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Statements on the passing of Sen. Edward Kennedy have been coming in all morning. If you only read one obituary on the long-serving senator, read The Boston Globe's lengthy remembrance, which describes Kennedy as having become "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." We've seen flags at half-staff all over town today. Official and unofficial Washington are both in mourning.
President Barack Obama called Kennedy the "greatest United States Senator of our time."
"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."
Fellow Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry:
"We have known for some time that this day was coming, but nothing makes it easier. We have lost a great light in our lives and our politics, and it will never be the same again. Ted Kennedy was such an extraordinary force, yes for the issues he cared about, but more importantly for the humanity and caring in our politics that is at the center of faith and true public service.
“No words can ever do justice to this irrepressible, larger than life presence who was simply the best -- the best Senator, the best advocate you could ever hope for, the best colleague, and the best person to stand by your side in the toughest of times. He faced the last challenge of his life with the same grace, courage, and determination with which he fought for the causes and principles he held so dear. He taught us how to fight, how to laugh, how to treat each other, and how to turn idealism into action, and in these last fourteen months he taught us much more about how to live life, sailing into the wind one last time. For almost 25 years, I was privileged to serve as his colleague and share his friendship for which I will always be grateful.
“Teresa and I send all our love to Vicki, Teddy Jr., Patrick, Kara and their family, and to the entire Kennedy family for whom Teddy was always a rock at times like this. Massachusetts and our entire nation shares their loss and grieves with them."
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.):
“I’m not sure America has ever had a greater Senator, but I know for certain that no one has had a greater friend than I and so many others did in Ted Kennedy.
“I will always remember Teddy as the ultimate example for all of us who seek to serve, a hero for those Americans in the shadow of life who so desperately needed one.
“He worked tirelessly to lift Americans out of poverty, advance the cause of civil rights, and provide opportunity to all. He fought to the very end for the cause of his life - ensuring that all Americans have the health care they need.
“The commitment to build a stronger and fairer America, a more perfect union, was deeply ingrained in the fiber of who he was, and what he believed in, and why he served.
“That’s why he stands among the most respected Senators in history. But it was his sympathetic ear, his razor wit, and his booming, raucous laugh that made him among the most beloved.
“Whatever tragedy befell Teddy’s family, he would always be there for them. Whatever tragedy befell the family of one of his friends, he would always be there for us. And in this moment of profound grief, our hearts are with his wonderful wife Vicki, his fantastic kids Ted Jr., Patrick, Kara, Curran, and Caroline, his grandchildren, and the wide and wonderful extended family for whom he was always a safe harbor.
“I will miss him every day I serve, and every day I live.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ken.):
“It is with great sadness that Elaine and I note the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy, one of the giants of American political life, a longtime Senate colleague, and a friend.
“No one could have known the man without admiring the passion and vigor he poured into a truly momentous life. We send our deepest expressions of sympathy to Vicki, his children, and the entire Kennedy family.”
D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton:
"With the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy this morning, the nation’s heart is broken. Ted crossed the isle and worked his magic with success that no other member of the Senate or House enjoyed. Yet, Ted was no adherent of the fuzzy middle. He anchored his career on the frontier of difficult issues, especially for those with no voice, few rights, and little economic justice, pulling his colleagues where few dared to go without him. However, it was the Kennedy magic that often brought resolution and agreement.
I will miss Ted’s partnership particularly on the most important District issues. Ted was always there with us and for us. No matter how deep the controversy - from public funds for public schools to our struggle for D.C. Statehood, and when statehood was not then possible, for the House and Senate vote, and today for the D.C. House Voting Rights Act of 2009 we are so close to achieving. Although ill in Massachusetts, he was the first to call to assure me of his continued work on D.C. voting rights, and he continued to help us during his absence from the Senate.
I had hoped to see Ted again soon as we brought to conclusion our bill for a Congressional Gold Medal for the nation’s first popularly elected African American Senator, Sen. Edward Brooke, a native Washingtonian, who served Massachusetts with Ted from 1967 to 1979 . As we plan for an upcoming ceremony to award this medal this fall, I know that Sen. Brooke will feel the loss of his friend in a uniquely special way.
