Washington File

Hillary Clinton = voted for the Iraq war in the Senate.

John McCain = sang about bombing Iran and got a laugh (bomb, bomb, bomb,..bomb, bomb Iran; how would the Beachboys feel?) and would stay in Iraq for 100 years.

Mitt Romney = wants to expand Gitmo.

'Nuff said

right now, heading into the final days of the primary season, we are into the "perception" of momentum.So we are into the endorsement game. Obama has Ted and Caroline Kennedy. Hillary has Robert Kennedy Jr. and Kathleen kennedy Townsend,(I don't know if two of roberts offspring cancel out one of John's). Unfortunatly Hilary had thier endorsements so long ago that its lost its punch by now. in an effort to blunt the Obama sendorsements rumors abound that the real reason the principle Kennedys endorsed Obama is that Hillary had the audacity to seek the senate seat in New York that was earmarked for John Jr., who was still alive when Hillary sought the N.Y.nomination.
All that being said, the Kennedy endorsement may well give Obama a push when and where he needs it. The Kennedy name resonates in the Democratic Party, even if, as some suggest, it is tarnished in the national eye. And its the democratic party that counts right now. Hillary needs a major endorsement of her own in the next few days. If she can pull Jimmy Carter or more importantly John Edwards into her corner, she can check the "perception" of momentum that the kennedy endorsement has given Obama. We can only wonder what offers are being made to whom..Vice President Edwards anyone??

Has anyone noticed that the americans are all up in a fuss over the so-called mud slinging! I have watched a fair amount of american news and I did not see much of it? Then again I was comparing it with our gov't and frankly I think the American system is way too tame for us up here I like our system much better as we view it as a bloodsport whereas americans are more like hockey without any physical contact = boring

It is good news that Obama has receive the support of such a powerful person.
And very sad to see Bill Clinton loose some of his luster.

I have sat back and watched the candidates taking their "political jabs" at each other and wondered if and when some of the "old" politicians would voice their views. I must say that Ted Kennedy was not one of those from whom I wanted to hear from. I still recall the days of Camelot, the days of the United States surging forward with what we all believed and still do to this day, that we had a competent president. But a bullet from an assasins gun silenced Camelot and the ensuing scandal from Ted Kennedy's indiscretions over the Chappaquiddick event in my mind sealed his fate. He may endorse Obama, and even think that he is the "savior" of our nation, but other so called "saviors" have been in our past history. If I vote of Obama, it will certainly not be on the endorsement of Ted Kennedy, but will be based on "my" experience following politics over the past five decades. Politics is a "blood game" and usually the blood is always someone else's. Only time will tell, but we must be sure that whomever is elected to the Presidency will ensure that history will afford us the time. We live in an increasingly scary and smaller world. I can't in all concience endorse "any" candidate at this moment. I only have "half" information and certainly not basing it on the word of Ted Kennedy.

Obama certainly has celebrity in his corner. He is inspiring, good-looking, well-spoken and appears intelligent. A nice change indeed. Unfortunately for him, the states are in a hard place right now. I don't believe the electorate are willing to gamble 4 years on hope no matter what they say to the cameras. If McCain winds up on the Republican ticket, my money is on him taking the White House.

From where I stand, the Clinton's days were over quite some time ago. They represent a bygone era. The World can only hope the People of the United States of America are far enough along in their growth as a country to see past the rhetoric. I think Mr. Obama may just be able to save the World.

Kennedy's backing of Obama will probably
backfire. Ted does not exactly have the
ear of the American people, and he may find
that either they don't appreciate his
support of ANY candidate, or they really
couldn't care less.

What the heck... I still say no American election or government is worth its salt without a Kennedy in the limelight. Inspite of their human weaknesses, the Kennedys are a force to be attracted to.

Well,Jeff Wilson in Winnipeg:it would be a good idea for you to check out Obama web site so you could get more information on his intentions but,the bottom line is;are the American people ready to give him the highest position in the White house to make those changes? I sure HOPE so... you got to get the job and then, you can start making changes and see what it brings.

While Ted Kennedy may be the senior statesman of the Democratic Party, he is also a senior citizen indicative of a large voting block.

If youthful Barrack Obama wins the presidency apart from the challenges of Iraq and the economy, he will have to deal with a decidely 'white haired' electorate who will no doubt demand action on health care reform.

I'm still waiting for some substance.

America is facing very, very serious problems and needs more than just someone who can get all the people to work together.

That's just the half of it. What are all those people supposed to do?

Obama can woo crowds with well crafted words.

But, I have never heard just exactly what he plans to do, what real changes he plans to make, nor exactly how he plans to make America into a place resembling the paltitudes he has been spouting forth for so long, and which has brought him so much success thus far.

To be fair, all the candidates have spouted but not explained.

