Why Teddy Picked Obama

But politics ain't beanbag, as has been often quoted in this campaign.

Kennedy staffers were quoted in one report as stating that Obama's support for Kennedy's failed immigration bill was also a major factor in his decision to throw his support to him.

Susan Milligan wrote in the Boston Globe, "Kennedy was also impressed by Obama's deep involvement last year in the bipartisan effort to craft legislation on immigration reform, a politically touchy subject the other presidential candidates avoided, the (Kennedy) associate said."

In fairness to Senator Clinton she supported that bill and voted for all of its provisions, but obviously Obama made a far deeper impression on Kennedy with his backing.

The Kennedy support will certainly be important among Hispanics, where Obama has not matched Clinton in the early primaries. In Nevada they were the margin of victory for Clinton, and they will play a very large role in the vital California primary.

Kennedy also provides a link to the old blue collar, labor coalition that Obama has not convinced to support him during this primary campaign.

The question remains, however, if Obama really is the second coming of JFK, as the former president's brother and daughter clearly believe he may be.

The reality is that those are impossible shoes to fill, as much for the legend as for the reality of the JFK legacy. Obama can only continue to put one foot in front of the other and do his best. The Kennedy endorsement is obviously important, but in the end he will have to achieve greatness on his own dime.

It certainly won't hurt, however, to have the Kennedys in his corner, though some Kennedy family members, most notab-ly Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, the former Maryland lieutenant governor, are sticking with Hillary.

It just adds another fascinating component to an endlessly fascinating race for the Democratic nomination.

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Nster.com