Irresponsible statements like this only serve to divide the democratic party and distract from the real issues. If this woman's group would have thought about that before making this unfounded claim, they would have realised that by making it they are in fact hurting their cause. Think about this for a second; Senator Clinton wins the democratic presidential nomination. She is running in a two party system. In one of those parties her family is reviled, making cross party voting much less likely. Now add to that the alienation of those within her party who voted for obama; roughly 1/2 of her own party. Each party makes up about 1/2 of the total votes cast in each presidential election. Do the math, they're shooting themselves in the foot.

GO HILLARY!!!
Why so many woman are hating on Hillary just because she got there first…
So many men (ted kennedy who lives in the shadow of the Kennedy name) are hating the fact that the country WILL be run by a woman…

Why all the haters!….

Hillary '08 and '12

Why did you censor me? I have read everything I said in biographies of JFK. I didn't say anything that men who worked with him did not put in books. Why was what I said not allowed on your site?

maintaining blind loyalty to a club, society, organization, etc will restrict free thought and can misdirect the better results. Good for you Ted.

How ignorant.

Based on the this move by the "National Organization for Women" – you can clearly see what grounds they will be basing their vote on. It certainly won't be whose best for the job – their vote will be strictly based on the candidate's gender. Sad!

Supporting Obama is not anti-woman. Mr. Kennedy has the right to support whomever he what's too. NOW-NY's comments is one of the reasons why I will never support NOW.

I am a 47 year old male. I have no problem with a woman being the next president.
Everyone is talking about change but when Bill left the office 8 years ago, we had a surplus of money and we were not spending 300 million a day a a war. wouldnt that be change enough to get the economy back on track and get us out of debt.
What do we really know about this 46 year old afro american. he votes present when he doesnt what to answer a question. He has Oprey backing him money wise. So why hasnt the press been all over Oprey about donating all that money to a black canidate. Does that make her racis? Shes never backed anybody before but now she backs a black man. I wish the press would leave the Hillary alone for a while. I think the people of Florida spoke last night almost 1million of them .
The Republicans fear Hillary, That is why the Republicain owned news stations are always bashing her. If you people want a change you better open your eyes Its Hillary not Obanan. Because is the Hillary doesnt get the nomination we will have a repubican for 8 more years and 8 more years of the same old Bush b.s

Let me point out what Chris Matthews asked Hillary yesterday:
Do you have control of your MAN? I suppose I thought that was an ok
question. But was the question more to the point, do you have a handle
on him in your campaign? Isn't that rather strange, why didn't he ask
Obama does he have a handle on his wife, when she stated, blacks need to
wake up. Trampling on Hillary, he also said yesterday, that all the
"Guys" are great candidates. He is a presistent critic who doesn't get it, and
his bias shows daily. It's so staged, and so one sided, and so sexist.

All the contrived coverage of race has everybody in an uproar. Don't you
think cnn and others should be more responsible regarding racism and
sexism in the political arena?

The ideal that the Kennedy's will inject more juice into Obama's campaign
for real change and real hope just echoes the moneyed elite and their
jewels. They want you to buy in the idea that Obama is the good man with
ideals of Hope and Change. Saying that, let us remember WOMEN have
been in the Good Fight for Change for over 300 years in America.
Hillary is a strong woman, that is why she will win. Keep an open mind
with the upcoming months ahead.

I take pride when Hillary focuses on the issues. She fights for
Human Rights, and will restore intergity to our government. I am proud
everytime the Clintons open their mouth, and I am proud everytime NOW
opens it's mouth.

This isn't a fishing expedition, it's presidential contest, and Hillary is out to WIN.
You can trust the women voters!

By the way Kennedy who?

Kennedy's are has beens!!!

GO REPUBLICANS!

BOO CNN!

HILLARY IS AHEAD IN FLORIDA PRIMARY!

The gender issue is a non-issue among intelligent people. However,that said,the candidate who can best state their vision and bring diverse people to that vision and have them work toward its realization,is Barack Obama.

This move by Now has hurt their credability and has done no favours for Hillary.

This is hypocritical at best. Does Now not believe that all are entitled to Freedom of Choice? Is a woma's Freedom of Choice different from a Man's? Is Ted Kennedy not free to support who he wishes?

And to say that Ted Kennedy should have supported Hillary out of gratitude for her help is more than pathethic! It certainly didn't look like Hillary took any offense over his choice of support last night. So why should Now?

It seems apparent that the Now Movement needs an election, for a leader. One who can move them in the right direction! The member who authorized this ridiculous public statement for Now should be releived of their duties immediately or the organization should hire someone that has experience in PR.

What a missed opportunity to talk about real issues.

It is insulting at best to think that biggest point dividing the two democratic hopefuls boils down to race or sex. The reason that women have the rights they have today is because they road the waves of justice rippled by the Civil Rights Movement. NOW, Hillary, the former Goldwater girl, will have her day when and if she is ready to focus on the issues and not the smoke, mirrors or tears.

What is particularly disheartening is that she had to cry in NH to become more likeable. I think If ever I felt belittled as a woman, it was at the point when she played into emotional steriotypes to win the polls, "heard you and found her voice."

Bill me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like Faiytales.

Some thoughts:

1.) Reminds me of when the NAACP called Condoleeza Rice and Colin Powell "uncle toms" for serving in the Bush Administration…

2.) Gloria Steinem must be a racist for not endorsing Obama…duh. She must just not be ready for a black president. Maybe it's the cultural stereotypes of black men that inform her organization's decision to brand anyone supporting a black presidential candidate as sexist?

3.) I bet Hillary's unsavory campaign is behind this to some degree…

4.) Where do any of these people posting things like "Go Hillary! Hillary will win!" come from? I've never met any of you before…I'd love it for one of you to point to a poll showing Hillary having a better chance in the general against any of the Republican candidates than Obama. Republicans are looking forward to a Clinton candidacy, and fearing an Obama candidacy. That's telling. When all her skeletons come out, she will be completely destroyed. If she's lucky, Hillary might beat Huckabee and Giuliani, but that's about it. She'd probably even lose to Ron Paul.

5.) It must be a cold day in hell. Republicans everywhere are defending Ted Kennedy…

Oh dear Lord! Notice they didn't lambast Oprah for "betraying" them when she backed Obama? Female chauvanist cows!
You're SUPPOSED to be the better gender for crying out loud! Stop acting like spoiled children and wake the fetch up!

The good news is that I fully expect Barack Obama to stay above Team Clinton's newest walk through the swamp…

It's the same reason that he'll be the next president of the United States.

This is just ridiculous.

If in fact Kennedy was late in supporting Title IX, etc. then there just might be more than his objective endorsement here. While sexism and racism do exist and are over-emphasized in this election so far, a person's actions shouldn't be automatically dismissed if there is a telling history either. As Shirley Chisolm duly noted, racism is a beast, but misogyny is her mother in American politics.

People who abandon their friends at the moment of need should be ashamed of themselves, men and women alike. If we as people advocate for equal opportunities in all life's endeavors, then men or women, black or white who have the experience to serve our great country should be equally hailed, supported and admired. It appears that in this election cycle, not only are there men who cannot and won't accept the idea of a woman becoming a president of the United State, surprisingly, there are women who are in the same category. The like of Senator Claire McCaskill, Kansas Governor and Arizona Governor. These women are equally guilty of betraying women rights and achievements. Expecially those who have received help from the Clintons in the past to advance their own political career. They owe Mrs. Hillary Clinton the respect not to offer support to any candidate during the primary. You just have to listen to Claire's daughter's criticism of her mother's action. It was immoral for her to abandon the Clintons.

To each his own – every voter has a right to vote for the candidate they deem will be the best for this country whether they be male or female, white or black and rich or poor.

Some educated voters will go to the polls and vote for the candidate that they know has a good tract record and who can lead this country back on the road to prosperity.

Some not-so-educated voters who does not follow the issues or listen to the debates and have no clue where a candidate stands on a particular issue will vote "just because…"

Some voters that believed in Bill Clinton when he was in the White House will vote for his wife.

Some voters will play the gender and race cards and will vote for the candidates that falls into either one of those categories.

All in all, the most that voters can say is "May the best candidate win." Some voters will be disappointed at the outcome of the National Election. Some of the voters will be over-joyed because the candidate they voted for wins the election.

The NOW group in New York is one-sided and cannot stomach the fact that a black male was endorsed by Senator Kennedy. Some voters were never a stanuch supporter of Kennedy, but applauded him for standing up and endorsing a candidate that he believes in. It is nice to see that some voters are not easily swayed by the NOW group in New York and other organizations across the country that tries to influence the voter's minds.

Condoleezza Rice would have been my choice for the first woman Presidnet had she been on the running ticket. She is a black woman,who is very smart and well educated. she has a BA degree in Political Science, a Master Degree at Notredame and a Phd. in a graduate school of International Study. She is the first woman, and the first African-American woman to become the first Stanford provost. Condoleezza has met with all the foreign leaders and has a security clearance. She is a lot smarter and knowledgeable than Hillary can ever hope to be. But, sadly, Condoleeza did not want to run and what a loss for the Americans not to have her on the ballot. There will be another time to look for a woman that hold pretty much the same credentials as Condoleezza. But, that woman certainly is not Hillary.

I will be at the polls (senior citizen- watch out Jon) and I will vote, but I am undecided at this point.

Why doesn't Ted Kennedy run? It's because he has failed, but the Clintons had made the history. Let's not forget those shinging moment during the Clinton years, and let's go forward.

Oh and about that "don't stand by your man" crap.

Do you really think you're entitled to judge? Why do you presume Hillary was devastated? Don't you know what she DID to smear and threaten all the other women Bill bagged so it wouldn't hurt his electability? We have no idea what their "social contract" is or was. Maybe they had an open relationship. Maybe she's a lesbian. Maybe she just doesn't give a hoot. Maybe theirs is a marriage of political convenience only. Maybe all of the above. It's none of our business.

Well, well, Ted Kennedy endorsement of Sen. Obama proves that "the good old boy network " is alive and well. What did we women expect?

Maria

DID NOW ENDORSE CAROL MOSLEY BRAUN, A WOMAN AND FORMER SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS WHEN SHE RAN FOR THE PRESIDENCY AS A DEMOCRACT IN 2004 ? JUST WANT SEE IF THIS IS A FAIR OUTCRY OR A SELECTIVE ONE.

Since race didn't win South Carolina – we now pull out the gender card.

OK, now that we've gotten this off our chests, CNN, could you begin to start covering the NEWS? All this high school wah wah drama the MSM spews is causing me to grind my teeth at night. If you can't tell by the comments, it's really turning us off the candidates and the MSM in general.

I'll die before voting for Billary. For what it's worth, though, Obama is really no prize either. His voting patterns (both literally and figuratively) follow Hillary's. He's the latest CFR goldenboy, so he will cave to their interests. He's an "Israel-Firster." He will not pull our troops out of the Middle East. He will go to war with Iran because the Neocons tell him to.

So he's eloquent and inspiring. BFD. I'm not interested in being "inspired" into perdition. This is another Bush Lite in a radically different body "package." Try to see past it. Look at his voting record. Or lack thereof.

Only ONE candidate will bring the troops home and he's a Republican. Guess who.

As a Hispanic/Latino, I know his endorsement does not mean what the experts say it does with at least Hispanics/Latinos during this election. As I a Hispanic/Latino have been reporting about first hand knowledge of Barack Obama on blogs all over the internet longer than he has even been running. It can be verified that good old Senator Ted Kennedy was placed on written notice of my particular situation that involves(for instance but not limited to) IL. U.S. Senator /Presidential Candidate Barack Obama , IL. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin/ co-chair Obama 2008 being complicit in allowing the Illinois Department of Human Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to treat me an American U.S. Hispanic citizen who reported incidents of race discrimination in the state of Illinois in an unequal, biased, & discriminatory manner and then covering up their conduct. Despite there being ample time for each of you to respond, redress, and stop the above mentioned serious form of discrimination nothing ,to date, has been done in a timely manner to fairly & fully address, redress,and stop this still ongoing serious form of discrimination which is continuing to allow Hormel Foods Corporation, UFCW, and Target Corporation to not be held accountable for race discrimination against me. Inaction ,complicity, & deliberate silence on the part of (for instance but not limited to) Obama and Durbin are responsible for my civil rights continuing to be violated as it relates to this serious form of discrimination in the state of Illinois and for nothing being done to fully & fairly redress and stop this still ongoing form of discrimination. As a result Ted Kennedy is also responsible for not stopping this serious form of discrimination, for no ethics charges being brought against Obama and Durbin as it relates to their involvement in this serious matter ,and for no federal investigations of Obama and Durbin being conducted as it relates to their involvement in this serious matter, for U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy who was placed on prior notice of my particular situation without consequence condoning this without dispute form of racism against Hispanics/Latinos by endorsing Obama is disgusting given his background as a civil rights advocate. This act is now his Legacy!

Issues, issues and more issues, that is what your vote should be based on, not gender or race. When Hillary is ready to be president on her own record and not on Bills' record, then I a woman, might consider voting for her, not a minute sooner. Hillary right now you do not make me proud to be a woman, please rethink your strategy for the sake of all the young women and girls looking up to you.

[I'm posting this again because it didn't seem to work the first time.]

This is ridiculous. Barack Obama has an excellent record on reproductive rights and other "womens' issues." In fact the former president of Chicago NOW, Lorna Brett Howard, recently switched her support from Clinton to Obama after the Clinton campaign put out false information about Obama's record on reproductive rights to NH voters before the NH primary. (Search for "Lorna" on YouTube)

So the sole reason given by the MA state chapter of NOW for choosing Clinton over Obama is the fact that she's a woman. Talk about a step backwards for the country and women everywhere.

This is one woman who will be proudly voting for Obama on Super Tuesday!

I AM UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT CNN IS CAMPAIGNING FOR OBAMA. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A COUPLE OF SHOWS ON CNN, I JUST WON'T WATCH IT! I HAVE NO PLANS TO VOTE FOR EITHER OBAMA OR CLINTON, BUT BE FAIR. I HAVE SEEN SOME OF THE CNN REPORTERS TRASHING THE CLINTONS AND PRAISING OBAMA, AND SAYING HE IS BEING ATTACKED, BUT THEY DON'T SAY WHAT THE ATTACK IS. MR OBAMA IS SLY WITH HIS ATTACKS…THEN HE STANDS BACK AND LETS THE MEDIA DO THE DIRTY WORK FOR HIM. THE DEBATE IN SOUTH CAROLINA WAS EVEN UNFAIR. THE CNN PEOPLE OPENED WITH A LOADED QUESTION THEY KNEW WOULD STIR UP TENSION, THEN THEY ASKED ABOUT THE STATEMENT MADE ABOUT BILL CLINTON BEING THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT….WHAT DID EITHER OF THOSE HAVE TO DO WITH REAL ISSUES?! WHY WOULD CNN DELIBERTELY STIR UP POLITICAL AND RACIAL TENSION. I ONCE THOUGHT I WOULD VOTE FOR OBAMA, BUT THE MORE I SEE OF HIM, THE LESS THERE IS TO LIKE….ONCE I THOUGHT CNN WAS GREAT, BUT THE MORE I SEE OF IT…THE LESS THERE IS TO LIKE. I AM NOT ALONE…MOST OF AMERICAN FEELS THE SAME. LET THE FOLKS RUNNING STAND ON THEIR RECORD AND FUTURE PLANS…IF OBAMA CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT INJECTING THE RACE CARD…THEN HE HAS LOST ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If NOW wanted to appear imbecilic, they couldn't have done a better job than by taking the position that Hillary is the candidate to support because she's female!

What a mindless bunch of advocates must dwell within their halls!

The National Organization of Women needs a head check. I am a liberal minded independent voter who happens to be a woman. How dare NOW suggest that I would make a decision about who should be the next president simply based on gender. This brand of feminism is no better than racism. Makes me sad. Who would NOW expect their black members to vote for?

Caroline & Ted Kennedy are endorsing Obama, because they're sick and tired of the old political tricks that the Clintons are resorting to. To be honest with you, I am too. Obama is a breath of fresh air compared to the rest of the candidates on both sides of the political aisle.

Maybe Senator Kennedy's support of Mr. Obama was more a rejection of Mrs. Clinton, since he may have perceived her campaign as a vehicle slowly sinking beneath the waves?

NOW, Shut up!!!!!!! Kennedy is endorsing the person that he feels will be best to run this country! It does not have anything to do with gender! You feel abandoned? Well, welcome to the real world!!!!!!! OBAMA 08.

Bob, the NY NOW Chapter does not speak for NOW, or most women, they certainly don't speak for me and in reading the comments on this blog they don't speak for most women. The National NOW President indicated they respect Sen. Kennedy's endorsement. If NOW would turn their back on the Democratic Nominee it would only be to their own demise, because no Republican is supporting Roe vs. Wade, remember Romney and Giuliani have changed their position and there is a very good chance Supreme Court Justices will be needed as I expect some are just waiting for a Democratic President before they retire.

For an organization presumably opposed to discrimination, that chapter sure doesn't have any problem making unjustifiable generalizations.

Clinton you are frustrated with Obama's success and your campaign is now finding new ways to work against Obama. This is a dirty politics I have ever seen. Clinton's you accept your failure and walk away from this election. Your 100 million campaign money can help 100000 poor children. Do some good for your nation.

January 29, 2008 4:15 pm ET
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
I suspect the only reason Kennedy turned his back on Hillary is because he wants to show Bill who the boss is! Bill must have told him where to go after Kennedy tried to strong arm him into shutting up during the slugfest right before the SC caucus. I can just hear Bill tell him he was not going to back down because the slugfest went both ways It was not a one sided fight like the media made it out to be. Obama gave more than his share of bob, weave and sucker punch too. Funny how Kennedy was neutral up to this point.

This is not that '70's — show …… get over it NOW

Ted Kennedy should have kept his potato sack shut..

It feels like sour grapes from Ted Kennedy,this may be the closest he will ever get to being president and we all know nothing is free. what is the problem with CNN an their claim of being "fair and balanced." This does not seem to apply to Hilary Clinton. When was the last time CNN presented her in a positive light. You certainly seemed to get excited when Obama was ahead by a few votes anywhere. As for Bill being supportive,why shouldn't he? With minimal reseach I realized Obama's family ties on his mothers' side are never discussed. Why is he not proud of those roots as well? His father basically abandoned him as a child and he was raised seemingly by his mother and devoted maternal grandparents. His father received a scholarship to go to Harvard and after getting a degree,the father returned to Kenya where he later died in an automobile accident. Obama's mother died in 1992 years after her second marriage to an Indonesian gentleman. That marriage produced a half-sister to Obama,why have we heard nothing about her? The grandparents lived in Hawaii apparently where they died,but were from Kansas. Are there no relatives living other than his sister? Where is his pride in his white relatives? After graduating high school,he apparently went on to a college prior to being acceptrd at Harvard. Was his education paid for by his white grandparents;there is no data in reference to employment after leaving Harvard. Another question arises in regard to his voting record,or should I say the lack of;just being "present " does not seem like he was earning his money. Playing it safe doesn't usually pay off either unless one has larger political ideas than just being a junior senator. Always seeing both sides of the coin is a standard psychology trick if you will. True,Mr Obama is a great orator,one is drawn to listen to what he says but then so was the effect of the pied piper on the town's herd of rats. No pun intended,since humans repotedly are able to listen in between the tune for the sour notes,but not everyone hears the same music or at least not clearly. The informed voter is needed more than ever at this time,one who has truly researched the records of each candidate before voting. To the uninformed this entire comment might seem like its tinged with racist thought,so let me add that I am the mother of mixed-race children and I belive they are proud of both the black and white ancestry. I have a daughter the same age as Mr Obama. However,racism has been present since the beginning of this run for president,although subtle most of the time. Do you think when Mr Obama made statements of,"They sais it couldn't be done." that he was referring to a junior senator "besting" several seasoned senator and politician? Wake up. I am a democrat but will not vote for Obama even if that means Ivote republican.

The ALL Boy's Club otherwise known as the ESTABLISHMENT, yea you know who I am talking about, Kerry, Daschle, Leahy, and now Kennedy. The very men that Obama was campaigning against. I guess one will say or do anything to become President. You do not get those four with out giving something up. Sure they do not want to work for any women either.

Senator Clinton my first Choice, Senator McCain my second. Sorry Obama, men like the ones above make me want to change parties. Not issue's but parties. I thought better of you then to go down this road. DESPERATION.

Looks like snow white is romancing the stone. Oh well politics make strange bed fellows

They can complain all they want. A man as a right to endorse whomever he chooses regardless of any affliations. Personally I have no problem with a woman president as long it is not Hillary Clinton.

This is the kind of crap that gives feminists a bad name!

Joanna and Claustro,

I respect your opinions. This is America and you are certainly entitled to them. That said, I still stand by what I stated earlier. She is not my choice for president.

I suspect the only reason Kennedy turned his back on Hillary is because he wants to show Bill who the boss is! Bill must have told him where to go after Kennedy tried to strong arm him into shutting up during the slugfest right before the NH caucus. I can just hear Bill tell him he was not going to back down because the slugfest went both ways It was not a one sided fight like the media made it out to be. Obama gave more than his share of bob, weave and suker punch too. Funny how Kennedy was neutral up to this point.

I think it has gotten crazy! I am for Hillary Clinton …I am deeply saddened at the attacks of Hillary, she is a woman and I am a woman…..I debated for a long time thinking are we ready for a female President? yes I do and I think she can do the job….Senator Obama I think needs a little more experience, he is not a pastor he is a politition…it scares me to think people, especially Carolyn Kennedy and Senator Ted Kennedy whom I deeply respect for thinking Barack Hussain Obama would be our savour…….anyway I am very excited for the fact that we are making history! this day!
Barack Obama needs to learn more about change, himself……we are in a mess if someone gets in office that has only been Senator for just 2 years and where was he before, I am sorry we are in trouble we need someone that needs to know something about what he or her is doing.

Thank you! Irene Beaulieu from Florida!

There are countless silly comments on this silly thread.

One that I find exceptionally lacking thought is the "Well, Kennedy endorsed Kerry and he lost, so it doesn't matter."

Actually, Kerry won the nomination, and the Kennedy endorsement helped. You people do realize that we are still in the primaries right?

I agree with Christine above!!!!!!!!!! Give me a break. If Hillary Clinton is not qualified enough (much more so than Obama), then what woman or PERSON ever could be? Does any of Obama's supporters have any idea at all about who Hillary really is? Really? Read up on facts and the past 30+ years and then tell me who you really support.

Hillary has my 100% support and it has NOTHING to do with her gender. It has everything to do with her entire life and how she has dedicated it to people in need. She is smart, she is dedicated, and she is 100% committed to making a real difference in this country which needs help! Hillary can and will do it. Obama is a nice guy but does that make him better qualified? You look at records, compare the two and tell me he is a better candidate. I think not!!

Who did he betray? We live in a free country with the priviledge of freedom of speech and choice – he's entitled to back whomever he pleases. Do you want Clinton as President just because she's a woman – now I would say that's very lame.

What's the deal between Obama and his friend for 15 years, Rezko, the Chicago developer who got arrested and is under criminal investigation? He bought his house $300,000 under its market value. I am not sure I can trust his judement in making the right choices. I also can't see what kind of change he will bring with him to the White House. But I don't mind if he can teach me how I can buy a house for $300,000 less its market price.

Oscar— I agree w/you on your comments to Mary—she can't even spell correctly and has the audacity to try and write a dissertation on something she knows absolutely nothing about. Mary, what else can you say about Obama besides his alleged dealings w/Rezko? Nothing, because you don't know what you are talking about. Please don't take my word for it, but research Hillary and all of the scandals she was apart of from the 90's until present. The information is out there for you to read, just search. You are completely clueless on what Hillary stands for or is about. You are voting for her based on the sole purpose that she is a woman, and that is not wise.

excuse me, I'm a woman and over 60 years old, I support Obama for president as well….. I do not vote by race or gender, I vote and support Whom I believe to be the right person to run the country. I have four daughters and have always taught them to be what ever they wish to be and go as far as they can in life. I believe in womens rights, but I will not vote for someone I do not trust or want as president no matter what gender they are. I am also an American of mix heritage ( Irish. english, American Indian, Scots and German). I will not vote for any one based on race issues either, because above all I am an AMERICAN.

Frankly I think that NOW, is really backing Clinton just because she is a woman, and this is about our country not weather we wear a skirt or pants. SHAME ON NOW….

NOW ?? SOUNDS DEMANDING. SEN KENEDY HAS THE RIGHT TO ENDORSE WHOM HE PLEASES. I AM A WOMAN TOO. NOW CAN SUPPORT WHO THEY CHOOSE TO SUPPORT AND KENNEDY WHOM HE CHOOSES.

Dear Friends:

What would kennedy know about woman! Remember the unborn child!
Catholic! Remember the Florida incident. Remember that equality from Senator John F Kennedy meant womans vote and equality on the job.
Unlike Edward! In your mind!

Woman of America get out the vote! Who amoung you will endorse Hillary Clinton! Make a page full!!!!!!!! Photos and comments put it on the blog and in the news paper.

Tracey, a vote for Obama is a vote for McCain…my vote. I won't trust a neophyte with zero foreign policy experience to ensure the safety and security of this country, let alone manage the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. If Democrats screw this up and side with the Obama/Kennedy vision of idealism and vague promises of "hope" and "change" over the Clinton pragmatism that actually wins elections, we will find ourselves on the sidelines for the next 8 years.

Clinton '08!

It is known that the Kennedy men have always thought of women…….. Who cares. His endorsement has done nothing except alot of blogs. Clinton continue to climb in the polls. Yeah Clinton

OMG……you women should stop crying!!! Geez! HRC was endorsed by Maxine Waters today…so you all can stop crying about how much Obama won SC because of the "black vote" (which is such an incredibly naive thing to believe anyway)……

I am laughing at all the HRC supporters hanging onto the thin thread of hope (irony that) that HRC will somehow "crush" Obama come Feb 5th……since none of you is the least bit politically savvy….let me "break it down" for you poor saps….

Feb 5th will come and go…HRC will probably garner the majority of votes but the DELEGATES will be split 3 ways between HRC, Obama and Edwards….Edwards doesn't have a chance but you are crazy if you think he's going to drop out! EDWARDS IS GOING TO DELIVER HIS DELEGATES TO OBAMA IN EXCHANGE FOR EITHER A VICE PRESIDENCY OR PLATFORM COMMITMENT. He'll blackmail Obama into actively pursing one of Edwards' platform agendas…..

Ted Kennedy just crowned Obama King…….you all should just sit back and enjoy the ride….!

LOL….

You don't see the NAACP or some organization like that for African Americans calling people who endorse Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, etc. traitors and accusing them of joining a list of people unable to handle an African American as president, now do you? This is utterly childish, just because Ted Kennedy chooses to pick a candidate other than Hillary Clinton does NOT say anything about whether or not he's against having a woman as president. Equal rights for women does not mean we pick the woman candidate in a presidential election just because she is a woman. I want to see us have president of every race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or whatever the hell as long as they do whats right for our country.

Is this obvious or what:

Bill Clinton's mud slinging had a negative effect in S.C. so the campaign has turned to surrogates a little further removed to sling some dirt at Ted Kennedy. This is patently offensive to men and women alike and this organizaton and the Clinton campaigns should be ashamed of themselves.

I have a uterus and I also support Barrack Obama. HRC is the last person I would want my daughter to grow up and emulate.
Let's not forget that her experience is that of being married to a sucessful man.
Let's not forget that she stood by her man and demonized the women he dilly-dallied.
Let's not forget that she takes credit for her husbands achievments but not his failures.
The Clinton's are a team….a dysfunctional team and both are demeaning to women.

Barefoot and pregnant vs old and lonely;

You made the choice, NOW live with it..

Obama is running on the idea that he is somehow different from the typical Washington politician (even though he'll gratefully accept and get mileage out of the endorsements of those same politicians like Kennedy and Kerry). However, he is not as untainted by politics as he would like us to believe. But the media doesn't seem to give him the same intense scrutiny which they seem to reserve for the Clintons. When Hillary was blasted by Obama during the first debates and complained about "piling on", the media portrayed her as trying to play the "victim". But when she returned fire on Obama, she got accused of dirty politics and mud-slinging. When Bill Clinton made the remark about Jesse Jackson in South Carolina, the news media jumped all over him for bringing race into the elections. However, the media has done this themselves quite vigorously.

