DNC Convention Highlights: Caroline Kennedy

Senator Ted Kennedy's Introduction and Speech to the Democratic National Convention, August 2008 (Video)

Remembering Ted Kennedy.....

Introduction



Senator Ted Kennedy's Speech at the Democratic National Convention, August 2008



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Senator Ted Kennedy's Endorsement for Barack Obama as President of the United States, January 28, 2008 (Video)

This is the endorsements of Senator Ted Kennedy, Congressman Patrick Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy. Senator Ted Kennedy's endorsement was the single most important endorsement that turned the tide for Barack Obama. Memory lane, remembering Ted Kennedy.



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FLOTUS, Michelle Obama in New York for the Arts (Pictures)

First lady Michelle Obama spent her second New York City visit emphasizing the crucial role the arts play in our society, reopening part of the American wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday and later addressing the crowd at a glittering ballet gala.

At both events, Mrs. Obama was greeted with enthusiastic ovations from audiences that included prominent figures in politics, the arts, entertainment and fashion. She stressed the importance of giving young people better access to the arts.
"The arts are not just a nice thing to have or to do if there is free time or if one can afford it," she said at the museum. "Rather, paintings and poetry, music and fashion, design and dialogue, they all define who we are as a people and provide an account of our history for the next generation."

"The president and I want to ensure that all children have access to great works of art," she told a crowd that included students from four New York City public schools that focus on the arts. "We want all children who believe in their talent to see a way to create a future for themselves in the arts community, either as a hobby or as a profession."

And she reminded the audience that her husband, President Barack Obama, had included an additional $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts in his economic stimulus package.

Mrs. Obama spoke in the newly renovated Charles Engelhard Court, a striking room filled with sunlight, in front of the Greek Revival-style facade of an early 19th-century bank branch that was originally on Wall Street. She wore a bright purple Isaac Mizrahi sheath and coat.

To the amusement of a crowd that included Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Vogue editor Anna Wintour, former model Iman and designer Ralph Lauren, Mrs. Obama was reminded by museum president Emily Rafferty that she and the president had their first date in a museum.

"Thank you for reminding me," Mrs. Obama said. "You know, after 20-some-odd years of knowing a guy, you forget that your first date was at a museum. But it was, and it was obviously wonderful; it worked." read more here....

Michelle at the Met and the Ballet



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Here we go with more tax problems, now from Caroline Kennedy

I don't know why folks, WITH MONEY, have issues paying taxes and have domestic help issues. We saw two of Bill Clinton's nominees derailed because of this, now we are going through Timothy Geithner and his oopsy of not paying taxes. Now the real reason Caroline Kennedy withdrew her bid for the Senate, taxes.

The whole thing with Caroline is that her whole rollout was botched from the beginning. I still believed that she would have been a solid senator, once appointed and a huge boost to New York Democrats running in 2010. The news last night was conflicting about Kennedy if she was in or out, then it was rumor that it was personal and about Ted Kennedy's health.

Well, here we go again. A person with money, but failed or staff failed to pay taxes.

Problems involving taxes and a household employee surfaced during the vetting of Caroline Kennedy and derailed her candidacy for the Senate, a person close to Gov. David A. Paterson said on Thursday, in an account at odds with Ms. Kennedy’s own description of her reasons for withdrawing.

[snip]

During the early afternoon Wednesday, the aide said, Ms. Kennedy became aware of what the aide referred to as a “personal situation” that could prevent her from fulfilling her duties as senator. The personal situation was not related to the seizure that her uncle, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, suffered during an inauguration luncheon on Tuesday, the aide said, declining to be more specific.

[snip]

Several people who have spoken to the governor said he had decided on Ms. Kennedy some time ago. A Democrat operative with ties to Mr. Paterson said the governor told Ms. Kennedy last week that she was the choice, but that he would use the next few days to do “a little misdirection to keep the suspense up.”

A person close to the governor adamantly denied that assertion.

“The fiasco of the last 24 hours reinforced why the governor never intended to choose her,” the person said.

[snip]

Caroline Kennedy, who stunningly quit her push for Hillary Clinton's Senate seat, is dealing with a "tax problem and a potential nanny issue," a source close to Gov. Paterson said Thursday.

