Obama Campaign Is Finding That Camelot Still Has a Magical Touch

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy applaud Sen. Barack Obama at a rally for the candidate in New Jersey. (By Preston Keres -- The Washington Post)
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Clinton also has ample endorsements -- and far more support from congressional Democrats -- but most of these lawmakers signed up months ago, to little fanfare. Obama, by contrast, rolled out some of his biggest names after his New Hampshire loss. Backers such as Govs. Janet Napolitano (Ariz.) and Kathleen Sebelius (Kan.) and Sen. Claire McCaskill (Mo.) also have taken on prominent roles, including appearing in ads in their home states.

"I think people are thirsty, not just for my endorsement, but for others. I think people really wanted to know," Kennedy said.

At 75, Kennedy is a tireless campaigner, and as he skipped around the country over the past week, he appeared younger and more gleeful. At a rally Monday morning at the Meadowlands Sports Complex, he pumped his fists into the air. "Hello, New Jersey! Are you glad to see me?" he shouted over the cheering crowd.

"Just remember this: February 5th is the date. New Jersey is the state. Barack Obama is the candidate," Kennedy exclaimed, his voice cracking from overuse. But at the end of the rally he was back in action, leading the crowd in the Obama campaign cheer "Fired up, ready to go!"

The backdrop to the Kennedy endorsement was the contentious campaign environment in South Carolina, when many Democrats grew wary about statements the Clinton team made about Obama that could be construed as carrying racial overtones. Kennedy followed the developments closely but said he had been drifting to Obama's side since he watched the senator's victory speech in Iowa after the caucuses there.

"I was waiting for the candidate who inspired me," Kennedy said. "And Barack, he was the one."

A week after Kennedy endorsed him at American University, Obama teased his fellow senator as though they were old friends. "This campaign is about bringing people together," he said. "For me to be able to bring a Patriots fan to the Meadowlands, the day after the Super Bowl, is like bringing the lion and the lamb together. We can bridge all gaps, and all divisions together in this country."

Staff writer Jos¿ Antonio Vargas in New Mexico contributed to this report.