I thought it would be useful to have a place for those of us watching Senator Kennedy, Representative Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy endorse Senator Obama to talk. The rally hasn't started yet but will soon. If you want to watch it tune into MSNBC, AP live feed http://play.rbn.com/... or CNN live feed http://www.cnn.com/...
VIDEO UPDATE: The following links show video of the event.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/...
http://thepage.time.com/...
UPDATE: The text of the speeches of Caroline Kennedy, Senator Kennedy, and Senator Obama as prepared for delivery available here: http://my.barackobama.com/...
Update 1: If you are listening to the AP feed (I am) I think you will enjoy the musical selections.
Update 2: Some selections of Kennedy's speech are on First Read:
On who's really the "change" candidate, Kennedy will say: "Barack Obama is the one person running for President who can bring us that change. Barack Obama is the one person running for president who can be that change."
And toward the end of the speech, Kennedy connects Obama to his brother, JFK. "There was another time, when another young candidate was running for president and challenging America to cross a New Frontier." Kennedy says JFK also faced criticism from Democrats about his lack of experience.
"Harry Truman said we needed 'someone with greater experience' -- and added: 'May I urge you to be patient,'" Kennedy will say. "And John Kennedy replied: 'The world is changing. The old ways will not do... It is time for a new generation of leadership.' So it is with Barack Obama."
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/...
Update 3: A student from AU (I think) is speaking about the Caroline Kennedy's endorsement and how historic Obama's run is. She is saying Obama is like Kennedy.
Update 4: They endorsers and endorsee now on stage.
Update 5: Representative Kennedy is speaking first. Senator Kennedy lowered voting age, use it to vote for Obama. In times such as these we need someone who can inspire faith in our Government like my uncle(Barack Obama). Representative Kennedy kept it short and is introducing his cousin, Caroline Kennedy.
Update 6: Caroline Kennedy is drawing a comparison to her father, President Kennedy. Talks of him inspiring her children. Says that Barack Obama is "the president we need." She keeps it short introducing her uncle, Senator Teddy Kennedy. (Obama and Teddy joking around in the background.) Interestingly Senator Kennedy looks kinda nervous...
Update 7: The lion of the Senate is up now.
"We want a president that appeals to those who still believe in the American dream."
"A leader who has the power to make America good again from sea to shining see."
I want a candidate that inspires me, I've found that candidate... and I think you have too.
(Nice things about Clinton and Edwards.)
"I believe there is one candidate who has the extraordinary gifts of leadership and character matched to this extraordinary moment in history."
"Fired up and ready to go!"
"When others were silenced, or just went along, he opposed the war in Iraq."
Sen. Kennedy praises the young for civil rights, equality for women, environmentalism, and others. Connects the hunger to move America forward in these movements to Barack Obama and his support.
"With Barack Obama we will break the gridlock in America and make healthcare what it should be in America. A right..."
"With Barack Obama we will end the war in Iraq. A war that he always stood against..."
"...only if we replace the politics of fear with the politics of hope..."
"Barack Obama is the one person running for President who can bring us that change. Barack Obama is the one person running for president who can be that change."
"And I know that he is ready to be President on day 1."
"Harry Truman said we needed 'someone with greater experience' -- and added: 'May I urge you to be patient,' and John Kennedy replied: 'The world is changing. The old ways will not do... It is time for a new generation of leadership.' So it is with Barack Obama."
"It is time now for Barack Obama."
Update 8: It is time now for Barack Obama...
"The Kennedy family, more than any other, has always stood for what is best about the democratic party, and what is best about America."
"In the year I was born, President Kennedy let out word that the torch had been passed to a new generation of Americans. He was right it was passed to his younger brother..."
Look at the crowd behind him. Men and women. Young and old. Black and white. (Talking on cell phone and not.) That is the future of America. That is the coalition that we need to carry us forward into the 21st century.
I apologize for the limited text from Obama... He just isn't sound-bitable. He speaks in (eloquent) paragraphs, not sentences.
This election... "is about the past vs. the future... looking backwards vs. looking backwards... whether we are going to seize this moment to write the next great american story..."
"I'm asking for your hands, I'm asking for your help, and I'm asking for your hearts... if you'll stand to keep the american dream alive for those who hunger for opportunity and those who thirst for justice... then we will not just win this country but we will..." ?change this country?
That's all folks. What a rally!