Why Caroline Backed Obama

Her kids, her uncle, her father—and Obama's father—all played a role.

By Jonathan Alter | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Jan 30, 2008 | Updated: 4:51  p.m. ET Jan 30, 2008

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  • Posted By: jwtrotman @ 12/18/2008 3:19:21 PM

    What is all this nonsense about "SOMEBODY'S SENATE SEAT"? The furniture as well as all other material items in the Senate, White House and House of Representatives, BELONGS TO THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES. We, the taxpayers, have provided the funds to purchase all of it! Regardless of tenure in any of the various branches of the federal government, the SEATS are not personal property. Those elected to occupy the seats are federal employees of the people of this nation. The ONLY way to get rid of this nonsensical notion of seat ownership is to ALLOW THE VOTERS OF AMERICA TO SELECT NEW TENANTS FOR THOSE VACATED SEATS.

  • Posted By: paulte @ 12/18/2008 12:05:53 PM

    If Caroline Kennedy wants to be a Senator, then let her run for the Senate. What qualifications does she have anyway? The cheek of this woman! And trying to get Hillary's seat after she supported Obama and most probably blackballed Hillary as a VP choice on the Obama search committee.

    I'm no fan of Hillary Clinton but I think that Hillary should just up and slap Caroline across the face! A slap on the cheek for her cheek! You go for it, Hillary girl! Slap her one for me too! If she turns her cheek after you slap her, give her another one! I know Jesus said to turn the other cheek but this gal deserves a good slap on the cheek!

    And it would not suprise me one wit if the dimwitted, disabled, adulterous black governor, Paterson of NY, appoints Caroline Kennedy to Hillary's seat based upon her qualification of being a woman!

  • Posted By: whiterock @ 12/17/2008 2:51:35 PM

    This is a recylced article that is incorrect. For more details go to: http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/3/30/13655/6958

    (Excerpt) The Washington Post provides the accurate history:
    A more accurate version of the story would begin not with the Kennedys but with a Kenyan nationalist leader named Tom Mboya, who traveled to the United States in 1959 and 1960 to persuade thousands of Americans to support his efforts to educate a new African elite. Mboya did not approach the Kennedys for financial support until Obama Sr. was already studying in Hawaii.

    During his 1959 trip to the United States, the 29-year-old Mboya raised enough money for scholarships for 81 young Kenyans, including Obama Sr., with the help of the African-American Students Foundation. Records show that almost 8,000 individuals contributed. Early supporters included baseball star Jackie Robinson, who gave $4,000, and actors Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier.


  • Posted By: Mimi13 @ 08/17/2008 4:05:57 PM

    What does this old article have to do with the current state of affairs?

    • Posted By: dking312 @ 08/20/2008 2:18:18 AM

      Why did you read it?

      Read about what you like to read about.

      WTF?

  • Posted By: sjpersonal @ 08/18/2008 12:14:57 PM

    Old article but still a very nice and moving story.

    • Posted By: dking312 @ 08/20/2008 2:17:24 AM

      This article must have appeared recently...strange. Let me be the first to say thanks, this is my first time reading it. So, I guess it's good for people like me. Man! I love hearing about that JFK.

      He sounded so warm and caring to me. Someone else says this is wrong because he had nothing to do with barack's dad getting over here. BUT, he did. Had he not taken this up as an issue, Nixon would have never tried to jump on it to call his bluff. Kennedys - Another point!

  • Posted By: dking312 @ 08/20/2008 2:00:38 AM

    That was beautiful....the heir to her father's legacy.

    That's really amazing how the six degrees of seperation thing really does prove to be true time and time again!

  • Posted By: notroubleatall1963 @ 08/19/2008 10:13:08 PM

    Put on your expensive tassled loafers and vote for McCrass, head of the class of bourgeois bigots...

  • Posted By: notroubleatall1963 @ 08/19/2008 10:11:48 PM

    I hope Caroline herself gets to be Obama's VP - now that would be different, and it would win that elusive Catholic vote they keep talking about.

    Michael Moore has suggested her in an open letter to the Public - it's actually not a bad idea at all! I like the surprise element. But we'll soon find out... I like Biden a lot too, if we must go conventional.

