It was a good weekend for Democrat Barack Obama, who after a big victory in the South Carolina primary picked up key endorsements from Caroline (daughter of the late John F. Kennedy) and Ted (JFK's brother).

Whether Kennedy support does more good than harm is open to dispute. But Obama also picked up a quieter endorsement based on his plan for healthcare reform. Or, perhaps more to the point, an anti-endorsement of Hillary Clinton's capacity to deliver on hers.

Former Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. Harris Wofford, who served while Hillary Clinton's 1993 healthcare reform plan foundered, writes in the Philadelphia Inquirer:

What the country doesn't need in the present campaign is further bickering over the details of the three Democrats' proposed health-care plans. It's beginning to sound like a game of "my plan is bigger and better than yours." We are so close to agreement on the basic approach for a new Democratic administration that it's no time to dwell on nuanced difference.

 

What's good is that all of the Democratic proposals are designed to reach the goal of universal coverage. The key questions are: Who is least encumbered by the legacy from past disputes? Who will be most effective at searching for common ground? Who can inspire, unite and galvanize the nation to reach the finish line of affordable and high-quality health care for all Americans?

Wofford, who describes himself as a "battle-scarred veteran of healthcare reform," says the answer is Barack Obama.

Of course, it should be pointed out that in addition to being a former Senator, Wofford was once. . .a special assistant to John F. Kennedy.