I agree with Gloria Steinem who endorses Hillary and would have liked to see Obama wait until 8 years from now to run Then he would have more experience and we would have known if he is anywhere close to what he portrays himself to be. And as far as having the endorsement of Ted Kennedy….. that's not necessarily a good thing and what political deals will Ted be expecting should Obama get into office?

Never thought I'd see the day that NOW would be supporting a "Tammy Wynette" candidate..

Might I suggest a new theme song..
———————————————-
Sometimes it's hard to be a woman
Giving all your love to just one man
You'll have bad times And he'll have good times
Doin things that you don't understand
But if you love him You'll forgive him
Even though he's hard to understand
And if you love him Oh, be proud of him
Cause after all he's just a man

Stand by your man
Give him two arms to cling to
And something warm to come to
when nights are cold and lonely

Stand by your man
And show the world you love him
Keep giving all the love you can
Stand by your man

Stand by your man
And show the world you love him
Keep giving all the love you can
Stand by your man

I find it incredibly ironic that a group whose goal it is to eradicate sexism actually promotes sexism to get what they want. This group makes the feminism movement look absolutely disgraceful.

National Organization for Women/New York (where else would this occur) – oh, pleeeze, give it a rest. Senator Kennedy did not betray the NOW group by endorsing Obama and, it is not an "ultimate betrayal" because Senator Kennedy and many like him, has a right to endorse who they want.

This is America, a free country, so why does any organization have the right to bad mouth a politican or group for endorsing whom they feel is the better candidate? Keep a lid on it, please.

If Ted Kennedy believes that the time has come for a new generation to lead-than, I just wonder if he is going to retire and let the younger generation have his position. I doubt it. He is the best example of the old divisive politics. If Obama wins the nomination, the Republicans will make Obama the liberal posterboy for Ted Kennedy. This endorsement will help in the short run, but will haunt him in a general election. I am proud that this group supports Hillary.

To Obama supporters,

Be very careful what you say about the NOW. The have a better voting record than any other group except Seniors. You may need them in the future.

Why is everybody wanting the Kennedy's endorsement? They have been out of the picture for years!! In fact, in my mind, they have never influenced my vote. This ultimately can be a plus for Hillary.

NOW's comments are surprising, to say the least! It seems to me they wanted Kennedy to hold the door open for Hillary, because she is a woman. It's interesting how people sell out their values in the hopes to get something back. NOW has some very ignorant views! I am a professional woman and I run a very successful business. NOW doesn't speak well for responsible women, in my opinion.

I have respect for John Edwards and although Senator Obama is a beautifully spoken and inspiring gentleman, I am inspired by the years of hard work and dedication that Senator Clinton brings to the table.

As First Lady, Hillary Clinton opened the universal health care door while having to withstand withering attacks from the right, left and in the media. Now health care is a hot topic with all candidates staking a position. Senator Clinton, in reality, is a pioneer in the universal health care discussion.

Mrs. Clinton’s speech in Beijing where she declared women’s right to be human rights, is a statement of a change agent.

She has put up with ribald jokes, attacks on her credibility, and a boiler room approach to the issues that this country faces. Her desire to be president is no more self serving or power grabbing than other nominees. I am tired of hearing, because her husband dares to give her what she gave him (loyalty), he is tainting his legacy and that because she accepts his help that somehow she is weak. Senator Clinton has put forth real solutions to the country's problems, knows the nuances of her solutions and she gives details. When most would have given in, she stands to fight for us again and again. That, to me, is inspiration.

If this woman is not qualified, then, no woman ever will be. She is known all over the world. She has to be twice as good as all the other candidates and she is.

Keep Hillary from Stealing "off limits" delegates. Sign my petition to the DNC at care2petition.com. Search "Part 2: Stop". Thanks
PS- A vote for Clinton is a vote for McCain- think about it.

if the Democratic Party keeps shoving Barak Obama down my throat, I will vote Republican in 2008. I am very disappointed with Senator Kennedy's endorsement.

Hillary does not need the male Kennedy support or the daughter trying to make her father a hero…Only the cousin in MD, who served well as Lt Gov. is worthy of making an endorsement…and she did for Hillary!
Obama has no experience, manners, or platform, just words that he'll change…and what will he change? Everytime someone makes a negative comment about his mistakes, he wimps out.
My first choice would have been Bill Richardson, because of his extensive experience in foreign affairs, which this country sadly needs…in spite of it's blind love of big names.Hillary is the only candidate still running who has experience and commitment to children's issues, both home and abroad…..I'd love to see Richardson as Hillary's VP.

I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND THE OBAMA HATERS THAT YOU WILL NEED THE VOTES OF THE SUPPORTERS OF THIS MAN AND I, FOR ONE, DO NOT PLAN ON FORGIVING AND FORGETTING THIS UGLY TURN BILLARY AND BUBBA MADE POSSIBLE FOR POLITICAL GAIN.

SHE HAS SAVAGED HIS NAME AND TRIED TO USE HIS RACE AGAINST HIM. THAT'S CROSSING THE LINE.

NUTTY, CORRUPT MAXINE WATERS WILL NOT WIN THE NEXT ELECTION HERSELF.

CNN, YOU ARE WORSE THAN FOX NEWS BECAUSE YOU HAD A REPUTATION OF BEING FAIR AND NOW YOU ARE TRYING TO FORCE THAT WOMAN WITH HER BAGGAGE AND RACE-BAITING DOWN THE THROATS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

I DON'T EXPECT THIS TO BE POSTED BUT I FELT GOOD JUST VENTING SOME STEAM AFTER THE LAST FEW WEEKS OF CNN AND WOLF BLITZER'S PARTISANSHIP. NOW, I WILL CHANGE STATIONS AND JUST WATCH MSNBC FOR MY POLITICAL NEWS.

GOOD BYE AND GOOD RIDDANCE TO CNN FOR ME.

First of all CNN has become like FOX one sided in favor of Obama. Next your Mr. Jack owes Clinton`s daughter an apology for the remarks he made about someone winning the prize and getting to set with her, he knows what he said was incorrect because Wolf tried to smooth it over on the air .
I have always watched CNN but no more. We would like for you to report the news and not your PERSONAL feelings how you feel about the Clintons. Jack is the worst.

Thanks
LT

That piece of attack on Kennedy sounds more of a typical script from the Clintons! I would not be surpised the Clintons approved this new gender based attacks.

Ok, for all of those feminists out there, Hilary is not one of you. The only reason she got where she is today is her husband…doesnt that sorta negate all of her "feminisit" accomplishments? Romney '08

Are the members of NOW voting for Hillary simply because she is a woman? If so, why should anyone listen to their opinions since it is biased and based strictly on someone's sexual orientation and not the facts. The NY chapter just destroyed in one rant what many woman before them built over a long period of time.

Supporting someone just based on their identity (race, gender, age, weight etc.) rather than the issues does not help.

How do you build consensus, find 'common ground', accomplish anything when you can't have you own opinion and aren't allowed to voice it?

There is a very simple solution – forget the debates, forget the issues, shelf any new ideas ——> get a black woman for president. Now that will satisfy everyone.

Maybe find a long lost ancestor of the Bush's or the Clinton's —–> That will satisfy the Washington insider group as well.

Have I missed somebody?

This is absurd NOW. We don't elect the President of the United States of America based on gender. If we do we will get what we deserve. I want a female president as badly as most women do but I won't accept just any female. When I see a woman who has not climbed up a man's pant legs to be powerful…I will vote for her. Hill is nothing without Bill and she knows it. It is all about the Clinton name and not Billary's abilities. If her last name was Wilson, Smith or Jones we wouldn't even know anything about her and she surely would not be a NY Senator. She has done it all on Bills back and I don't see her as a strong independent woman.
Don't just settle for any woman when you can have a remarkable president in Barack Obama.
Please, wait for the right woman. This one is not honorable or trustworthy and will blow it for another woman who is qualified for the next 50 years.
Obama/Edwards
Obama/Clinton …maybe

The "Betrayal" is not just refusing to vote for "ME" because I am a woman, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY BECAUSE I AM A CLINTON.

Unfortunately, the NOW chapter is so concerned about what's below the belt but didn't care when their candidate was constantly hitting below the belt. When is this going to stop? Women want a woman no matter what. Hillary was winning the black vote before her philandering husband shot of his mouth (interesting that we're not hearing from NOW about Billy boy or about how Hillary apparently needs a man to run for president). So I don't see blacks going for Obama just because he's black until Billy boy played the race card starting in New Hampshire. Women need to get a life and a real candidate before they start threatening people. As a 55 year old female lawyer, this noise is the sign of a weak candidate and a group that has outlived its justification.

Poor Mary who said:
"i am tired of all of this. i agree Hillary may not be perfict but Obama is not he stands up their pointing his finger and yelling……………….

I have news for you, Bill is not the one running for prisident although it may seem that way. If you want to bring skeletons out of the closet, the Clintons are NOT in short supply.

Is the NY chapter of NOW going to launch an ad campaign to support Hillary.

How about this:

Vote for me, because of the way I pee!.

Hillary 2008, promising to make the men put the toilet seats down, because we are tired of having to look before we sit down, and we will still will not put the toilet seats up because men should always look before they pee.

Now has got to be kidding! Hillary aint no Indira Gandi or Margaret Thatcher!!!!

Ted Kennedy while he may have some clout in the inner circles of D.C., has very little respect or influence in the population as a whole. In fact he is a joke. While his support for Obama, it seems to me, is just an attempt to grab publicity and get in on the attention grabbing headlines involved in the presidential campaign.

Hopefully, no woman will pay much attention to his endorsement and vote their own choice for president. And then we will have the first woman president in history!

This organization has publicly displayed what black women have known for centuries, white female supremacy above all else. I feel sorry for the women who are actually fighting for equality, which is inspite of race and gender. It always seemed to me that she's only wanted to become president as a career move, not because she is moved to lead the people. How disgusting of her to play the race card on Obama trying to invoke racism in whites who were trying to move past that. Now, she's off on the attack against Bush. Even if she did win, she has incited so much bittnerness that I feel she would get nothing done as a president. And it takes more than one person to run a government.

THE FEMINIST HAVE FINALLY EXPOSED THEIR TRUE COLORS WHICH IS WHY THE BACKLASH HAS BEGUN…

Last night I went through my phone book and sent over 126 people text messages to support Barack Obama in their state Feb 5. I also encourage them to send it to 10 different people to spread the word on the importance of voting on Feb 5. I think supports on this site should do the same thing as well. Make a comment about why you support Obama and send to everyone in your phone book. We all can do something to keep the REVOLUTION alive.

OBAMA 08

I am shocked at the outrageous remarks from NOW! Have they forgotten their efforts to champion "choice" decisions for WOMEN and ALL people? Have they forgotten the importance of knowledge, behavior, and talent alignment? As a professional woman closely aligned with NOW's mission, I would answer, YES —They have responded to Kennedy's endorsement of Obama as an "entitlement for Hillary Clinton" rather than respecting and acknowledging that Barack Obama earned the "right choice" from Ted Kennedy and family. EVERYONE has a right to choose and proclaim their opinion and decision!!!!

Oh spare me! If Hillary is such a powerful woman, why did she need Bill to do her dirty work for her? And for NOW to accuse Ted Kennedy of "the ultimate betrayal"? Puhleeze!! Gender and race entered the discourse only when Hillary started losing. Give us some credit, Billary… we *can* actually think for ourselves and see through sad, desperate maneuverings.

Go Obama!!!

Hillary Pimping the Vote again.

She never thanked SC 130,000 for voting for her.

Face the music, Hillary and machine may have split the party

We may have to face a major defecto of many to another party as happened to the GOP in 1960.

if she is nominated,

Change is needed Fast

Howard Dean, need to be replaced

So a bunch of feminazis are whining because Kennedy believes Obama will do a better job and is more electable than Hillary. It's NOT all about you ladies. Half the Democratic electorate has come to the same conclusion to the point of threatening to crossover party lines or not vote.

I don't know of many men more supportive of women's rights than myself. I have defended clinics and marched side by side with women for various causes but I am voting for Obama not because he is a man but because I am so tired of the Bush Clinton dynasty.. Enough is enough and shame on anyone who pulls the race or gender card.

Past vs Future

Hillary = Past
Obama = Future

So Ted Kennedy endorses Obama – sort of like an endorsement from Scott Peterson. Kennedy is a pathetic joke but he is right on selecting Obama over Hillary. She would be the worst possible thing that could happen to this country. Realistically they are are both losers. She is a power hungry socialist and he will be steam-rolled by Congress. NY NOW has proven it is irrelevent as an intelligent womans org.

"why should the state chapter of the National Organization for Women be upset for Sen Kenndy onhis decision to back Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton"

Well apparently you guys have no clue what WOW has done for Kennedy and what he had promised them in return. But hey why do we care what the kennedy's think any way , I mean JFK had a sex life like Bill .

Another contrived attack from the BILLARY camp. Ridiculous to suggest that Senator Kennedy should have considered nothing more than gender in his endorsement of a presidential candidate. By this group's standard, all white guys should be offended on John Edwards' behalf. Look to character and history people! Let's make history in 2008! We would do well to follow Senator Kennedy's example and support Obama.

NEW POLITICAL TICKER:

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, who gave the Democratic response to Bush's State of the Union address, is endorsing Obama.

Go ahead NOW! Bash Gov. Sebelius as betraying women everywhere.

The Kennedy's have not been in the White House for years. What does Ted & Caroline know? Everyone needs to look at the candidates as individuals, what they stand for, their past experience, what their plans are for our country, etc. We need a strong leader!!! The Republican's have been in office for the last 8 years, and look at our economy. It is a mess! Our dollar is not worth a dollar. We are spending billions of dollars on a war that will never end on it's own. **Remember people, all the money wasted on the war and politics could help our economy right here in the USA. Possibly even help Universal healthcare! Let's help the American people for a change. We need change . . . we need a Democrat as President. I truly don't think we need Obama. Hillary or Edwards has my vote!!!!

What in God's name are they talking about? Since when does supporting Obama over Hillary make someone sexist? That's like saying someone who supports Hillary over Obama is racist. Why can't NOW come to the conclusion that Ted Kennedy supports Obama because he thinks he is the best candidate, not because of any sexism on Kennedy's part. And since when does Kennedy owe anything to NOW, there's nothing they've ever really done for him. If Hillary has any decency, she will disavow NOW.
God, this makes me sick.

Would NOW support a woman who stayed with her husband after learning that he had multiple affairs?

Would NOW support a woman who had her husband doing the dirty work of slinging mud for her?

Shame on Obama to accept Kennedy endorsment, and he talks about leaving old politics behind.

I respect Hillary's great intelligence and determination to help others. That is a great role model for young women. However, I do not respect her choice to remain with Bill after all he put her through. That is NOT a role model to emulate, calls into question her judgement , her own self-respect and negates her achievements. Their relationship and history together is her Achilles heel. She needs to stand on her own.

Obama is an American, not black, not white. Judge your own racism when you focus on the origins of Obama's father, and not his mother.

Are we voting because of this "CAUSE" ENDORSEMENTS? are we going to believe the outsiders (TED KENNEDY) of what he believes and what we do not? Are we going to be brained washed by this man who endorses Obama lately? If so, where did your beliefs stand from now on? where are your commitment to support a person from day "ONE" C'mon people stand where ever you are and whatever you believe on the candidate. Hilarry is the most qualified top notcher among DEMS, pls do think for our "CAUSE" and our childrens "CAUSE" show your support once and for all from "DAY ONE" this is not a game as she said this is not who's up nor who's down she just don't want us to fall backwards it's us who represent our children for their future.
LET THE COMEBACKS UNITE AGAIN. BY VOTING WISELY for Our Kids sake and future and "CAUSE". Hillary is the best among the rest and that is my point of view.

GO……..HILLARY 08

CHINO of Orlando, Florida

If Oprah had endorsed Hillary Clinton, the Clinton supporters would have toted that one to the moon and back, thrilled that their candidate received Oprah's support and ready to tell the world. However, she endorsed Obama. And all we heard from the Clinton crowd was, "Who cares what Oprah thinks?"

Fast forward, had Ted Kennedy endorsed Clinton, the Clinton supporters would had howled with delight, and announced it to the country with pride. But Ted endorsed Obama. And all we hear from the Clinton crowd is, "What cares what Kennedy thinks?

Are we seeing a pattern here?

What a waste of a woman running for president. I'm much more proud of Geraldine Ferraro. At least she seemed trustworthy, isn't complicit in crimes of a prior administration, and didn't whine when she was hit hard in politics.

I think we need to sit and remind ourselves who put us here and what he stood for. Each of us vote for who you believe will rebuild our great nation, not by who others endorse. God Bless America and God Bless All Nations

If you're for women's rights, support the candidate you think will best further that cause. Voting for Hillary because she's a woman and you just think it's time a woman had a chance to be president isn't furthering women's rights. The best way to combat any kind of prejudicial, lopsided system is to see beyond it. Racism is defeated when we don't even see color as an issue, one way or another. The fight for sexual equality means you should support Hillary because she's the best candidate, not because she's a woman.

Get real all you NOW members!!

What women's rights? The right to hide behind your "man"?????

Ted Kennedy endorsed John Kerry in the last election and Kerry still lost. Does Kennedy's endorsement really matter?

Anyone else see the irony in NY NOW getting upset at Kennedy for not endorsing a woman, while remaining silent about HIllary staying with her husband despite his repeated womanizing? Where is the BIll condemnation by NOW?

These folks give feminism a bad name, which is unfortunate because women need a powerful voice.

wow. This is retarded. Kennedy is not a sexist becuase he didn't back your favorite candidate… you don't hear obama supporters calling black leaders who support hillary "traitors"… NOW is behaving really poorly

BTW – my feelings about Obama are because of the arrogance of his inexperience. He seems to be trying to be all things to all people. And it's not possible. I wish people would stop putting him up on a pedestal! He's not perfect! He has feet of clay. God help us if we have to find out the hard way!

Only a sexist or racist votes for a candidate because of gender or race – that's true for any party. A vote should be entirely based upon leadership, honesty, capability, intelligence, and communication skills.

I'm surprised that a lot of people think Barack a one time Senator has so much exerience? Didn't the Repulican party bring in Alan Keys into Illinois for six months to establish residency so they could at least have some token opposition against Barack. That was no opposition as far as I'm concerned. Like em or not, when the Clinton's were in office we had a balance budget with a surplus. We didn't have a recession. We didn't dole out money to keep the economy afloat. We didn't have a war. The chalenges we have now and in the near future demand someone with exerience, someone who has been in the trenches. Peace brother and far out man, ain't gonna cut it.

After a campaign speech, Obama went off the stage and eagerly shook hands with his supporters. In the front, there stood patiently a 10-year old boy. He politely asked Obama if he could ask him 2 questions. Obama kept shaking hands with his supporters and without even looking at the little boy and plainly said that he didn't have time for 2 questions. So the little boy resolved by saying how about just one question. Then Obama agreed coldly. Guess what? The little kid is a reporter from the Scholastic News for Kids.
The same kid went to McCain for an interview. McCain's gave the kid a warm welcome and even joked with him in a very friendly manner.
The above scenes were caught on TV camera. Voters and medias are so caught up with issues that are important to them or just put their focus on race and genders. What about the true characters of the candiates who will one day become the next president of the United States.

This was the state chapter of NOW, not the national chapter. Steve, thanks for your sexist use of "bimbos" to describe the women who champion gender equality–good one, really. Not proving their point at all. As for Kennedy endorsing Obama: Kerry already did so. Both senators from MA are endorsing Obama, get a clue, folks.

Obama = Faith-based Initiative.

As a woman, I am not appalled with Senator Kennedy, but with the National Organization of Women.

Do we truly believe that just becase Clinton is female that all women should select her as a candidate? Because Obama is a male, we should be against him? Stop the insanity!!

As a woman who tried to live a good life where I make a difference in the world and to the people around me, I believe Obama is the better candidate for me, the human being and the woman! I resent NOW acting as if Kennedy betrayed women in general with his vote.

Maybe if Hillary was a different sort of woman, more people would endorse her?

Last time i checked, It's a man's world and will be until the end of days! I'm not against a woman president, just not Hillary Clinton.

I am a feminist and I am supporting Obama. AND I don't feel I am betraying my feminist stance. Hillary is not electable for a number of good reasons…She's too divisive and those that hate her, really, really hate her. They will do anything to oppose her. She's a policy wonk who fails to inspire. Now Bill was a policy wonk too BUT he could inspire….he is one of the best speakers we've ever had as a president…ranking right up there with Lincoln, FDR, Teddy Roosevelt, etc. But Hillary, just doesn't have it. Also, she's as stiff as Al Gore…don't let the tears in New Hampshire fool you. No one, and I mean no one, knows the true Hillary. She's got skin as thicker than an Elephan hide. Not that that is a bad thing…being woman of her generation to have reached the level of power that she has, she probably has to had to have that thick skin. Otherwise she would have given up a long time ago. Unfortunately, that stiffness, that cynicism, that barely contained sarcasm that you can see simmering beneath surface is her undoing. I think this is what we all see in her that we don't see in Obama. He is fresh, new, and in a way naive in a hopeful way that we can grab on to. He inspires us and he's smart enough and humble enough to admit when the opposition has a good idea. And that is why I'm voting for Obama in 2008.

NY-NOW should demand that the National Chapter of NOW follow suit. Condemn Ted Kennedy for endorsing a candidate he believes in! Down with Men! Viva la Hillary! Give rise to the "Amazon Women Nation"!

This allegation against Ted is just so funny.

Obama in '08!

I have to wonder at Kennedy's wording. He seemed to mock Hillary. As far as the general election is concerned, I prefer Edwards, have no problem voting for Hillary, and will vote for Obama only to prevent the Republicans from getting back into the White House. They've done enough damage in the past (nearly) 8 years they've had control of this country. God help us if they continue their reign!

your wrong , if Obama was a woman speaking about hope and change , we'd all be laughing. Get over yourselves it is a very sexist/race thing going on.

Here we go with the "women's group", do they know that most women do not like them. There organization is the same as the men's "good ole bwoy" system, either you are or must become what they (women's group) dictate, or you are there enemy.

Women who what to stay home raise their children, keep their husbands are not accepted in these women's groups. Having to chop my hair off, where business suits, polos, and loafers, always in pants, no make-up is not my CHOICE style,nor is it empowering to look like a little-dude.

Where are they with women incarceration increasing, women on drugs, (look at Britany). Today's "Women's Groups" are phonies, out of touch, pompous, self absorbed , lack altruistism.

I DO NOT appreciate NOW's use of the collective "we" in its statement. Just because I'm a female doesn't mean I lack the brains to vote for the Presidential Candidate that I believe is best to run the country. I had no idea that I abdicated my right to speak or think for myself to NOW because I was born a female. It's no wonder there is such a negative connotation to the term "feminist" if it continues to be connected to ignorant statements like these.

I'm sorry, but isn't a woman still running for president? I'm not sure what this groups agenda is, to see a woman in the presidency at any cost? Regardless if she is ready to be president or not, regardless if she can carry out what is needed at this time? I'm not saying that Hillary isn't ready, but it seems to me that there is only one way this group wants this to go is for a woman to be president. Do they care whether she can actually help the american people? Aren't we all free Americans, free to choose who we want to endorse?

I think today we have seen the real agenda of this woman's group. We don't care who is president as long as it's a woman.

P.S. Let me say that I believe that a woman can be president and do an excellent job. Unfortunately that woman will not be Hillary Clinton. Maybe next time.

This is just a dumb statement to make, and it shows that NOW doesn't care about the politics, all they care about is the gender of the candidate. Did they ever stop to think that Senator Obama's opinions and views may appeal more to Senator Kennedy? Just an idiot reverse gender discrimination group that would support any woman competing against a man, even if said woman was intent on detonating a nuclear bomb in times square. They stink.

I guess men aren't entitled to our own opinion if it doesnt coincide with Now's opinions. I thought freedom of expression was a foundation of Now. Just vote for person. Get off the soap box. He endorced the best candidate who can cross party lines to get issuses addressed. Oh yeah, Bill clinton had a hand in the decision as well with his vulgor politics. Go Barack!

What about those Black Leaders including Andrew Young and John Lewis who have endorsed Hillary. This election is not about any two groups but the past and the future

Dear National Organization for Women,

Ever considered the notion that people are supporting Obama because they actually like him and NOT just because Clinton's a woman? Please stop pulling the "girl card." It doesn't lend your candidate credibility to whine that people won't vote for her because what's between her legs. *Most* people vote on their beliefs and not on the gender of the candidate. I am a woman and a registered democrat; however, you must provide me a far more compelling argument than, "She's a woman" for Senator Clinton to get my vote.

Thanks!
Laura

We should not have a female president simply for the fact that she is a woman just like we should not have a black president just for the fact that he or she is black. It boils down to the fact that Hillary is off-putting, arrogant, and divisive whereas Obama is inspirational and a has potential to unite. I agree with Hillary on many of her political beliefs but if she were a white or black man with the same air of superiority, I would be equally opposed to her election. Kennedy proved himself by NOT endorsing Clinton despite their long-time friendship because he knows that she is not now and would not be the best leader to ressurect this dying country.

Can anyone tell me how Hilary is so much more experience than Barack? She was the 1st Lady. Not the president. What experience is does she keep referring to. People are acting like Barack just graduated from college and decided to run for President. She was a lawyer whose husband was elected president. What else???????

Sorry, National Organization for Women, but some of us think qualifications are more important than genitalia when picking the next president.

I will repeat a sentiment I read earlier. Hillary Clinton is the second most devisive person in this country right behind George Bush. After such a bitter divide in this country for the last 8 years, why on earth would we want to put the next most reviled person in the country in office?

I understand that those who love Hillary do so with great zeal and energy. But those who don't will never even consider voting for her. To the NY NOW, this has nothing to do with gender but rather character and the promise of better days to come. With Hillary as president better days will not come, it will be 4-8 more years of the same anger that we have now.

First Oprah, now Ted Kennedy. I'm losing my respect for people who knowingly are "against Hillary". I say this because there is no way they can prove to me that Anyone but Clinton can bring the country back to prosperity and real hope for change with Action.

Please note that it is the New York chapter of the group who reportedly said these things.
What it actually says on the NOW national website is that while NOW supports Clinton they have a great deal or respect for Kennedy and encourage women to continue to pursue their right to chose by VOTING.

I guarantee if hilary is elected to run for president. there will be another republican in the white house. we better watch it and stick to the REAL issues at hand and stop worrying about the wrong thing. or there will be no change…at all.

This is a disgrace! As a Clinton supporter it pains me to see fools spouting off about gender as if it is the only reason she deserves to be president.

Please, stop reporting this garbage.

I remember when Senator Kennedy did everything in his power to prevent President Jimmy Carter from being reelected. He wanted to be president then. I believe what we saw yesterday was Senator Kennedy lobbying for a major role in a Obama presidency. There is no way that Obama can ever say he is not obligated to someone. We all saw the political transaction. In other words, politics as usual.

Give me a break. Since when do we endorse/vote for whomever we feel should be president because of gender. I thought the goal was to support who you feel is the best candidate. If Americans are utilizing the criteria suggested in this article as a way to define who we should vote for it helps me to understand why our country is in the predicament we are in as of today.

NOW would endorse Eva Braun for president just because she was a woman.

I'm all for a woman becoming president. Just not Hillary.

The Clintons continue to be a sideshow. They will distract the nation from ever getting anything done with their devisive brand of politics.

know what is great about the blogs you can get on here and lie,lie,lie,lie.

Gibberish! Betrayed because Teddy chose to support a man! How silly! This argument is not only an offense to women and to our intelligence but also to our power to make decisions! Let's allow this race to be about more than race and more than gender, Shall we.

Wow, i now have the upmost respect and sympathy for all female African Americans. Yikes, if they vote for Barack they're holding back women. If they vote for Hillary they're holding back African Americans.

It's very sad that voters cannot determine on their own for whom to vote. We need rock stars, movie stars, sports stars, radio personalities, newscasters, and other politicians to tell us who to elect. Sadly people blindly follow their idols and can't make the choice on their own.

