Thinking About Endorsements: Do They Matter?
| Mon Jan. 28, 2008 7:18 AM PST
David discusses Obama's endorsement from Teddy Kennedy below; it will be valuable to BHO if Kennedy can campaign effectively amongst older voters, Latinos, and labor. Those are three constituencies in which Kennedy has some real juice, and Obama trails Clinton. Also, it gives Obama some old-guard cache.
But color me dubious. I'm just not sure endorsements matter. Imagine the thought process that would be necessary: "Well, I've seen these candidates in debates, on the late night talk shows, on the front page of my newspaper, on the internet, in their ads, on cable TV—I've seen these candidates everywhere in the last few months and have all the information I could possibly need to make a decision. But I'll just do what Teddy Kennedy says." Really? In this supersaturated news environment?
I may be wrong. There may be a number of what political experts call "low-information voters" who use things like endorsements as shortcuts. And perhaps there is a generation of Americans whose allegiance to the Kennedy brothers is so strong that an endorsement matters. I'll concede that—but does anyone care who Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI, if you were wondering) supports?
While we're on the topic, here is how Clinton's and Obama's Senate endorsements break down:
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Clinton: Robert Menendez (NJ), Diane Feinstein (CA), Evan Bayh (IN), Debbie Stabenow (MI), Maria Cantwell (WA), Barbara Mikulski (MD), Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), Bill Nelson (FL), Chuck Schumer (NY), Daniel Inouye (HI), and Mark Pryor (AR).
Obama: Claire McCaskill (MO), Patrick Leahy (VT), Dick Durbin (IL), John Kerry (MA), Ben Nelson (NE), Tim Johnson (SD), Kent Conrad (ND), and Ted Kennedy (MA).
Here's how the Kennedy family endorsements play out:
Clinton: Kathleen Kennedy Townsend (RFK's daughter), Bobby Kennedy Jr. (RFK's son), and Kerry Kennedy (RFK's daughter).
Obama: Ted Kennedy, Patrick Kennedy (Ted's son), and Caroline Kennedy (JFK's daughter).
Also, Magic Johnson supports Hillary while Charles Barkley and Toni Morrison support Barack. Just so you know.
Update: Most people don't know this, but MLK III wrote a glowing letter to John Edwards recently. It falls short of a direct endorsement, but it signals King's support of JE's candidacy pretty strongly.
Comments
Submitted by capt (not verified) on Mon Jan. 28, 2008 9:01 AM PST.
" I'm just not sure endorsements matter."
I think you're right.
How much "old guard cache" does the agent of change want?
BHO has to walk a fine line.
Most younger folks have no idea who most endorsers are (Kennedy being an exception) so they only react to the dynamic.
Big endorsements (like Ted Kennedy) matter because it's another news cycle where media says "_______ fat cat is throwing his/her support behind candidate ___."
Let's say an undecided Kennedy democrat saw Ted supporting Obama, it may inquire Kennedy democrat to learn why.
No - they aren't the end-all-be-all, but they do matter. Look at the news explosion that is the Teddy endorsement. Imagine what Al Gore's endorsement is going to do.
Endorsements mattered this morning when Obama's name was able to run in the media in bigger letters next to Kennedy's than next to Rezko's:
http://americansineuropeforronpaul.blogspot.com/2008/01/this-mornings-ne...
Also, it's a long held concept in marketing. You sell
product by
1. Making it look popular
2. Making it look like popular people like it.
If someone I respect endorses someone, surely it matters.
I think endorsements may influence some people who are into celebrities, but as far as Senator Kennedy's endorsement, he has too many skeletons in his own closet to be an asset...way too many. Hillary should be grateful and Obama should run the other way. I can't imagine being influenced by such an endorsement.
I was seventeen when JFK was assassinated, and 24 when Robert was gunned down.
They were both inspiring leaders. As I remember, they were able to interject ALTRUISM into the concept of Patriotism.
It felt good to an American and the future seemed bright with promise.
