Sen. Ted Kennedy today declared that the 2008 struggle for the Democratic presidential nomination is not over. It’s a battle between fears and hope, old and new, stuffy and fresh, status quo and change.
“With Barack Obama, we will turn the page on the old politics of misrepresentation and distortion.
“With Barack Obama we will close the book on the old politics of race against race, gender against gender, ethnic group against ethnic group, and straight against gay. …
“There was another time, when another young candidate was running for president and challenging America to cross a new frontier. He faced criticism from the preceding Democratic president [Harry Truman], who was widely respected in the party. …
“And John Kennedy replied, ‘The world is changing. The old ways will not do. ... It is time for a new generation of leadership.’
“So it is with Barack Obama. …
“I believe that a wave of change is moving across America.”
The downside. Kennedy also reminded everyone that Obama was mildly opposed to the liberation of Iraq in 2002. That foolishness and general inexperience can be held against Obama. But in a political party led by appeasers and selfish cynics, he can be forgiven for occasional anti-liberation hysteria.
Now that General Petraeus has made it safe to vote for a Democrat, this Obama looks promising. But perhaps not in 2008. The Clintons have called in the steamroller.
It’s war.
Frank Warner
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