We have too many people like Mary above who's tirade would have been laughable if it wasn't so pitiable. These are the people pushing the button on election day. They do need celebrities to tell them who to elect.

BREAKING NEWS: Maxine Waters just endorsed Billary, she was also named in 2005[4] and 2006[5] as one of the "most corrupt" members of congress….Birds of a feather, flock together…!

All OBAMA 08 folks…

Learn from his vision for uniting all Americans.
I do not think he has been able to get into your heads.
You are threatedned by Hillary so you are bashing her.
There is John Edwards too…
Are you intimidated by the WHITE MAN?

Let us hear from you after Super Tuesday.
Kennedy magic …what Kennedy magic?
I thought you Obama 08 folks did not want any old baggage?
This one goes wayyyyyyy back before some of us were even born.

and if he supported Clinton over Obama that would make him a racist right. Come on people think!

Teddy could have endorsed Hillary and the Black Right's groups would have chosen to make the same statement. Eventually, Teddy made his decision and that is what matters to him. Not too long ago people were saying that Obama was whining over the Bill Clinton issues. He nevertheless campaigned hard in South Carolina and won overwhelmingly. Same thing here, the women's groups still have time to campaign hard for Hillary and not lose focus over this endorsement. If this election is not so much about gender, race, color, sexual orientation e.t.c. why make noise over an endorsement. Why do they need Kennedy for? I'm sure there are lots of other female Senators in the House who would carry so much weight for Hillary in that case.

Let this be an American Democracy.

This article is the exact fear that I have as a woman. That these women are going to vote for Clinton, based solely on her gender. I hope not. This is outrageous. It's wonderful that in this day in age that a woman and black man are the strongest candidates in the running for the White House and it's a shame that they are so combative with one another. But at the same time, if you are voting for any one of them based only on either their race or gender..you are in one word: IRRESPONSIBLE.

PERIOD.

This is just wrong on so many levels. "We stuck by you even though you didn't stand for what we did so that when one day there was a female candidate you would endorse her even though you don't believe in her!"

Do the rank and file of NOW realize what petty idiots their leadership is? Even if they want to be self-serving (as I suppose is the prerogative of any special interest group), do they really think that Obama can't accomplish as much (if not more) for them than Hillary can?

Wow, another reason not to support Obama…..First Oprah not Kennedy..,…And what do people mean "nice speaking voice:…Did you listen to the last debate….He AH Ah Ah'd and stammer his way thru the whole thing with nothing but air…..Please people, he just does not have the experience or knowledge to do the job….I agree that Hillary isn't the greatest but she at least has experience and will be able to go head to head with the problems that we are facing because of the republicans…..

Ted spoke truth to power. I see nothing wrong with it.

And he knows Obama is the best candidate.

And he knows injecting race in the party primaries is wrong. That is a flashback to the 60's and George wallace.

And he knows Bill has crossed the line. I can't remember a former President dividing his own party along racial lines. Ted Kennedy has guts. Too bad other Democrats are cowards to speak up!

As Thomas Tip O'Neill stated: "All politics are local"

This is the New York Chapter of NOW, and no doubt they have been sent out by the Clintons to attack Senator Kennedy in an effort to diminish the amount of women who might be inspired by his endorsement.

It is just a Clinton NY connections political ploy. Notice the typical Clinton smear and slime words that their NOW chapter used. They did not just object to Senator Kennedy endorsing Obama instead of Hillary, they dumped a bucket of slime all over him.

The amazing thing about this is: NOW is NOW revealing that they have never had any respect for Senator Kennedy but were willing to use him, regardless of the fact that they despised him.

Sounds like the usual Clinton pretzel morality at work.

why should the state chapter of the National Organization for Women be upset for Sen Kenndy onhis decision to back Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton. While
the national chapter of NOW sought to distance itself from the state chapter’s comments, issuing a statement Monday evening that praised Kennedy's record with respect to women's rights and his support of Title IX, the ERA, the Family Leave and Medical Act to name a few." The right hand don't know what the left hand is doing

It's interesting to watch the party that is supposed to be so 'together' be so divided with all the accusations that they have been using to push their own polical agendas. You have your 'African-American', 'Hispanic-Americans', 'Gay-Americans', and women and a few other 'divisions' of hyphenated Americans. People have lost careers because of the Democratic Partys 'divisive' nature. Face it, if we were all getting along the Democratic Party wouldn't exist! It is in their best interest to tag 'hate' between and amongst us'. Now you are reaping harvest on your own creations. You can't even get along with each other because of the 'chips on the shoulders' and the sensitivities that you have manufactured in our society. Makes no sense . . . does it!!! No, it shouldn't matter if you are a man or a woman, a black, a white, a hispanic, or an Indian . . . we should all be Americans and drop the hyphens and also be big enough and have enough integrity to accept that 'anyone' can be wrong and anyone can be right and, in fact, two people can disagree and be right just have a different view of what the right approach to a wrong may be! Let's start being Americans and drop the Aristocentric stuff and get to solid solutions and not these emotional things! America . . . where have you gone?!!!! I miss you!

I think its funny that anyone the Supports Obama is either "anti-woman" or only doing so because he is Black (and so are they). Really look at yourselfs and determine if you're not working off of your prejudice.

This article is the exact fear that I have as a woman. These women are going to vote for Clinton, based solely on her gender? I hope not. This is outrageous. It's wonderful that in this day in age that a woman and black man are the strongest candidates in the running for the white and it's a shame that they are so combative with one another. But at the same time, if you are voting for any one of them based only on either their race or gender..you are in one word IRRESPONSIBLE.

PERIOD.

NOW should be ashamed of themselves.

Everyone should vote for whoever they believe is the best candidate regardless or age, race or gender. Voting for Hillary because she is a woman, or Obama because he is black, rather than their stance on the issues or leadership, is a waste of a vote.

No one should vote for someone just because Oprah, the Kennedys or anyone else has endorsed them. Ted Kennedy should not be throwing stones at anyone, we all know what he's done. Caroline Kennedy has lost my respect, she blatantly went against her Catholic teaching and is endorsing and planning to vote for(committing a sin – Thou shalt not kill.) a supporter of pro abortion.
I congratulate all voters who are looking at the issues and not what someone is saying where a candidate has no control over. I seriously doubt that Mrs. Clinton was consulted about the NY NOW release.
If I want inspiration I'll look to my faith and the one true inspiration in this world – Jesus Christ. When I listen to women about Mr. Obama, they keep talking about, "I don't know what it is but he's got it." Ladies to you it's sex appeal and that should not be a deciding factor. If Mr. Obama was truly inspiring and uniting then he would never have turned his back on Mrs. Clinton as he did last night.
John Edwards is hanging on and rightly so, for these two front runners may just send him many voters his way. I may be missing it, but I have not heard him mentioned in any backstabbing or name calling. John Edwards is good looking, however does not have sex appeal – he's got the look of the boy next door that one feels very proud to know and happy that he's done well for himself and those around him.
The Republicans seem to be calling me this Presidential election. I'm a registered Democrat and have not fully decided which candidate to vote for. I'm keeping a close watch on all candidates.
Since prayer went out of schools and many events we have found it so easy to call each other terrible names and to talk bad about people willing to put themselves out there to try and lead an ungrateful nation. To all the candidates I thank you for giving me a choice and for wanting to lead our nation to harmony.

Ted Kennedy is irrelevant! I am hopping mad at the democratic party for the way they have treated Hillary Clinton. If Barak is the nominee, I will vote for a Republican for the first time in my life!

ROMNEY AND MCCAIN ARE GOING AFTER EACH OTHER TOOTH AND NAIL, YET THEIR NOT CRYING UNFAIR LIKE OBAMA AND HIS SUPPORTERS.
THEY REALIZE THAT POLITICS IS NOT A GAME, BUT DEADLY SERIOUS, WHERE WINNING IS EVERYTHING IT'S THE ONLY THING.
THAT'S WHY SINCE JOHNSON WE HAVE HAD 28 YEARS OF REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTS AND ONLY 12 YEARS OF DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTS AND 8 OF THOSE YEARS WERE CLINTON YEARS.

"This latest move by NOW-NYS is so telling about the status of and respect for African-American’s rights, African-American’s voices, African-American’s equality, African-American’s authority and our ability – indeed, our obligation — to promote and earn and deserve and elect, unabashedly, a president that is the first African-American after centuries of Caucasians who ‘know what’s best for us."

Interesting how that works both ways.

"NOW has joined the list of progressive white america who can’t or won’t handle the prospect of a black president who is Barack Obama."
-Need I say more??

So SEX is important for this election? I thought sex or race is not important?!!

The bad , the good ,and the ugly Kennedy ?
He is the ugly Kennedy who could not even beat a bad presidential candidate like
Jimmy Cater. He alwaysendorsed a loser. Drug addicted and woman chaser Obama will be on the his loser list soon. If you choose the best and smartest presidential cnadidate , Hillary is the one. Vote Hillary is a vote for the best future.

THIS IS TO ALL HILLARY SUPPORTERS THAT THINKS THAT BARACK DOESNT HAVE ENOUGH EXPIERENCE………IF TED KENNEDY WHO HAS MORE THAN 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE BELIEVES THAT BARACK IS QUALIFIED FOR THE POSITION…..WHO IN THIS ROOM CAN SAY THAT THEY KNOW MORE ABOUT QUALIFICATIONS THAN 40+ YEARS OF EXPIERENCE? THIS IS TO EVERYONE…..2 MONTHS AGO HILLARY WAS WELL AHEAD IN SOUTH CAROLINA…….EVEN AMONG MINORITY VOTERS……IT WAS HER POLITICAL CAMPAIGN AND DIRTY TACTICS THAT TURNED SOME MINORITY VOTERS OFF TO THE POINT YOU WOULD HAVE TO BE A DIE HARD HILLARY FAN TO STILL VOTE FOR HER….BILL CLINTON THEEN SAID JESSIE WON S.C. IN 84/88….AGAIN ANOTHER DIRTY STATEMENT….IGNORING THE FACT THAT HE TO WON IN S.C. 92/96… LAST….ON THE ISSUE OF CHANGE….BARACK COULD ELABARATE ALITTLE….BUT HIS HAS SAID HE WOULD MAKE TONS OF CHANGES IN HOW WE VIEW POLITICS….HEALTHCARE….TAX CUTS….ETC….I DONT NEED TO HERE THE OBVIOUS TO SAY THIS CANDIDATE KNOWS OUR STRUGGLES….WHO DOESNT KNOW GAS PRICES ARE HIGH/JOB MARKET POOR/HOUSING MARKET HORRIFIC…ETC. I WOULD LIKE TO HERE SOME FEEDBACK ON MY COMMENTS…I RESPECT EVERYONES OPINION…… OBAMA 08

Just look at that photo from the SOTU address last night…Hillary had the courage to walk right up and shake old Ed's hand despite his publicly humiliating her…look at how Obama handled it on the other hand….this image helps cement things for me…he does not have what it takes to be the president..except maybe with the old guy leading him around by the pupppet strings..??

I agree with Larry and AJ.

He can endorse anyone he wants. Did the women's group stand by him because they thought he was right or because they expected him to do something for them later? I appluad him for doing what he feel is right. I have nothing against Clinton, but I am not going to vote for her simple because she is a woman.

As a woman, I found no offense to the Kennedy endorsement of Obama. Originally, my family and I supported Hillary, but after listening to her negative comments, and continuous attacks of Obama, she just lost us. I wondered with all of that experience, why is it necessary to take the negative path.
But, I am shocked that a women's group would see Kennedy as a "betrayer" because he chose Obama. WHAT?????
Hillary is a big girl, and she has many supporters and endorsements. Should I feel betrayed by the New York Times because they chose to endorse Hillary?
Be for real people – Edward Kennedy is not against Hillary, he just thinks that Obama would be the best person for the job, and not because of gender or race.

This is the National Organization for Women cashing a check they didn't have to begin with. They were counting on ol' Ted Kennedy to just bow to their interests, and help coronate Hillary Clinton the Democratic nominee.

Frankly, if you're waiting for Gandy at NOW to tell you how to vote, or how you should vote, you really need to sit down and read a paper, and learn how to make your own decisions.

I THOUGHT THIS WAS AMERICA, PEOPLE.

Unbelieable! What makes them think they know what's inside Ted's mind? Maybe he's supporting Barack because he thinks he'd make a better president. Their campaign is women against men, it always has been and it always will be for them.

Senator Kennedy has the right to endorse anyone he wishes. No one person nor an organization can dictate anyone's preference for president. I am a woman but there is no way I could ever endorse or vote for Hillary Clinton. If another woman ran for president and I believed in her, I would not have any problem endorsing, working for or voting for her. I just can't support Hillary Clinton. I like Barack Obama and I believe in him. I get some of the same feelings from him that I got from JFK and RFK. I want that sense of hope back. I want to feel that we can all work together to make this a better country. I don't sense any of that from Hillary Clinton. Gender has nothing to do with it. NOW, et al, needs to put a cork in it.

The New York chapter of NOW have some major mental health issues.

You know, I generally support NOW. In fact, I've marched for them. But what a REDICULOUS position they're taking here. So, does this say that anyone not endorsing a female candidate (when there is one), is wrong and should be ashamed. How horrendously prejudicial. It's man-hating racism, and reverse sexism. How sad. I don't respect that at all.

This is simply ignorant. If the NAACP blasted any one person for choosing Hillary or Edwards over Obama there'd be a national uproar. Please read and discard this article quickly!

On with legitimate news…

I agree this article is stupid and NOW is trying to pit one group against the other group to further divide this nation. What we need now is unity in order to move forward. Vote on the issues, not on race or gender.

OH THE KENNEDY'S ARE GREAT PEOPLE TO TAKE ADVICE FROM!!!!! IS TED EVER SOBER? THEY ARE ALL DRUNKS AND CRIMINALS! I WOULD THINK HE HAS SOMETHING TO GAIN MAYBE A GOOD DEAL ON SOME PROPERTY THROUGH REZKO? IT'S ALL COMING TO LIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHA GO HILLARY

For OBama but not "against" Clinton, yeah right…..Slow eating away at her lead every moment and spite her for trying to defend it. What type of contest is this…one where the opponent but keel over and give up?

Come-on America, the land of the GREAT!
Who among you would want deal with another 4, perhaps 8 years of lies, and dirty politics. Not the USA people I know. To watch this deceitful duo in action, PAL-EEESE!

Say NO to clinton, and a loud YES for Barak Obama .

The New York chapter of NOW is confused. Nobody has to vote for Hillary just because she is a woman. That is sexist. You should vote for the person you think will do the best job. Senator Kennedy likes Obama's vision. I don't believe he based his decision on race or sex. He sincerely believes Senator Obama is the right person for the job. Senator Kennedy has been a champion of women's rights. Race or sex should not dominate your vote. I would vote for Elizabeth Dole if she was running (but she is not). I think it is a tribute to our country that a woman or a black man could be our next president.

in responce to carolyn conner……………..and as americans we have the right to not get alone and to disagree thank god…..i've been around the world and no not everyone gets along……again thank god i live in america and not honduras….

CNN should drop out of the race they have lost their MO!!!! If they think this is even news worthy I guess if the VFW or American Legions across America endorsed Ron Paul they would be Un-American… Does this mean that if the Girl Scouts of America endorses Obam we should never buy another box of cookies?

I understand that many older women have experienced more sexism than I have at 28 years of age. That said, as a woman, this statement is the most ridiculous, SEXIST, thing I have ever read. Why should Kennedy support Hillary because she is a woman?

It has nothing to do with being a woman and everything to do with being a nasty person. You cannot trust Billary!! Go Obama!!!!

NOW is pathetic. Hillary and Bill have been planning her race since he won his second term. The two of them are ruthless and play very dirty politics. I say bravo to Kennedy for having the guts to back Obama. The Clinton's hold on the Democratic party is cracking – and that is only good for their party. Of course neither will get my vote – I'm a republican!

Keep fracturing your party straight down the middle folks.

This is going to be a Republican landslide. You cant even control your own party.

This NOW group already endorsed Clinton a long time ago. What did you expect?

A dozen roses for Kennedy choosing an inexperienced male over an experienced woman who Kennedy has known for decades? No wonder they are pissed off.

Im lovin it.

Vote Romney

Romney 08

Sen. T. Kennedy has the right to endorse whoever he wants to endorse. Why is it NOW has to read something sinicle in his endoresment. Why can't the Sen. endorsement be from his heart and the best person (in his opinion) for the job. NOW should get a life and stop thinking an endorsement for Clinton means a rejection of women rights to the White House. I'm a women and I agree with Sen. Kennedy. Sen. Obama is the best person for the job. We had a Clinton and I really think one is enough. If you really want to get technical Sen. Clinton put women back in the dark ages with her response to the way her husband acted in the White House, so even though she is a woman, mabe just mabe women don't like her for not standing up like a real woman to her husband, remember there are some lines you just don't cross being married, especially the President of the United States and get caught. Pres. Clinton made his wife the laughing stock of all real women. Shame on you NOW!

The person who wrote this news release should have deleted before sending.

NOW has joined the list of progressive white people who can’t or won’t handle the prospect of a black president who is Barack Obama.

Racists.

News flash!

The Kennedy's have betrayed women since the 60's. NOW just realized that NOW?

Me thinks the old ladies running NOW are starting to go senile too!?

Sounds like women voting for Hilary because she's a woman. Gimme a break.

NOW is so YESTERDAY! We will elect a woman President when we have a candidate who runs on her own record and her own credentials, and does her own attacking. "Don't cry for me, South Carolina" will never play in the States.

"Whatever"

You have to be joking. The "ultimate betrayal"….that is ridiculous. That is like saying people should vote on the person who only looks good but has no intelligence to back up actions. The women's group comment was completely uncalled for; it is about what is best for the United States.

Just I have discussed with my husband, my take is that we may be ready for a african-american man president, but I think that even older democrats men would never be ready for a woman to lead. Imagine that, a woman being the boss. The Kennedy's, by choosing Obama, confirmed just that for me.

People stop trying to take Obama's shine. He's the best candidate. PERIOD. And Tracey, "It's always about Black Rights and racism…how about Woman's Rights…which should be equal if not greater."…you can't be serious?! You must be a white woman, because that comment is absolutely absurd to say the least. And NOW is obviously promoting the type of thing we know longer need in this country–lobbying interest groups trying to whine and cry when things don't go their way.

I am a BLACK WOMAN. And my decision is being made based on the platforms of these candidates. As well as the character exhibited throughout this race (which Hillary Clinton certainly seems to lack.) Seeing a woman as president would be empowering, but not that Clinton woman.

But can someone please tell me what is all this "experience" that Hillary Clinton has. I mean, think about it. 35 years huh?! If that's the case she was only 25 years old when she started affecting all of this change. So what was she doing? Please someone tell me. I'm intrigued.

Nonetheless, Obama is the candidate of CHANGE! And if you need to know what his positions are and his agenda is, please visit my.barackobama.com.

BARACK the Vote! 2008

After last nights State of the Union message Senator Clinton was gracious enough to extend her hand to shake the hand of Ted Kennedy. He was facing her and completely ignored her. This was rude. No excuse can be given for this unforgivable act. Because of your actions Mr. Kennedy I have changed my mind and will not for Mr Obama. If he is nominated to run for the President I will not vote for him.

I am also going to e-mail all my friends and family if they were going for Senator Obama to try to change their minds.

Good gawd!! I am a strong supporter of women's rights, freedom of choice, affirmative action, and all the rest. And I am SO glad that I did not renew my NOW membership several years ago. They marginalized themselves long ago. And presidential politics? NOW endorsed Carol Moseley Braun for president in the 2004 election — a person whose principal qualification for the job was that she was a woman (which was apparently enough for NOW) and who was defeated for re-election to the Senate from Illinois after one undistinguished term.

Please note that Kennedy said he’d vigorously support the Democratic nominee. He simply feels Obama is the best candidate at this time. Why is judged to be a betrayal?

Would Sen. Kennedy be considered a racist if he supported Hillary instead?

I'm so tired of women turning this into a gender issue. Kennedy clearly stated his reason for supporting Obama, its really to provide a respected counterpart to Bill Clinton who has been saying all kinds of lies about Obama. Hilary has seriously damaged the Democratic Party and instigated Obama into attacking her. This is a BAD strategy for the PARTY, and for our COUNTRY. I admire Kennedy for stepping up and making his position clear, he is not just clearning the record for Obama, he is also trying to set a stage for the Democratic party to be civil, or more specifically Clinton.

STOP making this into a GENDER ISSUE, I am not going to vote for a woman simply because I AM a woman. I UNDERSTAND THE OLD WHITE MEN issue we face, but lets be clear on what the issues are, and ADMIT that Clinton has been using OLD WHITE MEN TACTICS!! ….. and dont' use words like "ABANDON US" yall sound like weak, whinning women. Hilary should learn from the German Chancelor.

This kind of crazy behavior may lead to the Dems not getting into the White House. I've never seen a party filled with more cry babies and "me" screamers. The Republicans will always be a more unified party. Dems need to get over the small stuff and keep their eyes on the White House '08. This is nothing and it sure isn't a male vs. female thing. Mr. Kennedy can support any DEMOCRAT! Let's get over ourselves and turn this country around in a positive direction.

OBAMA '08!

I have written several notes to this comment regarding the hypocrisy and amateurishness shown by NOW in this press release, and they each keep getting removed, yet I see some of the ridiculous diatribes and non sequiturs, not to mention horrific grammar, spelling, and hyperbole that makes the list. Can someone post a note explaining why my opinion is being censored? Does the moderator of this posting work for NOW New York?

Kathleen Sebelius, Democratic Governor of Kansas,
After watching your response last night to the State of the Union, we were thrilled and we starting to think you would be an excellent Woman President.

You just endorsed Barack Obama. We take it back. You are a traitor and are yet another woman who is not a real woman. You are just trying to keep women down and are a traitor.

-Signed, NOW-NY and the Women who Blindly Trudge After Senator Clinton because that's what real women are supposed to do

teresa,

For many reasons… Barack is the underdog in this election. Hillary is the supposedly unbeatable Clinton. Barack just came off a landslide victory in SC… he's more news-worthy and what makes bigger, better headlines right now. Ted has historically been an enormous supporter of Hillary/Bill, so for him to throw his weight behind someone else is a relatively big deal. It shows that he believes Hillary is not electable (and he's right, she isn't). Those factors overshadow just about everything else. Had Hillary been endorsed by Ted they would've had to make it into a different story to make it news-worthy… "Will Ted help or hurt Hillary…?" etc, etc…

The NOW does more harm than good for women. I am a woman and have worked hard my whole life. I have raised 2 independent strong daughters and a son who believes in womens rights, but Hillary is not and never will be a good choice for president and it has NOTHING to do with gender. If NOW keeps speaking out like this they will hurt their movement more then help. They will look like another RADICAL group.

Mary Mary quite contrary. Please check your spelling and grammar before submitting such a long windful of nonsense. If you are submitting your opinion don't copy words you have heard on the TV and radio. Please form your own opinion based on what you actually know is the truth. Also, before ranting on about that devil Resko, please look at the photo of him seated between the Clintons. What should I make of that??? Also, I think you mean Bill Clinton when you talk about someone pointing their finger and yelling. I don't think I have ever heard Barack yelling. So please, once again stick to the facts.

Is Caroline a traitor too?

Hi

I as a honduran I wish that all you americans somenday will learn to love each other so that maybe some day you could learn to like other people in the world
it is so depresing to read all your coments you all should learn to get along with one another and stop the hate.

Hillary Clinton is a a co-dependent, weak and hang'in on her man at all costs type of woman. Not the typical NOW prototype. If she has found her voice as she stated after New Hampshire..why does she still need Bill to speak for her?

To the NOW organization..you need some chocolate and a Prozac. You have give a whole new meaning to the phrase "dumb blonde."

if hillary is so strong why wont she tell bill be quiet and le her campaign he is everywhere on every channel

My comments will probably be blocked when I have anything to say about Hillary. Big Deal….about the Women's Group slamming Kennedy. I guess the campaign will be based on gender at this time. Hillary is an insult to any women's group. Where's the woman power with her….she can't stand on her own feet, but surely riding on the coat-tails of her husband's political power.

Doesn't a blast from an irrelevant extremest group like NOW drive more mainstream women to re-consider backing Hillary solely because she is a woman.

well you finally woke up shame on you for all the years you supported the Kennedy group. As a 70 yr old women from the south i understood them years ago, also if you will look very closley at what is going on in our country you will see there are many groups trying to undermine the progress whomen have made in the past 50 years. No the establisment does not want women in power. Yes cultures that have moved into the US do not want women to have power or even rights of ANY kind. Read all the info on work, medical issues, child care attitude etc they do not reflect a respect or real concern for women. I am almost too old to make a difference but as a group who should be ever viligent and fair you can and should. Look deep into the culture evolving in this country and you will become wary. Good luck and keep trying

NOW is an example of exactly why women were oppressed for so long. Men knew if they treated us as equals we to rule.

I feel that the Democrats best shot at taking the White House is an Edwards-Obama ticket. In that order. So does that make me anti-Black and anti-woman?

(Before you answer, you should know I'm a Black female…)

It just figures that the New York chapter of the National Organization for Women would object to Senator Kennedy's endorsement of Barack Obama in such a vehement manner. Why would an organization who purports to fight for the right of women to have their own opinions, and the right of women to be respected because of those opinions respect the opinion of someone else? I suppose just as long as you agree with them all is well.

What will NOW do when two or more women run for president? Will they endorse all of them? If they don't, does that mean they are opposed to women running for president? Or will they then have to endorse the one that they think will be best for the country? What a novel idea that would be. They have it easy now…just endorse the only woman running–it's a no brainer. That makes a lot of sense. About as much as voting for Hillary based on her vast experience as a first lady.

That we can disagree openly about our choices, make individual decisions about our hopes and futures . . . That is America! She's worth the fight and the dream !

OBAMA "08 !

This is a keenly contested election process. Wisdom and sound judgement preceeds experience of any kind. Lets Vote Wisely!

WHY IS "NOW" MAKING AN ISSUE OF THE KENNEDY ENDORSEMENT – THIS COUNTRY NEEDS A VERY STRONG LEADER WHO WILL HAVE TO DO A WHOLE LOT OF WORK TO TURN THINGS AROUND – I'M NOT AGAIN HILLARY BUT SHE DOES NOT INSPIRE ME THE WAY OBAMA DOES – "NOW" IS MAKING THIS A "WOMAN AGAIN MAN" CONTEST WHEN IT SHOULD BE CONCERNED WITH WHO IS THE BEST PERSON TO RUN THIS COUNTRY.

OBAMA 08 ALL THE WAY

NOW is showing themselves to be hypocritical, as they want people to support Hilary because she is a woman, where all these years they have been fighting to achieve equality of women and an envirionment where women can succeed on their own merit. Hilary does not merit consideration, and nobody owes her anything.

I am upset by the response of these women. This is why i would hate to be in the position of men like Sen. Ted Kennedy. It is a win-loss situation to whomever they choose. To say that he leaned towards Sen. Obama because he is a man is whether numb. I don't see why these people can't see the candidates in our party as I see them. They all make a great case for the nominee for themselves. People like these women are , in my opinion, close-minded and there only interest is to put a women in the white house, not the best candidate. I understand that many may not view Obama as that man, but clearly I think when our country needs a great leader, we must broaden our minds and way of thinking.

Watch the OBama campaign call NOW racist after this.

I agree with the local NOW chapter. Senator Kennedy should have given the voters a chance to decide. I remember how he sulked when he did not win the democratic primary against President Carter. His arrogance tilted the general election toward President Reagen . Senator Clinton is ahead in the polls because she is the best candidate. Unfortunately women have been discriminated against so much in this country that people accept it. If people think Senator Clinton is unladylike to fight back they can get over it . Times have changed. Does anyone think the Republicans will give Senator Obama a free ride. To Senator Clinton I say , You go girl!

just because Mr. Kennedy supports Mr. Obama does not mean he don't support women's rights.

I have been and continue to be a strong supporter of womens issues and I fully support Mr. Obama, I have been a Republician all my 75 years andt he is the best man for the job ahead.

Mr. Obama will have as much knowledge about being a President as Bill Clinton had.

I'm a white male, and I've never voted Republican in a presidential election; I've voted either Democratic or Third Party. But if the general election were between Hillary Clinton and Condaleeza Rice, I'd vote for Rice without a moment's hesitation. She's got one thing a Clinton will never have; integrity.

