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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Even from the grave Ted Kennedy may dominate 2012 Presidential election

Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 03:18 PM

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Ed Kennedy & Mitt Romney

Even from the grave Ted Kennedy may dominate the 2012 election.

That is because his tactics in 1994 against Mitt Romney when he ran against Kennedy for the US senate proved so successful.

I remember that race well.

I was allowed to accompany Kennedy for a day on the campaign trail. It was a wonderful experience watching the ultimate retail politician close up, knowing the names of every doorman, family, and public official he met.

But at the time Kennedy was down by three points and readily confessed he was deeply worried about his re-election against a young Mitt Romney. Romney looked fit and and was pounding Kennedy on being old and past his sell by date.

It was a harsh critique and Kennedy was reeling.

The unthinkable was about to happen it seemed.
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That was until Kennedy decided to hit back in devastating fashion.

Kennedy staffer Tad Devine went to Indiana and filmed unemployed workers who had been laid off after Bain Capital moved in to control their company.

The TV ads had a huge and immediate impact.

Kennedy went from three points down to winning the race by twenty points.

The tactic that worked in Massachusetts is being trotted out by fellow Republicans now against Romney.

But that is only the warm up for what Obama's folks will put together to try and defeat Romney in the Fall.

They are all taking their lead from Kennedy's successful assault on Romney on this issue back in 1994.

Just as he did when he endorsed Obama in 2008 and changed the complexion of the race, Kennedy

Somewhere Ted Kennedy, doubtless, is smiling.

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Madeliene | Feb 28, 2012, 03:31 PM EST

hooligan6a I agree

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RedBranch | Jan 13, 2012, 12:00 PM EST

Hey O'Dowd! As Führer and founder of IC, IV,IA etc. Have you ever fired anyone? Perhaps I should reword that to someone who prefers to use 'undocumented' over 'illegal'. Have you ever 'let anyone go'? Isn't it true you were considering running for the Irish presidency yourself this time last year?

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hooligan6a | Jan 13, 2012, 09:35 AM EST

like2tweet, Teddy was a drunk a coward and a murderer. He was drunk when he killed a young girl, then ran away to hide. He was the lowest of the low and I hope he is in hell and the devil is holding his soul in the palm of his hand.

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like2tweet | Jan 12, 2012, 09:52 PM EST

teddy we miss you greatly a true champion for the irish

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alisaann | Jan 12, 2012, 04:40 PM EST

the GOP want to TAKE people's rights away....and KEEP some from EVER having the SAME RIGHTS as EVERYONE else....we're NOT in HELL because of OBAMA....we're in trouble because of BUSH...both of them.....i haven't seen obama START wars with countries, we have NO business getting into wars with, the way BUSH 1 & 2 did.....i'd take KENNEDY over the GOP any day. alisa

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EphraimKibbey | Jan 12, 2012, 04:25 PM EST

Interesting comments so far. Nothing to do with a tactic that may defeat Romney in this world though. Just kicking the reputation of a guy who has been in the next world for 2 and a half years and can't defend himself in his one. As for me, I chose to think of all the good that he did for our country. The "Gordon Gecko" side of Romney (isn't a gecko a kind of lizard?) brought to mind the impression that Romney has makes on me when I watch him on TV. I see him but in the back of my mind I get the warning - SNAKE. May Teddie's last good deed be to save America from from wall street snakes trying to bring back the bad ol' Bush days. Before Adam Smith wrote "Wealth of Nations" he wrote a book that explained that Capitalism could only work in a setting of strong morals. I think this is Romney's "OPP'S" moment.

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mrkennedy | Jan 12, 2012, 11:47 AM EST

If Kennedy is smiling then he would be in Heaven but with the type of practicing Catholic he was I doubt that he is in Heaven. If in Purgatory, then there is no smile until he leaves and if in Hell then forget the smile forever!!!!!!

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brennanirish | Jan 12, 2012, 11:28 AM EST

Celtic Four: Ted Kennedy gave rise to Reagan by not supporting Carter?? Wow, your as inventive in your triangulation theory as these other pukers on this message board. Fact you'll probably ignore....Jack Kemp speaking at a Habitat for Humanity project Dinner in PLAINS GEORGIA stated: He and other Congressional Republicans, led by Bob Dole met every week to propogandize and undermine Carter and it was, "the worst mistake of his life"....There's your guy and he admitted it. Blaming Ted makes for a better story though I must admit.

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The Waltons | Jan 12, 2012, 11:16 AM EST

Can you believe that it's been almost 2 1/2 years since Ted Kennedy last had a drink? I guess some people can change.

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Murph46 | Jan 12, 2012, 10:58 AM EST

mikehoulihan spot on ,not only for Maary Jo,but also the despicible way he treated Joan!Hope Satan uses sand!

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katieherk | Jan 12, 2012, 10:52 AM EST

OMG.... LET HIM REST IN PEACE WHEREVER HE ENDED UP, I IMAGINE PRETTY HOT DOWN THERE. IF HE INFLUENCES THE ELECTION WE'RE IN FOR ANOTHER FOUR YEAR OF HELL, WHERE IT'S PRETTY HOT!

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mikehoulihan | Jan 12, 2012, 09:50 AM EST

Ted Kennedy is NOT smiling because he is in hell, taking it up the keester from his old pal Satan.

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colkelley | Jan 12, 2012, 09:15 AM EST

At least now Teddy can't kill anybody like "the good old days." Niall, I would not brag about being around an irresponsible member of a thug family who was directly responsible for the death of a young woman.

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