Liz Smith | 05/21/2008 3:07 pm

Ted Kennedy's Illness Is a Potential Tragedy for the Nation

Without belaboring the disaster this is personally for Sen. Ted Kennedy and his family, let me say what a potential tragedy it is for the Democrats. Whatever anyone may think about the Kennedy dynasty, Ted is the one who pulled himself together and became the hardest-working senator in the United States. (It’s in the record books.)

When his hopes to run for the presidency were dashed many years ago, he vowed to become the best operator in the Senate. So his illness is a blow to everyone who wishes they had a senator who cared, who tried, who went the full 99 yards. His effectiveness curtailed is a blow to every American who wishes government would improve itself.

And it isn’t only Democrats who will be wounded by Ted Kennedy’s illness. He has been in the forefront of the worldwide cancer fight with the Lance Armstrong Foundation; seeking bipartisan legislation to renew the fight against a killer that claims more than 560,000 American lives every year.

I think most reasonable people will be praying for the senator’s return to health.

Note: Click here on this text to read my nationally syndicated daily column.

Read more about: Health, Lance Armstrong Foundation, Politics, Ted Kennedy, U.S.

26 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Yes, I agree with you Liz. He has long been someone who seemed to be able to see both sides of an issue…and gotten alot of people to recognize the power of compromise. He has endured many tragedies in his lifetime….I wish he and his family much strength in the coming days and weeks. Thank you for posting this article.

By DG JENK on 05/20/2008 3:24 pm

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It is also a tragedy for Americans, for anyone interested in universal health care, who has never had a better champion, and for all Kennedys and Kennedy admirers worldwide. I am not sure how he managed, after watching two brothers be murdered, to persevere in public life and do so much good. That he has been such an outspoken supporter of funding of cancer research, due to two of his children having cancer, makes this even more poignant. I will pray for remission of the cancer.

By Elizabeth Bennett on 05/20/2008 3:49 pm

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Many Senators don’t spend a lot of time doing their senatorial duties, even though the job gives them enormous perks, such as no social security payments, extensive health coverage for life, and serious pensions, not to mention celebrity power. Some Senators apparently think nothing of taking OFF for a year and a half, at least, to spend EVERY WAKING MOMENT running for President. Teddy Kennedy has for decades worked with great dedication, and it would seem, passion, at his JOB: United States Senator. I am full of admiration for him, not only for his efforts, but for his courage in the face of life events which could well have made him bitter and broken, and we wouldn’t have thought less of him. Instead, he has soldiered on, and done good works, a knight in no armour. I wish him well, I hope he may continue his wonderful life’s work, serving his state and the nation.

By Holland Taylor on 05/20/2008 4:18 pm

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Beautifully stated, Holland. In the summer of ‘69 I was a VISTA Volunteer in the inner city of Gary. Our task was to live in the neigborhood of schools in which we would teach and act as a liaison between community and school. Our traininng was under the supervision of a sately and distinguished African American PhD, a woman of intellect and racial integrity. That summer was also the tragic accident at Chappaquidick, and as the news was announced on the student union intercom, our leader/guide/teacher said to me, “I don’t care what he’s done; he’s a Kennedy, and that destiny cannot be denied.” I’ve never forgotten that over the years, for I knew her words meant that “the truth will be his innocence.” She knew this Kennedy had “miles to go before he sleeps…..” One quick note, a friend of mine told me that his son’s newborn baby is named “Holland,” and he commented that he had not heard that name before. I informed him that one of America’s outanding actresses is Holland Taylor. The new grandpaw was ever so impressed. Peace and grace

By beth willis on 05/22/2008 1:37 am

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Senator Kennedy is a champion of the poor, the ill, the worker, women, children, indeed all Americans. We need him. I hope his medical team will be able to find a way to give him many more productive years.

By Potus I on 05/20/2008 4:53 pm

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I agree with you, Liz. All conscience minded citizens will be hoping for Senator Kennedy’s recovery. There are times to set politics aside; this is one of them.

By Bonnie Oliver on 05/20/2008 4:58 pm

Liz, well said, thank you. Ted Kennedy, the stalwart of the Senate, has spent a lifetime caring about the people who hurt the most in our society. No one has been more passionate about National Health Insurance than he, and I hope that he will not suffer; that this lion of a man will prevail over illness.

By Patricia Burstein on 05/20/2008 5:21 pm

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Lily dear, I’ll second that thought.

By Frank Peterson on 05/20/2008 9:40 pm

Liz, Thank you for your article. I just heard about Senator Kennedy and was so sorry to hear it. He has been a part of our political scene more years than I can remember. He has always been a fighter - and his inner strength will get him through it. So much is changing in our world, but this turn of events for Senator Kennedy is truly not welcomed. God bless him and his family.

By Frannie Em on 05/20/2008 6:27 pm

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Thank you, Liz. I’ve been crying - sobbing - for Ted Kennedy all day. I had no idea my reaction for him would be so intense. Well, I’m listening to opera and letting go of someone in my own life, but still.

By Meg Umans on 05/20/2008 6:29 pm

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Thank you so much, Liz. And let’s remember that Lance Armstrong beat brain cancer. I’m betting on Senator Kennedy. He’ll be receiving the quality of health care he’s championed for all of us.

By Maurine H on 05/21/2008 12:55 am

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Ted Kennedy? Mediocre at best. Yawn.

By Eliza S on 05/21/2008 1:25 am

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Eliza S - Yawn? Every person faced with dramatic health issues deserves good energy sent their direction. Whether you appreciate his politics or think he was lame he deserves to be awarded human kindness.

By Maggi D on 05/21/2008 2:34 am

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Yes, Maggi D, kindness, I agree on the face of it. I do wonder, however, why so many people are fixating on this one senator, when others famous and unknown face dramatic health issues daily and no one knows. It seems so many times that no one cares. Why do we care because his is a famous name? What is being done for people dealing with suicide and depression on a daily basis? We do not hear of them on a national level, but they do the best they can, whatever the circumstances. So many times medical care is simply not an option, given teh national health care status. Ted Kennedy can stay days in a major medical facility because he is a U.S. senator, and a wealthy one at that. Many of us could not afford to stay over one night at a medical center, given that insurance would not cover our stay, and we cannot afford it out of pocket. Please do not mourn for one senator. Work to improve the medical care situation for all of us. Ted Kennedy can afford great care and gets the national attention he so craves and relishes.

By J Boylynn on 05/21/2008 10:05 am

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And yet his one Senator has given far more than he ever received. Considered the hardest working member of the Senate, he has worked hard for cancer research, for health care, and he has done so much for so many. Even if you differ with his views, and some do, those who actually know him can do nothing but hope he recovers. Every member of the Senate, blue or red or purple, was one in hope that he recovers as thoroughly as possible. Senator Kennedy would be first to step up and agree that those with depressive disorders must be treated better. Indeed he has already said so: http://kennedy.senate.gov/newsroom/statement.cfm?id=37985AB0-C815-4B7B-9…

By Elizabeth Bennett on 05/21/2008 4:44 pm