I felt that Obama evoked my memories of the Kennedys the first time I heard him speak.
The Kennedys wealth and status seemed to be directed to public service, rather than greed and enrichment of the few at the expense of the many.
The endorsement does reinforce my intention to vote for Obama.
Endorsements like the Ted Kennedy one certainly matter. Since my man Bill Richardson dropped out, I've been having a hard time deciding who to support. Being that I am a liberal in the Ted Kennedy tradition, his endorsement speaks volumes to me. I respect his opinion anyway, but even more so given the fact that he knows both Obama and Clinton far better than I do.
On the other hand, I really don't care who Oprah supports.
The Republicans are nearing the PERFECT STORM! Will we be ready if the magic 70% is reached to affect permanent structural changes. We will only have about six years before they regroup and launch a counterattack. Who is the Democratic President is really marginal. Its the CONGRESS my dear friend. A big problem Democrats, many, who run Democrat and vote Republican. They have also got to go. The tide is on our side let's get organized!
Submitted by Roger Kovach (not verified) on Mon Jan. 28, 2008 3:46 PM PST.
Well, Ted Kennedy's endorsement matters to me. Of course, I am in that old New Deal category having voted in every election since 1950.
I had issues with both Clinton and Obama. She, like Bill, is a member in good standing of the DLC which is part of the reason I didn't vote for him in '96. His recent reckless or malicious behavior on her part got me to worrying what he would do if she were elected.
I had issues with Obama too. There is a distinct odor of snake-oil about him. Running against Washington is an age old populist method of garnering votes but it is a bad idea once in office. Remember Jimmy Carter?
In the end, the Chronicle's editorial endorsement which I found well considered and Ted Kennedy's endorsement tipped me over - I sent in my absentee ballot for Obama this morning.
I believe a person tells you who they are according to his or her friends. Did any body see who Bush had around him or did you all miss that? As a african-american who suffers no matter who is in the white house, should vote "Republicain and leave all you people swing in the air.
It goes beyond the endorsement. Kennedy's energetic campaigning for Obama can help w/ the latinos, older folk, women and Boomers; Dems who haven't decided who to vote for between the three frontrunners. Just look at the images of the State of the Union speech. Obama/Kennedy stole the show. It's tremendously significant not only for the support at fundraisers and access to the Kennedy network but for failing to support Clinton.
Boomers; Dems who haven't decided who to vote for between the three frontrunners. Just look at the images of the State of the Union speech. Obama/Kennedy stole the show. It's tremendously significant not only for the support at fundraisers and access to the Kennedy network but for failing to support Clinton.Holiday Logo Design & web design
Of course, "endorsement, the news item" is not all there is to this. Kennedy has an organization and a community of supporters. Having another community of Democrats added to Obama's gives him more power and influence (that's what politics is really about power -- not air time or fame). It adds to the influence that is needed is among the Democratic superdelegates (read Democratic party powerful). Believe it or not, the "people" are a fraction of the power to make the choice. The superdelegates have the power to choose when there is a tight race between nomination candidates. They will choose our next President. These superdelegates don't count air time, but the size and influence of the community of supporters in the party. That is how the superdelegates make their choices. The superdelegates that see Kennedy as their source of power will follow his lead. Watch and see!
Endorsements can certainly help to persuade people who are on the fence--the large group of voters who seem to be making up their minds in the last several days prior to each primary/caucus. Also, don't overlook the power of association. Barack is now coupled with the image and politics associated with not only Ted Kennedy and his illustrious career in politics, but also (through Caroline's endorsement) even more strongly with the legacy and mystique of the Kennedy name. As others have said, it certainly won't hurt him, and will bolster his liberal image.
Submitted by brianr (not verified) on Wed Jan. 30, 2008 5:46 AM PST.
I think they should matter when you have the type of people that have endorsed Hillary and Huckabee.
Hillary has Jenna Jameson and O.J. Simpson and Huckabee has Ric Flair, Ted Nugent and Chuck Norris. Amazing.
