Is Barack Obama of 2008 like Robert F. Kennedy of 1968?

[PresidentObama]

I see the same hope and passionate care about other peoples lives.

I think Barack Obama has a lot in common with the legacy of the Kennedys, and the passion and courage they had. And the rockstar appeal, and geniune care they felt for average Americans and people who were hurting and needed hope and inspiration--a better way and change.

Is Barack Obama to 2008 what RFK was to 1968?

Disclaimer: I'm aware that RFK Jr. endorsed Hillary. I know that's one of the HRC supporters favorite talking points. Too bad RFK Jr. isn't RFK, and doesn't represent or speak for his sadly passed away father. Thanks ;)

[galaxy21]

1. Edwards is more RFK, to be honest.

[PresidentObama]

4. I thought that as well. A lot of people compared RFK to JE, and JFK to BO. But I thought I'd ask.

[SammyWinstonJack]

39. Right on!

[BeatleBoot]

2. Barack is to 2008

What McGovern was to 1972

[Fredda Weinberg]

6. Or what Jesse Jackson would have been in 1988 n/t

[madrchsod]

50. i saw jessie speak in 67-68 (it was a long time ago)

he was good with a great message but obama is just a bit better. jessie is a preacher and barack is a politician and that`s the difference

[Hoof Hearted]

8. Bingo! And worse, I'm afraid.

[madrchsod]

51. i disagree with that...mcgovern did`t have a chance

the people were fed up with the democrats. this year they are fed up with the rethugs. hillary or obama will take the presidency

[enigmatic]

3. No

Not even close. And I like Obama.

[PresidentObama]

5. Here's a YouTube video comparing the two:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=H6xyhBMMFlY&feature=related

[Tribetime]

53. Excellent thanks

[Hoof Hearted]

7. Think George McGovern, but less electable.

That's Obama.

[AmericanUnity]

37. THAT WOULD BE HILLARY, THE 'INSIDER CANDIDATE' - NOT A WINNER. PERIOD. Negative's too high

[chieftain]

9. The coolness and elegance remind me more of JFK but

the fervor of the crowds brings back the memory of seeing Bobby in Lawrence, Kansas the day after he announced for the presidency. I think Obama is something very special.

[thatsrightimirish]

10. Let's hope for a better ending nt

[NoBushSpokenHere]

11. Barack may surpass them all!

Remains to be seen at this point in time. I just hope he gets a chance to prove himself!

[Mags]

12. well, hell no, he and his fans just want it to be,What a joke.

[Mooney]

13. I'm supporting Obama, but I voted "no."

Only RFK could be RFK. We were robbed, and we're never going to get that back.

We have to look forward.

[PresidentObama]

20. Agreed. RFK is my all-time hero.

[democrattotheend]

14. I'm afraid to vote yes

I see a lot of parallels, but I am afraid to compare Barack to RFK for obvious reasons. At least the California primary is over though...

[H2O Man]

15. I support Obama,

and think he has the ability to be the most talented national leader of the past 40 years. However, I would like to point out that Robert Kennedy Jr., is a good and honorable man, who absolutely carries on the work of his father. He endorsed Senator Clinton because he has been impressed by her commitment to important environmental issues. His endorsement isimportant, and speaks well for the Clinton campaign.

[JVS]

16. Hillary is to April 2008 what Huckabee was to March 2008

[PresidentObama]

22. LOL!!! n/t

[Aussie leftie]

17. Remember, Robert Kennedy was not perfect

He fully supported Senator Joe McCarthy.

[Seabiscuit]

18. Hi Kerry2008 - You know my answer already the only RFK comparison I can make is to John Edwards. nt

[PresidentObama]

21. Edwards has a lot of RFK qualities, which is why I feel in love with him n/t

[GoldieAZ49]

31. I agree, Edwards has a higher level of passion then Obama

Bobby was nothing if not fiercely passionate, a lover and a fighter

[JI7]

19. his widow Ethel Kennedy certainly thinks so

"I think he feels it. He feels it just like Bobby did," Ethel Kennedy said, comparing her late husband's quest for social justice to Obama's. "He has the passion in his heart. He's not selling you. It's just him." Ethel Kennedy invited Obama to deliver the keynote address at a ceremony commemorating the 80th birthday of Robert F. Kennedy. She said she had carefully followed the career of the Illinois senator, whom she referred to as "our next president."

http://www.draftobama.org/celebrities

[Shae]

29. wow. I hadn't heard that. nt

[StopMcCain2008]

23. i actually like your avatar

John Kerry is the perfect running mate. He has experience and military background, two things which Obama lacks.

[WinkyDink]

24. RFK rolled up his sleeves and plunged into crowds. He quoted Shakespeare at length.

He was a mensch.

[splat]

27. So do I, but that's not a qualification...

[doc03]

25. I remember RFK and Obama is no RFK n/t

[UALRBSofL]

26. OP I think your choices were kind of vague so I picked unsure

I do think Obama is similar to RFK in that they have similar ideals, are liberal, and, are for the common man and will work with people from a grass roots level for change. They both had a level of charisma about them.