  • Posted By: notroubleatall1963 @ 08/19/2008 10:09:26 PM

    The Citizens for the McCrass class of bourgeois bigots - the Anti-Negro League for the Prevention of Equial Access to the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous and their White Caucasion Country Clubs - hereby protest the veracity of this article, stating they know better.

    Don't they just.

  • Posted By: Sonders @ 08/19/2008 1:34:33 PM

    This story is factually incorrect. JFK had nothing to do with Obama's father coming to America. Looks like you need to update this article again! http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/3/30/13655/6958 -- If you care about the truth, that is.

  • Posted By: Sonders @ 08/19/2008 1:33:29 PM

    This article is factually incorrect. JFK had nothing to do with Obama's father coming to America: http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/3/30/13655/6958

  • Posted By: dick kay @ 08/19/2008 10:58:10 AM

    Why is this article being recycled? Because Sen Clinton's not around to bash anymore and you have nothing to write?

  • Posted By: jon-jon alter @ 08/18/2008 12:18:11 PM

    Hi jon-jon. You do know your article is unfactual, don't you? It has been picked apart with glee at the citizens against pro-obama MSM bias. As well as many of your other articles and TV appearances. Kelly B is waiting there for your apology.

    Don't you have anything new to write about?

    • Posted By: AskPlus @ 08/18/2008 3:52:59 PM

      How do you "pick apart with glee"? Seems it would be sad to me. Is there really a group so dedicated to hurting people that they form a group against opinion? Bias?

      • Posted By: dick kay @ 08/19/2008 10:57:00 AM

        You must not read Alter very often. You would know he is the most unbiased writer on Newsweek, which in itself says alot. HIs attacks toward Sen Clinton were--and still are and always will be--vicious. And it has nothing to do with opinion, It has to do with facts and facts alone. If you should read Alter's article in which he calls out Kelly B. Very interesting.

    • Posted By: notroubleatall1963 @ 08/18/2008 11:02:25 PM

      "picked apart with glee" by the citizens for McCrass class of bourgeois bigots - the Anti-Negro League for the Prevention of Equial Access to the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous and their White Caucasion Country Clubs.

  • Posted By: TexanForObama @ 02/01/2008 5:47:53 PM

    I don't understand all the anti-Obama vitriol here. After watching the CNN debate last night, it's clear that we have two winners. If you posters are true Democrats (and not just Republican shills), you should support either one who wins the nomination.

    As for my opinion:

    "Hillary Clinton is the Salieri to Obama's Mozart." She plays "too many notes."

    • Posted By: notroubleatall1963 @ 08/17/2008 11:36:58 PM

      Hey, I LIKE your analogy!!! Good one!

  • Posted By: teddyo @ 08/17/2008 9:12:03 AM

    I like this Obama he has a good spirit about him. Maybe thats what Caroline sees. It's something about a young man working with the very poor, the ugly, uneducated, the kind our country hates to deal with. I see these poor people in the inner city it's a mess. and to think this Obama who graduated at the top of his class with his good looks could have gotten a top notch job any where humbled himself to work with the outcasts.......To me that's awsome.

    • Posted By: notroubleatall1963 @ 08/17/2008 11:33:53 PM

      Obama shows what the true Christian spirit can do - using his God-given talents to help those who need a helping hand, inspiration, encouragement, etc. He's truly a remarkable individual. He deserves to win the White House. His wife is also wonderful. Go Obamas!!!

  • Posted By: Omaar @ 08/17/2008 3:42:05 PM

    1. Obama Still Leads in the Polls

    2. John McCain has NEVER LEAD in the Polls.

    3. Polls don't Matter

    4. Polls are Deceptive

    5. Early Voting in Some States will Favor Obama

    6. Most People have made up their MINDS...Sorry

    Note: Newly Sworn In Americans from 10 Years back to the Most Present, will Overwhelmingly Vote for Obama. Afro Americans, Hispanic & Asian Americans will Overwhelmingly Vote for Obama. Bi-Racial 18-Upwards will Vote for Obama. Young White America 18-45, Male and Female will Vote for Obama in Large Numbers. Independent Voters will Overwhelmingly Vote for Obama. Parents of Bi-Racial Children will Vote for Obama and Large Military and Americans Abroad will Vote for Obama. Young Independent & Moderate Republicans will Vote for Obama and the Gay American Vote as well. The Female Vote and Pro-Life Vote, Roe Vs. Wade, Pro-Choice & a Woman's Right to Choose, is a Big Factor, Obama will get that Vote, EASILY. American Females & Parents Against the War, will Easily Vote for Obama.

