Former DNC Chair and Kennedy Ally Paul Kirk Endorses Bernie!

[Fawke Em]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is picking up the endorsement of former Democratic National Committee chairman Paul Kirk, an ally of the late Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy.

Kirk will announce his endorsement Thursday in Hanover, New Hampshire.

Kirk was appointed to the Senate after Kennedy's death in 2009 and briefly served with Sanders. He backed President Barack Obama in 2008.

Kirk said in prepared remarks that of all the presidential candidates, the Vermont senator has most consistently talked about the dangers facing the nation's democracy.

Polls show Sanders and Hillary Clinton locked in a close race in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Clinton has a large lead over Sanders among DNC "superdelegates" who can support the candidate of their choice at the party's convention. But Kirk's endorsement adds to Sanders' list.

http://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2016-01-14/sanders-endorsed-by-former-dnc-chairman-kirk

[Metric System]

1. Endorsements don't matter much and this one in particular is hardly anything to get excited about.

NOTE: I'm referring to endorsements, period, not just Sanders endorsements. But congrats, I guess.

[Fawke Em]

2. The thing about this one is only that he's a Kennedy family ally. eom

[merrily]

5. I think anyone can get excited about anything he or she feels like getting excited about.

[Fawke Em]

6. Yep.

In general, endorsements don't do much for me, but this one signals that the establishment can be OK with Bernie.

[Agschmid]

20. Just a reminder someone involved with politics that long is the establishment.

[karynnj]

18. As much as almost anyone- you can say he represents what was the Kennedy wing of the party

In his case, it is not just who he is, but the work he and Kennedy did over the years. He is a good guy to have on your side when the other side challenges you on health care. He was there!

[Scootaloo]

33. Huh. your post history in the subject tells a different story.

[merrily]

3. Former DNC Chair? He was a U.S. Senator!

[Fawke Em]

4. Yes - and a Kennedy ally!

[merrily]

8. Exactly. The Lion of the Senate chose him to take his seat after he passed and Gov. Patrick complied

But, usually, when an official is described, one uses the highest title he or she ever had. U.S. Senator trumps DNC head. That was my point.

[Fawke Em]

23. You're right about that.

But, the AP story probably was rushed.

They'll probably update it.

[Armstead]

7. Well, to be honest, kind of a Senator

More a placeholder.

But a great endorsement nonetheless because he has been a "player."

[merrily]

10. Regardless, he was a U.S. Senator.

[Art_from_Ark]

32. Let's get him back as DNC head

He got better results than Debbie What's-her-face.

[merrily]

34. What? Worst results in 86 years aren't good enough for you now?

What? You some kind of perfectionist or something?

(Support Canova!)

[sadoldgirl]

9. I guess that Howard Dean may not like this.

[merrily]

12. Who gives a crap what Howard Dean does or doesn't like?

[Motown_Johnny]

15. Both are former DNC chairs. Bernie now has an equal to Dean to go on shows opposite him

and to do for Bernie what Dean is doing for Hillary.


He isn't going to like it.

[merrily]

17. My point was, I could not care less what Dean does or doesn't like.

[Motown_Johnny]

21. I don't think any of us do.

My point is that Howard was a great "get" for shows. Now Bernie has someone of similar credentials to debate him on those shows.


It isn't about what he likes, it is about his effectiveness as a spokesperson. It was just diminished.

[merrily]

35. I don't think Howard has been a great get for shows since 2009.

More like a shill trying to stay relevant. I think he would have shown up for Pets Gone Wild.

[pangaia]

22. You will understand this.

With all the very recent foaming at the mouth and second guessing about, OH MY . WHO will be Bernie's newest endorser? Oh-- EW, or.. Joe, Oh this will be the BIG ONE,,,The King of Prussia, Emperor Alexander, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias.... I was a little embarrassed by it all...embarrassed as a Bernie fan.....
Not that this endorsement isn't very nice, but....

But the contagious excitement is good to see...

[Kentonio]

11. I must admit, when she said 'here from Massachusetts'

That wasn't who I expected in that moment.

[Motown_Johnny]

16. Good point, but I think it is early for that one to endorse.

This could be a precursor. Lets give it a week and see.

[PyaarRevolution]

13. I have to say...

WHO?! I mean I've heard of Ted Kennedy but I've never heard of this guy. I guess maybe if you're really BIG into the beltway you've heard of this guy more?
I really want Bernie to land the NAACP or the Congressional Black Caucus.

[Punkingal]

19. I've heard of him.....long-time Kennedy ally.

[Fawke Em]

24. A lot of people in New England know who he is.

Look at it this way: he's practically Kennedy by proxy.

[Motown_Johnny]

14. Can we now kick DWS out and put Sen. Kirk in??? Please!

Pretty please?

[enid602]

25. Things must be getting desperate in the Bernie bunker. . .

from http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/9/24/786031/-


The same year that Hartford Insurance settled a $20 million fraud suit with the state of New York, board member and compensation chair Paul Kirk decided to make the company's CEO the second-highest paid executive in the insurance industry.
Today, Kirk was named Kennedy's successor in the Senate by Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick.
Sunlight's Paul Blumenthal detailed Paul Kirk's corporate ties in a post this morning, highlighting his role on Hartford Financial Services' compensation committee and his past lobbying work for Aventis pharmaceuticals. He also noted that Kirk helped make CEO Ramani Ayer one of the most overpaid executives in the country, according to Forbes, with compensation of $9 million in 2008. The New York Times chose to report exactly none of this in an article posted this afternoon.
The Hartford is an insurance company, so it wasn't very hard to find areas where they've run afoul of the law. Seriously: google "Hartford Financial" fraud. There you have it: in 2006, the company agreed to pay $20 million to settle an investigation by New York and Connecticut into fraudulent sales of retirement products:

[bvf]

27. Who is "littlesis"?

Did you read any of the comments there?

[enid602]

30. did not read

No I didn't, but hey, I'm proud of Bern. He just got endorsed by an actual capitalist. Apparently not a very clean one though. I wonder if this is the guy who arranged Jane's golfen parachute.

[bvf]

31. "did not read"

Uh, OK. Figures.

[dreamnightwind]

37. The littlesis blog looks legit to me

I still think it's a good endorsement, Kennedy family ties are certainly a good thing. Doesn't mean the endorser is beyond scrutiny.

[dreamnightwind]

43. Just saw this, no worries!

[libdem4life]

47. If one wants to judge, then should check spelling. Only time I call it. (golden)

[appalachiablue]

26. Bravo! well done 2016 presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders. :)

[billhicks76]

28. Clinton=oligharcy

How dare she try to help repubs ruin our country

[emulatorloo]

29. Excellent!

[liberalnarb]

36. I say we call for him to replace DWS.

[Karma13612]

38. good stuff. Wasn't familiar with Paul, but it's all good. #FeeltheBern!

[WillyT]

40. HUGE K & R !!! - Thank You !!! - Kirk/Kennedy Support Bernie Sanders !!!

[Kalidurga]

44. This thread needs more attention

I think that Bernie has another person who is going to work to get him more delegates and that is a very very very good thing.

[WillyT]

45. Morning Kick !!!

[BeanMusical]

46. Kick and R