Ted Kennedy Proclaims "I've Found My Candidate In Barack Obama!"

Extraordinary Gifts of Leadership and Talent Matches "The Fierce Urgency of Now!"

After his spectacular showing in South Carolina Saturday against Hillary Rodham Clinton, Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy flanked by his brother's only surviving heir, Caroline Kennedy and others who make up the famous Kennedy clan, today endorsed Barack Obama for President of the United States.

There's something about momentum and right now, Obama has it in spades. Much to the chagrin of Bill Clinton and his woman, Ted and other Kennedy family members gave brotha Barack credibility in terms of Latinos, labor, the gay community, and independents as soon as he ascended the stage.

Citing Barack as a voice for justice and a new national leader, Kennedy was clear to note that although the phenom could have gone the corporate route as a distinguished Harvard Law grad, this black man took a different route. Giving him credit for his youth and an ability to move America forward, Kennedy insisted that he's looking toward the future. "I see the audacity and hope for the America that is yet to be."

"With Barack Obama," Kennedy exclaimed, "we will close the book on race against race, gender against gender and straight against gay." He sees the freshman Illinois senator as being able to get healthcare for the poor, and end a war he never supported that, "America should not have fought." With his hoarse voice sometimes straining, the thunderous applause Kennedy proclaimed that Barack will be ready to lead, "On day one!"

Clearly comparing Harry Truman criticism of his brother, former President John F. Kennedy, to Bill Clinton's sucker-punches of Barack Obama, Kennedy called on the nation to choose change and a new direction. While praising both Hill and Bill, as well as John Edwards, Kennedy left no doubt that he's betting it all on black.

To the cheers "OBAMA, OBAMA!" today was another homerun for team Barack. The senator has found his voice, clearly taking on the New York Senator by referring to Hillary as the past, while he personifies the future. Partly because of the Kennedy administration's assistance in bringing Kenyan students to America for educational opportunites, this is reason, Barack proudly noted, is the reason why his father came to the United States and ultimately met his mother.

The announcement, again with Stevie Wonder's upbeat "Signed, Sealed, and Delivered" oldies tune blaring in the background, comes as February 5th is looking more and more like a political tsunami with high stakes in California, New York, New Jersey and Arizona. With a particular need to tap into the Latino vote, labor, and women, this is exactly what Obama needs as he begins airing Spanish ads in Los Angeles, and courts New Mexico Governor and former presidential candidate Bill Richardson for support.

While Kennedy has "enormous respect and admiration of Sen. Clinton," he also believes Sen. Obama has "a unique message and a unique opportunity." Kennedy's niece and John F Kennedy's daughter Caroline, endorsed Obama yesterday in a New York Times op-ed entitled, "A President Like My Father."

In my post Saturday, I told you about how this campaign is being marketed to tap into a 1960's era of change, hope and inspiration. Barack noted all this and more by establishing today that he is the closest link to the John and Robert Kennedy era than any other candidate, and is the proud product of a "dream that has never died."

Obama was masterful in his directive to the local crowd and the national audience to find common ground. As MSNBC's Chris Matthews noted, "For all those kids who wanted to know what it was like in the 60's, this is it." This historic campaign just keeps getting better. CNN has additional details.