The Clinton's had my support for a very long time. But I have grown tired of their dirty tactics and can no longer support Hillary for President. It seems to me that women should be blamingSenator Clinton and the former president for their conduct during the campaign, rather than Senator Kennedy for endorsing Senator Obama. I want to be inspired by a candidate and president and not feel like divisive politics as usual is acceptable. It is time to leave the Clintons and Bushes to history.

i am tired of all of this. i agree Hillary may not be perfict but Obama is not
he stands up their pointing his finger and yelling. To compare Obama to
eaither JFK or Martin Luter King is not right he could never walk in their shoes
and the Kennedy should have never compared him to JFK. Kennedy endorsement I would not want it .How many reamber when Kennedy was in a accident and left a young lady to drown while he took off to save himself.
He could of tried to save her but did not and jail time he did not get. I suggest
you read about it . And about Obama and his dealings with Rezko who was
indicted yesterday Obama said he onley did five hours of work for him give a
break I would know who I was doing work for and he still has a 100,000
dollars given by Rezko wife he has not returned and what about the house
he bought from the slum loard the house was more then he paid for it . the next day Resko wife bought land next to him and sold part of it to him. Obama still calls
him a friend. When asked about this they say no conment try and tell me they have nothing to hide. No one has every looked into his affairs like the Clintons
if they did I am sure they would fine alot more their. Every one thinks he is a supper star thats what CNN calls him he is not he onley tells you what he
wants you to hear. CHANGE George Bush was going CHANGE make us all
come together YAH right we are worse off today. And as for Presadent Clinton
the media twist everything around to make it worse then it was. When Obama
says thing about them and calls them names the media dose not report that
he is not perfect and as time gose on everyone will see what he is really like.
When President Clinton took office he turn everything around those were good times for everyone and you know it. And what happened in the White House is their bussiness not any one eles he ran our countray like know has in a long time
and I am greatfull for that I have never Voted for a President after JFK untill
president Clinton came and I will probley not vote again if Obama is the one
becouse I can see he will nver be a good presedent like you think he will be.
please excuse the spelling I am not perfect eaither
bussiness

Having lived in Arkansas with the Clintons I can tell you that they both are about a 1/4 inch deep when it comes to character. They will do or say anything to win. If NOW can't get beyond its gender blindness it simply establishes itself as another national organization with tunnel vision. Surprise, surprise.

It's always about Black Rights and racism…how about Woman's Rights…which should be equal if not greater.

Go Hillary Go!

If the Republicans get in they will tear Obama and his kumbia politics and rhetoric to shreads.

Hillary is stronger and has more exerience.

So tired of this kind of thinking. Some of us, including myself, don't like Hillary for reasons completely unrelated to her gender. These folks just can't conceive of such a person, which is sad.

Can't I support the candidate whose policies, skills, judgment, and experience are most attractive to me without being called a racist of misogynist?

This really is the kind of political bickering we have to move past–regardless of who you support.

The news media have been biased against the Clintons since the 90's and many voters are buying into the news headlines without doing the research. When Hillary was blasted by Obama during the first debates and complained about "piling on", she was accused of trying to play the "victim" role. But when she returns fire on Obama, she gets accused of dirty politics and mud-slinging. Obama is running on the idea that he is somehow different from the typical Washington politician (even though he'll gratefully accept and get mileage out of the endorsements of those typical Washington politicians like Kennedy and Kerry). However, he is not as pure as he would like us to believe. No politician is. The news media has not gone into his past with the fine-tooth comb that has examined the Clintons. The media needs to be fair in their coverage and start REPORTING the news, not MAKING the news. When Bill Clinton made the remark about Jesse Jackson in South Carolina, the news media jumped all over him for bringing race into the elections. However, the media has done this themselves quite vigorously. In fact, when discussing the polling results in S. Carolina, the topic of "which race voted for which candidate" got lots of coverage. Bottom line, I agree with Gloria Steinem who endorses Hillary and would have liked to see Obama wait until 8 years from now to run Then he would have more experience and we could have had, between Hillary and himself, 16 years of good Democratic leadership.

Can these now women be so close-minded to suggest that there might be a better candidate out there than Hillary for a number of reasons. Give me a break and we should take this group seriously. Hillary Clinton (or should I say the Clinton's since they are running together as evidenced by Bill's use of the word "we") is the one legitmate candidate who will elevate the the level of discord in our government. I believe most Americans find that a problem. I am a lifelong Republican who will vote for Obama because he does have a vision. No other candiate has that power to reach across the aisle and get things done. Our NOW gang can continue to march lock-step into irrelevance.

What total and utter bull! The third-wave feminists who issued this statement need to re-evaluate their relationship with reality. There are lots of people who don't like the Clintons. I was not one of those people, until this campaign. Their racist comments, attempts at voter suppression in Nevada which I saw with my own eyes, the fact that Clinton campaign staffers were caught distributing the 'Barack Hussein Obama' emails along with her cowardly crony ex-Sen. Kerrey repeating the sentiment, all these things and more have confirmed to me that the Clintons are and have always been scoundrels. I am a loyal Democrat, but I will never vote for Clinton. Not now, and not in November. Full stop.

PLs lets cut this story short and elect hillary as PRESIDENT OF AMERICANS WOMAN.

NOW is the time for a Woman…Go Hillary

"And now the greatest betrayal! We are repaid with his abandonment!" the statement continues. "He’s picked the new guy over us. He’s joined the list of progressive white men who can’t or won’t handle the prospect of a woman president who is Hillary Clinton."

Key words are: a woman president… "WHO IS HILLARY CLINTON." I am a woman, and one who respects and promotes women's rights. That being said, no I certainly cannot handle the prospect of Hillary Clinton as President. A woman, yes. Hillary… well suffice it to say I'd sooner vote for Mitt Romney.

OBAMA'08!!!!!!!!

I'm a feminist and NOW NY STATE does not represent my voice. This hyperbole does great harm to the cause of feminism which is about gender equality at the end of the day.

I am basing my vote soley on the idea that I'm voting for a person that I think is the best for the job and will not be voting according to any outdated mode of identity politics. The fact Hillary is a viable candidate does mean women can aspire to the heights of power. The fact, that as a woman I can choose her or not choose her, is a victory for feminists all around the world.

What I like about Obama is that I perceive that he transcends race and gender and offers a hope for a post-identity politics that is about building coalitions and bringing people together not dividing them. And I think that is what Kennedy is responding to and why he's chosen to endorse Obama.

If Ted Kennedy wants to endorse Barack Obama then he should be able to endorse Barack Obama. If Charlie Rengal wants to endorse Hilary Clinton then he should be able to do so. No-one is betraying anyone. It's their right to endorse who they want. Just like this crazy women's group. If they want to support Hilary — then good for them. I am an intelligent hard-working white woman and I support Barack Obama. It's my choice and I am not betraying women. I was given the right to vote and when I vote it will be for the person that I believe should be president, not someone who I don't personally believe in.

How typical of the Clinton's and their camp!!! They don't like the message so they have one of their camp followers trash and slander the messenger. Who's next? Toni Morrison? C'mon we all know that Hillary is running as Bill's surrogate. Or Bill is running Hillary and her campaign? Well, who knows, it's just a ruse to get Bill back in to the White House. That's a disaster waiting to happen.

Isn't it interesting an organization that stands for individual rights denies Kennedy his individual right to back whomever he chooses. The irony is thick and reveals the hypocrisy of NOW in New York. According to them, you have the right to choose who they choose and that is no choice at all!

I'm also sick of the way CNN is only covering favourable stories about Obama.

Go Hillary!!!

Marry Anderson — I think you're a Republican…

I would NOT vote for anything Ted Kennedy endorsed. He is afraid if Hillary gets
elected she will do an excellent job and open the race up to other women in the future. SHE IS the most QUALIFIED. Like it or not. Obama may be a nice person but, I think he is in la la land to think he can get all the changes he is telling us
he will get. It just doesn"t make sense

Ted Kennedy called up Bill Clinton and told him to stop the way he ran the campaign. Bill Clinton didn't oblige and angered Ted Kennedy. It probably hurt Kennedy's ego. So he turned around and endorsed Obama. I really have a hard time believe Kennedy's sincerity. It seems more like a revenge to me.

OK, so let me get this straight: because Kennedy supports Obama instead of Clinton, he's inherently sexist and against womens' rights? If you want to make that argument, please, NOW, realize that he's endorsing a black man. Had Kennendy supported Hillary, I don't think the NAACP would be calling him racist. What a joke.

Just maybe some of us woman think Obama would be the better president. I like honesty and that is never going to come from a Clinton. The lies are a natural way of life for them both. Shame on any woman that would vote for her because she is a woman. Our country is at stake. Grow up!!!!!!!!!!

Let me see if I've got this straight: NOW wants a sitting senator to endorse a presidential candidate based on that persons gender. Is it possible NOW doesn't see the absurdity of this statement?

Here's an idea for all the women who believe it's time for a female president. Put your time, energy, money and support into an organization that has credible leadership. The leaders of NOW made complete fools of themselves today. The "bubble-headed bimbo" stereotype lives on.

Re: The NOW controversy

Perhaps Sen Kennedy thinks that Barak Obama is a better representative than Mrs Clinton. Sen Obama is far more articulate and has certainly has more charisma! I certainly do and I live in the United Kingdom

From a White Liberal in the UK

NOW would support a communist candidate, as long as that candidate was a woman. NOW is out of touch with the realities of life in the 21st century.

This NOW group gives women and the embodiment of feminism a bad name. I am an educated African-American woman and I do consider myself a feminist. However, I would never in a million years vote for Hillary Clinton. For these women to whine and even have the audacity to be upset b/c Kennedy did not endorse Clinton; is mind-boggling. Get over it, who cares!!!! Everyone wants to say don't vote based on race or gender, but NOW wants Kennedy to endorse her for the sole purpose that she's a woman. What a double-standard, you ladies should be ashamed of yourselves.

I strongly believe that a woman in the White House will be good for this country and it is time for a woman in office. BUT NOT HILLARY CLINTON! Her character is not one of moral standards. Everything out of her mouth is lies and deceit. Please research all of the scandals and criminal involvement Hillary has been apart of before voting for her, just because she is a woman. Other women will run and may be the best for presidency at that time, but not Clinton. Clinton and Bush era is over people. Please remember ALL of the mess that the Clinton administration brought w/them to the White House. If you vote for Hillary you are handing the White House over to the Republicans. They will eat her alive and are waiting for a chance to bring up her lengthy record of wrong doings and shady business.

OBAMA ALL THE WAY!

An educated woman should be more interested in a candidate's stance on the issues rather than their gender. NOW should not support Hillary simply because she is a woman, and Kennedy doesn't have to support Hillary simply because she is a woman. This does not mean that he is deserting women.

Also, if we keep focusing on the differences of race and gender in this election and calling it “news”, it just shows how far this nation is from true equality.

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME IF NOW SUPPORTED CAROL MOSLEY BRAUN, A WOMAN AND A FORMER SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS, WHEN SHE RAN AS A DEMOCRTAT IN 2004 !

How typical of the Clinton's and their camp!!! They don't like the message so they have one of their camp followers trash and slander the messenger. Who's next? Toni Morrison? C'mon we all know that Hillary is running as Bill's surrogate. Or Bill is running Hillary and her campaign? Well, who knows, it's just a ruse to get Bill back in to the White House. That's a disaster waiting to happen.

Hey America – The Kennedy's had their turn! It wasn't REALLY all that great either. Think. Look back, read the HISTORY. Like I have been saying, "Old Men"! Lies ! Can we really believe politians? Any politian? I also note – isn't Obama 1/2 white? How come he's promoting himself as BLACK. What happened to his white 1/2? I thought an AMERICAN was an AMERICAN. – A whole American. Shouldn't we be voting for a WHOLE AMERICAN PRESIDENT? Not a 1/2 & 1/2? Not a Man or Woman. – We need a whole person, a honest person with integrity and experience. A person we can believe has the best interest of our country and the voters who elect him/her. That's another point too. The voters VOTE should be honored!

Ok..As a highly successful, single woman, that has succeeded against ALL odds NOW does NOT speak for me.

I look forward to the day that we can elect a woman president, Hilary Clinton is simply NOT that woman. Any woman that refuses to embrace herself as a well-rounded, being capable of being attractive, smart and powerful (VOGUE Magazine cover rebuff) is not the vision or representation of a woman i want my daughter to have. I want her to know that she can embrace ALL sides of herself (including her beauty) and be respected.

I am more than excited to see Caroline Kennedy finally emerging and embracing politics, regardless of the candidate.

I am a woman and was quite pleased with the Kennedy endorsement of Obama. I was supportive of Bill Clinton during his tenure and since, but have been very disappointed in what has been going on of late. Hillary should run on her own and I think every US Citizen has the right to back the candidate they think will do the best job. NOW is being extremely short sighted in their reaction.

WHAT IS N.O.W TALKING ABOUT? DO THEY OR DON'T THEY WANT WOMEN TO BE EQUAL? WELL LAST TIME I CHECKED THIS WAS AMERICA, AND WE DO HAVE THE FREEDOM OF CHOICE. SENATOR KENNEDY PICKED WHO HE THOUGHT WAS THE BEST CANDIDATE. I SUGGEST N.O.W DOES NOT STRENGHTHEN THE CLAIM THAT WOMEN ARE TOO EMOTIONAL…

Hillary's loss would be the best thing that could happen for women's groups. They need to strike while the iron is hot and use it to energize more women to go into politics. They need to line up a strong woman challenger to oppose every democrat who endorsed Obama in their next primary. That will force all of those men and even some of the women to go out of their way to pursue issues important to women.

Speaking of Chaveznization of this country: How about HC wanting to freeze interest rates for 5 years, Mandating gov. controlled health care, takeover all the financial providers like Fanny. The list is endless. she is no more than a Chavez in female clothing!! What is pathetic is the world does not see her true agenda!

I am so sick and tired of people saying Hillary deserves to be president. Please explain why she does? I am a woman, and I support Barack Obama. I don't feel that anyone "deserves" to be president just because they're a woman. I guess I'm old fashioned, I think you should "earn" the right to be president based on your own merit, not you husband's.

The more I have seen her, the more I said to myself " I dont want to see this woman in my life every day for the next four years ." IT IS MY RIGHT TO SAY WHAT I DO NOT LIKE. DON'T FORCE ME TO ENDURE WHAT I DON'T LIKE! THIS IS THE U.S.A.! LET ME SAY WHOM I LIKE AND WHOM I DON'T LIKE! LET ME VOTE FOR WHOM I WANT TO VOTE FOR!

To Slash,
Its people like you that shouldnt vote. To base your nominee strictly on gender or race is pathetic. I by know means like Teddy Kennedy or Oprah Winfrey but they obviously know who is qualified and who isnt. Hillary is a lying, manipulative, polarizing woman face it. So to call Oprah a sell out because she has better taste then you and thinks Obama is a better person so what. Its ideas like yours that make have turned this whole thing into a gender/reace card.

This is why I've never been a NOW supporter. Not every female candidate is worthy of support, and that is certainly the case with Hillary Clinton, ESPECIALLY if one is a progressive.

So, Caroline Kennedy and Claire McCaskill have abandoned women. Obama's support is HIGHEST among young educated women. Like all those Black preachers trying to sway their flocks to Clinton, NOW seems to be very much out of touch with it's own constituents.

Tell Kennedy that we don't listen to him anyway. he should stop making comments, leave Hillary alone. Obama is just a good talker, but he doesn't know what he was talking about. He doesn't know what he is doing.

Just ask any big corporations in America, will any of them hire any junior perosn with just a few years of experience to be the CEO of the company. Do you think running the country is easier than running a company?

Just a guess here — but I'll bet Hillary is affiliated with this NY NOW group. In which case, this slam is no surprise. You see, it's the old "you're either for us or against us" politics that Obama (and others such as Ted Kennedy) want to move away from.

pragmatist (Clintons) = "if it works then it's right."
idealist (Obama) = "if it's right then it works."

Amazing how little their brains are, he betrayed women because he preferred Obama over Clinton! I guess Iowa and S.C. betrayed women as well. Idiots like them shouldn't have the right to vote, this is a major democracy downfall – giving idiots and experts same vote values. This is why America's laws are messed up; just gather some idiots to vote for a bad principle and it becomes an american law!

Interesting. This chapter of NOW suggests that only Hillary Clinton is qualified to be president and they imply to think otherwise makes you a misogynist. So using this logic does that mean NOW's decision not to endorse Obama makes them racist? Or perhaps do they simply believe that she is the better candidate? I hope it is the latter and will give them the benefit of the doubt. They should pay the same courtesy to other Americans exercising their right to consider and choose without coercion.

It's not about all women, it's about that woman.

You can dislike snickerdoodles without disrespecting cookies in general. You don't have to eat brusselsprouts to like vegetables. But, hey, let's not let a good prejudicial rant get in the way of facts.

You are amazing Edward Kennedy. Must be looking for a cabinet position . Tell the whole country whats REALLY behind your agenda of this "nomination". Talk about dividing the country. Maybe all these years you should of been cleaning up YOUR house before making suggestions for the WHITE HOUSE.

I think the only ones who let America down are the Clintons themselves. They are the symbol of lies and deceit and I applaud Senator Kennedy for seeing past the distortion.

I guess with the exerpt just stated about the seating and actions of Obama and Clinton at the State of the Union address; there it is in print – but anyone not having access to the Internet might not know of this. It seems that again, inexperience played a role – Obama didn't know how to be civil, but had to turn his head backwards to avoid looking at his contender. Is this what you do when you are aspiring to deal with leaders of the world? He's a big man with a big voice,
when he can smile at all the pretty young ladies in the crowd, but in a situation among your peers – he wimped out.

Hilary on the other hand has the savvy to go about business like she has always done as a part of the Senate ignoring the fact that Obama and Ted Kennedy are now brothers. Even under scrutinization – she knows how to present herself.

Obama and Camelot!! Not on my watch. Like Bush, the Kennedy's have been able to sweep their scandalous doings under the rug – because of their wealth.
The press was as loyal to John Kennedy as the press has been to George Bush -
in that the scandals of womanizing going on in the White House with John and Marilyn Monroe and other movie stars were all hushed up, and even after the accusations of Robert and Peter Lawford being involved in her death – all this was laid to rest and forgotton.

Hilary is being taunted and demeaned because of her husband's infidelity – and if family values are suppose to be the big "moral' priority – why not give her credit for not "cutting and running' from her husband in his time of infidelity but in keeping her family together and pursuing her aspirations and goals. She wasn't raised with a silver spoon in her mouth like the Kennedy's and Kerry's. The Pundants and media use the one thing Bill Clinton did during his presidency. They lie about all the good things he stood for and how this country revered him, even leaders all over the world who scoffed at the idea that an extramarital affair was even discussed – if i recall – many of them admitted that they themselves had mistresses. i don't condone this, for anyone, but, which "one" mishap will George Bush be remembered for? His boozing, his drugs, his lies, his tearing the country apart, his corruption, his war………………….and the list goes on. Which "one" will you pick?? That he was a guy you could sit down and have a beer with?

Bottom line – acting like you're at a sporting event whenever you speak, or having to scream over a microphone – is this what we want to have to watch on the tv every day? Keep cool Hilary – consistency will prevail.

Just as Obama's campaign should not be about race, Hillary's campaign should not be about gender. To each of their credit, they are running a campaign based on the belief that each feels that he or she is the best candidate. It belittles the achievements and the record of Hillary Clinton for NOW to criticize anyone for not choosing Hillary because of her gender. Get over yourself, NOW, and help our country to move beyond color and gender. Quit criticizing an endorsement simply because it didn't go your way. I think that is exactly why Kennedy DID choose Obama — he believes he is a transformational leader who can break these old barriers with which our country has struggled.

NOW is becoming irrelevant. You want Ted to stand by you. Why? Because you stood by him. That is trading political favors based on the 'you owe me' principle of a compromised electorate. Just like any other special interest group.

What this country needs today is a president that can paint a vision of a brighter future for our great nation, understands the mechanics of how to get it done, has the wisdom to pick expert advisors, and has the character to inspire us to make sacrifices that will lead to this future state. No candidated excells in all areas. Ignore all the endorsements and make up your own mind.

Whiny, whiny NOW who can't see beyond their narrow focus. Kennedy backed the better, more progressive and future oriented candidate, duh. Just because Hillary can fight and throw dirt like a man, doesn't qualify her to be president, to the contrary. We're done with dirty, old-style politics.

Nice to see that the Hillaryjugend who run this site can't stand to hear the truth about her push for war against Iran, so they have to censor comments..

What really gets me is… if Kennedy's supported clinton, the media would probally not cover it as much. it would be no big deal, why is it a big deal because the "Kennedy's" supported Obama? the media picks and choose what they think is important…..also the media has and would have ripped ted kennedy apart and bring up all "HIS" previous problems if he was supporting hillary clinton.
its like all of a sudden ted kennecy is god….help me understand that??????

What a shame NOW has opened up and accused Sen. Kennedy of
being sexist. Whether or not he is, the point is not to vote for a Hillary
because she is a woman or Barack because he is black, but to vote
for the right person for the job. To suggest one should vote for
Hillary because she is a woman seems rather ignorant of democracy
and in itself, sexist – choose the woman over the man because she is
a woman. It is like picking a football team to win because of the color of the uniform or the logo carries your favorite color – don't pick the team in orange to win
because your favorite color and loylaty is to blue.
Absurd.
If I could do so, I would like to ask the ladies of NOW why,
if Hillary is a strong and impressive woman, why does Hillary need her
husband to fight all of her battles for her? Wouldn't this work better for
Hillary is Bill stayed home and stayed out of the picture?
The NOW needs to rise above this petty talk from the 1950's and join the rest of
us in 2008.

YES I DO AGGREE THAT "TEDDY" HAS MISSED REPRESENTED HIM SELF AT TIMES WITH ISSUES..HOWEVER I HE IS STILL IN A POSITION OF POWER….NOW NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE ALL MY DISAGREE WITH THIS OR THAT OR WHAT EVER IT MY BE YOU HAVE TO BACK SOME……NOW THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE MORE YOU SEE AND HEAR OBAMA THE MORE YOU DO REALIZE THAT HE MAY REPRESENT CHANGE…..AND I THINK THAT SCARES PEOPLE…HE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FIX ALL THE PROBLEMS OFTHE AMERICAN PEOPLE BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT HE CAN MAKE THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE……

No i dont have a vote but as an observer NOW that is really low…Voting should be about choice…There is voting in your chapters for president and the election for president process is the same thing its about the Kennedy's choice. Dont take anyones choice away… An endorsement is almost like a vote and no one has the right to downgrade my or anyones choice.

good luck usa/obama

To me it's Democrats as usual. Hilary Clinton is leading in all the national polls, so what do Kerry, Kennedy, Richardson, etc do? They endorse the other guy. If Obama has to run agaisnt McCain or Roomney who would win? I think if it's McCain, Obama would lose. Why are so many estblishment Democrats not endorsing the person who is leading in the national polls? I like HiIlary's policy stands, the fact she would be the first woman president is – lets face it, kind of cool. The Democratic party leaders need to get on board.

Kennedy made a serious mistake. His endorsement may or may not matter to some people, particularly younger voters. However, he has been led down the primrose path with all the other sheep bleating "Chaaaange…Chaaaange". Yes, we need change, but we need someone who is QUALIFIED to deliver it. We need concrete reasons to endorse a candidate, not the vague comparisons to JFK. JFK was Time Magazine and Obama is People Magazine. No comparison.

I understand that Ted Kennedy has the right to support whichever candidate he prefers. I think that NOW NY took it a little over the edge with the letter – they come off sounding like rabid feminists instead of clear headed women – that's a shame, because of course people jump all over it & it ends up reflecting badly on the only female candidate.

I STILL voting for Hillary.

I am a Republican who has no problem with a black or woman as President. However, I do have a problem with Hillary Clinton and I do have a problem with NOW. But that doesn't make me sexist. Go Obama!! – Lest I be called a Racist by the other half of this all-star party.

Robert F. Kennedy Junior and his sister Kathleen Kennedy Townsend are backing Hillary. Their endorsement means more to me than Teddy's, his son's, and Caroline (Do you know who I am?) Kennedy. I'm with them.

I urge you all to contact national NOW about this. I spoke with a representative from NOW last night and she was absolutely wonderful about the whole mess. Trust me, this is a huge black eye for the national organization and they are appalled by it. The NY NOW person Marcia Pappas is way out in left field. There is an earlier press release by her talking about Hillary Clinton being "gang-raped" by the other candidates. It would be great to get NOW to publicly disavow the Clinton lies on Barack's record on women's reproductive rights and even better if they would withdraw their endorsement, but let's not tar the whole organization with the actions of one disturbed person.

No the issue is that one candidate clearly has experience necessary to run the country and one doesn't and the fact that he made this endorsement shows him for the buffoon that he is. Just wait until McCain is put up against Obama, let's see what it means when a man like McCain says Obama doesn't have experience, then it will matter but by then it will be too late!

So many people think that Obama has vision. If he has vision, please tell me what he has done so far to prove that he has vision? Like Steve Job of Apple, he's vision because he created the Apple computer, IPOD, IPHONE… Bill Gate have proven himself by building a giant company named Microsoft. If I go around and tell people I have hope and I want to unify the country.. are you going to vote for me?

CNN posted a survey that asked if endorsements affect you. 90% of the answers were NO, so to those stating that we shouldn't listen to endorsements, you are preaching to the choir. But endorsments are photo-opps, good campaign strategy, and create airtime for candidates.

I agreed with AC. Senator Kennedy is endorsing someone who he think will lead the country to victory, not someone who has an ego because her husband was President and want to get in the White House again. Give us a break Hiliary, tell the your women group who support you, to stop acting little whinning kids who didn't get their candy and understand that you are pulling every dirty trick in the book to get what you want. If everything you do is all about Hiliary then the country is in a bad state. Remember how Bush's brother fix the ticket so he could win? Was Hiliary glad or was she sad. So Hiliary play fair and maybe everyone would judge you different. When a policy is written, pasted and voted No, then NO means NO and you should not try to presuade lawmaker to break that policy. You are telling the American people that if it AIN'T ABOUT HILIARY THEN NOTHING WILL BE DONE. HILIARY WRONG ANSWER AND GROW UP. This election is about the most grown up candiate and you seen to be a whimp. Take it for what it is worth, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Obama is weak on issues. He has no plans. He talks change but he does not know what he wants to change.

What worries me about Obama is his lack of experience. And why that worries me is because I wonder who is going to be in his ear if he is elected president. When issues come up that he is unfamilar with, who will he turn to for direction? I guess the same thing can be said for Clinton. I am really not one to stand to much on who "endorses" a candidate, because people will endorse anyone that they can get a favor out of later. It's possible Kennedy endorsed Obama instead of Clinton because he figures Obama would be easier to steer if he was in Office.

What a bunch of circus clowns. How can they expect to be taken seriously when they're essentially saying that Carolyn is not a real woman because she doesn't think as they do.

Next, they're going to be mailing out those deceptive mailers that Clinton used in New Hampshire claiming that Barack was against reproductive rights because of the "present" votes that PLANNED PARENTHOOD in Illinois had asked him to do.

Not all Kennedys like Obama and back him. Other Kennedys don't. Obama will be waking up from his I have a dream sleep pretty soon. He is no way a John Kennedy. More like Hussain….. Clinton in 08

I find it amazing that a Democratic Senator is chastized by Democratic women for supporting a Democratic Black. So much for supporting integrity over sexism.

I'm glad that one organization had the courage to say it!!! I'll even go one further and say that Oprah sold out women too. She's only gotten as far as she has because she was a voice for women. I'm not saying that she shouldn't have her personal view point, but her coming out and supporting a junior senator over someone who is held in high regard throughout the world, has a wealth of experience, AND is a woman, just flies in the face of what she's always seemed to stand for. Anyway, I'm voting for Hillary and if she doesn't win the nomination, I'll vote for Barack because we need to change the Republican course of action. But, it's time for a strong, intelligent, and hardworking woman to show the world that men don't corner the market in those areas.

Go OBAMA GO, Your country needs you to reconcile it with the world.

