Sen. Kennedy backing Obama for president

Staff and Associated Press reports

WASHINGTON -- A few members of the Kennedy family will appear at a campaign event for Barack Obama Monday.

Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy is endorsing Obama and is scheduled to attend a Monday midday event at American University, according to Obama's campaign.

Kennedy's niece Caroline Kennedy is also slated to appear. She announced her support for Obama over the weekend in the New York Times, writing that Obama could inspire Americans in the same way that her father, President John F. Kennedy, did.

Senator Kennedy's son, Rhode Island Congressman Patrick Kennedy, is also backing Obama.

A spokeswoman for the younger Kennedy says he and his father will probably campaign for Obama around the country, but no concrete plans have been set yet.

Meanwhile, another one of Kennedy's nieces, former Maryland Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, has announced her support for Hillary Rodham Clinton.