Kennedys and Clintons Go Separate Ways

US Senator Ted Kennedy's endorsement of Barack Obama during the Democratic primary last year was, of course, an important bit of symbolism for the candidate - Camelot passes the torch to a new generation.

But it was also noteworthy in that it signaled a split between the nation's two most storied Democratic families - the Kennedys and the Clintons. Senator Kennedy, after all, had to forsake Hillary Clinton in order to endorse her rival.

In recent days, another sign that the clans are going their separate ways: US Representative Patrick Kennedy, D-RI, has backed Democrat Brian Moran in his Virginia gubernatorial primary battle with longtime Clinton ally Terry McAuliffe.

This is a drama worth watching.