The Hiller Instinct: Kennedy in Kerry’s Corner

No politician is doing more for John Kerry than Ted Kennedy. Their joint appearances in Iowa and New Hampshire helped save Kerry and as he continues to criss-cross the country with him, Kennedy has loaned Kerry his chief of staff to run the Kerry campaign.

Kennedy has known Kerry for forty years -- since Kerry testified in Washington against the Vietnam war -- so, by now, he should know what he's really like…

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D)-MA
"Somewhat shy. I think that's sort of incongruous to believe that someone that could be in politics as long as John has can still be shy, but I think he has a quality of shyness."

Kennedy says Kerry is still conflicted about Vietnam…

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D)-MA
"There's a part of him in that war that he's reluctant to get into and describe and talk about… He might not even know it, but I think part of that kind of stand-offishness is still a lot of churning inside of him about his life experience."

During their two decades together in congress, Kennedy has always dominated Kerry, leaving no doubt who's the senior senator. But now, Kerry could be the next president.

Andy Hiller
"John Kerry has been in your shadow a long time. Are you ready to be in his?"

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D)-MA
"Absolutely, I'm going to do whatever i can."

Andy Hiller
"And if John Kerry is the biggest star from Massachusetts?"

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D)-MA
"That's fine with me."

And with comments that can only help Kerry, Kennedy has become the biggest critic of the Bush administration's war in Iraq, virtually calling the president a liar…

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D)-MA
"This is an administration that misstates and misrepresents... and that's wrong."

Andy Hiller
"And what is the difference between misstates and misrepresents and lies?"

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D)-MA
"Well the results may not be greatly different, but I like the words I use."

Bush
"Some of the folks in the Crawford coffee shop will be amazed to hear me say, I like Ted Kennedy."

Two years ago, in New Hampshire, Bush and Kennedy were exchanging compliments…

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D)-MA (Jan. 8, 2002)
"I like him and I have a good relationship with him. He's a friend."

Andy Hiller
"Do you still think of the president as a friend?"

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D)-MA
"Sure, yes… I mean there's friends and friends."

And Bush is a friend Kennedy will fight to lose…

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D)-MA
"Well I'm going to do everything I can to defeat him."

And here's the advice Kennedy will give Kerry to beat Bush: act on your instincts, speak about what you believe in, work hard, and stay the course.

In other words, do what he does.