ABOUT HARDBLOGGER

Hardblogger delivers opinions and analysis on the latest political news by MSNBC anchors, correspondents, analysts and contributors. Whenever news breaks, Hardblogger will break it down, so check in often.

Hardball with Chris Matthews airs weeknights on MSNBC.



Kennedy endorses Kerry; calls Romney 'multiple choice'

Posted: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 6:03 PM by Hardball

In addition to coming out strong against plans for any troop surge in Iraq, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) told Chris Matthews he will back John Kerry for president in 2008.  When asked about former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, who is running for president from the Republican side of the aisle, Kennedy called Romney "multiple choice."

Chris:  Who will you endorse in 2008 for President for the Democratic party?

Kennedy:  Well we have to find out who’s going to run.  Isnt that the circumstances?  My colleague and friend John Kerry’s taking a look at it, he’s going to make his mind up very soon.

Chris:  Do you have a deadline for who will get your support?

Kennedy:  I dont have a deadline.

Chris:  Its been said that you have a deadline.

Kennedy:  Is that said?

Chris: Its been said in the world out there that you want him to make a decision here.

Kennedy:  I think that John understands that you have to make a decision earlier rather than later, and I expect he will.

Chris:  Will you back him?

Kennedy:  I will back him. but I think that the, in the meantime, we’ve got a superb new governor, Deval Patrick, he’s doing an outstanding job.

Chris:  Let me ask you about your last governor, my last question, the governor who just left office, Mitt Romney.  When he ran against you, people noticed that he was moving to the center, if not towards the left.  he was for a women’s right to choose in an abortion, he was for gay rights generally, now he’s out there, running to the right, saying he’s against any kind of gay union of any kind, he’s against any kind of abortion rights, which is the real Mitt Romney that you’ve gotten to know?

Kennedy:  He’ll have to explain it to me, even in our debate he was, he had moved back and forth on the choices, he was a pro-choice, he’s anti-choice, he’s multiple choice, and he’s going to have to probably respond to that as he gets closer to the countryside.  And we’ll wish him luck.

Chris: Thanks very much,  Senator Kennedy.

Kennedy: Good to see you.

Chris:  Thanks alot.

To watch the full interview, click here or on the image above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAIN PAGE

Email this EMAIL THIS

Comments

I am 58 years old and I amd so sick of Edward Kennedy. The younger generation does not know about his 14 hour memory laspe when he was a young man. Kennedy knows what is best for all America, but the history of the Kennedy's will ultimately save this country from his arrogant know it all attitude. God he makes me sick. He deserves John Kerry.

Ron Cook (Sent Tuesday, January 09, 2007 8:23 PM)

Sen. Kennedy may be happy that the Dems got control of Congress, and Presidential politics has never been his thing, but right now, its Clinton, Obama, and Edwards as the first tier, then Biden, then Kerry, don't see Kerry as the last one standing.

Mark, Dunkirk, NY (Sent Tuesday, January 09, 2007 8:32 PM)

Ted Kennedy I think is getting senile... If John Kerry runs for president thee is little chance of him getting elected, or, I should say getting Nominated. I am a moderate Republican but am unhappy with the the way the war is going in Iraq. I don't know if we should be there but I do know we should be in Afghanestan. We should have finished the war in that country before expanding into Iraq. John Kerry in the last election proved that he doesn't have a clue what it takes to either finish the war or retreat. To retreat would be treasonous. As for his nomination, there are more that would be better qualified and that includes Hillary Clinton. If by chance it would come down to selecting between Clinton and Kerry, Clinton would win hands down and Kennedy know it. As a republican, there would have to be a nobody running for me to switch my vote from Republican to Denocrat. My message to Mr. Kennedy.... put your hat on straight the when you can get off of your foot. Jim Reeves

Jim Reeves, Kissee Mills, Mo. (Sent Tuesday, January 09, 2007 9:10 PM)

Ted Kennedy is to be respected for being honest about what he thinks.He doesn't hide behind some rhetoric to disguise his liberal depravity.What you see is what you get even if very few want it.