As a woman I am appauled. "We don't like you anymore because you are backing the man instead of the woman"…are these women SERIOUS? How about voting for the candidate because you agree with their standing on the real issues. NOW is just showing the world that they are voting for Hillary simply because she is a woman, no matter that her husband is actually the one pulling the strings and she really has no backbone. Hillary Clinton is not ready to be our president. She is a woman, ok, thats fine and dandy but she is not the candidate for this job. I'm for OBAMA all day long. He has the vision and the most potential to really turn this country around.

You have got a very good point BH.(9:24am)

Wow, the only words that come to mind are "Grow the hell up."

Is Obama somehow anti-woman? Do people only support him if they hate women or can't stand the idea of a woman in charge? Completely juvenile and condescending. This kind of rhetoric, no matter where it comes from in the political spectrum lowers the level of discourse, and only leaves us all that much dumber for having to read or listen to it.

Good for NOW's national organization for distancing themselves from the third-grade comments of the New York chapter. Anyone can see those comments as motivated by the basest of politics, and having nothing to do with the laudable goals that NOW espouses.

So when someone doesn't support Hillary, it has to be becuase she's a woman? Does NOW-NY think that we are all morons? This stance has become typical of the Clinton campain and her constituents, thus further proving the point that she is a "divider" and not a "uniter".
Did NOW-NY think that they could simply disregard everthing that Clinton and company has done and expect us to just fall for the latest gender/race spin? I guess the new strategy is to make Obama look like Jesse Jackson and to make all men misogynist.

I thought Senator Obama campaign slogan to be "out with the old Washington, in with the new." Why then does he accept a endorsement from the oldest Senator? Kennedy is the old way of doing things as far as I can tell so what's the big deal? Ted Kennedy is no John or Robert Kennedy by a mile. John Kennedy and Robert Kennedy gave their lives for what the believed but "Ted" will always be remembered for taking a life…. So why does the media always walk lightly when it come to Obama?? He should be treated like any other politican. He should be slammed like everyone else. I wish the news would stop promoting him..

I can't believe Kennedy made his decision to endorse Obama only after his unsuccessful attempt to tell Bill Clinton to stop talking. Becacuse Bill Clinton did not listen to him, then he went ahead to support Obama. Think about it, is Kennedy's endorsement based on his anger or does he really believe Obama is the right candidate?

This is what is wrong with some, and I use the term some, women and women's organizations today – this election should be based on who each individual thinks is the best CANDIDATE not whether she/he is a man or a woman. This statement by NOW suggests Kennedy should have backed Clinton simply because she is a woman and since some women (I am not one of them) have been so supportive and forgiving of him in the past he "owes" it to the women to endorse the woman – this is ludicrous and makes NOW sound ridiculous and petty. Furthermore, as a woman and as an American, I am embarrased by Hillary Clinton and her husband, she will not make the best candidtae for Presaident and I won't say she will just because she is a woman. I have rarely if ever agreed with Senator Ted Kennedy but today I do – he picked the best candidtae to endorse for President – he did not pick the man or the woman – he picked the candidate.

Has anyone who is posting on here has really looked at the agendas these candidates have put out there, because I sure havent seen anything from Obama, yes, nice speeches are great and change,change and change but when the speech is over what is he really offering us, hope is not a speech, please, you people need to wake up or we will get stuck with another republican in the white house, Obama is not ready to lead Hillary is

We don't need an Oprah or Kennedy to try to convince us that Obama is the answere to our politcal dreams. I am a minority. I find it very insulting that Kennedy thinks his blessings on Obama will convince me to vote for somebosy who, so far, has talked big. Let the primaries play out and let us decide.
Also, the sight of Obsama sitting like a tame puppy next to Kennedy during the president's State of the Union address was unpresidential. Obsama looked like a drooling sycophant trying to cash in on the fading Kennedy mantle that has been placed on him by the ice princess Caroline. Frankly, any endoresement from her, or any celebrity is a put off. Lastly, Obsama's flip-flopping on issuing driving licenes to illegal immigrants is a last-minute ditch effort to attarct minority votes. He is just another slick politician. He calls for change. He is living it with his changinging positions. Keep it up, Obsama, time will show your tru colors, hopefully before the Democratic nomination. I am a Democrat. But if you are the nominee, I will definitely vote for MCain or any Republican or Independent.

The oppression of women and minorities is absolutely undeniable, and the validity of Hillary Clinton as a candidate is undeniable as well. The notion of minorities oppressing each other in a battle for national leadership is the zephyr that the
Clintons unleashed in S.Carolina, and it is this foul wind that is blowing back into their face. Bill and Hillary Clinton have oppressed themselves and in such a way
that they have lost their savor for me after years of loyal support. It is very important when you are oppressed to draw the distinction between it being external or internal.

Can it be that Kennedy simply perfers Obama over Clinton. Organizations like NOW do many good things, but when go after an individuals right to chose a candidate of their choice they look foolish.

Hillary is the most qualified of the 2. Obama had his day, Let's get on with the issues

When picking a person to be president of the United States – you look for the person who inspires, can unite, who is intelligent and competent. A person who you think has the best chance of being elected. That person to me – as a caucasian woman – is Obama.
To vote for or endorse a woman just because of her gender is ridiculous. NOW's stance is as backwards as the "Good Old Boys Network" we have fought against all these years.

What a truly asinine response. Shame on you!!!

CNN as a life time viewer, I am now announcing I am switching to ABC news because of your totally biased Pro-obama news coverage! You dont even have a ticker for Rezko being arrested and Obama keeping fundraising money from him! You are turning into a fox news version of Pro-Obama propaganda!

Leave it up to the NOW to turn this into a gender bashing fiasco. To insinuate that Senator Kennedy is supporting Obama because he doesn't want a woman president is not only irresponsible but inaccurate and obscene. The is akin to raising racist accusations for anyone objecting to Obama.
The facts are simply that Hillary is not change. She is a huge reason the government doesn't work. She is part of the established status quo and there is no reason to think she would do anything different than what is going on now. She says whatever she has to to get votes whereas Obama is a breath of fresh air. He gives people hope and it is about time someone speaks out against the establishment.
And I'm a Republican.
I don't want to see Obama as president but it's only because I disagree with some of his stances on moral issues. But I do think there is no comparison between him and Clinton. Supporting Obama is not a detraction from supporting women's rights so get off your gender bias high horse NOW and start realizing that the issues are what's important here and not simply electing a woman at all costs because she's a woman.

NOW used to stand for something in this country. All this does is prove how ridiculous and laughable the organization has become.

They endorse a candidate for no other reason that she's a woman, then dare to say a politician is playing the gender card because he doesn't agree with them?

Ridiculous.

Laughable.

NOW…you're showing your true colors here…and they aren't red, white and blue.

Kinda makes sense that a womans group is supporting the woman candidate. Just like it makes sense that balck group support the bnlack candidate….

I know Al sharpton and Jesse Jackson are on Obama's side despite not having had the time to do anything in the senate yet. Their decision to do so can't have been on merit alone. So what's the difference.

Anyone who thinks politics are EVER clean is deluding themselves.

Since when was this election supposed to be about who is more "pickable" a black man or a woman. Every time race or gender are brought up in this race, it's easy to see how this country hasn't changed its bigotry the last 50 years. Vote for who the best candidate is, and maybe just maybe we'll have a predjudice free election.

This has the smell of the Clinton Campaign all over it. What a coincidence that the NY NOW chapter feels betrayed…

Isn't it amazing how ugly Team Clinton has gotten since they can't compete with charisma and character.

This is identity politics at its worst. I am a feminist, but I support Obama because I believe he is a better candidate. And voting for Clinton because she's a woman may very well backfire, as a failed Clinton presidency—weakened by being a copresidency—might hurt future chances for stronger, more independent female candidates who try to run in the future.

I am so appaled by NOW's position. So Im to pick the next leader of the world based on gender? Im to pick the next leader of the world based on emotions, thats absolutley stupid. Im a female, who believes in women's rights, but that does not mean im automatically supposed to elect Hillary because she's a woman. Politics like this got us in trouble with Bush, and i hope it does not do the same this time around!!

OBAMA/EDWARDS 08!!!!!

London, England.

Who America votes for President is its business except for the fact that whoever you choose effects us here in Europe. George Bush has caused us nothing but grief. The thought of another Republican is scary so I find Ted Kennedy's naivety in handing the next Presidency to another Republican scary: for that will be the result. Harping back to Kennedy and the idealism of the Sixties is totally irrelevant to aiding the practical problems that ordinary Americans are experiencing in 2009.
Whilst Obama has his head in the clouds, Hilary Clinton has her feet on the ground because she sees and understands them as many women do.

I am a woman lawyer who predates women's lib. True liberation of women is when a woman will be judged on her qualifications alone–not on her sex. The Kennedys are truly expressing women's lib when they choose an individual who appears to be trying to stay above the fray. There is no betrayal here. We shouldn't use the gender card any more than we should use the race card.

Voting for Clinton simply because she is a woman wouldn't be any different to voting for Obama because of the color of his skin. I guess we Americans have become too ignorant of the issues that we now vote for our leader based on appearance…at the least, that is how we are treated by too many organizations and the media.

Maybe next someone will tell us to vote for McCain as a show of support for aging citizens.

Yes, voting simply because a person looks like you is wrong and stupid. You need to look at what a person represents not gender of race. I as a male would happily vote for a woman president but not Hillary. She is actually a horrible example for the first woman president. Women rights is not about saying it is a women's duty to brake up with your husband if he cheats on you and then do the exact opposite.

She became a Senator of NY by buying a condo which she rarely lived in and calling it residency because she knew she would never win in her home state that loathes the Clintons. She and her grandmother took the most expensive tour in air force one history the last year of Clinton's presidency on our tax dime, not to help anything politically. Just to take a nice trip. She also attempted to take white house artifacts because she felt they were gifts to her and her husband for being there. She says she is for a change in healthcare but she is backed purely by the current companies that profit over high medical costs and HMOs.

She is currently going to campaign in Florida. Something she and the other candidates vowed not to do for the democratic party because Florida will not count. She is doing this purely to say that Obama winning is a fluke but she is going against her own pledge and the Democratic party. She is def. a polarizer.

Kennedy rarely mentions his brother and rarely supports people in the primaries. I think he was truly inspired by Obama as I am and as Carol Kennedy is. Notice no one has given her a hard time for supporting a male.

Oh puh-leeze!! These women need to get a grip (and a life!) I haven't heard such rubbish since NOW tried to recruit me back in the 70's!! As a woman with a mind of her own, I applaud Senator Kennedy's decision, as well as Caroline Kennedy and Patrick Kennedy's, to support Sen. Obama's vision for the future. Ted Kennedy's objection was not that Senator Clinton is a woman but that she and her hubby (whom I used to admire) are running a smear campaign and dividing the Democratic party! Any betrayal is not on Senator Kennedy's part!

Oh please. Blatantly playing the gender card.

Also, isn't NOW mostly WHITE women? see? I can play the race card!

It's always bad when women's groups fall into their stereotypes. That's what we have here: A bunch of hysterical ninnies who can't think are just yammering on and making typically feminist stupid statements.

I am a Hispanic woman, legal alien, naturalized citizen, and I'm not voting for Hillary just because she's a woman. That is the most negative aspect of her campaign "vote for me because I'm a woman". Sorry, the presidency is the most important job in this country at a time when, more than ever in the history of the US, we need a a positive leader; regardless of gender or race. Hillary doesn't make the grade.

I'm a woman and I've never been a huge fan of Ted Kennedy, but there's no way I'm picking a candidate because of their gender (or race or religion or sexual orientation, for that matter). There are plenty of women I would be proud to vote for and campaign for, but Clinton isn't one of them. To suggest I should support her simply because we're both female is absurd and insulting.

Or maybe NOW-NY thinks us silly girls can't make up our own minds.

The oppression of women and minorities in absolutely undeniable, and the validity of Hillary Clinton as a candidate is undeniable as well. The notion of minorities oppressing each other in a battle for national leadership is the zephyr that the
Clintons unleashed in S.Carolina, and it is this foul wind that is blowing back into their face. Bill and Hillary Clinton have oppressed themselves and in such a way
that they have lost their savor for me after years of loyal support. It is very important when you are oppressed to draw the distinction between it being external or internal.

Negative campaigns always indicated somebody is about to die and makes the last effort to come back! Any intelligent person would have known that! dancewu(dot)net

I'm sorry to say, but perhaps this is why white men were afraid to give women the vote in the first place. Because they knew it would come to this…women voting for women for no other reason than the fact that the candidate is female.

What's next, "Oh, I like her dress…let's make her president!"

Thanks NOW, you've set us back another 100 years.

WOW! Alot of comments from women that says support Hillary because she is a woman. This is like the NAACP chapter of Illinois issuing a statement about Ted Kennedy is racist, because he didn't endorse Obama. Hmmm…a feminist PAC who funds and supports Hillary. Wasn't Hillary trying to copy Obama and Edwards with her claim that special interests are influencing Washington? Here is Hillary's moment to deny a special interest group publicly. Where is she?

New York's..NOW, get over it. The world does not revolve around your narrow view of the world and who gets what….you must earn it and Hillary did not.

This is ridiculous and completely goes against NOW's idea of equality! Chastising a person for not voting for "their" candidate simply because she is a women? Maybe Kennedy simply knows that the only hope they have of defeating the Republicans is to have someone other than a Clinton running against them. As I saw in the local news the other day, "no one brings republicans out to vote like Hillary Clinton!"

The problem is not a "woman president" at all. The problem is "a woman president who is Hillary Clinton."

i dont know whats worse, this article or people's comments supporting it

It seems to me that whenever the people from NOW open their mouths it just perpetuates the myths that they themselves seek to put a stop to. They are shrill, unmoving and irrational crybabies who think that anyone (man) who says anything that they disagree with is a sexist jerk and anyone (woman) who agrees with said men must be a backwards fool who wants to return to the days of girdles. I can't stand these people.

Obama has shown lack of maturity by looking away, when Senator Clinton came to his area and greeted everyone. She, of course, mean to greet her opponent as a responsible and mature person. Who will unite people more? The senator who turn his head away or the senator who tried to make a truce? Who you want to be our next President?

let's face it. if Ted went with Hillary it would be the NAACP releasing a critical statement. if he went with Edwards it would be both. nobody was going to be happy here. that's the game involved with this puppet show.

"The ultimate betrayal…"? NOW needs to get over themselves – as someone said, it's not about what's between their legs, but what is between their ears that we should be evaluating.

I can't wait until this mess we call the "election process" is over.

NOW argues kennedy should support clinton because she can best deal with issues that effect women . well as a female voter i would like to think that women would chose a president that could best address issues that effect all americans. this is another example of special interest. i am all for a female president not this one however. just as Now is divisive so is hillary. it is time for our country to move forward. we must all unite for the benefit of our country. and obama offers the best hope.

Way to go NOW. Your organization just put women's rights above all else that matters because a Kennedy didn't give Hillary his endorsement. Wake up and smell the coffee. You've just pushed everything NOW has accomplished as an organization back 20 years because of your BIASED & GENDER BASED decision to blast Kennedy. His decision wasn't because Hillary is a woman, I believe he thinks that it's time for a change and get rid of the old and bring in the new. You've become as bad as the NAACP in losing focus on what is best for your constituents that you allegedly are there to support.

"He’s joined the list of progressive white men who can’t or won’t handle the prospect of a woman president who is Hillary Clinton."

Funny, I wouldn't support a male president who is Hillary Clinton either.

Ted Kennedy is an obsolete, windbag relic from an age long gone by. Has anybody heard of him accomplishing anything in the last 25 years??
He's a living example of how Democrats have a history of shooting themselves in the foot… resulting in lost elections. Ted Kenndey helped make the word "Liberal" a dirty word to the rest of America. He simply doesn't have a clue! I heard his speech, it was was far more a "Screw You" to Hilary & Bill than an endorsement of Obama. & it reeked of insincere, overblown rhetoric.

The Republicans have Got to be in heavan over this! Hilary is the only viable candidate w a realistic chance of beating the coming Republican political machine. As far as superficial, feel good but no substance O'bama…. They;re gonna tear him to shreds!

Hilary has MY vote.. not on personality, not on vague, "feel good" proclamations, not on looking good But simply based on her values, intellect, experience &, most of all, Ability to defeat the Republicans & restore some dignity, values & fairness to our country.

As a longtime feminist and supporter of NOW, I am totally outraged at the suggestion that Senator Kennedy is betraying women because he is unwilling to endorse Hillary. This is simply the dumbest thing I have ever heard — and reflects very poorly on NOW in specific and the women's movement in general. The whole idea of feminism, in my mind, is to encourage people to be gender blind – not to blindly support anyone on the basis of gender.
There is no doubt in my mind that I will see a woman president in my lifetime — and I'm 51 years old. Hillary Clinton simply isn't the right woman for the job. And that's not even to mention the fact that she's trying to ride her husband's coattails into the oval office. SHAME ON NYNOW. The statement makes the organization look like a bunch of mindless ideologues.

The word for today is "psycho".

Kennedy endosment is not a guarantee ride to the white house. Remember, Ted Kennedy endorsed Kerry and his endorsement jinxed Kerry.

"This latest move by Kennedy is so telling about the status of and respect for women’s rights, women’s voices, women’s equality, women’s authority and our ability – indeed, our obligation — to promote and earn and deserve and elect, unabashedly, a president that is the first woman after centuries of men who ‘know what’s best for us.’”

This is hogwash. I am not a Clinton or Obama supporter. In fact, I am for whomever is running against them. But to say that if Kennedy or anyone else does not automatically support Clinton or any other female that they do not respect women or want equality for women is ridiculous. Could it be that he looked at both candidates and decided that, for him, Obama is the best CANDIDATE, regardless of his gender, race or any other physical feature? Imagine that! I mean Kennedy is cooky, but he does give a rational thought sometimes.

The idea is that support for someone other than a female candidate means that you are sexist. That is absurd. There are lots of women I have and would for, but I would never vote for Hillary. I am not a socialist.

Kennedy had two socialists to choose from, and he chose the most committed socialist. This is very consistent with his political career. Frankly, I would have been surprised if he did NOT endorse Obama. If he had chosen Clinton, the cooky socialists would have cried foul just like some cooky feminists cried foul here.

Give me a BREAK! I cannot believe that there is a group out there that would have me actually think something supportive of Ted Kennedy! What is our world coming to?

This is absurd. Perhaps those who endorse Clinton should be labeled racist, status quo preserving bigots, because they obviously don't support minority rights. Sounds equally ridiculous, doesn't it?

As a 61 year old female I'm appalled at the comments made by NY-NOW! I'm a Democrat but I vote for the person, not gender, race, religion, etc.
I concur with the other comments, grow up and act like adults NY-NOW.

NOW used to stand for something in this country, but all this article does is prove just how ridiculous and laughable this organization has become.

They will endorse a female candidate for no other reason than the fact that she's a woman…but dare to berate another politician and say HE'S playing the gender card just because he doesn't agree with them?

Maybe Kennedy knows something that NOW hasn't figured out yet: If Hillary Clinton is the candidate, Republicans will come out in droves to keep another Clinton out of the White House. But if Obama is the candidate, many Republicans will cross the line to vote for him.

Why are so many of you worried about Hillary's cheating spouse? Over half the women in the US have cheating spouses. She stayed with him. So what? Sometimes that is the better choice.

Put Hillary at the head of the ticket with Obama as veep. He will be superbly ready in 8 years and will undoubtedly get a lot of support instead of the barbs that are flying at him now.

This is absolute BS! Most people in general do not have a problem with a woman president. But ANYONE with half a brain knows it should not be Hillary Clinton! Her single and absolute goal to be the first women president is driven solely by her ego-maniacal power trip.

Why is it so hard for them to understand Kennedy backing Obama? Hilary has a lot of things against her at this point. The fact that she and her husband choose to repeatedly criticize Obama unecessarily is a major strike against her. Honestly I believe her running is just another attempt by Clinton (Bill, that is) to get back into office. I personally don't trust them. Just because she is a woman, as I am, does not mean I should automatically vote for her. Nor should NOW simply endorse her as a candidate. I am thinking of the big picture here. If she becomes president, the country will be more divided than it is now.

I believe that the media has seen no disadvantage to disrespecting the female Democratic candidate while wakling on egg-shells when supposedly diagnosing the record of the black male candidate. Receiving a $300,000 discount on his home in Chicago is more than most of us make in several years, how can that not be an issue of politics as usual? Not much change there!

This is typical Democratic hypocrisy. Liberals are tolerant of people who think the same as them, but start riots if you think differently.

As a woman I am utterly offended by the absurd statements from the NOW-NY group. To imply that an intelligent man would decide to support someone solely based on gender is idiotic. What about the women supporting Obama – Caroline Kennedy, Oprah – are they saying they wouldn't accept a woman as president. No. They are all saying they don't support Hilary as the first woman president. I believe that one day there will be a woman as president of this country, but I do not choose to support the woman who is running in this election. I do not agree with her policies, her politics, or her. A group for women making such statements is what will push us backwards, not a male senator supporting another male senator.

Sadly this whole endorsement was very ill advised. I do not see senior Republican senators jumping into the race and endorsing candidates. This is exactly the kind of devisive political tactics that everyone else complains that that Clintons are practicing.

Let the candidates win on thier merits then once its clear everyone can fall in line to support the winner. So now what if Hillary does win? Does Kennedy now flip flop and say oops I changed my mind?

He has been around long enough to know better. This is why the Democrats lost to W.

I find it hard to believe that everyone here is missing the point. NY-NOW stands for New York National Organization for Women. Let me REPEAT – FOR WOMEN.

One would think that since they are in fact a National Organization for Women, they would support a WOMAN for President.

The gender & Race Card crap makes me sick. People should, can and will vote for whoever they think is best for the job. Some will vote due to race and gender and this cannot be avoided as everyone has their own mindset.

I say since this is The United States of AMERICA and supposedly a FREE Country .. Vote For Whoever You Feel Like Voting. The Numbers will speak for themselves !!

GO HILARY GO …. GO HILARY GO …. GO HILARY GO

To continue to be the beacon of democracy, it is time to gorw up and elect a female President. Many countries which came to embrace democratic system late have done it. It is time ot lead by example and elect a woman to the white house and that will speak louder to the world than sending troops to install democracy on sone unwilling places such as Iraq.

it's sad that CNN even gave that story headline space. what a complete joke. here's hoping CNN also puts up a huge headline that says "Clinton wins Florida" tonight, even though there are no delegates and it's supposed to be off the record. Whatever she can do to win, right? Obama 08.

It is the voice of some women, not the Hillary campaign.

based on the fact: 8 out of 10 blacks vote for Obama in South Carolina, I will vote for a white president candidate.

"Great Kennedy's are gone long time ago, silly Kennedy did the foolish thing in his life, betrayer, Ted, you brought disgrace on Kennedy's family"

WOW!!!! The Kennedy family is still a very powerful and influencial political force.
Bill and Hillary certainly think so,otherwise they would have NOT been seeking his endorsement or at least a promise to remain neutral.
Say what you want about Ted Kennedy. His endorsement is huge,and his snub to The Clintons is even bigger. That's why that NOW chapter is so pissed.
Who did he betray? Did Caroline and Patrrick also bring "disgrace on Kennedys family"??????

What! He can't back who he feels best for the job? I'm so spent with hearing groups spinning sex and race just to make history! "Here's a concept!" We the People, For the People for a stronger union no mater what sex or race of the person that we elect to the highest position.

HILLART AND OBAMMA BOTH ARE GOOD CANDIATES.AT THIS TIME SENATOR TED KENNEDY SHOULDN'T ENDORSE ANY ONE .LET THEM COMPETE AND BECOME THE NOMINEE FOR DEMOCRATIC PARTY
.

This is you so called "Fair and Balanced"!!! The news of slumlord Rezko was arrested yesterday was almost not heard from CNN and other mainstream media. Yet Obama is still enjoying his free ride maybe all the way to get the nomination. What a sad story under the disguised democracy!

I feel very strongly to write. I am voting for the apprentice. With all the problems we face -a war sinkhole of our money, a deficit, and an economy thats going backwards we need someone whos been there seen that and done that. In Clintons years as pres he started with a deficit and left our country in good order .. He was after terrorists but there was no marching war.. And finally the economy was booming. Obama seems not to remember those years and only look at reagans ideas innovating he said they were. yes I remember them well. do you remember trickle down politics . All the tax cuts to the rich and it will trickle down to the rest of us. Im tired of these visionaries and its time for a change.. Its no fairy tale its reality we need help… Im voting for the apprentice she sat for 8 years to take part in our countries future she knows what it takes.. There is no getting to know you… Im not for a one time senator.thats not enough experience. he is magic. electric. and etc. and so is Bush he talked a good game too. As a ny state citizen you wouldnt believe what she has done for our state especially upstate ny. infact when she said she'd run for president I was upset we are losing a great senator. Now men have always been pres but when are you going to find a woman with those credentials.to become president . The difference between the Clintons and Dukasis Gore and Kerry.. Is they stand up The other dem candidates have tried to be gentleman Ill take the higher road. Look at the swift boat thing with Kerry. Look at Gore and Florida Pres Clinton would never allowed that. And Look at Dukakis with how he lost because he didnt answer back.. Anyway you can ask what I am a woman or a man it doesnt matter. Im voting for the apprentice 8 years experience white house and remember behind every great man theres a great woman or is it vice versa. i dont care Ill take both of them thats even better….

This is patently ridiculous. I am a woman deeply concerned with women's rights. Hillary Clinton's model of power is a blow to what women have been working towards all these years.
She is firmly entrenched in the male dominant world of Washington- can't even stand on her own two feet to vote no in Iraq, much less win this election without riding on her husbands coat tails. She actively engaged in silencing the women that her husband had affairs with.
In this campaign, she lied and distorted Barack's extensive record of support on women's issues; saying Obama did not take a stand on abortion bills when he was working with Planned Parenthood to block anti abortion.
I am appalled and disgusted by the lies of the Clinton campaign and that NOW is actually supporting this behavior. I find HC's egregious and blatant distortion of any candidate working for woman's rights is completely unconscionable and unacceptable.

I will never compromise my integrity as a person nor my values as a woman by voting for Hillary Clinton.

I AM WOMAN – HEAR ME ROAR!!!!

uh, maybe that was a bit premature, perhaps a little too bold. Is it okay, Ms. Gandy (NOW), for me to roar? Maybe a loud squeal, or just a muffled murmer? And what should I roar about?

Please, oh, please NOW, tell me what to do!

You know who's lost MY respect? NOW, that's who.

Don't you dare speak for me, NOW. You don't have that right. Blindly voting for Hillary Clinton solely because she's a woman is the stupidest idea since…saying women can't vote. This hysterical press release is demeaning and foolish. It makes NOW look like a sixteen year old who just got dumped by her boyfriend.

I am a woman, and I am voting for Obama. Not because of Kennedy's endorsement or anyone else's, but because I think he is the right person for the job, based on my own research, opinions, ideals, and judgment.

Think for yourselves, NOW members. You're making the rest of us look bad.

I have always been a supporter of women's rights and equal rights for everyone including the unborn. It's not about women and it's not about men. It' s not about race, it's about human beings. I'm, a Democrat , Native American Woman, and I support Obama, but I will vote for Hillary or John if they are our nominee.

Post it!!!

Come on!! The comments made in regards to NOW is worst then the article it's self. Remove your emotions and use your brain. Do really think that Barrack Obama can lead this country? My opinion he is to slow to speak and comes across to me as being unready. He has yet to hold my attention long enough to get how he is going to make a difference. Exactly what is his plan for the health Crisis in America? How is he going to bring jobs back into America? He has touched on the subject but that's all he has done. Unfortunately he's not the whole package and he will do no worst or better than the current "C: average BUSH that is in the White House now.

Hillary just cannot win a general election and as soon as the Democratic establishment understands that we can move on and support Obama and start preparing for November

I am sooooo disappointed with the Kennedy's. Friends like them, you don't need any enemies.
John McCain speaks about experience and how it counts, and you don't hear the Republicans going against him for it, BUT Hillary does it and it's not valid. Clearly A DOUBLE STANDARD we have in the USA.
So Obama is a great motivating speaker, but what has he really done??? How about working your tail off for 35 years for the people. I guess for the Obama supporters it means nothing. When you consider the poor work ethics of today's youth, those are the ones I see supporting Obama.

