Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Ted Kennedy
We have heard news stories most of the day on the death of Senator Ted Kennedy. I just finished watching CNN's rebroadcast of an HBO special about him - In His Own Words. I won't pretend to think that everybody thought he was great. I am sure he has had his detractors. However, speaking for myself, it saddens me a bit to see the last bit of the Kennedy clan fade off into the sunset.
He is really the only living and breathing political Kennedy that I have been aware of all of my life. JFK died before I was born and I was only two when RFK was killed. They say the torch was passed to him after so many losses, but I think it was he who picked it up and ran with it.
He seemed to be a durable presence to his family and in his role as Senator. It makes you wonder what great things could have been if JFK and RFK were to have lived as long as him?
What would have the world been like if he won the Democratic nomination in 1979 and faced Ronald Reagan instead of Jimmy Carter? Lots of "coulda wouldas" here.
Who picks up the Kennedy staff now? Does someone really need to? Ted Kennedy has left a lasting impression on the world. The funny thing is his father probably never predicted that this son would go so far and last so long.
But he did.
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3 comments:
The Camelot that Joseph P. imagined - the one that young Joseph wasn't around for - the one John and Bobby weren't around for actually lasted far beyond any possible dynastic dreams, I'm sure. Ted - despite the Harvard cheating, the Chappaquiddick incident, the womanizing and drinking - was always advocating for the little "guy" despite living a life of privilege. A true public servant and both tragic and triumphant character.
Well put AI.
That's Al the Letter Writing Lesbian - see if you can guess who I am on my secret blog!
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