"She was facing some potentially embarrassing personal issues" that came up during the vetting process, the source said, adding that the governor had decided she was not up to the job anyway.

From a bad rollout to a hideous ending. Caroline's people did not handle her well at all. If Geithner can be confirmed, the tax, domestic issue could have been explained and she still could have accepted the position.

NY Times
NY Daily News

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It is official, statement from Caroline Kennedy, she is withdrawing bid for Senate

Conflicting stories all evening, finally from the main source, herself:

"I informed Governor Paterson today that for personal reasons I am withdrawing my name from consideration for the United States Senate," the official statement read.

So, it is official, the seat appointment is wide open and whomever is selected MUST be able to raise the money to hold the seat.

Source

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Now, Kennedy Family Source says Caroline Kennedy has not withdrawn from NY Senate Seat

Just announced by Keith Olbermann, family members confirmed with David Gregory, NBC.

Who knows???

Source

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Caroline Kennedy Out for NY Senate Bid

Caroline Kennedy told New York Gov. David Paterson she is withdrawing from consideration to replace Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate, the New York Post reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed sources.

Kennedy, the daughter of slain President John F. Kennedy, has never held public office but launched an unusual public campaign to replace Clinton, who has been chosen by President Barack Obama to be secretary of state.

Source

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Obama on the cover of The Progressive, with a touch of Caroline, too

Zina Saunders

I love this cover and much artwork from Zina Saunders.

And whether you love or hate Caroline Kennedy, many can not help but chuckle at this piece of work by Zina.


Caroline Kennedy

Man, that Caroline piece does bring this all into perspective. Why are the majority of these appointments given to folks with name recognition, money, pedigree, etc? My take, I have no dog in this hunt, I am not from New York but Illinois which have enough senatorial problems of its own, on that note, I like Caroline. But is that enough to like someone for that person to be appointed? I always say, "Follow the money", who can raise the most and help the state party, especially an "appointed" governor, who will run in 2010 along with Caroline. That is why Caroline Kennedy will probably be the next Jr. Senator from New York.

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Obama Evening Wrap Up. Cabinet Rollout Continues.

Obama, Biden and Ed. Sec. Designate Duncan at Dodge Renaissance Academy after presser.

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Arne Duncan named Education Secretary.

President-elect Obama announced Tuesday his pick for secretary of education, calling Chicago schools chief Arne Duncan a hands-on reformer with a proven record of success.

"For years, we've talked our education problems to death, but failed to act," Obama said, speaking at a news conference held in a school that he said has made remarkable progress under Duncan's leadership.

"We can't continue like this. It's morally unacceptable for our children," Obama said.

For the past seven years, Duncan, 44, has run the nation's third-largest school district. Duncan, a Harvard graduate, played professional basketball in Australia and later ran a nonprofit education organization on Chicago's South Side before going to work in the city's public schools.

I am not a fan of Duncan for many reasons. Of all the picks, this one is a bad one in my opinion.

Read, JJP and bokeen.

Kids question Obama.



Transcript

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The Obamas and Bidens Whistle Stop Tour to the White House

President-elect Barack Obama, Vice President-elect Joe Biden and their families will hold a pre-inaugural event in Baltimore on Saturday, Jan. 17, as they travel to Washington by train for the swearing-in ceremony the next week, it was announced today.

The presidential inaugural committee said that the Baltimore appearance would be "in the tradition of past presidents-elect," who have staged a variety of events on their way to Washington to begin their administration.

According to the committee, the Jan. 17 events are in keeping with the theme of the inauguration --"Renewing America's Promise" -- and will feature cities with historic connections to that theme: Philadelphia, where the country's promise was realized in the signing of the Declaration of Independence; Baltimore, "where that promise was defended, then immortalized in our national anthem"; and Washington, the nation's capital, where four days of inaugural celebrations are to be held next month.

Obama and his family plan to begin the day with an event in Philadelphia. They will then board a special train that will stop in Biden's hometown of Wilmington, Del., where another event will be held.

The vice president and his family will then board the train for the remainder of the trip. Biden was famous for commuting via Amtrak to Wilmington during his years in the Senate.