These women are NUTS! In my opinion, no one should support a political candidate because of their gender, race or religion. It's this type of thinking that is keeping this country from realizing its full potential.

This is absurd. Might as well support the candidate with hair the same shade as yours, and ONLY that candidate.

NOW is completely missing the point of having anything besides a candidate's picture on their profile.

Come on!! The comments made in regards to NOW is worst then the article it's self. Remove your emotions and use your brain. Do really think that Barrack Obama can lead this country? My opinion he is to slow to speak and comes across to me as being unready. He has yet to hold my attention long enough to get how he is going to make a difference. Exactly what is his plan for the health Crisis in America? How is he going to bring jobs back into America? He has touched on the subject but that's all he has done. Unfortunately he's not the whole package and he will do no worst or better than the current "C: average BUSH that is in the White House now.

Typical NOW reaction. Twist the facts to suit their agenda. The issue is not gender. The issue is Hillary Clinton. While the country seems genuinely ready to embrace a woman or black as the next President, Obama represents a breath of fresh air and the only real chance at change. HRC is the face of partisan politics and all the gender bending issues can not change that!

HA HA HA HA HA HAAA!!!! Really!!?? Ted Kennedy is considered the savior of women's rights??!! Really!!??? I had no idea.

Jr. Sullivan…you are missing the point. Mr. Clinton is NOT running for office. or is he???????

This article is hilarious actually. Because it is implying that the Kennedys are not entitiled to their own opinion. I am a WOMAN and a proud one at that. So does that mean if i voted to Sen Obama or Sen Romney i am betraying all females? I should be able to make my own decison based on what i think is right. so do the Kennedys. Give it a rest!

The statement by NOW-NY has to be one of the most absurd and idiotic things I have heard in the last few months. To use gender as the sole reasoning behind voting for someone is completely irrational. If a candidate is a reflection of his/her supporters, then God help this country if Hillary Clinton becomes president.

What is NOW thinking? They are exactly what is wrong with America. We should vote for somebody based on what are their positions on political issues, their plan for America's future, and their ability to handle the stressful and complex job that is the Commander in Chief. If you are too worried about voting for somebody for their gender and/or race, then you have it all wrong.

Maybe if Ms. Clinton would actually run on her own record and not use her husband to do her dirty work, we might feel that this was the first woman we would want to be President. But, I am not voting for anyone just because she is a woman. Her reliance on old political thinking is a great disappointment. There is no difference between her and white male politicians other than her gender. I was so for Hillary until I started to listen to her. I felt she was inauthentic and facile. I saw her in a Katie Couric interview where Hillary responded time after time with canned answers. At one point Couric asked her if she ever thought of the possibility of losing. Clinton responded, (I paraphrase) "No. No, I never think of losing. It never enters my mind."
"Really?," Katie asked.
"No, never, " Clinton responded. "I get up every morning thinking about what is good for America and how many Americans I am going to speak to today and hear their stories."
Does she EVER get real? Of course she thinks about losing, she would be inhuman if she did not. I rest my case.
So New York NOW should do some of their own soul searching. Whether Hillary was a man or a woman, she is the wrong person at the wrong time. Her instincts are wrong, her manner is wrong, her history is wrong. Worse, her heart is closed to being authentic. She is no longer capable of being simply open-hearted, it is all calculation. And, let me finish by saying, if anyone let down the women's movement down it was Bill Clinton and his libidinous scandals. And exactly where was NY NOW then?!

Ted Kennedy endorsing Obama hmmm… Change what Change. If Ted Kennedy isn't old washington politics what is. Hillary 2008. CNN is pro Obama all the way only reports anything that sounds anti- Clinton. Maybe Cnn should spend more time doing their job as Journalist's intstead of sitting around looking for news on canidates that isn't worth reporting unless it suits their purpose like slanted in Obama's favor.

As a conservative there is NOTHING more enjoyable than watching the fragile and phony coalitions of liberal groups now turn on each other and show their true agendas. The SAME agendas that they have vilified Republicans and conservatives for years about promoting. The blacks are for the black and the women are for the woman. Boy, that's "PROGRESSIVISM" at it's best! Thanks for making the '08 election a CAKE WALK! Go MITT Go!!

WOW – I am just floored that a group in support of women's issues would "hush the fact that he was late in his support of Title IX, the ERA, the Family Leave and Medical Act to name a few." That just shows that these groups are more into backing a political party then those just seeking out those who support their cause.

I wish this election would turn into a primary of 2 candidates and not the woman candiate vs the black candiate . . .How about which one would run the country better??

Ok, to start with, this is offensive. If this is what America can expect if we have a woman running (even if she's being carried on her husband's back), is this what we really want?

I'm amazed at what appears to be a huge group of women in this country who think it's their female duty to "support their girl" when their girl is practicing a kind of politics they've been screaming about for 8 years. And, when their girl is only there because of her man. That's right. I said it. I know it infuriates some women who don't want to admit the truth but it's the truth nonetheless.

We SHOULD elect a woman as President. It should not be this one. How about the woman who gave the Democratic response last night, Kathleen Sebelius? How about Janet Napolitano? How about any of the other Governors who will be able to stare down a Republican and say "I have executive experience"?

Well, this article seems like a set back for women-kind. However, Ted is a disappointment all around. I never liked him. In fact I don't see what the big deal is! What clout does the Kennedy family hold?? Really when you think about it… they are rich! They have money…sure they play politics and are often elected because of their names… but I don't vote because of endorsements. I vote because of my intelligence and conscience. Personally, I think Obama would make a good president in the future. I do think Hillary is the one to vote for now. Leave her husband out of this race.

THANK YOU _ NOW_ for attaching such ludicrous and absurd accusations to the Hilary camp. We Obama folks appreciate your support…for Hilary.

Keep up the good work.

oh – and of course a typical white man will go for Obama over Hillary. Let's not forget that black men had the right to vote before women did.

Why was this branch of the Kennedy's given so much presstime? Bobby Jr, ,Kathleen and Kerry Kennedy endorsed Hillary and they did not get any press. Obama's "good" things get press; Hillary's "bad" things get press but not vice-versa. What gives?

I have always been a supporting of women's rights and equal rights for everyone including the unborn. It's not about women and it's not about men. It' s not about race, it's about human beings.

cindy January 29, 2008 10:15 am ET

NOW expressed exactly what I felt last night as I watched the news. It is no surprise with white men like him that women were denied the right to vote in this country for many decaeds after they determined that they would allow black men to vote. God help us all!
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women are truly lost in this country..

yet again, women prove themselves to be overdramatic and unreasonable when anything they don't want to happen happens…

I disagree with NOW. As Americans we have a right to choose a candidate no matter if they are male, female, black, white or other. If Kennedy chose Obama it was because he was the best person for the job. What if the female candidate was horrible and did not have a clue about our country, does that mean NOW would still expect Kennedy to choose her once again just because she is a women. Unbelievable!!!

As a woman I am thoroughly appalled at NOW! THEY are the ones throwing women back to the 19th century, not Ted Kennedy. No woman with half a brain or and sense of self-worth would vote for a candidate simply based on gender. And their contention that TK should automatically endorse 'their' candidate because they have looked the other way and supported him through his bad-boy efforts is equally appalling: if they had any true sense of self-worth, they would condemn him for his actions, but clearly they did not because of political expediency rather than honest support.

Keep it up. Why dont you just come out and say you want to make this the female candidate vs. the minority candidate and try to polarize everyone. These are the very issues that will split a party and drive voters away.

Why cant we just choose a candidate based on their merits? Each candidate has strengths and areas of opportunity.

This the norm for Ted, NEVER THINK THAT HE WILL DO WHAT HE SAY'S HE WILL DO,

I'd like to know if NOW-NY would support a Republican woman running for president? I would venture they would pick a Democratic man over a Republican woman. What a statement. For a "progressive" (use that loosely) organization, NOW-NY is actually extremely close minded.

Perhaps NOW should change their name to WHINE!

So NOW "hushed [up] the fact that he was late in his support of Title IX, ERA, the Family Leave and Medical Act"? After betraying their own principles, they now have the gaul to accuse Kennedy of betraying them?

Doesn't NOW want people to be judged not by their gender but by the quality of their character, to paraphrase Martin Luther King, Jr.? Kennedy is supposed to follow lock-step and endorse Clinton because she's a woman, regardless of whether his judgment is that Obama is the better candidate? It's this kind of attitude — that disagreement equals betrayal — that will cost Hillary the election.

Sorry, NY NOW, but the Kennedys (and anyone else) have the right to support any candidate they want. You don't vote for skin color or gender for president. You vote for the person you think will do the best job. I'll vote for Hillary next week if I decide she's the right person to lead the country after Bush finally leaves, but I'm certainly not going to choose her simply because we're the same sex. That's ridiculous.

JR wrote: "IF ANYONE CAME CLOSE TO RUNNING THIS COUNTRY LIKE JFK IT WAS BILL CLINTON,I FIND IT A DISGRACE WHAT SEN KENNEDY DID"

………. I agree!

I am a white woman over 55 and I support Barack Obama for president. We got experience when we put Cheney and Rumsfeld in charge. Look what that EXPERIENCE got us! Hillary is divisive and there are millions of people out there who hate her, rightly or wrongly, she will divide the country, NOT UNITE IT! She does not attract INDEPENDENT voters. Obama does! She will lose the election to the Republican whoever he is! This election is not about race or gender and I wish people would stop trying to make about either one.
We need a younger voice who doesn't carry the Clinton baggage and who brings Hope to America and the world. He is reminicent of JFK and RFK and he has their speech writer, Ted Sorenson, as an advisor.

I am sick and tired of this crap. Why are we so divided over candidates? Obama or Hillary, it doesn’t matter because they are both democrats. But lately, I am sick and tired of hearing people bashing about Hillary just because they are die hard Obama’s fans. What is so great about Obama? Have he done anything that is so significant and well deserve besides giving great speech? No one even heard of him until 2 yrs ago. Enough is enough. I am voting for Hillary because I am sick and tired of people praising Obama for I don’t even know what he done for this country or Illinois.

This version of feminism is as dated as Hillary. I'd abort her as my choice for president, too. It's not like Ted Kennedy owes NOW anything other than his continued support of womens' issues in Congress.

Wow! This is about as playground mentality as it gets! You like the boy better than the girl, and now I'm gonna tell everyone how you betrayed us! Sounds like a page right out of the Billary playbook!

It's not about gender, it's about leadership and qualifications, and Hillary (the strong (?) woman candidate) has already proven she can't lead on her own without being propped up by hubby and padding her resume with his accomplishments. In her identity crisis and finding her voice, She hasn't even been able to decide which version of Hillary she is.

Face it ladies!!! If if she wasn't Bill Clinton's wife, she'd be a mere blip on the radar screen of politics!!!.

wow, NOW sounds crazy… i agree with your analogy Dave
"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. That's like if Jesse Jackson argued that anyone doesn't support Barack Obama must be racist."

Media got so much heat last few weeks on making it about Race and Gender, …then NOW turns right around says Kennedy should endorse clinton because she is a women LOL, humans are not gonna make it tell you!

I don't think Ted Kennedy helps Obama at all. I'm glad he didn't endorse Hillary; he would make her look bad. He's the kiss of death – just like he was for John Kerry.

"Wow are the comments on this board really silly. NOW isn't saying to vote for Hillary because she is a woman, they are saying that Kenedy, and his rude and devisive speach, are offensive at its core…."

Oh Please lets give equal time. Kennedy's statements are rude and devisive????? How would you catagorize those statements made by Bill Clinton??? Warm and Fuzzy????

I am with you, Debbie, Lake Forest, IL. , in every word you said. I am a man, not a woman, and yet if I was fooled to join an Asian organization run by a group of special interest to bargain with the candidates, I would not be able to trust my own judgement any more. And I can guarantee that that organization already sold itself to Hillary months ago! But Hillary is not my choice!

The power of the Bubba is strong…

I am a female. I will not vote for Hilary Clinton. I would vote for Atilla the Hun first. I am not a fan of Senator Kennedy either, but he has the right to endorse whom ever he chooses.

NOW has gone over the edge on this one. People have all sorts (of different) reasons for making the choices they do. Sex MAY BE one. I was delighted to vote for Obama in our SC Democratic primary last weekend and am proud as a middle-aged, Caucasian female to have done so !

just because you don't like Hilary does not mean you don't like women, way past the line,

Its sad in this day and age that we can only pick a candidate based on gender and not what they stand for and who they vow to protect.

Well, he has shown "disloyalty" in the past by being slow on Title IX, Family Leave, etc. but you continued to champion him. Maybe NOW should have judged him more by his actions than by the fact he was a Democrat and a Kennedy! NOW deserves to have egg on their face over this one!

Give me a break! It's this kind of knee-jerk reaction to the old, tired accusation of "boys beating up girls" that make people sigh and/or angry – men AND women. This statement is absolutely ridiculous, and only hurts Clinton more. So be it. Ted Kennedy, Patrick Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy endorsed the candidate they truly feel will bring our country together. If it was not already glaringly obvious to Americans before South Carolina, anyone watching the Clinton Tag Team operate last week got a true sense of how divisive and "old" their politicking is, and what our country might be in for should they (and yes, I mean they) succeed to gain re-entrance to the White House. Americans are waking up to a refreshing change from the Bush/Clinton/Bush years of partisanship and divisiveness. Thank God!

NOW expressed exactly what I felt last night as I watched the news. It is no surprise with white men like him that women were denied the right to vote in this country for many decaeds after they determined that they would allow black men to vote. God help us all!

Doesnt he have the right to pick whomever he wants? GET OVER IT!!!!

I hope that the Billary campaign does does not try to smear Sen. Ted Kennedy now. But it looks like I am too late. The surrogates are already placing labels and trying to smear this good man. America is fed-up with those folks engaging in negative politics to tear down those in the very same party.

-CDR

That's very good reasoning, NOW. Senator Kennedy shouldn't have used any other reasons to back a candidate other than sex. So when he didn't endorse Carol Moseley Braun as soon as she declared in 2004, was he a traitor then as well? What about in 2000 when there wasn't a female on the Democratic side, but Elizabeth Dole was running on the Republican side, was he a traitor then as well?

Come off it, you bunch of loons.

Didi it ever occur to them that perhaps Kennedy feels Barack Obama is better suited for the positon, and that it has nothing to do with Clinton's gender?
I do not believe that simply because a candidate is a woman is enough reason to vote for her.
If a complete fool ran for the presidency, yet she was a woman, would NOW support her, based on her chromosomal make-up alone?

Also, If she breaks down like that during a campaign, what will she do 2-3 years into office. As for Kennedy, he is free to support whomever he chooses. And maybe, just maybe , he see's something in Obama that he feels can lead this country forward. Something Hillary doesn't possess.

I live in New York, and this is a perfect example of how whacko some New Yorkers are in their love for Hillary Clinton.

They seem to think of her as some kind of godly figure, and anyone who doesn't worship her is going to a bad place.

Some New Yorkers are often out of touch with mainstream America. One guy I know in New York claimed Ohio only had a 5 percent black population, so Obama could never win there. Ohio actually has a 12 percent black population.

It's time for mainstream America to follow Iowa's lead and choose the best candidate for our future.

I agree with NOW, I felt betrayed too, because if you look at what Clinton has actually accomplished on behalf of women and the absence of any such record for Obama, you might wake up a little. She has been responsible for so much for women and children worldwide you would not believe it-everything from being an early advocate for making early mammograms routine to as first lady being one of the first leaders to speak out against the treatment of women in Afghanistan, to the Family Medical Leave Act, to establishing the arms of the Justice Dept. to work on violence against women, to protecting Roe V. Wade, to backing efforts to get corporations to be more supportive of working moms, it goes on and on…
What's even more interesting to me is that Obama supporters, and the press, don't want to put him under the same scrutiny as Clinton, it' a big love fest and everyone is putting their critical thinking skills aside. Just by surfing the net, I found that Obama was on the board of a rich Chicago foundation (The Joyce Foundation) that has been awarding grants to the Kennedy Library, and huge grants to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund in New York, which Caroline Kennedy is the director of. Maybe there is more stuff going on than that-he's been courting these endorsements for years. Obama would surely call this "mudslinging", but to fail to see him as a calculating politician who has systematically sought power is a mistake.
He is a great orator and speech writer, but that is not going to sway many in opposing political parties or the leaders of, say, Iran or China, or business leaders who oppose and bankroll efforts against health care or orher important policies. Presidential candidates make lots of public speeches, but presidents don't. He might be a good successor to Clinton (maybe), after she mops up Bush's mess. He talks the talk but Clinton walks the walk. Remember Al Gore, the guy who wasn't very exciting but everyone wishes was president now? And all those voters who "just liked" George Bush so voted him in?

Just because you are a woman doesn't mean you have to back Clinton. The last thing this country needs is her in office. She is inept.

Cape Girardeau, MO January 29, 2008 9:54 am ET

Thank you for backing Hillary. I was so disappointed with the Kennedy's also.
I want Hillary president with all my heart she deserves it and is ready for it.
It isn't Obama's time yet. All women must band together and get her elected. If you want something done, get the women to do it.
Let's go Hillary.
Glenda M
Missouri
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This post is rediculus….do you females in this country know how to make an informed choice…You talk down about Obama only caring SC cause of the black vote completle overlooking that he crushed HIlary even in Woman voters down there and recided 25 percent of the white vote…I swear to god some of the women in this country need a reality check..

Get over it! It's not about Kennedy endorsing a "man" over a "woman". It's about endorsing a "BLACK" man over a 'WHITE" woman.

Get a life! Vote Obama!

How completely and utterly moronic. Ted Kennedy and his family may endorse whomever they'd like. I'm usually a supporter of NOW, but not now in this case.

To paraphrase MLK:

I have a dream that our children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the content of their pants, but by the content of their character.

This outcry is all most as sad as saying that Blacks should vote for Obama because he's black. We are getting closer to a country that votes based in issues not race or gender but we are not close enough. These types of "reminders" pop up to let us know just how much work we have to do.

Can't we all just reach some common ground and fight the repugnant-cans instead of wasting time arguing about race or gender or other silly things?

shame, shame on the kennedys, would have been much prettier if they were kept quiet

This endorsement is all about race and not male/female. The cry-baby has gone arround and complained about this inability to complete and balckmailed the Democratic party establishment of "NO BLACK VOTE" if no help.

This is what the kennedy's do. Buckle to blackmail – stroy of the clan.

Disgraceful!
But what if this endorsement really counted for something?!
Why should the Kennedys count, anyways?

Does Kennedy wishes to be vice-President if Obama wins?
He is old enough to retire before doing additional damage.

It is difficult to believe that any veteran of the senate could honestly believe that a two year senator is really qualified to run the country. The old establishment senators are backing Obama–there may be something to the idea that they can't deal with the idea of a woman president. This actually makes Clinton the anti-establishment candidate. As far as Bill's role in this campaign–he has been campaigning for months, but now the press is intensely covering him, giving the public a warped perception of what is really going on. Michelle Obama has excersised some poor judgment in some of her comments, but we only get the news the media wants us to hear.

I am a woman, and I am calling a lot of people who have sent a message on this article and NOW-NY out on being a sexist!!!!!

People, vote for who you think should be the next President, not because somebody is a black or heavens forbid……….a woman!

I think NOW lost the basic concept of presidency? I think American are looking a leader who runs their destiny not gender. Intsead of telling us the quality of Hillary over Obama , they prefer gender over leadership. In the last couple of weeks we saw the true Clinton/polarizing our destiny to be elected. Truly Speaking there are millions American who can perform better than Clintons. Failed mission.

As a progressive woman who has worked in the corporate world and seen bias based on gender, I am absolutely insulted that NOW would encourage women to vote strictly on the basis of gender. What message does that give to women, that we are to vote solely on gender and not on integrity or intellect or policy? It insults the very intellect and capabilities that we strive to move forward in our cause. That is like saying that just because someone is African-American that they should vote for "their guy" or else they are a traitor and that they are not capable of understanding and voting intelligently on the issues, how insulting! I refuse to vote based upon something that is the very target of so much bias in our country – we see it with race, faith, gender, etc. Let's support candidates because of what they bring as a potential leader and vote based upon factors like how they would lead and whether or not we agree with them on the issues.

I personally will vote for a candidate who says that race or gender doesn't matter and who is best qualified to unite us and lead us forward – it is only when we can be blind to that, that we can really glimpse at equality. In working for corporate America, the thing that insulted me the most was when managers would comment or focus positively on me based upon being "a girl" versus respecting my intellect and leadership. I want for my children, for my daughters, to know that the right woman can be president, but Hillary, in my opinion, is not the one. I don't want to tell my daughters that "yes, you can be president but you need to stay married to a powerful man (even when he disrespects you and your marriage) to get there." I demand better than that. I demand a real uniter, someone with real judgment and integrity, who can get beyond that – OBAMA '08!

Kathy in NY

What does NOW-NY have to say about Caroline Kennedy's endorsement?

I, like some others, am not opposed to a female president. I am opposed to Hillary Clinton as president. From day one her (and Bill's) arrogance have led them to believe that they should be ushered straight to the top of the Democratic Ticket and be elected simply because she is a female and aClinton.
She is a polarizing figure, not a uniting one. Her episode in New Hampshire showed me she is weak rather than human.

Ands I voted for Jack for President?, you are a 2 faced hypocrite. Hillary would make the first woman presiden who could bring this country t back to where it once was before the Bush era

Put me down as a traitor too then. I won't vote for someone whose character, ethics, truthfulness, and experience are questionable just because she and I are of the same gender. It's insulting to suggest that anyone should.

All the things happened in the past three weeks indicated some body is really desperated……. (Well, I will be "Your comment is awaiting moderation" if Isaid more than what I have said here. And my statement is obvious enough for any one who has been following the endorsements from Caroline and Ted …)

This outcry is all most as sad as saying that Blacks should vote for Obama because he's black. We are getting closer to a country that votes based in issues not race or gender but we are not close enough. These types of "reminders" pops up to let us know just how much work we have to do.

What's with getting his endorsement anyway? Just because his last name is Kennedy doesn't mean he's someone you should have supporting you. Male or female, black, white, hispanic, native american, etc…it shouldn't matter. What should matter is if you believe in their ideals and their programs they are putting forward.

Lets vote for a woman that is a GOOD candidate, not just a woman.

Hillary is corrupt, she is a Clinton, and she isn't a good person.

So why should I vote for her?

Senator Kennedy chose Barack Obama to support because Barack Obama is for ALL AMERICANS and that includes women. To state that choosing Barack Obama somehow undermines women is like by choosing to buy apples today instead of bananas is somehow disrespectful to to the other fruit. For crying out loud Obama is the BEST choice we have! Hillary, smart as she is, is a divisive figure that will only hinder the progress we desperately need in this country. Do not play the gender card, do not play the race card, please play the SMART card and Barack is the smartest one out there!!!

Okay…I haven't weighed in before…but this is getting out of control. I am an Obama supporter, however, I will vote for Clinton if she is the nominee…even after the shady race baiting comments of Bill. But, the level of anger over all of this is just plain distressing. It is not Clinton or Obama per se that are driving this, but their supporters, especially Clinton supporters who can't stay away from name calling. Both senators are right on all the issues…what's the deal?

Really, it's absurd to think that they are complaining about Kennedy picking Obama for the fact that he doesn't want a woman President, but it is more absurd to think that there is an organization of women that want to pick a President because she is a woman.

GO HILLARY!

Why is CNN even giving this any coverage – I support Hillary but think that their accusations are wide of the mark.

As for Kennedy's endorsement – it could be a double-edged sword.

Seeing Kennedy endorse Obama will make some independents and Republicans who support Obama have second thoughts.

That being said – I do believe that anyone who is influenced by an endorsement (for any candidate) quite frankly doesn't deserve the vote.

I wish CNN would actually cover the real issues. I want a bit more substance than the glitz and superficial politics we seem to have rght now. Personally, I"ve no problem with Obama – I just don't think he's the best candidate – but could be a good future candidate especially if he became VP. At present all I can see is the silky rhetoric – I'd like him to put a bit more meat on the bones and make clearer what his vision actually is.

First, why are people allowing what NOW had to say to sway their vote on Senator Clinton, that's rediculous. For those of you who say it shouldn't be about race or gender, I agree, however, I don't believe SC believed that. And finally, for someone who wants to go away from the old way of Washington politics and those who have had so much power for so long, (ie: the Bush and Clinton families), he has no problem smooshing up to Senator Kennedy and courting him for his endorsement. Sounds like Washington politics as usual and he did it with the most infamous family who has held so much power longer than the Bush's and the Clinton's put together. I've noticed recently how Obama's words and actions are contradicting each other. He is a politician like all the rest, get over it people, wake up.

Why is it that race and gender need to be highlighted? It's about leadership, stupid, not race or gender!

People stop already. If senator Kennedy endorse Obama that is his choice and people should not read meaning into it. All of us are created by one person GOD and him alone owns all of us. Let us get alone on this borrowed time that we are leaving.

One more reason I am not voting for Clinton

Just another example of how divisive Hillary Clinton is on the American political landscape. I can't possibly comprehend how even the blue-est of Democrats would actually believe that she could win a general election. After seeing how quickly she and Bill bring race and gender into their campaigning, I'm fearful how far she would go to get elected. She is the only Democratic candidate that would compel me to vote Republican.

… I am a white, female Democrat … also a Senior Citizen who still remembers being enthusiastic and greatful when JFK tossed his hat into the ring . Noone has inspired like that since. It would be great to vote for a woman but I won't vote for a woman just to "vote for a woman." If Hillary gains the Democratic nod, I shall support her effort .. til then I will appreciate listening to Barack and his Hope for this country where I was born/raised. He has a vision that I dream about ………

It's too bad that CNN didn't post this letter in full without cutting it up, in it's totallity it is mind-blowingly bad, and utterly sophomoric. I guess after race-baiting failed to win them SC, gender politics is plan B?

Who really cares about Ted Kennedy endorsing someone? He's still Ted Kennedy.

So the only reason they want Hillary is because she is a woman?

i think Hillary would be a fine president, but i think Obama would be phenomenal.
If Kennedy feels that way too why is he being criticized?

The Clinton's tactics in South Carolina have soured many of us.

The Clinton Machine is desperately pressuring special interest groups into the lime light for what they view as political gain… at the cost of important social movements and a message of hope and dignity; two vital pieces of the fabric of any society.

We need leadership in this country that inspires us to act in positive ways. This analysis by NOW of New York is another demonstrative development that shows that the Clintons, while well intending people, do not have the inspirational character that Barack Obama does!

I hope that Americans will realize that this is the most defining difference between the leading candidates; Moral inspiration!

GET OVER IT!! He's the better Candidate!

I was just as shocked at Sentor Kenneyd's endorsement, in fact I sent Senator Kennedy an email yesterday through his website expressing my disapointment., and this is not based on gender or race.

Our country is presently in poor health, if we want the opportunity to have a democrate in the White House, then we need to nominate the best qualified candidate, the one with more experience and someone who knows the true workings of Washington politics.

I hope people start waking up and looking at what's really at stake in the election.

God help us all.

It's not so much that he betrayed women, but that Obama is hanging with a career politician, especially a Kennedy, is discouraging.

What a shortminded view for an organization that claims to be on women's interest. Just because I am a woman is not enough to vote for one, until she shows me some substance, and not just talking for what had been done.

This is time for change after 16 years. Clinton is not electable because she belongs to old establishment. Even young women voters reject her. 100% over the 40 years femal would never elect a president.

By using her husband to go after her opponent, by getting ahead through nepotism and connections and not her own accomplishments, Hillary Clinton is the greater traitor than Senator Kennedy.

What does NYS NOW have to say about all those women who voted for Obama over Clinton? Are they traitors to the cause? Or do they just realize that it is time for new leadership in this country.

Due to her personality and experience, Hillary Clinton would have never risen this far without her husband. She never would be a candidate for Senate or for President. She is the George W. Bush of this election: getting ahead because of her family connections.

My recolection is that Napolitano is a woman for Obama and Obama seems to be getting an awful lot of Women endorsing his candidacy why do the women's groups not complain about this?? I was under the impression that Race nor Gender should become an issue in this race.

