Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
Senator Edward Kennedy fires up the crowd at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado on Monday August 25, 2008 at the Pepsi Center.
"I've described Ted Kennedy as the last lion of the Senate…He remains the single most effective member of the Senate if you want to get results." — Sen. John McCain
"Last Lion" became the title of the book by Boston Globe Reporter Peter S. Canellos, who writes this piece in today's Boston Globe, following the death last night of Sen. Edward Kennedy Beyond Camelot: His shining moments endure:
Ted Kennedy played a leading role in perhaps the greatest political drama of the 20th century – the dawning of the New Frontier and the soul-crushing assassinations that followed – but he will be remembered by history for his legislative achievements in health care, education, civil rights, and immigration.
The fact that his tangible accomplishments transcended his mythic role in the Kennedy drama attests to the vast extent of his legislative impact. In each of four areas, he dominated legislative politics for more than four decades, spanning ten presidencies, and played a large role in transforming the government’s relationship to the people.
Bill by bill, provision by provision, he expanded government health support to millions of children and the elderly, helped millions more go to college, opened the immigration doors to millions of new Americans from continents other than Europe, and protected the civil rights bulwark of the ’60s through a long period of conservative domination.
And by the time his life ended yesterday, surrounded by loved ones in a gentle scene that contrasted sharply with the violent deaths of his brothers, Ted Kennedy had built a nuts-and-bolts legacy to stand beside that of his presidential brother as a figure of hope and his senatorial brother as a figure of compassion.
“He was always prepared, always worked hard, really managed to get things done,’’ said Michael Corgan, history professor at Boston University. “He’ll be remembered as the foremost senator of his day.’’
Much of the world, however, is only starting to catch up to Kennedy’s legislative accomplishments, having long ago closed their memory bank on him.
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Many may never be able to separate him from his brothers, believing him to be either an undeserving heir or a noble keeper of the flame. And for them, his death will close the book on a long-running saga that cut a major swath through American political life.
“Most people will remember him best for his brothers, for picking up the Kennedy flag, and for a series of truly unforgettable speeches,’’ said Don Kettl, dean of the University of Maryland School of Public Policy. “But history will likely remember him best for his legislative accomplishments and his ability to build bipartisan support to translate ambitious ideas into lasting law.’’
In fact, Ted Kennedy was always more consistent than his brothers, a pure liberal who believed in the government’s obligation to help the less fortunate. While Jack Kennedy ran for president as a centrist, and Bobby followed a zigzag path from the anticommunist right to the antiwar left, Ted was always a fixed point on the political map.
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There are many who will not forgive Kennedy for Chappaquiddick, just as there were many who instantly forgave him out of respect for his family. This was his fate. Memories of deaths – of Jack’s, Bobby’s, Mary Jo Kopechne’s – shadowed him wherever he went.
He found an escape in good works. And it is for those many deeds that he will be deeply and honestly mourned.
Here is the Statement from the Kennedy family:
Edward M. Kennedy — the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply — died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port.
We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever.
We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice, fairness and opportunity for all. He loved this country and devoted his life to serving it.
He always believed that our best days were still ahead, but it’s hard to imagine any of them without him.
President Barack Obama has issued this statement on the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy President Obama's statement on Kennedy's death:
Michelle and I were heartbroken to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy.
For five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts.
I valued his wise counsel in the Senate, where, regardless of the swirl of events, he always had time for a new colleague. I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the Presidency. And even as he waged a valiant struggle with a mortal illness, I've profited as President from his encouragement and wisdom.
An important chapter in our history has come to an end. Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States Senator of our time.
And the Kennedy family has lost their patriarch, a tower of strength and support through good times and bad.
Our hearts and prayers go out to them today–to his wonderful wife, Vicki, his children Ted Jr., Patrick and Kara, his grandchildren and his extended family.