The inaugural train is due to arrive in Washington that evening after the Baltimore event. Details of the day's events will be announced later, the committee said. continue

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Secret Service on Inauguration

Since we witnessed an Iraqi journalist throw both shoes at Bush and the slow security response, don't think or wonder if the Secret Service will not be on their game for The Obamas and Bidens during the whirlwind Inauguration. They will be.

The United States Secret Service, under the leadership of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and in cooperation with its local, state and federal security and public safety partners, has developed an overall security plan for the 56th Presidential Inaugural on Tuesday, January 20.

DHS has designated the Inaugural as a National Special Security Event (NSSE). When an event is designated an NSSE, the Secret Service assumes its role as the lead federal agency for the design and implementation of the operational security plan. The Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the U.S. Capitol Police and the U.S. Park Police as well as a number of other federal and local agencies will play an active role in securing this event and resources will be deployed to maintain the level of security needed for the designated events.

A number of security measures will be in place for the 56th Presidential Inaugural. As details become available, this information will be updated. continue

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Caroline Kennedy wants Clinton's Senate Seat

There is some angst in New York State over Kennedy being appointed or anointed to the Clinton seat.

Kennedy has been working the phones, letting the NY political establishment know that she is serious and wants the seat. This includes contacting Hillary Clinton.

Kennedy is not a carpetbagger as Clinton was in 2000, she is a bonafide New Yorker and have worked on various charities, raising monies for the public school system in NYC, runs the Kennedy Library along with the Kennedy Center Honors and selecting the Profile in Courage Award recipient. Plus, Kennedy is a lawyer and writer of several constitutional law books.

Picking Kennedy will secure several things for Democrats. She has the name recognition of a powerhouse and beloved family and she can raise the much needed money to run for this seat in New York. Remember, after the appointment there will be a special election in 2010, then another election in 2012 for the expiration of this seat. That's two elections withing a 4 year period. This is why Kennedy will have the ups on anyone else.

Finally, there has been a Kennedy in the senate since 1953, with her father being the first. Many will think this is an imperial or dynasty pick, but I see it as a legacy pick. If Caroline Kennedy wants this, she will have it.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

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and................

The Obama Girls and Blacks at Sidwell - An Inside Perspective, Part II

Vilsack for Agriculture Secretary

That Minnesota Senate race will never end, Norm Coleman lawyers up

Dear Republicans: You Lost. Get Over It.

And watch the C-Span week long series on The White House. Truly fascinating.

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Caroline Kennedy Wants Hillary's Senate Seat

It is official.

Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of an American political dynasty, has decided to pursue the United States Senate seat being vacated by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, a person told of her decision said on Monday.

The decision came after a series of deeply personal and political conversations, in which Ms. Kennedy, whom friends describe as unflashy but determined, wrestled with whether to give up what has been a lifetime of avoiding the spotlight.

Ms. Kennedy will ask Gov. David A. Paterson of New York to consider her for the appointment, according to the person told of her decision. The governor was traveling to Utica today and could not immediately be reached for comment.

If appointed, Ms. Kennedy would fill the seat once held by her uncle, Robert F. Kennedy.

Ms. Kennedy has been making calls this morning to alert political figures to her interest.

Ms. Kennedy’s decision is likely to have a major impact on the governor’s considerations as he mulls who should succeed Mrs. Clinton. Already, some other Democrats have pointedly questioned her credentials for the job. United States Representative Gary Ackerman, a Queens Democrat, said last week that he did not know what Ms. Kennedy’s qualifications were, “except that she has name recognition — but so does J. Lo.” continue

Kennedy is now working the phones. Al Sharpton invited her down to Sylvia's in Harlem, reminding her that Obama and everyone else have been down there too.

And that remark by Gary Ackerman reminds me of when Clinton jumped into the NY Senate Race in 2000. Many said the same thing, "she is just a wife of the "then" President." See where she has gone since then.

Case closed.