Dave Delk Maryville,Tn. (Sent Tuesday, January 09, 2007 9:17 PM)

Kerry is a has been. He needs to stay out of the race if he wants a Democrat to win. Richard Nixon is the only one in my life time to make a come back after having lost the general election in a presidential race. Also, I have lost confidence in Kerry. If Romney is not sure how he stands on issues--assuming Kennedy is right--he want get my vote either, unless there is a a toss up between Kerry and Romney (which I do not believe there will be) then I will have to make a serious choice (again assuming Kennedy is right). I did like Romney's Dad and if he had been nominated for president back then, I would probably have voted for him.

jqj (Sent Tuesday, January 09, 2007 9:23 PM)

I must loudly disagree that John Kerry is a good candidate for the presidency again. I gave $250 to Kerry's 2002 campaign. Not that I liked his agenda or him personally. Just please, not Bush was my hope. When Kerry conceded the election before all of the votes were counted (Gore anyone?) in a rigged election without protest, I saw he was either a coward or part of the sytem that keeps on giving us the same vanilla. I hope Senator Kennedy thinks better of his support.

Larry Gibson Fresno, CA (Sent Wednesday, January 10, 2007 2:12 AM)

Wow! Did not Kerry lose the last Presidential election? This is the Senator who "botched a joke" and insulted the IQ of the entire Defense Department, but then her wants to their C.IN.C.? He is a U.S. Senator, and likley has something on the ball, and maybe he has a hot, rich wife, but his speaking & motivational skills SUCK. His "candor" is too often faked, and too many people've got to ask: Is he REALLY the best that the Democrats can produce? THis endorsement jsut goes to show how out of touch NEw England, and their Senators are with the rest of the world.

J Casey, San Antonio, TX (Sent Wednesday, January 10, 2007 2:41 AM)

I find this disgusting,he has never told the world about Mary J.Koepeckne. Yet he implies every one on the republican side has morality problems. Why is he allowed to have a double standard?

Jon Robinson Dallas,Texas (Sent Wednesday, January 10, 2007 8:05 AM)

Kerry cannot win and we need to have someone who can if our nation is to take a new and better track.

Norman Ramponi, Palm Coast, Florida (Sent Wednesday, January 10, 2007 8:40 AM)

The only people backing Kerry and not voting for him would be the Republicans. They know it would be an easy win in 2008. How stupid to back him. George Bush could win a 3rd term on a write in ballot if he ran. Marv

marv st louis mo. (Sent Wednesday, January 10, 2007 8:46 AM)

why whould anyone want an endorsement from Ted Kennedy?

robert m. stauffer Savoy, Illinois (Sent Wednesday, January 10, 2007 9:38 AM)

I agree with the majority of the posters. Teddy is a poor excuse for a human being. He turns my stomach. The most revealing thing about him is that he is proof that Massachusetts voters continue to vote for the most liberal depraved loads of you-know-what. They have given us Barney Frank, Gerry Studds, John Kerry, etc...What is wrong with Massachusetts?

Ricardo Maxwell, Florida (Sent Wednesday, January 10, 2007 9:57 AM)

Frankly, I am surprised Chris. Is the overwhelming take-a-bash-at-Kerry tone of the comments a clear indication of his dismal presidential prospects? Or is it simply evidence of lingering ignorance? Maybe it is both. Didn't folks finally understand that the swift-boat campaign was a lie - a vicious, deceitful crucifiction of a legitimate American hero?

Mike IsBell, Zarahemlam Baja, Mx (Sent Wednesday, January 10, 2007 10:30 AM)

I'm just a dumb old infantryman but one thing I learned in Vietnam, never let politicians run a war. Leave it up to the Military Commanders and give them maximum support.

Barry Prowell, Chandler AZ (Sent Wednesday, January 10, 2007 10:34 AM)

arnold schwarzenegger said he wa anti gay marriage, too, yet he accepted $10,000 from the gay log sucking cabin republeecans for his campaign. hilary clinton, me or ron paul in 08

waroc, john a tate 3 (Sent Wednesday, January 10, 2007 10:35 AM)

I moved to MA from NC and lived there 4 years. Incredibly high taxes, declining business base, out of sight college costs, etc. I've moved back south. No wonder the country is going conservative. We can only hope they all stay in New England.

Mark H (Sent Wednesday, January 10, 2007 10:48 AM)

Kennedy is a Buffoon - Plain & Simple

Joe Fiore (Sent Wednesday, January 10, 2007 11:05 AM)

Something is wrong with the air or water in Massachusetts! How can this buffon keep getting re-elected!

