Kennedyology and Institutional Jealousy

Lost in the discussion of Ted Kennedy's endorsement is the fact that a Barack Obama Presidency would be good for Ted Kennedy in ways that a Hillary Clinton Presidency would not. Kennedy already has eight years of exposure to the Clinton's operating style, and the Clinton's don't particularly owe the Kennedys any favors. Barack Obama, on the other hand, will owe a great deal of deference to Ted Kennedy, especially if his endorsement appears to make a difference in Massachusetts or among Latinos in the Southwest. Obama also seems less likely to indulge in it's-all-in-the-game-yo theories of executive power, but we don't have a lot of evidence on that score, one way or the other.

Comments

[ikl]

I don't think that this endorsement is about Kennedy. He is important enough in the Senate that any competent Democrat in the White House is going to care a lot about their relationship with him. His career is what it is now - he is not looking for a friend in the White House to help him make the next move or get personal favors from. Rather he needs the most effective Democrat possible in the White House so that he has a better chance to get the policy stuff he wants to get done accomplished. I would think that Kennedy cares about historical legacy, not power per se at this point.

[Nicholas Beaudrot]

Oh no. I don't think it's entirely about Kennedy. But it has very positive side benefits for Kennedy.

[Sir Charles]

I'm with ikl on this. This is about legacy rather than personal power. Kennedy's help will be essential to any Democratic president, including Hillary.

I also think Kennedy is sending a message to Bill Clinton.