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Ted Kennedy, Surprise Speaker at the Democratic Convention Pictures and Video

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caroline introduction


video intro to ted kennedy


ted kennedy's speech

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Morning Break...Obama , Jackson, Michelle, Clinton and Fundraising

obama with caroline kennedy at a nyc fundraiser

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Major News Networks Claiming Obama's Democratic Acceptance Speech, "Non-News"

I don't know about you, but how can the major news networks think that the Barack Obama Acceptance Speech for the Democratic Nomination is non-news. The night of that speech is the very date that Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his "I have a Dream" speech. This night is history in that it is the first time that a man of African-American descent will accept the nomination of a major political party in the United States of America.

Now, I know these news networks are constantly complaining about their budget, but rest assured when Barack Obama goes on his European Tour that every single, major news outlet in the United States and internationally will be following along.

So, the news outlets site that since Obama moved his acceptance speech to the Invesco/Mile High Stadium, the logistics will be harder.

Obama’s decision “makes it enormously more expensive,” said Paul Friedman, senior vice president at CBS News. “It does add to the overall question of how the networks should cover what is a non-news event.”

Now CBS and others are getting piled on and rightfully so. I can gurantee you this, Obama's acceptance speech is Big Noise, ok CBS and others. I can also guarantee you this, this speech will be a huge hit on youtube. And I can guarantee, one million viewed, minimum.

These news organizations are crying and whining, when they have failed to perform the basics and that is tell the truth of the news. News organizations, especially the cable desk clerks, are entrenched with reading teleprompters, giving opinion based "newsy information" instead of telling the truth.

When was the last time we heard anything about Iraq? Yeah, thought so. That is because the news organizations are busy running after b.s. stories about Brittney, Christie, Madonna, A-Rod, instead of having journalists over there obtaining the real story. This is why the media and newspapers got caught up in their own gotcha by recanting Bush Administration talking points, as the TRUTH to the American public and why many Americans view these news organizations through a skeptical lens.

Now the news organizations can get their boxer shorts caught in a knot over Obama moving his speech to the Invesco/Mile High Stadium all they want, in the end their cameras BETTER BE THERE LIVE. WORD.

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This is Our Mission, This is Our Task

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Obama Donors Told Fundraising A Bit Slow, Urged To Help Clinton

Major donors to Barack Obama's campaign were told Wednesday evening that fundraising efforts were "a little slow" and that they should help retire Hillary Clinton's campaign debt so that the New York Democrat's supporters would, in turn, give to Obama.

"There was no negativity about Hillary," said one Democrat. "In fact the opposite. Fundraising is a little slow and it is very important to ramp it up. Hillary donors are a major source of donor dollars. The message to the troops was 'Get your five checks for Hillary in so that you can ask her donors to give to Barack.'" continue

Make sure you donate to the Obama Campaign on the left.

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afl-cio ad hitting mccain on economy

According to the AFL-CIO's release, the ad "will run in targeted communities across the country hit the hardest by the bad economy and the Bush economic policies." More details of the buy when we get them.

Late Update: The AFL-CIO has informed us that the initial targeted states for the ad are Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.

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MICHELLE OBAMA DECRIES SHORT-TERM FIXES

In response to a question about the economic stimulus checks administered by the U.S. government earlier this year, Michelle Obama said her husband believes that short-term fixes don't solve economic problems.

"You're getting $600," she told an audience of mostly African-American women here. "What can you do with that? Not to be ungrateful or anything. But maybe it pays down a bill, but it doesn't pay down every bill every month."

"Barack's approach is that the short-term quick fix kinda stuff sounds good," she continued. "And it may even feel good that first month when you get that check. And then you go out and you buy a pair of earrings," she joked.

The Obamas have been fighting Republican attacks painting the couple as elitist. Michelle Obama, who has been something of a lightning rod for the attacks, has fought those charges by highlighting the irony between the charges and her upbringing on the South side of Chicago. But her line on earrings could be red meat for some, particularly in making them in Pontiac. The satellite city south of Detroit was once a booming auto industry town, but now the per capita income is 40% below the national average and almost a quarter of the population is below the poverty line. continue

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fundraiser, nyc

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And the Jesse Jackson Apology Tour

if you missed it...of course the talking heads...


msnbc


today show

and changing the electorial map....


chuck todd, on today show

So, do you have your morning groove on, yet?

This Week With Barack Obama