JFK's nephew campaigns for Obama

HUNTINGTON -- Nearly 50 years have gone by since former President John F. Kennedy's campaign brought him to Jim's Steak & Spaghetti.

On Thursday, his nephew, and the late Sen. Robert Kennedy's son, Max Kennedy, stopped at the popular and historic Huntington restaurant to eat lunch and talk to patrons about why Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) should be the next president.

"When I look him in the eyes, I know he's telling the truth," Kennedy said of Obama. "I don't agree with him on every issue, but I trust him."

Huntington residents Sue Hanshaw and Rick Sasser caught wind of Kennedy's scheduled lunch-hour stop at Jim's and made sure they were there. Both said it was an honor to meet the nephew and son of the Kennedys who played a large part in shaping the nation in the 1960s.

"I told (Max Kennedy) that the first vote I ever cast was for his uncle," Hanshaw said. "And on my last day of college, that was the day (Robert Kennedy) was shot. My heart was crushed."

Hanshaw said she was humbled to tell Kennedy that the man he heavily supports now brings back memories of the two presidential candidates in his family.

"I was a young woman when the Kennedy's inspired me," she said. "I haven't felt that way until now (with Obama). Just that thrill of hope and patriotism."

Kennedy ordered a steak burger for lunch and sat in the same booth his uncle did many years ago. The servers even poured his coffee out of the same pot.

More importantly for him, though, was simply being real with people about a man he believes can lead this country into prosperity. And he said West Virginia's voters will have a loud voice in the process during Tuesday's primary election.

"After the primary, everyone is going to say the primary process is over," Kennedy said, referring to Obama becoming the Democratic Party's presidential candidate.

"We are trying to unify the party," he added. "But Barack Obama is going to unify the country. I've never worked so hard for a candidate in my life," Kennedy said.