    Most of these People have made up their Minds, Already and No saddleback Church will change that. Keep this in Mind, Obama also Obama Garnered (18 Milion Votes Too) and Most of Clinton's Voters are going to Vote Democratic Anyway, they have already cast her Aside, they Refuse to help her get Rid of her Campaigns (MILLIONS SHE STILL OWES)

    Note Obama made 51 Million Dollars last Month, who do you think is Divying Up The Cash...Hmmmm

    John McCain and Racist White America have Not Factored all these Demographics, at all and they will come back to Haunt him in November.

    Reality is a Great Thing

    • Posted By: notroubleatall1963 @ 08/17/2008 11:27:16 PM

      Hooray, Omaar! Insh-allah, as they say (God will provide).. I hope and pray your calculations are correct, coz there are a lot of bigots in our country too. They use code words like "Liberal" to label the smarter class of politicians, including the Black liberals, and they've made it a dirty word.

      I wish we cxould move beyond our prejudiced past but apparently there are still some lingering bad feelings about the races. The "browning of America" is happening now and by the middle of this century, the Whites will be in the minority. I think it should be an improvement, at least I hope so.

  • Posted By: bjbj123 @ 02/02/2008 12:16:02 AM

    Has anyone read the Politico.com article comparing Michelle Obama with Jackie Kennedy? It is soooo sad that the pro-Obama camp esp the white elite liberals are trying to re-create Kennedy???s Camelot through the Obamas. Isn???t this going backwards? To use white to paint over black? Why can???t the Obamas be portrayed as who they are and be proud of their race? Michelle Obama should not be flattered to be a replica of Jackie as they are two very different personalities. Jackie is inimitable, Michelle should create and find her own image. Similarly, Barrack Obama and the press should not be comparing Obama with JFK and MLK. If the Obamas depend on such comparisons to win an election, they may fool some of the people but not all of the people.

    • Posted By: notroubleatall1963 @ 08/17/2008 11:22:31 PM

      That's right, the fools will not be fooled, once again - they'll elect another mediocre moron and his beautiful blonde vapid wife to the White House for a third Nazi term! hahahahaha

      Go for it. America won't be with you on election day - not this time. $600-tassled loafers, McCrass and his class of Bourgeois Boors - the Bushes included... YECCCCHHHHH He should retire and go spend his last years golfing at his country club and vacationing in one of his 10 hideous estates. Vote for a rich man and get nothing once again. Good luck with that.

  • Posted By: notroubleatall1963 @ 08/17/2008 11:17:09 PM

    Wonderful story, what a superb coincidence. I certainly hope and pray that Obama is elected to be our President...

    The alternative is just too grim - lying, cheating, distroting truth, more of the same for four more years and we can't afford to waste so much time with another dummy in the White House again.

  • Posted By: Greyhoundlady @ 07/18/2008 11:02:06 AM

    I think the media must think women are stupid. We do not base our vote on who endorses a canadate. We read and look at his voting record and how the canididates lie and change there view point. I really wish T. Boone Pickens was running. Both Obama and John McCain stink. This election is about picking the lesser of the two evils.

  • Posted By: Panthro12373 @ 02/02/2008 9:34:00 AM

    Blaming the liberal media is such an easy and cowardly response to articles that don't suit your political liking. If the daughter of a legendary political figure (and her prominent uncle) throw their support behind a candidate that's newsworthy. Especially when you consider how reluctant Caroline Kennedy is to get involved in primary campaigns. Furthermore, when you factor in the circumstances of JFK enabling Obama Sr to come to America, that is a story worthy of telling. These are not loose connections between Obama and the Kennedy clan. There is a tangible symmetry between his rise and the 1960 rise of JFK that cannot be denied. Much more substantial than a photo of Bill Clinton shaking the hand of JFK.

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