I think we can all agree that Obama is a great public speaker and, if we can truely believe his words, that his heart is in the right place.

But actions are required and so I would like to know what actions Obama plans to take to solve the multitude of America's problems.

I think Obama is afraid to be specific because he saw what happened to McCain when McCain told Americans that it was going to be hard in the future like

Nevertheless, the time for platitudes is over.

What does Barack Obama plan to actualy do about: (The list will end when I hit the 2000 character limit):

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; Escalating poverty in America, Health care, Illegal immigration, America's collapsing manufacturing sector, Collapsing infrastructure, Failing education system, Devastation of the Middle Class, Devastation of the Environment, Child porn on the internet, Child sex slave trafficking, Gun deaths and gun crimes, Inner City decay, Street crime, Corporate crime, The rebuilding of Katrina devastated areas, World-wide organized crime, World-wide terrorism, The AIDS pandemic, The health care system in America, Unafordable housing, All the oil running out, Nuclear prolifferation

YAY! Could it be that I can once again feel young and hopeful and excited and happy!

There hasn't been anything to cheer about since they murdered Robert Kennedy!

GO BARACK GO!

Kennedy's endorsement of Obama is the beginning of the end for Mrs. Clinton. Faced with a choice between a highly articulate, attractive black candidate and the wife of a former president with tremendous visceral appeal for blacks ten years ago, Afro-Americans have switched to one of their own.

Obama also appeals to idealistic young Americans in a way reminiscent of Robert Kennedy in 1968, and Trudeau, same year.

Sorry, Mrs. Clinton, but you won't beat Mr. Obama. Nor should you.

Jerry - I'm inclined to agree, Obama reminds me more of RFK than JFK.

Given Ted Kennedy's career and past foibles, I have to wonder whether his support for Mr. Obama will be a help or hindrance.

"Flourish" the memory of Camelot? Possibly you mean "brandish"? Flourish is not even a transitive verb.

The Clinton's feeling of entitlement seems to have run into a snag.An assessment of the Clinton political career and history includes some very selective uses of power.
You can fool some of the people some of the time BUT not all of the people all of the time.[Somebody said that at some past time]

When Caroline Kennedy's op-ed letter to the New York Times endorsing Obama was read during Obama's sweep of the South Carolina primaries...saying Obama would be a "President Like My Father" ..,I had emotional chills down my spine...as a 60 year old I vividly remembered JFK and the youthful change he represented when he came to office...I also remembered JFK's tragic death and wondered if Obama really knew the risks of this linkage... JFK's brother Sen Edward Kennedy endorsement of Obama as well brought back some of that mystical Camalot feeling of those times...it really is time for real change and for the Clintons to move out of the way

I totally agree with Charlene Smith.

I can only imagine how the statement "ask what you can do for your country but not what the country has done for you" would have inspired people that time.

Whether we all agree or not America is going through a welcome change over. A bit late but it is very nice.

Let's not forget that the Kennedy network has barely gotten out of the gate when trying to get Ted to the presidency. Also JFK was elected with a fair bit of unsavory (mob)participation and the press turned a blind eye to the "real" man and his
shenanighans.Camelot was a great piece of fiction. Surely americans will not be fooled by smoke and mirrors after the Bush fiasco.

Why is the cbc so interested in listener comments. Why don't you just take responsibility for your reporting and not try to soften it by soliciting comment. If I want average joe's comment I will go to my local Tim Horton's.
Your trying to please mr.everyman is the reason why I no longer listen to your news casts. Peter Mansbridge should have gone to the US while he still had integrity. The attempt to appease the political bosses is a far more serious instance of 'selling out' than if your station was owned by any private corporation because of the pretense of objectivity you hold as a crown corporation.

Far out man! The sixties are back! Obama in the role of JFK. Although to be accurate it was RFK who really personified the politics of the left in those times and JFK was more of a cold warrior, but what the heck. It will inspire all those gray ponytails out there no doubt. Get out your bell bottoms bros.

While watching President Bush's State of the Union speech last night I noticed Obama and Kennedy were sitting next to one another. So it seems Camelot has found a new heir and Obama not Hillary is the anointed one.

Mr. Kennedy's remarks are best saved for an alcoholics anonymous meeting. The old "lion" is living on borrowed time.

Only a fool would not have heeded his advice earlier in the election.

The Kennedy's are a powerful political family who have a lot of influence.

Because they have always remained in the spotlight we have all witnessed their trageties and triumpts.

I also think that Ted is trying to show people what might have became a reality if his brothers and Martin Luther King had not been assassinated so young in life.

In his address he was reminding people that they are all Americans regardless of which party they represent,which sex,race,religion,etc.

He also reminds people that age is not what matters as much as being able to bring people together for the common good of America.

Something America desperately needs.