However, there are many differences as well. Obama was lucky to come along when the economy is near recession levels, we have an unpopular war, and, people are ready for change after living under the leadership of Bush who discounts the constitution on a whim. A president where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

With RFK, the 60's were much different in that, although we had an unpopular war we didn't have 9/11. People in the 60's were much more radical and fighting for change. Today, people want change from the Bush presidency but they are much more passive about change and I think much of it due to 9/11.

Also, I think RFK had more experience. He was AG and took on Hoover, the teamsters, Jimmy Hoffa, had many congressional hearings with the Mafia. Obama has some good policy plans but there are some that I disagree with. Here is a contrast in Obama and Hillary's issues.

With Obama, he has good ideas but the way he goes about getting from point A to point B he takes ten different directions. His plans will hugely increase the size of the federal government. With the foreclosure he seems to want the government involved as well as private institutions and regulate them. This creates more branches of government trying to do 5 jobs with the foreclosure where you only need one. Bush just bailed the banks out with billions of taxpayer dollars. Now, the lenders will HAVE to be regulated, this is true. However, I think with the people whom are in trouble right now, today, I agree with Hillary's plan. Freeze rates for 5 years, preventing people who are in trouble right now from losing there homes. Have a 90 day moratorium to lower rates of people who are in trouble and the people that are in trouble let the Feds step in, purchase there loans and they will pay there home loan directly to the Feds. The home owners that are not in trouble will still be affected as well because Hillary wants to go after the lenders, get there rates lowered and then regulate lenders. I have always felt the Feds needed to step in and take over the faulty loans of people who have and are losing there homes and it needs to be done right away, we can't wait. So, I agree with Hillary on this.

With Obama, he has some good ideas on income taxes. However, there are too many layers of his plan to wade through and it creates big government. He wants tax cut on 75,000 or less. Payroll tax offset 1,000 per family. For senior citizens, no tax on 50,000 or less. Mortgage deduction, 10% for those who don't itemize. These are good ideas except the mortgage deduction. That said, look at the layers he is creating. Hillary's plan address' all these issues as well but she simply wants all these points with the income taxes addressed with tax credit. Tax credit on 75,000 or less, tax credit for families and senior citizens. Now, the mortgage deduction of 10% is just fluff. Most people will itemize when they own a home because they come out better then not itemizing. For the folks whom don't itemize when the have a mortgage and just take the 10% deduction are only screwing themselves.

Obama didn't go into detail about healthcare coverage, but, everyone knows his platform on that. Some folks agree with him but I do not. Unless you have been on the front line like I have you have no conception what it's like. He mandates 100 million children but Hillary's goes one step further and mandates everyone. Everyone has got to have healthcare. Hers is income based and is capped based on income. People can afford her plan because folks in the lower income will pay less then people making 100,000.

As far as free trade agreement I don't see much difference between him and Hillary.

Now, here is the big issue. He stopped short of saying anything negative about the Feds bailing out lenders with billions of dollars and that's because he has received a lot of funds for his campaign from these lenders. Same can be said of Hillary.

Plus RFK came from a political family that goes back to his grandfather.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

28. RFK's Children endorsed Hillary!!!!

[FrenchieCat]

32. But not RFK's wife, who knew him best.

That's telling.

[mth44sc]

30. I too see him as...

...more JFK than RFK

Either way he is a winner!

[JoFerret]

33. Or more like the RFK McCarthy pal of 1952?

.

[MoonRiver]

34. BO is a pandering, scumbag liar.

He's NOTHING like Robert F. Kennedy.

[PresidentObama]

36. John McCain, is that you?

[MoonRiver]

41. No, this is an average American.

You got a problem with that?

[PresidentObama]

43. Sorry, Mr. Rove.

[MoonRiver]

44. You're pathetic.

[AmericanUnity]

35. I worked for RFK in '68 - THAT'S WHY I'M FOR OBAMA. You young Hillary people don't know jack

[GalleryGod]

42. Me too ! What a great ride that was. I Endorse Everything that AU said

from my personal collection. a little worse for wear. Circa 1968 (of course!)

[AmericanUnity]

45. Wasn't that magical? OBAMA reminds me SO MUCH of RFK. The integrity, charisma, truth. OBAMA '08!

[UALRBSofL]

47. AmericanUnity what do you mean, you young people don't know jack?

Read my above post. I was very thorough, specific, and truthful as to why I think there are a lot of differences between RFK and Obama. BTW, I think it's pretty great you worked on RFK's campaign. I was talking to my partner this evening and we talked about how RFK and Hoover were always infighting and how I would have liked to meet Hoover and RFK.

[SammyWinstonJack]

38. Not at all!

[AmericanUnity]

46. I DOUBT YOU'RE OLD ENOUGH TO EVEN REMEMBER RFK - Your posts seem like a kid's

[MonkeyFunk]

40. No

he's more like Jesus of 33, from what I understand.

[AllentownJake]

48. Obama is Obama

Comparisons are great but to be honest I want people saying in 30 years....that's the next Obama.

[Whisp]

52. so true, unique. no legacies and coat tails but his own to make.

we are seeing something special, something out of the blue original.

[madrchsod]

49. i think he is

but that`s my opinion. i have`t seen anyone as dynamic as obama since 1968