It's not often that death comes when all of one's life's work is completed and all loose ends accounted for.
That's certainly true for Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who died late Tuesday at age 77, of the brain cancer he was diagnosed with a year ago. But we can take solace in the fact that, even in the waning year of his life, Kennedy accomplished important things. Indeed, even in death, this greatest legislator of his time may yet help influence his largest goal left undone: health care reform.
The liberal lion of the Senate was the last of Camelot, the great Kennedy generation that so influenced the last half of the 20th century. Indeed, Kennedy died only weeks after his sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. We may well never see such a celebrated and paramount political dynasty of presidents and senators again.
Kennedy seemed to understand that his family's greatness belonged to the 20th century, not the 21st. The Kennedy mystique had already begun to wane in recent years, and could have only eventually faded completely from benign neglect.
Ted Kennedy, though, was not so passive. He and his family saw, in the young Barack Obama, many of the ideals and leadership qualities once admired in President John F. Kennedy. We live in an age when most political endorsements don't mean much anymore. But Ted Kennedy used what luster remained of the Kennedy name to embrace Obama right at the moment Obama needed momentum to carry him past rival Hillary Clinton to clinch the Democratic nomination and eventually the presidency.
In turn, by not just letting time and events unfold past his family, by being proactive and taking such a vital role in a passing of the torch, Ted Kennedy assured that the Kennedy flame would not just die out in the 21st century, eventually to be forgotten. Rather, that act ensures the Kennedy legend will always be brightened by the happy amber glow of memory. Camelot will live forever as the vital heart of 20th century history.
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Article comments
1 - Jeanne Browne
I second the emotion! Indeed, even though EMK's death was imminent, I don't think it was an "accident" that he died when he did. (When my mother was ill and eager to meet her maker, I asked her to please not die while I was on deadline. I told her one morning I was not on deadline for the first time in months; she died that night.) And I believe, as you do, that health care reform stands a better chance of becoming a reality at least in part as a tribute to the senator. I think in this instance, his death has done/will do more than even he could have done at his Lion's best in life. I also believe that the death of his friend and mentor will push President Obama back into fighting mode and he will (hopefully!) be more forceful/ presidential in his approach to getting this thing done. Major legislation has been "shamed" into existence before; I hope and pray EMK set the stage for it to happen again now.
2 - Terry
Ted Kennedy's legacy and lifes work could have been realized and hugely successful had the Senator used his influence to insist that all government employees, elected officials and other public servants lead by example. He would have had to reject his own speciality health care plan in the Senate; enroll in the public option health care program that few took the time to read but all seemed to dream about for the rest of us and became a legend in his own time. Perhaps President Obama would like to do this in Kennedy's name as a gesture of appreciation for Ted's support and life work. Any seconds?
3 - Arch Conservative
Obama's plans to have the government take over health care are just as dead as cap and trade.
Keep wasting your time, writing dumbass articles about Ted Kennedy's death as the catalyst for the passage legislation the American people do not want.
Outside of Massachusetts Kennedy was just another liberal politician. he had his little weekend of non stop news coverage. Now while the people in MA are still crying in their beers the rest of the nation has moved on and already forgotten about Ted Kennedy.
[Gratuitous insult deleted. Arch, I hope you haven't forgotten you are ascloseasthis to getting banned from Blogcritics... Comments Editor]
4 - Arch Conservative
Three posts in three days.
NO ONE CARES!
5 - El Bicho
Two comments by AC on this article.
NO ONE CARES!
6 - Silas Kain
I care. That's why I am writing less and calling members of Congress more. Vicky Kennedy for Senate -- Continue the work, the dream lives on...