Obama Gives Wesleyan Commencement Address in Place of Kennedy

Amid 15,000 people, Obama passed on a message from Kennedy, D-Mass., who had asked the presidential candidate to speak on his behalf.

"I’d like to start by passing along a message from Ted," Obama said, and then read words from Kennedy: "To all those praying for my return to good health, I offer my heartfelt thanks. And to any who’d rather have a different result, I say, don’t get your hopes up just yet!"

With Kennedy’s wife Vicki and stepdaughter Caroline Raclin (who was graduating from the university) listening in the audience, Obama reminded the students of Kennedy’s contributions to America, adding, "And I have a feeling that Ted Kennedy is not done just yet."

Using the Kennedy legacy for a platform, Obama’s commencement address was a call for the students to serve their country.

"There’s no community service requirement in the outside world -- no one forcing you to care. You can take your diploma, walk off this stage, and chase only after the big house and the nice suits and all the other things that our money culture says you should buy," Obama said. "You can choose to narrow your concerns and live your life in a way that tries to keep your story separate from America’s. But I hope you don’t."

For more, visit ABC News.

Senator Ted Kennedy Honored By His Harshest Critic, The Boston Herald

There are few political figures who in the course of their careers and their lifetimes attain the status of beloved. Ted Kennedy is one of those rare individuals, and the very thought of a world without him in it is a painful one.

Kennedy’s appeal and the affection in which he is held transcends party and ideology. This liberal lion has always been able to reach across the aisle because his word is his bond - and because it was no secret that he just wanted to get things done. And so he has found common ground with President Bush on education with No Child Left Behind just as he had found common ground with every other occupant of the Oval Office he has dealt with in his 46 years on Capitol Hill.

Yesterday GOP presidential nominee John McCain, with whom Kennedy has worked tirelessly on immigration legislation, called Kennedy “the single most effective member of the Senate.”

That is surely no secret around here. This editorial page has differed with him on issues about as often as it has agreed. But we could count on one thing: Unlike most political figures Ted Kennedy didn’t shift his positions with the prevailing winds. Some would call that stubborn - and, heaven knows when we disagreed with him we quite likely added that to his list of failings. Some would call it noble and courageous. And in a world where courage is a sometime thing, Kennedy has it in abundance.


He will need that courage now as he battles the malignant brain tumor doctors diagnosed following his Saturday seizures.

We have seen Ted Kennedy in the course of his lifetime assume the leadership of a family as it was abruptly thrust upon him - to comfort this sprawling clan in their sorrow and encourage them in their own quests.

We have seen him marshal more strength and courage than men half his age to battle injustice and to fight for what he believes in. May that strength and that courage never leave him in the days ahead.

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.

TED KENNEDY ENDORSES BROTHA BARACK!

Ghost Of JFK Haunts Camp Billary

After his spectacular showing in South Carolina Saturday, Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy will endorse Barack Obama for president tomorrow. YES WE CAN!!!

There's something about momentum and right now Obama has it, much to the chagrin of Bill Clinton and his woman. A Hillary campaign source told CNN that campaign understands "that Ted Kennedy is endorsing Obama and expecting it." And a Massachusetts Democratic source close to the senator confirmed that Kennedy has indeed committed to teaming up with the bi-racial Illinois Senator.

The announcement 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 surviving heir, Caroline Kennedy, endorsed Obama today in a New York Times op-ed entitled, "A President Like My Father."

In my post yesterday, I told you about how this campaign is being marketed to tap into a 1960's era of change, hope and inspiration. With 9 days before Super Tuesday, I think Barack Obama can pull it off. What say you?