Kennedy: 'It's time now for Barack Obama'
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Sen. Edward Kennedy endorses Sen. Barack Obama for president
Brother of President Kennedy says "it is time for new leadership"
Caroline Kennedy, JFK's daughter, and Rep. Patrick Kennedy also endorse Obama WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Edward Kennedy backed Sen. Barack Obama for president Monday, saying: "It is time again for a new generation of leadership."
Sen. Edward Kennedy shakes Barack Obama's hand after endorsing him Monday.
"It is time now for Barack Obama," the Massachusetts senator and brother of the late President Kennedy added.
He stood with Obama, his son Rep. Patrick Kennedy and his niece, Caroline Kennedy before a screaming capacity crowd of students at American University in Washington, DC.
"Like you, we want a president who appeals to the hopes of those who still believe in the American dream," he said.
"I've found that candidate. And it looks to me like you have too," he said.
Kennedy said he has always planned to "support the candidate who inspires me, who inspires all of us, who can lift our vision and summon our hopes and renew our belief that our country's best days are still to come."
And picking up on Obama's central campaign theme, he said, "I feel change in the air. What about you?"
Kennedy also praised Sens. Hillary Clinton and John Edwards, and vowed, "whoever is our nominee will have my enthusiastic support."
But he also took a line from Clinton's campaign, saying that Obama "is ready to be president on day one."
The senator -- a fixture of the Democratic Party popular with many liberals -- was introduced by Caroline Kennedy, who thought back to her father, the slain president. She said Obama offers the "sense of hope and inspiration" that young people today need. In fact, she said, her children "were the first people who made me realize Barack Obama is the president we need."
Caroline Kennedy endorsed Obama in a New York Times editorial over the weekend.
Members of the Kennedy clan are split in the race. Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend issued a statement Sunday stating her support for Hillary Clinton.
"I respect Caroline and Teddy's decision, but I have made a different choice," she said. "While I admire Sen. Obama greatly, I have known Hillary Clinton for over 25 years and have seen firsthand how she gets results. As a woman, leader and person of deep convictions, I believe Hillary Clinton would make the best possible choice for president."
She added that her brother Bobby and sister Kerry are also backing Clinton.
Kennedy Townsend is the oldest child of Robert F. Kennedy. E-mail to a friend
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