Caroline Kennedy endorses Joe Biden and breathes new life into campaign after dismal showing in Iowa
CAROLINE Kennedy announced that she was endorsing Joe Biden for president on Tuesday.
The support for former President John F Kennedy's daughter could not have come at a better time for Biden, who is heading off to New Hampshire after an underwhelming performance at the Iowa caucuses.
Caroline has been close to Biden for over 40 years, and the two worked together in the Obama administration after she was appointed ambassador to Japan by the former president.
She announced her support of Biden in a Boston Globe op-ed, the same city where her great-grandfather made the fortune that would help launch the political careers of his three sons - former President John F Kennedy, former Attorney General Robert F Kennedy and Senator Ted Kennedy.
"I have admired Joe Biden since I was a Senate intern, in 1974," writes Caroline in her piece.
"He was a new senator, devout Catholic, and devoted father to two young sons who had just lost their mother and sister. [Caroline's uncle, former Seantor] Teddy recognized him as someone who shared his belief that government should always be on the side of those who need help.
"In their own families and beyond, they gave others strength in times of loss. They never stopped listening to those who were struggling and treated everyone with dignity. They fought for working families. They worked across the aisle to get the best deal possible and battled to protect the gains they had won. They shared an empathy for others and a commitment to service over self."
She then writes of the work that needs to be done to undo the policies created by President Donald Trump, and defeating the incumbent is the most important thing to Caroline.
"We need a nominee who can compete in every state, who can bring wandering Democrats and independents back to the fold, and even attract some Republicans," states Caroline.
"Biden at the top of the ticket is our best bet to win the White House, keep the gains we made in the House, and put the Senate in play."
There are few endorsements that carry more weight than that of a Kennedy in New England, and they family remains the closest thing America has had to a monarchy.
Many in New England still have paintings of Caroline's father hanging on their walls, and families visit the Kennedy's oceanside compound in hopes of getting a glimpse of a family member.
Four of the six states in that region - New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont - will hold their primaries in the new month, and Caroline's endorsement should give Biden a vital boost in the New Hampshire race next week.
That would then allow him to get back on his feet after what looks to be a fourth-place finish in Iowa.
Biden has a tough road ahead of him New England, where he will be trying to steal away voters from two natives - Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.
Those two are currently expected to win their home states, and both bested Biden in Iowa despite being called back to Wasahington DC for President Trump's impeachment proceedings during the final two weeks of campaigning in Iowa.