Morrow has it right…the outrage NOW feels is about Ted Kennedy supporting a less qualified male. The only thing I'd add is I am not surprised by this and hope that William Kennedy Smith signs on to the campaign as well.

How dare they say "obligated" to vote for her just because she is a woman? "Obligated"? That is as sexist as it gets.

Sometimes, the very few at the top of a local chapter of an organization such as NOW, pretend to speak for their entire membership, without having consulted that membership at all. I personally witnessed that, years ago, and in this case, I prefer to believe it has happened again, rather than think that NY state's NOW membership actually agrees with the sexist view expressed by their leadership's statement.

I am a working (white) 61 year old professional woman who is a pro-abortion and independent as hell and I think it is STUPID to say Kennedy abandoned US. Who are US???? We are not cattle, we can think for ourselves, and just because there is a smart woman (with her ex pres behind her) running, does not make her the best choice. Barack Obama is new, extremely intelligent, and as unencumbered with the stains of DC politics as we could ask for. His economics are too liberal for me, but his intelligent approach is fresh and way overdue. Kennedy has not betrayed me, so I guess I either need to have my gender reconfirmed and/or check into an institute for identity evaluation.

This is the reason Prozac was invented:-)

YOU FOOLS, Ted Kennedy = Status quo. He's the one who calls the shots in the DEM party. He's NOT saying to Barack "Atta boy", he's saying "I CAN get you the nomination QUICKLY, I.E the SUPERDELEGATES" in exchange for your administration, IT'S ALL BUSSINESS AS USUAL, IT'S THE OLD QUID PRO QUO. You just SOLD your (POLITICAL) soul to the devil. Now, the party OWNS you, Barack, and you OWE them. YOU could've change, once and for all, the (WASHINGTON'S) rules but I guess you were better than that. What a shame, what a shame….INDEED.

Funny thing about this article is the idea that Sen. Kennedy is not allowed to endorse the person he feels is the best candidate for the job. The issues this group has shed light on, are not issues that were brought up by Sen. Kennedy, but rather by themselves in an attempt to bash Sen. Kennedy's choice in endorsing Sen. Obama. Is this what politics has come to? It's no longer about the issues that are affecting the people of the U.S. but more about the best way to sink the other person's ship and make them look as bad as possible…Then we wonder why we have the issues we have in our country….

What the NOW organization fails to realize is that we don't need to elect a woman just to elect a woman. Hillary has been divisive and I don't believe she can build the coalitions across party lines to create solutions to the challenges that face us. Also, she is mired in the politics of the past and while she is very smart, that alone will not bring the leadership we need. She tried for 8 years to get health care coverage and came up empty. I do believe we need the experience of a person who can bring us together to solve the nations ills… male or female, black, white or purple. I believe Ted Kennedy is right and that Barack Obama is that person.

Who cares what Fat Head Kennedy has to say? I could care less who he endorses. Go Hillary!

OH PLEASE! goes true for the old saying that a woman can't do anything without a man! these nimwits, dimwits, gender card pulling idiots won't face reality! Why is it that anytime she looses, they're so quick to pull the gender card? I'm a woman and this is the VERY reason I have time and time again declined to join and/or support NOW. They may pretend to be independent women fighting for feminine causes but the reality is, they are so quick to pull the gender card when they are not in a comfortable position.
Has Obama went around playing the rece card like the previous clowns Al Sharpton et. al did? NO! He has risen above it. So before NOW starts making all kinds of statements, they need to think twice.
What a bunch of morons!

E. Astor.

DOH! Just what does Barack Obama stand for? Hillary? Anyone? Same old rhetoric, since they announced their bids for the President. Nothing new or definitive comes out of their campaigns.

Hope? Care to elaborate anyone? Does that mean, more or less Government in our lives?

As for Kennedy, he has been a pacifier in peoples lives, who can't or will not pick themselves up and "do" for themselves. Is that hope?

As a lifelong Democrat, I want less Government, less rhetoric, less handouts and support from our Government, less foreign aid, and less taxes. Sound funny? If it sounds too far to the right, then all of you Bush hating Democrats wake up! I am not a GW fan by any means.

Wake up fellow Democrats! The Government doesn't help you, you help yourself! This so called global economy dictates what you and I will be able to do. No jobs, no money, no hope! I have seen slowdowns or recessions before. It's not the end of the world. It is a never ending cycle. World history and Economics in High School taught us that. What makes it worse, is that many "third world" countries are now developing at an alarming rate to compete with the USA. We can't compete with people getting paid pennies an hour for labor. The third world global economy is so new and "ever" changing, we as a country, still haven't seen all of the effects, of what it can do to this country. They need to rise to the USA's level, not the USA, sinking to third world squallor level. Does that sound like hope?

Neither Barack or Hillary show me much hope. Why? Presidents do not give us hope. We do! Presidents cannot change our country. We do! Our congressmen and women do. Our Senators do and we do.

It's time we keep our hard earned money here, in the USA, eliminate foreign aid, lower taxes, have less government. Take care of this country and it's people.

That's hope!

Please do not vote for someone, who tries to be everything to everyone. That to me is false hope!

This is the ultimate betrayal- NOW can't or won't handle the idea of an African-American becoming President of the United States.

NOW's endorsement of Hillary Clinton in the Democratic presidential primary campaign has really hit African-Americans hard. And now the greatest betrayal! We are repaid with their abandonment! They picked the old guard over us. They've joined the list of white men and women who can’t or won’t handle the prospect of a African-American president who is Barack Obama.

This latest move by NOW is so telling about the status of and respect for African-American rights, voices, equality, authority and our ability – indeed, our obligation — to promote and earn and deserve and elect, unabashedly, a president that is the African-American after centuries of white people who ‘know what’s best for us.’

I am a woman, and this article about NOW has completely turned me off of voting for Hillary Clinton. Who does this group think they are? They do not speak for all women, and I will certainly NOT vote for someone simply because of their gender or race. That's absurd, and I'm appalled that this press release was even approved to be distributed. Hillary needs to have a talk with her supporters and let them know that talk about race and gender in regards to the election is not helping her case. This group is not promoting women's rights, it's promoting reverse discrimination.

NOW should be glad that Obama, and not Clinton, got the endorsement of the Kennedy clan. Nobody has polarized and ignited the neocon movement like Kennedy. And frankly, I wouldn't consider a Kennedy endorsement as a 'lucky shamrock.'

What about issues? Maybe Kennedy felt like he sided with Obama more than Clinton? It is sad that NOW (who claims to oppose sexism) continues to promote it by ridiculous actions like this. What they are calling for is Kennedy to base his political endorsements based on sex, which is by definition sexism. What a sad, sad reality…

What better Than a MOTHER ,? I am one of those men that isn't at all bothered by the idea of a woman running our country . i have supported HIllary with donations, and i will continue to support her. Who!!! better than a woman, mother, and wife with plenty of government experiance ? certainly not Obama. or for that matter any of the other candidates on both sides. Hillary is ready to lead this great nation of ours into the future. I believe that out of all the candidates she is the most experienced, sincerest , most honest , and most capable of accepting the challenges our country faces today. EDDIE.

In my youth I was a member of NOW but realized they were too extreme for my taste and left. The idea that we should blindly follow Hillary Clinton into the White House because she is a woman is offensive to me. I want to see a female President and hope I do in my life time, however it is not her and not now I pray. She will be a nightmare if she gets in (which I do not believe she will). She will set everything backwards for women the next argument will be ‘well we tried that look at Hillary Clinton’ and here we are at square one starting over. Hillary is shrill, polarizing, divisive and I am sorry but it is true unlikable on the public stage. And to all the Hillary supporters I ask this, are you so naive as to think if they gets the party nom the republicans will not drag her and Bill through the mud and make us all look bad. Is it so hard as a Democrat to actually want to win and take steps to do so?

WAA WAA the whiners sing…. Kennedy can back whom he chooses…. Why on earth should Kennedy endorse Shrillary? His move was obviously as much an anti-Clinton one as it was a pro-Obama one. GET IT?

Who cares about what the Women's group say?

It is good to see the the New York chapter of NOW has more backbone than the National headquarters. Men, a women's group cannot voice their opinion? NOW's mission is to represent women.

Talking about immaturity, I found that Senator Obama's behavior to Hillary Clinton horrific while she went to spoke to Ted Kennedy during the State of the Union. He turned his head and would not even acknowledge her. Great qualities in a leader!

I am a woman and I believe that NOW should get over it. I back Obama and have so since over a year ago. The way I look at it is, I choose the person I believe would have the best chance to unite the people of the U.S. and repair the damage the U.S. has done in the eyes of the rest of the world. I don't need any man, woman, party or organization to tell me the way I should vote. Unlike others, I can think for myself.

Are we worse than the candidates themselves? I think we Americans are all smart enough to rise above this political drama of just one well known person and make an informed decision ourselves and not rely on Sen. Kennedy's choice. Lets not make this election about the Kennedy's and who the politicians side with, let's make this about us and the issues. Let's not get hooked up in the politics of it all.

I'm sure the good ladies of NY-NOW who published this are still quite angry that none of the Duke lacrosse players has been jailed/castrated for for the audcacity of being male.

Did you know that if you support a man, simply because he is a man, you are a sexist?

And isn't is great that if you support a woman, simply because she is a woman, you are NOT a sexist?

Give me a break. I'm so sick of this garbage. Shame on you all.

I think this word "change" better be defined. Seems as though every one has a different idea of what it means.

If only it were a Woman running for president I would so be overjoyed. We have a hawk/liar in sheep's clothing instead. I have been an activist all my life. Give me a break. Nancy Pelosi Clinton is NOT! Can't NOW read, write or do researchabout who this person is Let's just look in the mirror and enjoy the view of the length of her hair, thinking that it is a victory for our sex. Rediculous!

This hardly even qualifies as news. This will have nothing to do with the greater election of either Obama or Clinton, thanks CNN for wasting my time.

LET'S BE HONEST….

I'm a graduate of an all women's university. Trust that I would love to see the first woman president in my lifetime. Quite frankly, tho, Hillary Clinton would not serve as a worthy benchmark for this accomplishment!! She is no Bhutto, she is no Margaret Thatcher!!

NOW doesn't represent intelligent woman who are free thinkers. They focus on women as a collective group which furthers the problem. It's about individual liberty, folks. NOT COLLECTIVISM.

As a woman, educated by women….NOW DOES NOT REPRESENT ANYTHING I STAND FOR!!!! I say who cares about their feelings being hurt???

Good for you ladies…..

Shame on Kennedy…..I've lost respect for the Kennedy name…True Womanizer Ted!!!!

Go Hillary!!!!!

I cannot believe that CNN deleted my comments because I repeated that NYS-NOW said last week that Clinton was being "gang raped by men that fear a powerful woman." EXCUSE ME, CNN.COM, BUT THE FACT THAT THOSE WORDS ARE SO OUTRAGEOUS IS EXACTLY THE POINT, and it's pathetic that you would find it more important to sanitize this board of any words that might make people upset than to let the public know we have an influential organization using highly inflammatory hyperbole to make a point and get what they want. The fact that the president of the New York State chapter of NOW is releasing these noxious press releases that stem from an under-siege mentality IS NEWS, and it should be reported. Since you wouldn't do it, I did it for you.

I have to think that one contributing factor in Kennedy's endorsement is that Hilary spent a lot of energy bashing No Child Left Behind last week – a program that Ted Kennedy designed with Presient Bush. He takes a lot of pride in that program. Not a smart move by the Clinton camp. NOW's statements are rediculous.

What happened to endorsing the RIGHT candidate regardless of race, gender, etc. This further shows how out of touch with reality NOW is.

You gotta be kidding me. So let me get this straight, Kennedy is not allowed to endorse anyone except a woman? That is beyond ignorant. Could it possibly be that Kennedy has endorsed one candidate over the other because…oh I don't know…he thinks that candidate is more qualified regardless of race or gender?

The leadership of NOW have done their organization a great disservice by making themselves out to be victims when in fact they are no such thing. What a disgrace.

Hey NOW it's not the idea of a woman president….It's HILLARY; i would think you'd be fighting equally hard against her as she could give women a bad name. If your support of her is only because she's a woman then it's blind and you need to re-evaluate; I genuinely hope that some day we'll have a woman for president, just not this one.

But following your logic; if Kennedy supporting Barak shows him as abandoning women, then the it would stand to reason that your lack of support for Barak and choice for Hillary makes the NOW you racist; perhaps we should change what NOW stand for from "National Organization of Women" to "Now Only Whites"….I realize that this is ridiculous just as your criticism of Kennedy for coming out for Barak is equally ridiculous.

Thank you for backing Hillary. I was so disappointed with the Kennedy's also.
I want Hillary president with all my heart she deserves it and is ready for it.
It isn't Obama's time yet. All women must band together and get her elected. If you want something done, get the women to do it.
Let's go Hillary.
Glenda M
Missouri

Are they all on their monthly cycle? Who cares about the National Organization for Women Political Action Committee. These are lobbyist and not even worth a story. Talk about injecting Gender into the Race. Ted Kennedy backed Barack Obama because he felt he was the Right Candidate at the Right Time. That's all.

Change your rags, N.O.W… And get over it. Hillary is not electable because he husband is an idiot, Republicans hate her, and she is a decieving and unethical politician.

Shame on you, NOW of NY. This is absolutely disgusting, and is a perfect example of what is wrong with our country today. I don't care who supports any of these candidates, as long as the support is based on THE ISSUES, not something as stupid and trivial as gender or race. And yes, gender and race are stupid and trivial to me, because to me they genuinely don't matter. You have to be a biggot to support a candidate based on race or gender.. whether you support a man or a woman, a black or a white candidate, you must support that candidate on the basis of the issues, otherwise you are either a sexist or a racist, plain and simple.

NOW is simply PETA for women….and they're just as fanatical.

A good idea gone terribly awry because of zealots and inflexibility.

How is it a betrayal? It's not like supporting Hillary is supporting a woman anyway.

Sounds like NOW can't or won't face the fact that Hillary (Billary??) is a lying spinmeister. This is the objection to her that I hear from many women.

To see a real woman watch Caroline Kennedy, she is so genuine and authentic. To be so hopeful aster such tragedy in her life.

Stop the sufferage. No joking but if Hillary gave a real reason of conviciton over anything then maybe this would be a valued argument. The fact is NOW is just wanting to vote for a women they kind of forgot that this is about the one who's going to 'run' the country

I find it absurd that NOW-NY is bashing Kennedy. Everyone should be entitled to having their own opinions and any decent person should respect those opinions. I can't believe that NOW-NY is completely disrespecting Kennedy's choice to endorse Obama and even going so far as to say that he has betrayed them. The national NOW organization was wise for distancing themselves for those statements as I don't think any objective, rational person would agree with them.

Who cares what NOW has to say. These idiots need to call the WAAAHHmbulance because I think we have some criers here.

This is rediculis …if the NAACP released a statement like this againest some of the black leaders that support her the uproar would have been insane…now you have a womans group who just out right think that Hilary should get all female votes cause she's a women that Kennedy betrayed them and is only backing Obama cause he's a man…the more this goes on the more the american public gets to witness the type of BS that Obama is about changing…since when did Gender override Vision….I work with alot of white females and I burst there bubble every time this election gets brought up cause I always say the same thing…I made a informed choice in voting for Obama…why did you vote for HIlary?? there response "Oh cause she's a woman and the white house needs a Woman President"….just completely blew me out the water they don't know issue one about what she represents only that she's a woman and they wanna se a Woman president… females who think like this womans group needs a reality check

It is interesting that in all of this discussion of gender and race we aren't talking much about issues. I'm still upset about the war we started in Iraq and I remember that Obama voted against it when it was very unpopular to do so. I felt let down by my own Senator Clinton when she voted for it and I haven't forgotten. With all her so-called experience, where was she?

When did it become acceptable for a person's race or sex to be a factor in your voting decision? And why does NOW think it has any right to judge/influence somebody else's support of a candidate? Ridiculous…

People just don't want -Hillary- for President, I think people also agree with Sharpton that it is time for Bill to 'Shut Up'. Like somebody said earlier there are probably millions of women that would do better and be more likely to be elected president than a former first lady and senator who has already been around the block a couple times.

GIVE US A BREAK…THIS IS NOT ABOUT BLACK OR FEMALE…THIS IS SUPPOSE TO BE ABOUT THE BEST ONE FOR THE JOB…IT IS CERTAINLY NOT THE CLINTONS….YES WE CAN….GO OBAMA

It doesn't matter who Kennedy endorses, most people vote their own minds, and not what another poliitican does. Personally I wouldn't want an endorsement from someone who has such an unclean incident in his past. Hillary Clinton is better off without this endorsement.

You women need to stand for what is right and be truthfull. this only reflects you are not capable to even have stand for the truth it is so sad shame on you .. shame on you .. please read the following lines as just a true woman who has dignity and pride you will be touched .. try ladies to honest that all am asking

Where is the women pride? where is the women dignity? I don’t see Hillary reflects that if am not mistaken “Billary”. She can’t claim the White House for cheap price by burring her dignity. Now you know what I am talking about. She is not the Ideal woman that I want to tell my daughters about. She can’t fix it is too late. It is absolutely not acceptable to speak on our behalf as women. Because, there is no women on the earth accept her husband humiliation over and over again, unless she is playing the dirty game too! Let me be fair and give her a credit’ so far! There is good pathway and bad pathway to achieve goals. And it is not always Ends that justify the Means! She would have my support if she had stood for her dignity as a woman in other words if she is only Hillay Radham. That why I strongly reject her as a vague woman. She didn’t respect the dignity of women in the past and will not represent the women of today and the women of the future.

I won't vote for Hillary because I don't think she could do the job, rather I won't vote for her because I don't respect her as a woman for letting her husband abuse her for so many years through his womanizing and lies. How can she look herself in the mirror everyday? It is very evident that she just wants the power of the office and has held on to Bill simply to not interrupt her goal of getting to the White House again! I pity her more than anything. If she would have left him and then ran for president maybe I'd (and more of the country) respect her and cast my vote for her. But respect her I don't and thus one of the reasons I'm crossing my party lines for Obama.

Since when does being a woman mean you HAVE to vote for any woman who runs for office? I think it's ridiculous to expect that. And it's ridiculous to think that just because Sen. Kennedy isn't endorsing Hillary that makes him against women! I will NOT be voting for Hillary and it has nothing to do with her gender. I do not think she is right for the job. That's it.

Well, here's another reason to fear another Clinton presidency. Hillary is in bed with NOW. No telling what favors she owes these pin heads.

Lastly, I have no problem with a woman as president….

However, you cannot have a liberal woman as your president, she must be conservative like Margaret Thatcher. Otherwise a liberal woman executive would have the impulse to enact one of the elitist, social. liberal programs of social engineering, which of course is totally flawed and doomed to failure. Universal Healthcare is one that comes to mind.

Sounds like they are taking this way to personally. The man is backing the candidate he believes in. Hell hath no fury…you know the rest

The Kennedy endorsements mean nothing. The myth of "camelot" was just that.
Only similarity between Camelot and JFK was the sex! Lancelot with the queen and JFK with anybody he could get into bed.

There are many women leaders in this country that I would whole-heartedly support to be president: Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine, for example, or Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, and there are others. Just because I don't support Hillary Clinton doesn't mean I'm against women's rights; far from it, since I AM a woman. I vote for the candidate whom I feel will make the best president – no one should feel obligated to choose a candidate just because they have the same skin color or the same gender.

NOW is demonstrating exactly how outmoded they are- this line of reasoning does not appeal to women like me who don't see themselves as perpetual victims of men and who don't value "sisterhood" at any cost. This is just a pathetic attempt to undermine Kennedy's endorsement. I think it's terrible that Hillary and her minions CONSTANTLY attempt to play the gender card.

wow… NOW I have heard everything! So I should vote for Hillary because she's a woman? I am a 62 year old white woman voting for Obama. Why? because he has more character in his big toe, than Hillary has in her whole arrogant body!

Why would you vote for a woman, just because you are a woman?? Shouldn't the best candidate win, regardless of race, gender, age, etc.?

This group isn't being truthful They support Hillary not because she is a woman but because she is a dike like them.

The NOW disrespects itself, its role in the US and the dignity of women. There is nothing right, nor good, about dividing our nation by gender just like there is nothing good to come from racial divisions. The attack on Sen. Kennedy is weak beyond words but it is in kind with the way Hillary Clinton's campaign operates. I am utterly disgusted with NOW's response.

Now clinton company is attacking Kennedy. they only know attack. its not electon to choose a man or a woman. why they are using gender and race card?

Well, the point is that Obama will NEVER beat his GOP opponent because he has no experience and no record to speak of. For the fools that think Obama is the godsend, you'll find out real quick how fast Obama will get shredded by the hateful knuckleheads that the GOP has waiting in the wings who will rip him a new one for spending his entire first term as a US Senator working on his campaign for President. This is exactly what the GOP wants, which is why you don't hear a peep out of them yet about the Dem candidates. They know that Clinton would be a much more formidable opponent and could garner both the black and woman's vote to battle the right-wing nuts and religious crusaders that the GOP will be lining up at the voting booth. This race is not about who the best Dem is for President, IT'S ABOUT WHO THE BEST DEM IS THAT HAS A SHOT AT BEATING THE GOP. Because let's face it, if there are that many morons out that to vote for Bush not once, but TWICE even though most of them knew it probably wasn't the right move, do you really think that they'll push the button for Obama if he, let's say, is going up against a war hero like McCain? It's a total loss for the Dems. On one side, you have Obama (no experience, no record, no military history), on the other side you'll probably have McCain (war hero, longtime US Senator, semi-conservative, multiple runs at President). Guess what. It's a total wash in McCain's favor and us Dems lose again. Think about it.

Consider the source — Ted Kennedy — who has shown about as much respect for women in his life as an amoeba. And yes, folks, it IS about gender! It's about the "good old boys" wanting a "new boy" they can twist and shake around, rather than having an experienced, strong woman who has her own convictions! And did you see how Obama fawned all over Ted during the State of the Union speech? Geez!

Do people really care who Kennedy endorses as a candidate? Its not like Ted is an upstanding citizen with any real power outside of his home state. Media used "from Kenya to Camelot"…well America, Camelot died with JFK! Ted Kennedy is not holding the torch for freedom and integrity! I was not and will never be impressed by who a Kennedy endorses. In fact, I would think many people would agree that a Kennedy endorsement does not equate to votes!

WE AS WOMEN HAVE SUPPORTED THE KENNEDY'S FOR OUR LIFE TIME OF HELPING IN POLOTIC'S BUT HIS INDORSING OBAMA OVER THE ONLY WOMAN TO EVER BE BRAVE ENOUGH TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT IS A SLAP IN THE FACE TO ALL OF US WHO SUPPORT HILLARY. MR. KENNEDY ALL YOUR LIFE TIME THAT YOU HAVE EMBARRASED US LADIES WITH SOME OF YOUR HI-JENKS IN YOUR LIFETIME AND THE DEATH OF A YOU CAMPAIGN HELPER WE HAVE STOOD BESIDE YOU, BUT THIS IS TOO MUCH—-GOOD BY TO YOU AND YOUR.

A TRUE DEMOCRAT LADY IN WEST VIRGINIA.

SHELBY SHARPS

FACT:::

OBAMA IS CHAIRMAN OF SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON EUROPE

OBAMA HAS NOT VISITED THE REGION

OBAMA HAS NOT HELD A SINGLE POLICY ORIENTED HEARING SINCE CHAIRMAN

TIMES ARE HARD FOR US FOLKS

OBAMA IS ALL HYPE

WE NEED A WORK HORSE NOT A SHOW HORSE

This race is turning out to be very ugly. It worries me, because I think it will turn many independants to the republican side come this fall. The democrats need to end this garbage dumping , because it's only going to hurt us.

I understand all the up-heval. We have our first viable African American and Women running for President. It's Inevitable that the Race and Gender Cards are going to be played. But we need to get back to the issues facing this country.

And for the record, Obama and Teddy have been way too chumy, last night at the State of the Union, this morning on the Today Show etc. The Kennedy Endorsment was nothing but to spite the Clintons. The Kennedy's want to hold their post as the ultimate political dynasty.

If Obama wants to turn the page on the old political system and bring about a change in politics, step one should be to dump the Kennedys, who do nothing but emulate our political past.

This women's group need to look at themselves. It isn't about gender or race, it's about who would be better to run our country. They need to blame Bill Clinton for his attacks, that's one of the reasons that helped the Kennedy's decide on who they were going to endorse. I'm a black american women and I'm still unsure, however, I'm not going to make an a- – out of myself and march with some women that have issues with themselves and want to blame someone else for their pain. The Kennedy's/People of the UNITED STATES have the right to endorse/vote for who they want (THAT'S THEIR RIGHT)! So women rest your necks!

Kennedy has shown us what John Kerry already has: that he too is a member of the good ol' boys network, and can't stand the fact that a woman could become the president of the United States!

Their statement is pure unadulterated sexism. Hillary Clinton is a politican and an individual. She should not be supported by ANYONE simply because she is a woman. If her record and her statements of what she will do in office are or are not adequate to sway someone to her side, her genitals should not make any difference.

The bra burners got burned!

Hillaryous! (Pun intended)

@morrow

I think your missing the point. Its not about choosing a person with a longer record in the past. Its about choosing the person with the right ideas to move forward, and that is a matter of opinion and political philosophy. If this was a Condi Rice vs Barak Obama, i'm sure you would prick Condi right… after all she does have a longer record of public service.. RIGHT? Your argument is built on sandy ground.

This is why feminism has a bad name in this country. You are as bad as a racist when you start degrading people b/c they are not like you. How can you choose a president based solely on the fact that they are male or female. This is crazy. Everyone in this blog can see that Hillary has no chance of winning the general election. So I feel that Kennedy did what he had to, endorse a candidate who can actually become president not one who is only running so she can claim to be "the first woman president".

This demonstrates what is wrong with the way folks in politics and these organizations think and operate. We talk about democracy in this country and yet someone makes a personal choice and he is being blasted for it… this is so wrong on so many levels. Betrayal of what… the right to make a personal choice, the right to follow one's heart and mind, the right as an individual to do what you think is right for this country? The National Organization for Women needs to stop acting like we live in a dictatorship country and go back and read the Constitution of the United States of America. In other words, grow up…

I am not surprised that the Prince of Chappaquiddick would endorse a man. Hillary Clinton is a champion for all women. "Uncle Teddy" showed his regard for women when he abandoned one to a watery death rather than risk his political career.

Dems need to choose for themselves. I am amazed at the length of time Ted Kennedy (who rose on the coattails of his brothers and through little effort of his own) has been allowed to call himself the "leader" of the Democratic party.
I found it to be typically arrogant that he would have the audacity to call Bill Clinton and tell him how to conduct himself. I wonder did he also called Barrack's wife?
I am a proud Democrat and will support whomever the party chooses, but I don't think it is Ted Kennedy's or John Kerry's place to make the choice or take advantage of their positions to boost someone else.
I wonder if Al Gore will come out for anyone?
Hillary has earned her right to run through her support of women, veterans and the less fortunate in our country.
Barrack Obama is a gifted speaker, but that does not necessarily make him a gifted President.
Barrack's ability to speak and win young people over will not ultimately result in the ability to convince Republicans to give up their tax cuts for the wealthy and their "oil war".
I support Hillary Clinton for President of the United States, but I will go with the party's choice. I hope it is ultimately Ms. Clinton.

I am terribly disppointed with this statement from NOW that Kennedy has betrayed women. Though am a woman and totally believe that it is time for a woman to be president in this country, I totally reject the idea that the mere fact that Clinton is a woman should automatically give her the presidency or buy the women's vote wholesale for her.

Clinton has shown herself as a divisive factor and I do not see her carrying everyone along in America. If a woman has to be president it has to be the RIGHT WOMAN. This feminist nonsense has gone way too far and women should realise that if they want equal respect and opportunities as men, they have to fight for it rather than expect it to be handed to them.

American women should pick the candidate that can do the job, not one they share the same sex with. This is a big disappointment.

Obama is not qualified to be President. He is way to green and inexperienced. If you vote for Obama you probably voted for the WORST President in history who has drove America right into a ditch GWB drunken fool.

Are they serious?