Dolores Tricarico, Brooklyn, New York (Sent Wednesday, January 10, 2007 11:38 AM)

Mr. Kennedy doesn't understand it. The president now is George W. Bush and not JFK.

romy gomez - dumont, nj (Sent Wednesday, January 10, 2007 11:38 AM)

Speaking as Southern Democrat, Kerry is not the best choice for President. We need new blood. I have nothing but the upmost respect for Senator Kennedy. I would like to see a Democrat with more back bone, and Senetar Kerry is not the one. Obama would be my first choice, and Edwards my 2nd.

Michael, Simpsonville, SC (Sent Wednesday, January 10, 2007 12:04 PM)

John Kerry is a gentleman, an American Hero, and would have made a great President. He didn't loose the 2004 election, it was stolen from him..

Gloria Magilke Milton, Fl. (Sent Wednesday, January 10, 2007 12:11 PM)

Well Kennedy would endorse Kerry. So what do you expect from a family whose fortune was built on boot-leg wiskey during proabition? If Kerry was to win the nomination the next president would be a Republican or an Independant. Maybe it's time for a 3d party.

Colonel George Wright USA RET (Sent Wednesday, January 10, 2007 12:13 PM)

WHO IN THE WORLD LISTENS TO ANY KENNEDYS ANY MORE THEY CAN'T KEEP RIDING THE SHIRT TAILS OF OTHERS,AND AS FAR AS KERRY GOES HIS BEST IS JUST BEING A KEPT KETCHUP MAN.

TOM SHUMAKER CLEVELAND OHIO (Sent Wednesday, January 10, 2007 12:16 PM)

How can anyone say anything good about George Bush? He has ruined our Country, and destroyed so many many lives!! How can he sleep at nights?

T.M. Magilke, Pace, Fl. (Sent Wednesday, January 10, 2007 12:20 PM)

I like Ted, he comes from money but has fought for average americans his whole career. Forget Kerry, he will not be nominated. I'd like to see Wes Clark get it. If we're in a so-called war on "terror" lets put the general in there. Unlike the little prick that's in there now, he thinks things through..... Doug

Doug Bateman (Sent Wednesday, January 10, 2007 12:26 PM)

I am reading the backward Republicans! Remember they are the ones that voted for George W. Bush. They are the ones that set back and watched the Republican congress look the other way, when Foley was chasing little boys. They are the ones that back a rubber stamp congress that was too weak to say no to George W. Bush. Look at the mess that this country is in and they want to blame John Kerry, anyone other than themselves. John kerry is a very smart man. He will never make that mistakes that George W. Bush and the Republican party made. I hope that Mr. Kerry runs for President. This country needs someone that can think clear, solve problems and most of all, lead. Republicans are good at name calling, but they can not govern.

LL, Kansas City, MO (Sent Wednesday, January 10, 2007 12:40 PM)

Kennedy should know "multiple choice" re abortion. He flip-flopped himself. Check this letter he wrote in 1971. http://www.catholicleague.org/05press_releases/quarter%203/KennedyLetter2.PDF

steve tefft, forestdale, ma (Sent Wednesday, January 10, 2007 2:24 PM)

Kennedy and Kerry, ya gotta be kidding!!! It's time for both of them to go home.

Susan Brown, Alexandria, VA (Sent Friday, January 12, 2007 4:58 PM)

I don't want to talk about Teddy or John. I think the Democratic reace will be between Hillary, Obama and John Edwards. What I want to know more about is the Mountain Meadows Massacre in 1847 when Mormon Militiamen dressed as Indians slaughtered Pioneers. Was a Romney family ancestor involved?

Elisabeth Applegate, Missoula Mt.59802 (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 1:47 AM)

Could someone tell me again why he is not in prison for murder? He is probably the last person on earth to speak on morality. What did the old ad say "if he drove a volkswagon, he would be president today" (because they float)

J. Carson Richmond, VA (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 10:19 AM)



SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.): 

 Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private)

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=28999


The Essentials

More Hardblogger

Recent Posts:

Archives:

Authors:

Syndicate This Site

Add Hardblogger to your news reader:
live.com xml
myyahoo msn
bloglines newsgator
google

MSNBC Weblogs