of times for the State of the Union, the pundits have to find something to talk about = both before and after.

        This would be something BIG that would be included in that patter.

        by maineiac on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 06:24:16 AM PDT

•  Teddy is terrific on the campaign trail

  It would help in Massachusetts and elsewhere.

  Wouldn't it be wonderful to see Teddy and Al jointly campaigning for Barack?

  by livosh1 on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 05:31:35 AM PDT

  •  Absolutely!

    But I seriously doubt Gore will endorse.  He's a full fledged elder statesman now, and I can't imagine him giving up the mantle of "wise-man" to start getting into the rough and tumble of politics -- even for an endorsement.

    by ILPundit on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 05:35:33 AM PDT

    •  Yes...

      He's [Gore] a full fledged elder statesman now, and I can't imagine him giving up the mantle of "wise-man"

      Unlike another certain "elder statesman"...

      

      by assyrian64 on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 05:38:20 AM PDT

      •  Gore has more class in his little finger

        than that guy!

        by livosh1 on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 05:48:04 AM PDT

      •  Is that a shark

        I see up ahead?

        by litho on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 05:52:26 AM PDT

        •  My thoughts exactly! eom

          by sick of it all on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 09:08:03 AM PDT

  •  and Deval Patrick

    That would be pretty awesome in Mass...I've always worried about Obama's ability to win in the Northeast, but a TK endorsement would certainly help.

    by mihan on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 05:40:23 AM PDT

    •  Patrick endorsed over a month ago

      and his volunteer network already helped in NH.

      by litho on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 05:53:22 AM PDT

      •  of course

        I was kind of referring to it as being extra nice to have Teddy on top of Deval and John Kerry.

        What is great about Mass is that Obama has a pretty substantial fan club at places like Harvard and BU, as well as the exact type of educated voters that Obama tends to do well with.

        All the pieces are in place, and it would be a really great story if he took Mass as a result.

        by mihan on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 06:01:29 AM PDT

        •  I've done a little phone banking

          south and west of Boston, I'm getting more "lean Obama" than anything else.

          I'd say he has a real chance here on the fifth.

          by litho on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 07:33:37 AM PDT

    •  Obama Will Win

      Vermont and probably do very well in Maine.

      by pletzs on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 06:40:58 AM PDT

      •  Vermont Is Definitely Barack Country

        Patrick Leahy came out for him. Peter Welch came out for him. And there is no way in hell I can see Bernie going for Hillary.

        We should just give Obama our delegates now instead of waiting for March 5.

        by markhaverty on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 06:58:41 AM PDT

        •  Local Paper

          Looked at political donations out of Vermont last fall. Obama got something like 75% of the political donations out of Vermont, much of it in small donations (like mine). Vermont like independents too. Pretty sure McCain won here in 2000.

          by pletzs on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 07:02:13 AM PDT

          •  And Dean Won Here In 2004!

            Oh, wait... ;-)

            by markhaverty on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 07:07:09 AM PDT

            •  Someone Tell Bill

              That Jesse Jackson won here in 1988 too. Fits in with his "it's all about being black" narrative.

              by pletzs on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 07:12:52 AM PDT

              •  It Must Be All Those Black People In Vermont

                Let's see - there were two black kids in my grade at Edmonds Middle, which exploded to three at BHS, and that's when the 1988 election was.

                The Barack Obama surge here must be do to all the black people that have moved in since. Check the census - 0.76% black.

                HUGE minority population here. Yep. Thank goodness we like voting for the guy that looks like us.

                by markhaverty on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 07:22:21 AM PDT

•  oh boy! that would be HUGE!!!

  Send The Kennedy's to campaign in California!!!

  by rapcetera on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 05:34:00 AM PDT

  •  A Real Blow

    To what is now the Clintons core demographic: over 50s. People who

    If Obama starts cutting into older Dems in even a small way then he's the nominee.

    by pletzs on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 06:35:08 AM PDT

    •  I know you...

      Don't I???    ; - )

      by ILPundit on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 06:51:53 AM PDT

      •  Did You Get a New Handle?

        Thought you gave up on politics?

        One of these years I might even figure out that Christmas card thing (a goal for post-diaper life).

        Your man Obama has rekindled my Deaniac heart.

        by pletzs on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 07:07:29 AM PDT

        •  Not entirely

          Not on politics, I'm just not doing professional campaign management/consulting anymore.  Nearly 2 decades of that is enough of that for anyone, I think.

          Barack has managed to pull me back in though.

          Even though I've known Barack since about '98, it took me a while to finally give in to the "hope", because I'm a cynical shell of a man when it comes to politics these days (LOL)

          Drop me a line -- got a nice message from your mom this morning.  Hope everyone is good

          by ILPundit on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 07:20:33 AM PDT

•  Ooh, I hope he's right...

  Teddy would be a real asset for Obama.

  by DemInLux on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 05:34:05 AM PDT

•  Oh man, Ted Kennedy would be HUGE

  for Obama.

  It would shore up his support among the over 60 crowd that is Obama's weak spot right now, as well as give him two heavyweight New Englanders in Massachusetts.

  by duha on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 05:35:30 AM PDT

•  endorsements are symbolic

  but this would be a great endorsement for Obama because Teddy represents the rank and file democrat--he has been the face of the party for far too long--his power is his history, his family, his legacy.

  By endorsing Obama, Teddy says to all democrats, "It is time to turn the page and its OK! Join me. Get on board."

  by baltimoremom on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 05:35:51 AM PDT

•  either Kennedy or Gore is what I've heard

  Either one would be huge. And one might follow the other.

  by CaptUnderpants on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 05:36:09 AM PDT

•  I have a feeling we're going to see a big

  endorsement nearly daily from here til Super Tuesday.

