Two Big Endorsements

The rule of thumb is that most endorsements in presidential politics are of limited value. However, two endorsements, one in each party, will have a major impact on the nominating races going forward.

For the Republicans, Gov. Charlie Crist endorsed Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) in the very close Florida primary. Gov. Crist is hugely popular among Republicans and Democrats and his endorsement was sought by all of the major Republican candidates. Crist is campaigning with McCain in the last two days of the election, which will be held tomorrow, and is stressing McCain’s experience, character and foreign policy credentials. Crist’s endorsement should help with Florida Republicans who are still uncommitted and with soft Rudy Giuliani supporters who might still choose McCain. The race is very close, but Crist’s endorsement is a great way for the McCain forces to end the Florida campaign.

For the Democrats, the patron saint of liberals everywhere, Sen. Edward Kennedy (Mass.), is issuing his endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.). However much former President Bill Clinton’s negative campaigning against Obama has helped his wife so far, it apparently drove Kennedy into the Obama camp. Kennedy’s endorsement will be a huge boost among older, regular Democrats, many of whom are blue-collar union members, who have been skeptical of the new and untested Obama. Kennedy, who has served in the Senate for over 40 years, will also help to blunt the charge that Obama is too inexperienced to be president. What was shaping up as a battle of the party regulars (Clinton) vs. insurgents (Obama) on Super Tuesday has been transformed with Kennedy’s endorsement.