Sen. Ted Kennedy | 08/26/2009 8:50 am
Sen. Edward Kennedy Dies at Age of 77
After a year-long battle with brain cancer, ‘the lion of the Senate’ and an American political icon dies; family calls him the ‘irreplaceable center of our family’
© AP
We woke up today to learn of the loss of a great American. Sen. Edward "Ted" Kennedy, known as "the lion of the Senate," has died at the age of 77 after a battle with brain cancer. He died last night at his home in Cape Cod, MA.
"We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever," the family said in the statement. "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."
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Click below to read our Contributors reflections on Ted Kennedy:
Liz Smith: Remembering Two Great Lions
Ted Kennedy: Fan of Universal Health Care and Compromise, by Liz Peek
He Wasn’t ‘Just’ Ted Kennedy, by Joan Juliet Buck
Margo Howard: ‘Here’s to You, Teddy’
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President Barack Obama said of the late Democrat, "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."
Lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle reacted with great sadness to today’s news, yet also with admiration for a man known for fighting for those who can’t fight for themselves, whether it be on health care or other issues. From The Boston Globe:
He became a Democratic titan of Washington who fought for the less fortunate, who crafted unlikely deals with conservative Republicans and who ceaselessly sought support for universal health coverage. ‘Teddy,’ as he was known to intimates, constituents and even his fiercest enemies, was an unwavering symbol to the left and the right — the former for his unapologetic embrace of liberalism, and latter for his value as a political target.
USA Today has a story about how both of Kennedy’s wives, Joan and, later, Vicki, stood by his side throughout his political career.
The senator’s death comes less than two weeks after his sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, died. Two of Ted Kennedy’s brothers, John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy, were assassinated, and another brother, Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., was killed in 1944 on a World War II bombing mission. His nephew, John F. Kennedy Jr., died ten years ago in a tragic plane crash.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kennedy family as they endure this difficult time. The late senator will be immensely missed on Capitol Hill and beyond.
Read more about: Barack Obama, Brain Cancer, Chappaquiddick, Death, Eunice Shriver, Kennedy Family, Mary Jo Kopechne, News, Politics, Sen. Edward Kennedy, senate, Ted Kennedy, U.S.
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97 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment
EKA, many families have lost multiple members in the service of our Country. Many, many families have served and lost. To ‘lionize’ one above all others is wrong. And my point was that NO family should become a ‘political’ dynasty based on some type of entitlement…no seat should be known as a ‘Biden seat’ (Delaware); or a governorship based on dad/brother being one (Bush/Romney).
Didn’t anyone here have any disdain, that in a country of 200 million, after 20 years of Bush/Clinton/Bush that we ended up with a Clinton (and yet another Bush hovering on the periphery???) In Massachusetts, can a Kennedy free political scene be possible? That is all I was driving at…
Yes, there are many families that have served and suffered losses. McCains, Bushes for ex. .. all have a honorable history of service to our country. But there is NO family that had two brothers assassinated and one shot down on a combat mission - that is unique.
I understand the disdain for family dynasties, but we are country based on a constitution and the founding fathers said nothing about term limits, although they implied that land owners/farmers ( men only !!!) would do their duty and return home. We are free to elect and re-elect … and re-elect if we choose, anyone we think is doing a good job. Although , listening to some of the wind-bag morons in congress, I question the intelligence of the voters, but then I guess we get the leaders we deserve.
Massachusetts, being the Liberal bastion that it is, was proud to have Ted Kennedy represent them. We’ll see what comes next.
Teddy Kennedy did a lot of good for our country and this is something that we need to look at, not any mistakes he made. We all make mistakes. Because one is in the public eye it’s is made bigger then life and a lot of it is lies.
Teddy Kennedy made life easier for MANY MANY AMERICAN’s with the laws he wrote and helped get passed. He stayed true to his convictions and knew when he needed to compromise to get the best possible things for the American public.
He never denied his life of privilege, and admitted when he was wrong and that only made him stronger in his conviction to get the job done.
The man has gone home to be with is parents and siblings, let him rest in peace, he deserves that.
Teddy thank you for all you’ve done for Civil Rights, Disabled Americans, Veterans, Child Care, School Improvements, Helping youngest to Read.
To his Family your in my prayers, you’ve lost so many but you are strong and will go on, I’ve no doubt of that at all. Keep your eyes to the sky and a smile on your face, he’s watching you right now. God Bless you all.
The Liberal Lion has left us. Thank you Senator Kennedy for nearly five decades of service to the people of the United States.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2r9mQ7bUco
"When people were getting tired of hearing about racism or the poor or the decay of American cities, he kept talking. When liberalism was flickering, there was Kennedy, holding the torch, insisting that "we can light those beacon fires again." - Richard Lacayo on Senator Ted Kennedy, Time Magazine
My favorite speech by Senator Kennedy is the eulogy he made at the funeral of Robert Kennedy. I think it summarizes his philosophy about America:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9JTYnMpRyg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9JTYnMpRyg
When John Kennedy died, Robert borrowed this beautiful piece from Romeo and Juliet to pay tribute to his brother. (see below). Now that all four sons of Joe Kennedy, the stars in his sky, have departed and it is the end of a dynasty.
Take him and cut him out in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
And pay no worship to the garish sun.
"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."
- Senator Edward Kennedy, Newsweek July 18, 2008
An era has passed, from Joe Jr. to John, to Bobby, to Ted. There will never be another family to serve and suffer for this country as the Kennedy’s did.
Who will pick up the mantle and carry on the fight for " the least of us " ?