Here are links to obituaries in The Boston Globe, the New York Times Edward Kennedy, Senate Stalwart, Dies – Obituary (Obit), the Washington Post Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy Dies at 77 After Cancer Battle, the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times Ted Kennedy dead: Mass. Senator, Ted Kennedy, dead after year-long battle with brain cancer.
Thomas Ferraro writes for Reuters "Senator Edward Kennedy's death comes as a political struggle appears to be chipping away at the Democratic power-broker's vision for what he called "the cause of my life," providing affordable healthcare coverage to all Americans." Edward Kennedy's death another chapter in healthcare saga:
After decades of laying the groundwork to overhaul the U.S. healthcare system, Kennedy, who died late on Tuesday at age 77, was forced into a limited role in the fight to enact such legislation since being diagnosed in May 2008 with brain cancer.
Yet despite being away from Congress most of the year, Kennedy, one of the most effective lawmakers in U.S. history, managed to help draft a preliminary bill to overhaul the $2.5 trillion (1.53 trillion pound) U.S. healthcare system.
Between chemotherapy treatments, the ailing liberal lion stayed in contact, the best he could, with colleagues and President Barack Obama, who at Kennedy's urging made healthcare reform his top domestic priority.
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Kennedy's death, with the extensive news coverage and outpouring of affection for him, could actually jump-start the effort for legislation that would be seen as a tribute to his lifetime of work.
Sen. Kennedy wrote this essay for Newsweek magazine back in July ‘The Cause of My Life’ (excerpt):
[I] have enjoyed the best medical care money (and a good insurance policy) can buy.
But quality care shouldn't depend on your financial resources, or the type of job you have, or the medical condition you face. Every American should be able to get the same treatment that U.S. senators are entitled to.
This is the cause of my life. It is a key reason that I defied my illness last summer to speak at the Democratic convention in Denver—to support Barack Obama, but also to make sure, as I said, "that we will break the old gridlock and guarantee that every American…will have decent, quality health care as a fundamental right and not just a privilege." For four decades I have carried this cause—from the floor of the United States Senate to every part of this country. It has never been merely a question of policy; it goes to the heart of my belief in a just society. Now the issue has more meaning for me—and more urgency—than ever before. But it's always been deeply personal, because the importance of health care has been a recurrent lesson throughout most of my 77 years.
As Sen. Kennedy recounts in his essay, it was President Theodore Roosevelt who first proposed national health care as the candidate of the Progressives. President Franklin Roosevelt took up the cause and President Harry Truman made national health care a core principle of the Democratic Party platform. President John Kennedy proposed Medicare, and after he was felled by an assassin's bullet, President Lyndon Johnson delivered Medicare for the elderly. Sen. Edward Kennedy spent a lifetime of public service working to deliver the same health care benefits to all Americans.
It is time for all Democrats to come together and to recommit ourselves to a core principle of the Democratic Party platform. It is time for all Democrats to come together and to deliver fundamental health care reform with a strong public option. No more excuses, Blue Dogs. Dedicate this historic effort in tribute to the memory of a lifetime of public service by Sen. Edward Kennedy. It was the cause of his lifetime, and it should be the lasting legacy with which we honor him. Do this for Uncle Teddy.
DNC Convention tribute to Sen. Edward Kennedy from a year ago. "The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
On my desk in my Den is a 8+10 black and white personally signed picture of Ted Kennedy sent to me in 1979.
I had been envolved with The Kennedy Family since before Obama was born and also know Jack and Bobby as well.
I worked with the staffs of Jack and bobby very closely when they ran for President in 1960 and 1968.
I can speak from personal experiences about all the Kennedy Brothers that they had a conviction towards life and would not LIE to you no matter what the outcome.
As you know Teddy was not taken very seriously by his brothers but I can say over the years despite his shortcomings would have gained their respect!
In the World of NOBAMA180 it would be a lesson if he learned to stop the blabbing and take a stand and stick to it ; instead of hiding behind his Staff!