[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/05/15/art.kennedy.gi.jpg caption="Kennedy is backing Moran."]WASHINGTON (CNN) - A member of the Kennedy clan is making an endorsement in the Virginia governor's race.
Rhode Island Rep. Patrick Kennedy, the son of Sen. Ted Kennedy, announced on Friday that he's backing Democrat Brian Moran.
"Last November, families in Virginia and across the nation helped usher in a new generation of leadership," Kennedy said in a statement. "However, the need for this new generation of leaders is not confined to Washington and the White House."
It's another example - after Ted and Caroline Kennedy's endorsement of Barack Obama in 2008 - of the Kennedy family keeping its political distance from Bill and Hillary Clinton. Moran's rival for the Democratic nomination, after all, is longtime Clinton ally Terry McAuliffe. The former president has been campaigning for McAuliffe throughout the commonwealth this week.
With low turnout expected in the June 9 primary, each campaign hopes that these brand name endorsements will help them win the support of the Democratic loyalists likely to go to the polls on election day.
Moran and McAuliffe are competing against Democrat Creigh Deeds for their party's nomination. The winner of that primary will face Republican Bob McDonnell in the general election.
The endorsement is not the only Kennedy boost Moran is getting: Ethel Kennedy, the widow of former Senator Robert F. Kennedy, is hosting a fundraiser for Moran on May 27 at her home, Hickory Hill in McLean.
Hey from where I sit I'm just happy to see that there are finally eneough Democrats in Virginia to actally have a primary matter.
Don't it make your red state?
Don't it make your red state?
Don't it make your red state, BLUE?
Yeah!
I'm a liberal, voting democratic usually, but Terry McAuliffe makes my skin crawl. Belongs in a used car lot.
Oh Patches..if only you were as good at politics as dear old dad was at driving or swimming..an american family that is a disgrace to the political process
The evil spawn of Teddy. Please pay no attention. This guy is such a fool that anyone who has contact with him considers him an idiot. I'm sure that Brian Moran is cringing as we blog.
Democrats need to replace Pelosi as Speaker. Her credibility is shot after the 6 or now 7 times she changed her story on the CIA interrogation briefing. Even Leon Paneta a Democrat is calling her bluff. Leon is an honorable public servant and says Pelosi crossed the line. She is calling the CIA liars. CIA is non-partian its job is to protect the country like the FBI. The fact that Pelosi has changed her story while the CIA story has been consistent all along should tell us who is telling the truth hear. Pelosi was so eager to punish the Bush Administration and settle political scores that she backed herself into a corner. Now she should resign as Speaker because if she is allowed to move forward and continues to play partisan politics with the country's national security we will pay a tremendous price in the ability of these agencies to properly defend our country.
The fact of of the matter is this, Matthew Detroit: I don't (yet) know know whom is lying (if, in fact anyone is doing so) and neither do you. You, on the other need to get a grip, and follow that by getting a life.
The best of the Kennedy's died in the 60's. the current crop are nothing but a bunch of drunks, drug addicts and rapists.
So what he can back who ever he wants. YOu guys must be runing out of news. Is he boycotting Notra Dame too.
I think someone needs to tell this guy that being a Kennedy mean squat.
We could care less
Don't trust anybody associated with the clintons.....
If you lay down with dogs, you smell like dogs .
Now I'm telling you - anytime Ethel Kennedy puts her name out there, you opponents beware! How did she become such a wise politician anyway? - By osmosis, one has to guess. Her son and daughter do not share her choices, and we must wonder why? Not really.
the entire kennedy family & history couldn't even win MA for obama. i don't put any importance to this endorsment.
I agree. Terry McAuliffe has done nothing other than pimp for Hillary and has never governed anything, including his own misplaced trust in his ability to hoodwink voters. Brian Moran is clearly a superior candidate.
I can't quite figure out why Ted Kennedy has an axe to grind with the Clintons; if it may be Bill Clinton's indiscretion while he was president. If so, isn't that like the "pot calling the kettle black?"
The Clintons are like the New York Yankees and the Dallas Cowboys.. you either love 'em or hate 'em. They're winners and you just can't get them down. Go get 'em Clintons.
There was a time when a Kennedy endorsement went a long way, but then.... like I said, there was a time.
If the "Brian Moran vs. Terry McAuliffe" Democratic Primary battles are half as exciting as the "Barack Obama vs. Hillary Clinton" 2008 Primaries, then the Virginia Governors race is a lock for the Democratic Party. Who ever wins the Democratic primary governor's race, may very well win Virginia's Governorship.
So SLM. I hope your not implying that McAuliffe is one of the "people". The Kennedy's have it right on this one. Terry is, and has been, a major embarrassment to the Democratic party
A great endorsment from the great kennedy clan..Ted drowns a young woman on marthas vineyard..Joe drives drunk on nantucket and leaves a woman paralized for life..Michael gets caught screwing around with the baby sitter than kills himself skiing..michael skakel is doing life for murdering a young woman..and than good old Patches goes to virginia to endorse someone..I hope he didn't drive there..yes siree a classic example of politics in America
Sniffet: you are the classic blind little libby.