  Ted would be great. Feingold would be better. Gore would be the best (and I would think he has to support the candidate with the best record on environmental issues).

  by chicago DEM on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 05:38:25 AM PDT

  •  You might be right

    I never count my chickens early.

    That said, I strongly believe that Bill Clinton's Jesse Jackson comment yesterday about Obama's win is going to drive a few party elders to Obama, perhaps a lot.  That comment was about 10 miles over the line.

    The only Democrats who want to make race an issue appear to be the Clinton's themselves.  The rest of us are just horrified.  It needs to stop.

    by ILPundit on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 05:43:08 AM PDT

•  Come on Ted: Jump!

  Obama and the Kennedys just seem like a natural fit. An older Republican told me recently, "Obama is the new Bobby Kennedy."

  by highfive on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 05:40:59 AM PDT

•  Well..

  TIME strongly hinting at Ted Kennedy endorsement for Obama

  Well I hope so, but Halperin's mysterious teaser is a bit on the minimal side...

  by assyrian64 on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 05:42:27 AM PDT

  •  And Sweet updated to say her teaser

    was for Caroline...

    by converse on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 05:45:08 AM PDT

    •  Yes, but...

      Halperin's teaser came out about an hour ago...long after Sweet's scoop last night and the Caroline endorsement were already reported on his blog.

      Its pretty clear that Halperin, at least, hears something beyond what Sweet had last night.

      by ILPundit on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 05:48:24 AM PDT

•  should get Sebelius after Kansas State of State

  which would be an excellent boost in a Feb 5. caucus state.

  I'm actually really worried about California...it'd be nice if there were a really big endorsement there that could help, but it doesn't look like it.

  Cali will almost always vote for the woman, given the choice, or will otherwise just get things plain wrong from what you really want out of it.

  by mihan on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 05:43:58 AM PDT

  •  Gore would help there.

    Environmental issues are huge for Californians, and Gore giving Obama his blessing would send a clear message that he's the most progressive on environmental issues (and this is born out by his voting record).

    But I'm definitely trying to imagine win strategies that don't involve CA. My hopes are not up for the state.

    by chicago DEM on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 05:53:14 AM PDT

    •  its all about those delegates

      if Obama can stay reasonably close in those states, but sort of run up the score where there are favorable populations, all the while building up his name ID...yeah.

      You're right about Gore though, that would really help...especially if he's willing to do some campaigning. Having him show up at a few Bay Area rallies...very nice.

      by mihan on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 05:58:34 AM PDT

    •  plus little known secret

      Gore lives in San Francisco

      by baltimoremom on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 06:29:51 AM PDT

  •  If he keeps getting Latino endorsements like this

    http://www.sfgate.com/...

    Then he will do just fine. I believe that they have a California plan, and that a lot of people will be surprised by California's results...

    by rapcetera on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 06:26:18 AM PDT

•  This is potentially great news...

  ...and the Kennedys are my lifelong personal heroes. Let me say this the nicest way I can, not to detract from the spirit in which you presented this, but in fairness to other posters who religiously follow the rules, the guidelines in the FAQ call for (at the very minimum) "three substantive paragraphs". If you are unable to write three substantive paragraphs, then I respectfully suggest posting short blurbs like this diary in the Open Thread. That's what it was designed for.

  by ImpeachKingBushII on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 05:49:16 AM PDT

  •  But...

    then it'd be harder to find for us casual readers. Not everyone has time to comb through an open thread.

    This is big enough news, I'm glad someone posted it.

    by Erik W on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 06:10:09 AM PDT

    •  True. Maybe you should write Kos...

      ...and get him to make special exceptions to the rules the rest of us follow every day with no apparent time constraints hampering us from combing through an open thread.

      by ImpeachKingBushII on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 07:00:48 AM PDT

      •  Thanks

        I'll be sure to add a few paragraphs of meaningless prose next time...(just kidding)

        by ILPundit on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 07:29:21 AM PDT

        •  Or excerpts from Obama's great victory speech?

          by ImpeachKingBushII on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 07:37:23 AM PDT

•  Obama lately reminded me of 1980 Teddy

  In recent days, I've been reminded of Teddy Kennedy's great speech at the 1980 Democratic convention.

  As Democrats we recognize that each generation of Americans has a rendezvous with a different reality. The answers of one generation become the questions of the next generation. But there is a guiding star in the American firmament. It is as old as the revolutionary belief that all people are created equal, and as clear as the contemporary condition of Liberty City and the South Bronx. Again and again Democratic leaders have followed that star and they have given new meaning to the old values of liberty and justice for all.

  We are the Party -- We are the Party of the New Freedom, the New Deal, and the New Frontier. We have always been the Party of hope. So this year let us offer new hope, new hope to an America uncertain about the present, but unsurpassed in its potential for the future.

  The man who gave that speech certainly sounds to me like a man who will support today's candidate of hope, Barack Obama.

  by maineiac on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 05:57:40 AM PDT

•  They're baiting him.. n/t

  by nupstateny on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 06:10:02 AM PDT

•  Obama has the promise of greatness

  and his appeal is hard to resist
  even for hardened political professionals.
  We are at that moment where the audience sits in stillness after just seeing a great performance,

  First one person, then two stand up and applaud. It won't be long before the house is standing.

  by crystal eyes on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 06:38:43 AM PDT

•  What about Barbara Boxer?

  other CA luminaries?

  Obama would probably benefit more from a Boxer endorsement- especially in CA than Ted Kennedy.  Ted has a lot of baggage.  but then, I am not on east coast, so what do I know?

  by eyesonthestreet on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 07:05:27 AM PDT

•  "Barack Obama profile on CBS 60 minutes tonight"

  perfect timing, i'd say

  by eyesonthestreet on Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 07:11:05 AM PDT