Via the BoGlo: Kennedy drops support for Kerry in ’08 presidential run
Kennedy said he doesn’t currently plan to endorse another candidate and still might support Kerry if Kerry decides to run. But in an hourlong interview with the Globe’s Washington bureau, Kennedy offered strong praise for two of Kerry’s possible presidential rivals: senators Barack Obama of Illinois and Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, calling them “formidable figures” who are connecting with rank-and-file Democrats.Kennedy said his oft-stated commitment to support Kerry again was based on the assumption that Kerry would state his intentions by early 2007. Since Kerry pushed back his decision in the wake of following an election-eve “botched joke” that damaged his public standing, however, Kennedy said he has informed Kerry that he may get behind another Democrat for president.
What, did the coupon expire? Plus, it isn’t early 2007 yet. Indeed, the headline doesn’t really go with the content of the article.
“I was under more of the impression before that he was going to run and was waiting in time [to declare his candidacy], but now he’s deferred that decision,” Kennedy said. “I have no plans of supporting anyone else at this juncture. I’m also not going to just wait indefinitely until he’s made a judgment or a decision.”Later in the day, Kennedy’s office issued a statement clarifying that Kennedy will support Kerry if he declares his presidential candidacy “in the near term,” though Kennedy aides declined to define that schedule.
That doesn’t sound like “dropping support” to me.
However, it does seem as if Kennedy is sending Kerry a not so subtle message about the “formidable figures” that are Clinton and Obama. By the same token, he is clearly hedging bets, since it isn’t 100% clear who is running for sure and who isn’t at this point, so why go out on a limb in support of anybody in particular? There is no need for him to lock in his support.
I will say that Kennedy’s statements have a lukewarmness to them that, no doubt, isn’t the kind of thing (or tone) that Kerry would like to be hearing from Kennedy.
Of course, I have long thought (and stated) that Kerry’s time is done in terms of presidential politics, and so lukewarmness from the senior Senator from Massachusetts is hardly a surprise.
December 12th, 2006 at 7:51 am
Then again, Kennedy’s support, or lack of support, or possible support if . . . but then again, if not . . — sounds very Kerry-ish.
December 12th, 2006 at 8:40 am
Kerry doesn’t really stand much of a chance in ’08, regardless as to whether or not Kennedy would back him. Actually, I think it’s more likely to hurt him if that happens. He lost to Bush, something that should have been fairly easy to do and could have easily been accomplished by a more moderate Dem candidate. There’s no way he’d hold a candle to a Reep candidate like McCain or Rudy.
December 12th, 2006 at 11:41 am
Who Would Continue to Support Kerry
Then of course, the “botched joke” debacle, we have to wonder at Kerry’s mental state at this point if he actually does decide to run for president again. Of course it would be very entertaining to watch the spectacle. I am all for a good show and q…