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Sen. Edward Kennedy greets supporters during an appearance on behalf of presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Kennedy — who was in Albuquerque on Thursday — told the Associated Press that Hispanic nationwide voters don't know Obama well yet, but they support him in his home state of Illinois.

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Sen. Edward Kennedy arrived in Albuquerque this morning declaring Sen. Barack Obama a candidate who will inspire Americans much like his brother did nearly 50 years ago.

"We have looked in the eyes of the young, a young generation that said they're not interested in being involved," the white-haired Massachusetts Democratic lion said. "There is one person, one candidate, one individual, who has the ability to bring together that enthusiasm . . . His name is Barack Obama."

One of the best known names in American politics, a buoyant and energized Kennedy packed the Salon Ortega Room of the National Hispanic Cultural Center with a crowd of several hundred, many of whom stood outside in the hallways.

As supporters chanted "Fired up, ready to go," Kennedy came to stoke the coals for the Illinois senator and to push the campaign's message heading into Tuesday's presidential Democratic caucus.

"Barack Obama, in terms of Super Tuesday, has done about all he can," Kennedy said. "It's really up to each and every one of you."

He called Obama "a candidate who can actually end the war in Iraq."

More so, Kennedy lauded him for being one of the few Democrats who spoke out against authorizing military action in Iraq — an apparent hit at Obama's Democratic opponent, Sen. Hillary Clinton.

"He knew the attack on the United States of America was done by al-Qaida, and they were in Afghanistan," Kennedy said.

"Does Barack Obama have judgment?" the senior senator asked. "He did that day."

Kennedy said he handpicked Obama for the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, knowing he cared deeply about "people who had been left behind."

He also said Obama would push for immigration reform, knowing the issue is "about fairness and dignity," to immigrants.

He said Obama will fight for a universal health care system, something he said Republicans have balked at.

Kennedy did say he would support Clinton if she is the eventual nominee.

The campaign has heated up in New Mexico in the past few days. Former President Bill Clinton was scheduled to campaign on his wife's behalf at the University of New Mexico this afternoon. Obama is scheduled to appear in Albuquerque and Santa Fe on Friday.