I have an open mind. In fact, I think a woman as president could really provide new opportunity for the USA. New opportunity, new perspectives, and new accopmplishments, resulting in new global respect. However, the response by NOW suggests that Senator Kennedy should have given his support to H Clinton because of her gender. What about the possibility of considering someone other than Clinton a better all around candidate? This position is the most important on the planet, and to imply one candidate is better than another only because of gender is nothing short of ludicrus! 'Support her because she is a/and represents women'; how different would that be from 'don't vote for him because he is Muslim?' You are isolating a qualified individual based upon a characteristic which is insignificant. Get with it people!

What a lie! NOW doesn't get its own way, so it must be that everyone else is sexist. Of course, their backing of Hillary Clinton for President because she's a woman isn't sexist at all, right?!

Women should vote for somebody who they believe in, not just because she's a woman.
If senator Kennedy believes in Obama, then his decision to endorse him should be respected.

Wow – How over the top can you get… "The ultimate betrayel…"

It's stupid things being said like that, which made me switch my support from Hillary to Obama…

Not supporting Hillary Clinton, is not the same as not supporting women – and everytime her supporters try to make a point like that, she will lose more educated voters like myself.

More special interest whining turning the Democrat Party into the Donner party.

I agree nearly verbatim with Suziku!

As a female voter, I would happily and eagerly vote for a woman if I thought she deserved the vote, and was the right woman for the job. As a woman and a New Yorker, I don't beleive Hillary fits that bill, not based on her track record here, or her track record overall.

I have been impressed with Obama, his candor , his concepts and his dignity. He has my vote as the right man for the job and if that jeopardizes my standing in NOW … well then… shame for them not recognizing that there are men who can make a difference in womens issues as well as minority issues (after all, ladies, we are still treated as a minority!)

Oh please! Billary is just not the right candidate! but now both candidates have a former drunk, womanizing cheat backing them…thats equality!

Endorsements do not tell people who to vote for, they tell you why they are voting for the person – get a grip people!

NOW needs to get with the program. Women have brains and we are going to vote for the most winable candidate , whom I believe to be Obama. I will not vote for Clinton just because she is female and so am I. What a dumb thing to base a decision like this on. Pull your head out NOW!

Hello,
Response to editorial!! I as a single woman with three sons, who has struggled
all my life to be a role model for my sons as a woman with no help!! Although I
respect "NOW" and their endeviours to change things for the "Woman's Rights"
but, I agree to disagree I am in support of "Kennedy's" discision to back "Obama"
I believe we do need change and a new direction and "Senator Obama" has shown that he, we can bring about "Change w/ New Direction!!!!!" Although I like
Mrs. Clinton, I don't believe she is ready to lead this "Country" maybe "Bill" is………
but not "Hillary" it has been shown and proven during these primaries, all I have
heard is "Bill" and "Hillary says she found her voice then where is it?????????

Respectfully,
D……Arkansas

I resent the fact that NOW is beholding to Hilary Clinton. She is not the kind of woman that most US women want to become the first woman President. It is stomach churning to see her with her lying and deceiving husband. Do we really want a woman as President with the husband like that. She is not a role model for any woman, young or old. Give me a break NOW!!!

N.O.W IS PLAYING THE GENDER CARD!!!!!!!

This women's group needs to get over it. Kennedy can support whomever he feels is the right choice. Everyone has choices. No one should cater to a specific group just because of gender or race. NOW is plain stupid.

This is ridiculous. To say that not supporting a women candidate has anything to do with a disregard to women's rights shows a lack of intelligence. We should be voting for who we believe will make the best president, REGARDLESS of what their race or gender is. To suggest that women should vote for the woman candidate simply because of her gender insults the intelligence of all women. Women fought for the right to vote, the right to have their voice heard, and now someone is trying to tell us what that voice should be saying?

Why is it that the media is falling all over themselves on what a tremendous boost Senator Kennedy's endorsement of Obama is. Is he the shining example of a morally upright individual who because of the Kennedy 'mystique' can control elections? President Kennedy/Bobby Kennedy/Ted Kennedy – have we forgotten numerous affairs/drinking/the drowning of a young woman in a lake – taking off and not reporting it? My my – how time changes our remembrances of such events.

While President Kennedy and Bobby Kennedy were eloquent and fought for civil rights, their off hours antics were something else indeed.

Supporter of women's rights? Hardly.

Enough about Saint Ted Kennedy.

I am not a big fan of Kennedy, but he has the right to endorse whomever he chooses. I am even less of a fan of Hillary Clinton. I don't blame him for endorsing the candidate that might make a decent president. Quit playing the gender card, people, I agree that if it was any other woman running I might vote for her, but Hillary Clinton will never get my vote!

We won't give up; we won' give up. As a woman, I will only support Hillary. Go Hillary.

Ted is over the hill, and by the way, we in the heartland are not swayed by the Kennedy's; they are east-coast insiders. And now Obama really looks like he can't do it on his own. I believe the New York Times said it best when they endorsed her: experience, experience, experience.

Looks like NOW wants women to vote for Hillary because she's a woman. Whatever happened to voting for the most qualified person for the job? NOW is an insult to women everywhere and as a woman, I wouldn't vote for her. There are many qualified women who could do the job; Hillary is not that woman. There country is in the process of voting for the best person for the job, not just because that person is a woman. Didn't we just get a big reminder from Bill Clinton driving the race card? Why is NOW playing the gender card? Enough is enough! I'm impressed with Caroline Kennedy recognizing leadership and the call for a new direction and spirit in our country. HIllary doesn't inspire that sense of change.

Half black, half white. Now if he were just half woman! Give me a break. To vote for or endorse anyone because of race or GENDER is the Epitome of stupid.

Too bad the voting public has the attention span of a gnat. The way to a free America is to believe that anyone can be president, not just who Ted Kennedy endorses. NEWSFLASH…the republicans and the democrats are full of greedy, disgusting people who love to polarize the people of America and pretend they are doing the working stiffs favors by robbing them blind. Do the research and go out and vote…DON'T listen to any polls…GET OFF YOUR BUTT AND VOTE. ANYONE CAN WIN THE ELECTION…VOTE OUT THE FAT CATS WHO HAVE BEEN IN POWER FOR DECADES

I love how they think that they represent all women in NY.

Kennedy "betrayed" a group that represented probably very small portion of women in NY.

This Now group is getting very anoying, first off all this is a Democatric country, so you can support whomever you want, and second this is about te BEST PERSON for the country, men or woman?!! By reacting this way the woman is hurting the Clinton campaign more than helping him. This group is reacting exactly like Busch did: either your with me or against me (like a spoiled child) GROW UP!!

Or… maybe he is smart enough to realize that Obama is just a much better candidate for president.

What are they looking for? Someone to support Hillary simply because she is a woman? I have no problem with a woman being president. However, it needs to be the right woman and Hillary is not it. Using one's better judgement and supporting the best person for President is not a slam to woman. Simply voting and supporting a woman for President because she is a woman is a slam to woman.

When I posted my first blog on this earlier this morning, there were "0 comments". Now I see that there are 90+; and mine is nowhere to be seen. Why is that "Mr.CNN moderator"?

Are you uncomfortable with posting comments that are critical of CNN's obvious bias in news delivery?

This is not shocking in any sense of the order. This primary has turned the US election system into mockery. Comments such as this one, by a group 80+% of Americans have probably never hears of just sully their reputation, if they had one, and show how ridiculous this has become. To support HRC just because SHE is A SHE shows how blind and one sided most of these organizations are.
Unfortunately, people will continue to support organizations, such as this one, that sticks to one agenda and does not even remotely concern itself with the betterment of society and its citizens.

Actually, thank you NOW for my daily reminder at how ridiculous we have become.

I totally disagree with NOW. I am a 51 year old woman and would love to see a woman in the White House but HC is not that woman. She is totally dependent on her husband to drag her across the finish line. I want a woman who can stand on her own.

GO BARACK!

That is the problem with much of this country. You have groups like NOW who are more hell bent on being discriminatory in the face of so called women's group. The objective of all groups is to ensure equality across the board. They are mad at Kennedy for not endorsing Hillary, I would not endorse Hillary either. That shows how screwed their views are but yet they call for equality, what a bunch of losers.

Not another term for these crooks and it has nothing to do with gender but the overall character of these people.

I DON'T THINK KENNEDY HAS ABANDON WOMEN, BUT HAS ABANDON A DISHONEST PERSON FOR ONE WHO HAS INTEGERITY.

HILLARY CLINTON HAS EARNED HER PLACE! WITH HARD WORK AND DETERMINATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I KNOW THAT SHE HAS A HUGE BAND OF SUPPORTERS! THEY NEED TO TAKE IT TO THE POLLS! OR WE ARE GOING TO EITHER END UP WITH SOMEONE WHO IS NOT QUALIFIED OR A REPUBLICAN !THAT WILL PUT US DOWN EVEN MORE. IT IS NO BIG SECRET THAT THE GOOD OLD BOYS WOULD RATHER SEE A BLACK MAN OR ANY MAN IN THE WHITE HOUSE JUST TO KEEP A WOMAN OUT!!!!!! WOMEN RUN EVERYTHING, THIS PARTICULAR WOMAN HAS WORKED HARD FOR THE POOR ,AFRICAN AMERICANS AND CHILDREN!!!!!!!! HILLARY KNOWS HOW TO GET THINGS DONE. SHE HAS GOTTEN NOTHING BUT GREAT REVIEWS FROM OTHERS ON THE SENATE. SHE HAS NUMEROUS ENDORSEMENTS THAT ARE NEVER MENTIONED. NEW YORK TIMES, FARMERS UNION CALIFORNIA, GOVERNOR ED RENDELL OF P.A., FORMER GOVERNOR OF M.D. KATHLEEN KENNEDY, MAYA ANGELOU!!!! THE MEDIA CAN SAY ANYTHING! THAT WILL NOT CHANGE THE VOTE! I WILL WORK 24 HOURS A DAY TO FIGHT THE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN AND HILLARY !!!!!!!!!! WHO IS WITH ME?????????????????? GO HILLARY 2008

Oh God….leave an address so I can send a few boxes of tissues…

There are many women who would and will vote for Obama. The allegations made by this group seem unfounded and ridiculously feminist.

Who is desperate NOW, Bilary?

What if Condi Rice had decided to run for the Republicans? NOW and the NAACP would have such an identity crisis it would implode. What a double standard! Clearly, based on NOW's statements, gender means everything and politics is only secondary.

Ted Kennedy(as well as Caroline and Patrick) picked the candidate,not based on gender,who knows how to tell the truth and who wouldn't present duality in leadership by having their spouse as co-president. This sounds rather strongly like swift-boating.

Is Karl Rove dressing in drag now?

I never thought I'd see the day that I'd really agree with Ted Kennedy — but I do! I'm a successful, professional woman who lived through the "women's movement" of decades ago and saw this same kind of single-minded "women or nothing" attitude. No one is the right choice because of race or gender. Period.

The real issue is who is right for the job — and continuing the "Clinton Dynasty" is more than I want to deal with. Besides, shouldn't NOW pay attention to the fact that Bill Clinton's heavy involvement in Hillary's campaign will *not* end if she is elected President?

Albuquerque, NM

I'm a young, white, liberal, feminist female who would rather vote for a Republican than Hillary. How can she call herself a strong female when she's relying so much on the experience and support of her husband?

Obama in '08!

Come on girls (National Organization for Women – NOW) this is not sticking with the cheer leaders at high school, it is about past vs. future. Kennedy is just supporting the candidate who he sees best for "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA". So get over it, it is about what America wants.

"When, I wondered, was the last time this country was guided by such a leader? Someone whose moral center was un-embargoed? Someone with courage instead of mere ambition? Someone who truly thinks of his country's citizens as "we," not "they"? Someone who understands what it will take to help America realize the virtues it fancies about itself, what it desperately needs to become in the world?"

- Toni Morrison (a real intelligent woman) said about Barack Obama

You don't get it, ladies. It's not that he doesn't support women; he doesn't support THIS woman.

Moreover, you're coming across as hysterical. Get over it.

This is lie! I am really suprised about this organization, because in democracy everyone has rights to support what he wants. It is free choise of Kennedy and anyone need to respect it. It is very bad that there is voices in America, who wants to stay against freedom of speech and freedom of opinions.

Since when had the Kennedy family been so "above it all" and annointed as the holy ones when it came to campaigning. They've played every dirty trick in the book, so not sure where Ted comes off being unhappy as to how the Clintons are running.

Its no secret that Ted doesn't respect women, but at least he isn't driving them off bridges anymore. Er Ah Er Ah that was an accident. . . . . .

Now, if NOW hadn't abandoned the women that Bill Clinton abused back in the 90's, I might have some empathy for their stance. However, they proved what they were made of by turning a deaf ear and falling all over the piece of white trash from Arkansas. Hillary Clinton is no different except for being from Illinois.

Sounds like an estrogen laced rant to me. Makes absolutely no sense.

Obama '08!

Soooooo….I guess if he endorsed Hillary Clinton then he would have been disrespecting black people? Give me a break ladies…..

Is it not a form of facism to dictate to people how they are to vote?
If the only reason to support Clinton is that she is female, it does not make sense.

Ted did what was necessary. Hillary had essentially stepped into the background and allowed Bill to run for a 3rd term using backstreet, "dirty tricks" politics. She was allowing HIM to tear the party apart!! Now that's BAD LEADERSHIP, bad enough to move me firmily into Obama's camp.

My god-Is this chapter speaking for all american women or just a privileged select few? I don't recall anyone polling for my answer. If anyone paid attention Caroline backed Barack as well. It's high time that this chapter gets over themselves-NOW.
!

Why leave a comment? YOU NEVER PRINT MINE!!!!!!!
GO OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree that Kennedy has betrayed 'ALL Women' in the U.S., he has joined a long list of 'American Men', who have turned their back's on Hillary, because she is a woman, and they can't stand the idea, that a woman can handle the job, just as well as they can.
Men have been in power for many years, and I can't see them handling the job well at all.

Let the women SHUT UP. Its not about gender, but a real President and moreover, something new which is UNITY.

Like it or not, women, throughout history, have been seen as the weaker sex. That being said, I, as a woman, am not ready for a woman predident. Our country is at war. The last thing we need right now, is even the "perception" of weakness at the head of our government. -PS

There is nothing wrong with Kennedy supporting Obama, he did it for John Kerry as well. Besides he shouldn't endorse a woman candidate because she is a woman. Hillary just has to continue fighting for what she believes in. She has been fighting for civil rights all her life and there is no reason she should stop now.

NOW gives women a bad name by suggesting that women should (and would) vote for a woman presidential candidate simply because of her gender. Anyone who votes for a candidate simply because of race, religion, or gender, without giving a second thought to the issues, should not vote.

I AM A FORTY-FIVE YEAR OLD MAN, AND IT TOOK THIS MANY YEARS FOR ME TO REALIZE THAT I AM NIEVE. I WAS RAISED TO BELIEVE THAT YOUR WORD WAS YOUR BOND, THAT WAS UNTIL I STARTED WATCHING HILLARY. THIS WOMAN HAS PLEDGED TO FOLLOW THE RULES THAT THE DNC HAD LAID OUT FOR FLORIDA AND MICHIGAN AND 2 FOR 2 SHE HAS FOUND AWAY TO IGNORE THEM. I HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT SHE CAN NOT BE TRUSTED AND THAT SHE IS A POOR EXAMPLE TO HONEST PEOPLE.

SHE WILL SAY OR DO ANYTHING TO WIN.

Maybe NOW should realize it is not US vs THEM or people betraying other people, it is about what you believe in and maybe T. Kennedy believes in Obama more than Clinton- leave it at that, it is not women vs men, or black vs white, it is about the candidate that can inspire and lift us above the deeply ideological and partisan politics we have been witness to over the last two decades

NOW and organization like it are turning voters against Hilliary with comments like this. No one with any common sense is going to vote for a person based on a gender. If they were, I've got a very smart, loving, devoted, caring and loyal female German Shepard the NOW organization can vote for. P.S. Just heard someone on the radio be asked who he's voting for – his answer: "Anyone but Hilliary." And I agree. Ms. Slick does not deserve mine or anyone else's vote. For her, it's politics as usual.

Betrayal or no betrayal, my first reaction when I heard about Kennedy's endorsement was "yuk" for Obama. Kennedy has more negatives than Bill. The whole family does for that matter. In the short term it seems like a pretty sweet endorsement, but in the long term this will make a great Republican ad in the Fall. Obama "WAY TOO LIBERAL." The Clintons, I am sure, did not want Ted's endorsement, but Ted to stay neutral. It still won't matter much. Hillary, unlike Obama, who is relatively unknow still, has her own label and can sell or not sell herself. People aren't wondering to themselves, "If Ted or anyone else does or doesn't endorse Hillary that will sway my vote. " She is a know quantity already. This is shown in the NOW group's reaction.

And people have the nerve to say blacks only vote on race…are you kidding me…Hilary is a Femist to the death and has teh back of all the so called "independant" women in america…so I guess just cause she's a woman she's entitled to all female votes and the clintons have a right to lay claim to the white house…I swear clinton supports are delusional….all this stuff happening to the Billary Twins campiegn is self inflicted….Obama didn't bring race into this…they did….Obama doesn't hide behind his wife but Hilary does hide behind Bill and his crumbling popularity…I use to be a huge fan of Bill he was one most popular president but that was in the past…wer are looking to move foward and HIlary Clinton is NOT the future of our country…all you Women need to get off this PMS kick you guys are on cause Hilary is not all that she is not gods gift to females and she definitly is not the type of President we need…she is a liar and a fake just like her husband…

What a ridiculous statement! Pretty sad when your own national chapter does not back your statement. Ted Kennedy has no obligation to back Hilary Clinton nor does it portray him as a racist. This is politics ladies…….a dirty battle that is often unfair and underhanded……but I am sure Hilary would fix all of that…….please….

NOW does not speak for "women", it speaks for a certain segment of the white female population and have always left women of color, stay at home moms, and often times women of faith outside their narrow agenda.

I suppose I a white woman in SC I have now betrayed my race and my gender by voting for Barack Obama? NOW-NY just made about the most petty and belittling statement I've ever heard.

How about a little cheese with that whine. Apparently NOW expects Ted Kennedy and America to support Billary on the sole basis that she's is a woman. What a complete load.

If Hilliary wants to represents women trying to make it in today's world, she will need to stop crying and hanging onto Bill's coat tail. It seems every time the going gets rough she runs to Bill to bail her out. The good cop bad cop show pushed me right over the edge. We have had Bush, Bush, I don't think we are ready for Clinton, Clinton.

I to was for Hilary Clinton and two thing made me change my thinking. First was the attacks by her husband on Obama. I feel that Obama is trying to run a clean campain and the Clintons have chosen to try to bring the campain down into the dirt. The Clintons have been mistreated by the right wing for a long time they should know better than to revert to their dirty tactics! Secondly, Obama I believe is the only candidate in a long time that is talking about unification not only between partties but the world. If there is any hope for this country and this world I believe it will be done by a peace maker not a warrior. I hope for my childrens sake our country finally makes the right choice to elect a candidate that will move our country in a positve direction. This is not about man woman or black white. This is about world peace and prosperity for all.

BENVICTOR SPEAK FOR YOURSELF. THIS FLORIDIAN AIN'T BLIND. OBAMA 08

Women, get over it. This presidential election is so much bigger than YOU! Way to demonstrate the true essence of a woman that we have been trying to shake since the beginning of time……..ALWAYS COMPLAINING!

Everyone has a right to their opinion. I am a white, almost elderly female. I am also a registered Republican. I have been watching the debates. I am leaning towards Obama. It seems if Hillary were to be president, her husband would be calling the shots. He hurt a lot of people by signing NAFTA and I'm afraid she will make a big mistake, too. The economy problems do not belong to Bush. They are the domino effect from Bill's signature. We need change. Obama is young and he also fights for change and has since his younger days. He has a great potential to unite this nation. We need new faces.

Senator Kennedy obviously feels more devotion to the USA and not just to elect a woman president. The Organization for Women needs to stop their whining, that's part of the problem and Kennedy feels Obama is part of the solution to put the US back on track. It's time to take a stand and not a back seat.

The Democratic party has represented itself as the party of equality. Meanwhile those Republicans are Racist Elitist. It is ironic that the Democratic Party is squabbling about race and gender.

President Bush mentioned hope and change many times last night. He allows us to hope for change. Republicans are talking about change, too. Why should we vote for Democrats?

You know…I felt compelled to leave a long blasting comment about NOW's letter….but I see my fellow Americans already has this covered…thankfully.

This letter really shows how shallow they are…it is unbelievable…..'betrayed women?'

OMG

Absurd. When did gender become more important than competency? Just because the senetor supports Obama dosn't mean he is against women. If he had backed Clinton and a chapter of the African-American community had reacted this way, would this NOW chapter agree with that? Wake up, lets do our best to elect the most QUALIFIED candidate, not the one you find most gender/racially pleasing. We have a lot of things to fix, the nation is bleeding, lets not get side tracked.

As both a member of the military and a woman, this got my blood boiling first thing in the morning. Now gives no other reason for endorsing Billary except for the fact that she is a woman. That would be like me endorsing Obama simply because we are both black. Woman or not, if Billary was president, it would still not ensure that the NOW agenda was pushed or even addressed. She is after all a politician. What a sorry group of women to simply follow someone based on gender. Get a life, and worry about the real issues like the many friend and shipmates I have lost in Iraq.

Ted Kenndy's endorsment to Obama over Clinton got nothing to do with women's right. That is wierd.

Is it so outrageous to think that he endorsed Obama because he thought he was a better candidate?

I am a woman and I don't agree with NOW. Perhaps they should find a more suitable female candidate and get back to us. I stand behind Mr. Kennedy too! It's all about change. We need it and it the state of the union wasn't proof. Well what else do you need!!!!!!!!!! OBAMA '08

I must add to my previous comment that I would have split my sides laughing at Ted Kennedy's transparency of motive were he not so pathetic. As an admirer of JKF in my youth, I can say with conviction that Ted Kennedy and Barack Obama are no John Kennedy.

While I respect the Chapters right to voice their opinion it is just that, their opinion. Senator Kennedy, as do us, all have to vote our concious!. Would the New York Chapter sacrifice the greater good of their families to honor others desires! For Senator Kennedy to have not endorsed Barack Obama would have been setting aside the greater good of our American Family for loyalties sake. No one would enjoy more a female President than myself however, this is not the time. Senator Clinton would make a "great" President, I believe. But, it is not woman's "JOB" to be in the fore-front….unless there is no man to stand up! We have men who are willing and able to stand up, be and do what is fair, just and the good of "all" mankind (this means wo-man, also) So, I say, New York, quit thinking about the power for women only and look to the greater good!

Respectfully,

Gail Eaddy

NOW – please stop speaking on my behalf. I back Senator Obama for president not because of his race or gender, but because of his ideas.

If he is looking for a new blood to lead the country, why is the 76 year old is still in power as a politician. We accepted all his flaws and still revered him and voted for him. Now he slams against women as he doees not want a woman to become the President of the country. I am very, very disappointed and lost faith and interest in this senior senator of my state.

The process has to take its course before an endorsement (unless it is part his/her family). The other senator Kerry visits the state only when he needs to be elected. It is unfortunate that both whom we supported all along are mere disappointment to women of the great state of Ma as well as to the country.

Let us see what their future is, in our state, in the next election. What a shock! how in no time some one you admire and lookup to, can fall to the ground in our opinion, with very bad thoughtless decisions like this!

This is the most absurd statement I've ever seen…NOW has lost whatever credibility it might of had. I understand that every politician makes promises to win over certain groups, but to blatantly come out and make a statement like this is ridiculous. It's not like he said he'd rather vote for a Republican or something like that.

you know here are the FACTS He is a LEADER out of all the candidates

Stop bashing LETS MOVE FORWARD

"NOW says exactly what every woman is thinking.. et tu, Teddy ? " – I agree

And there-in lies the problem. As a woman, I can think for myself, thank you. Obviously, they're NOT saying what every woman is thinking.

Oh please ! NOW all of a sudden it's a gender issue ? This is even more hypocritical than playing the race card .

Democrats want to win this election and to do so they need to pick a candidate who CAN win. Hillary CAN'T win with a 50+ disapproval rating so they must do the right thing and move their support to who can. Obama can win as can Edwards, pretty simple stuff no matter how you feel about it ladies. You will get your turn when the time and candidate are right. Use this positive energy to find her because it sure isn't Hillary. Besides, who cares what Ted Kennedy thinks anyway!!!

How does NOW respond to all the female govenors, whom have supported Obama?

…just like a woman to stockpile ammo against someone's past transgressions and unload an artillery attack for something completely unrelated. Way to live up to the stereotype of women being illogical over emotional morons! Kuudos

I thought we were progressive enough not to vote for a gender or a race… but for a person.

For NOW to be angry at anyone, particularly Ted Kennedy or any male, who won't endorse Hillary Clinton is the ultimate betrayal – a betrayal of integrity, honor, and respect. I've always been a Clinton fan, but that's changed after the debacle in Carolina. While I was still waivering between the two candidates, I'm now committed to Obama. The maliciousness of both Clintons in this race is an example of how Hillary would lead the country and I do not want self-serving meanness any more in our leadership roles. And how can NOW be so angry at Kennedy when Hillary herself showed she wanted to lean on her husband to help with her candidacy when she thought she was losing. Ted Kennedy has betrayed women in the past but in this instance it was Hillary who betrayed women.

JR SULLIVAN January 28, 2008 9:56 pm ET

IF ANYONE CAME CLOSE TO RUNNING THIS COUNTRY LIKE JFK IT WAS
BILL CLINTON,I FIND IT A DISGRACE WHAT SEN KENNEDY DID

Bill Clinton is NOT running, he and Hillary may have the same political tactics but they have very different ideas of how things should go. ONCE AGAIN BILL IS NOT RUNNING

I would support a woman for president if she was someone like Barbara Jordan. Remember her from Texas a long while ago. What matters is integrity, honesty and an understanding of a people as a whole. It seems that Hillary is basing her campaign on gender which appears NOW is also doing. It appears that comments from a woman are acceptable and those from anyone else are not. I believe the Kennedy's see an opportunity for this nation to excited about its leader and its future like it did when John Kennedy ran. I was there at that time and I do see some of the same things as back then. NOW is just another polarizing special interest group supporting Hillary. We need to ignore them if we can and teach them that all the people come before them we can't.

I would vote for a woman for president, but not if that woman is Hillary Clinton. Race and gender are not the voting issues for me.

Can anyone explain to us why NOW has so consistently backed the Clintons over so many years, despite Bill's victimization of women through his extramarital antics? Why wasn't NOW the voice of those women that Bill Clinton used sexually and then hushed up? Why didn't NOW lead the charge to get him impeached? What has led to NOW being so totally seduced by Bill's wit and charm?

I find it courious that when it involves Hillary, it's a woman issue? Hillary is trying to appeal to men as well. I guess there is a double standard amoung women. If only women voted for her she would fail. I have always fought for women's rights. I have been in heated debates with ultra conservatives over the issues. I find this attack troubling? Have I been mis-guided in the past working for women?

Obama gives every American hope. He crosses to the other side of the isle with ease to work out compermises. Hill can't do that! She is polarizing. We would end-up with nothing getting done again for the next 4 years as Dem' and Repub's fight it out on the floors of congress. Sad!

I believe that is why Kennedy backs Obama. Not because he's a women hater, goodness knows he's stood up for womens rights for years. He knows that Hill and Bill are even polarizing the Democratic party much less the rest of the US.

Back Obama for Change, a new beginning and reject the old Lee Atwater / Karl Rove tactics the Clintons are using. Let's elect based on issues again, if ever we did. That's the change he brings!

How much have my wife and I changed. My wife help put on the Hillary Clinton fund rasier here in Florida just before she declared her candidcy. I guess we know a little bit about what we are saying!

The state NOW is off base in criticizing Senator Kennedy. As a woman, I'm offended that NOW believes I should vote for Hillary because of her gender. I like Hillary and I think she would be a great president but I'm voting for Obama because I think he'll be a greater president.

So we should vote for Hillary just because she's a woman? NOT!

As a male, I am incredibly offended by NOW's sexist comments.

maybe ted is thinking the same thing alot of others are about the clintons. JUST GO AWAY AND TAKE THE BUSH FAMILY WITH YOU . was it not bill ( opps my fly is down) clinton who signed in free trade that wo