In the wake of a triumphant Senate career, Ted Kennedy has left it to us to complete his life’s work on his signature issue - healthcare for the nation. His passing in the midst of the healthcare struggle wounds us. May we find healing in new healthcare legislation for all Americans."
D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty:
"Senator Ted Kennedy will be remembered for his leadership as a life-long public servant, and for his legacy of reaching across party lines to get results on some of the most important issues of our time. Senator Kennedy’s presence will be sorely missed in the halls of the Capitol and throughout our capital city. Our hearts and thoughts are with the Kennedy family during this difficult loss."
At-large D.C. Council member Kwame Brown:
“The patriarch of the Kennedy family; a strong pillar of leadership, Senator Edward M. Kennedy's lifelong contribution to our country is immeasurable,” said Councilmember Brown. “Today, as we mourn the loss of Senator Kennedy, I will reflect and celebrate the breath and depth of his commitment to giving a voice to issues that were not always popular. He fought to ensure that Americans have equal access to quality healthcare and educational opportunities; examples of what he called a ‘fundamental right and not a privilege.’ I will always be inspired by his determination to make our country work for its citizens. My family and I will keep his family in our hearts and prayers during this time of bereavement."
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."
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No mention from Obama about Teddy being an accessory to the rape committed by his nephew William Kennedy Smith?
Interesting . . . . so you live in the alternate universe where Smith was actually convicted of that crime?
So if I convince my dad to deal illegal substances, drown a teenage girl at my local pool, and encourage my nephews to beat their neighbors with a golf club and rape them, will flags be lowered to half staff when I die? What? I need six decades as a glad-handing, self-serving government lackey, too? Oh well...
Yep. And if you convince your grandfather to dig up a famous Native American grave and steal some of the bones, both you and your father get to be President.
Few of us (certainly neither of you) will ever do anything worthy of forgiveness for something as stupid as making comments 1 or 2.
It seems easy to believe that the Kennedys were destined to become Titans of American Democracy. Teddy especially was vulnerable to the criticism that he got where he was due to the preference that comes with his name. He could have woken up each day and eaten chowder off that silver spoon. Instead he served. Destiny is achieved by action and Teddy chose to fight for the dignity of work, for affordable health care for the individual and the nation, and even for campaign finance reform. He has made mistakes but his actions have made him a Titan of American Democracy, worth of our forgiveness and worthy of our thanks.
Again, he MURDERED a woman.
Anyone other then a Kennedy is driving that car that night and does what he did, and they are sent to prison for a long, long time.
But I guess its ok to murder someone, as long as you fight for the dignity of unskilled workers who are members of labor unions bent on destroying the American economy.
Today is a great day for America. The Kennedy family is forever dead and gone. Patrick is a drug addicted failure of a Congressman, Joe is a shill for Chavez, Kathleen couldn't beat Bob Ehrlich in a head to head race, Caroline cares more about her Hermes scarves then actually getting out of her limosuine and meeting people in upstate New York who she wanted to represent in the Senate, and John John, failed lawyer, failed Playboy, and failed magazine publisher flew his toy plane into a storm with no instrument training.
The final nail in the Kennedy coffin will come when the socialized medicine bill fails and the Teddy legacy is reduced to murder, rape, alcoholism, and filandering.
Wow. You sound really crazy. Not quite as crazy as comment 10 below (not sure how he got away from the WTOP comment boards), but crazy. Thank God we had Teddy and the rest of the Kennedys serving our country (mistakes and all) and not you. Maybe you should check out the WTOP comment boards. Maybe you could make some friends?
Um, I didn't say any of that last stuff so don't attribute it to me. Thanks.
W is not considered by anyone to be a Titan of our Democracy. He never fought for the dignity of work nor for affordable health care.
In my opinion, his idea of service seemed primarily concerned with correcting some fault he himself found in his father's legacy (unfinished in Iraq and not reelected).
The blockquote function on -ist is screwed up; the last sentence was mine and was supposed to appear below the quote, not in it.
I agree with you about W... but what you said about Kennedy is exactly what I've heard right-wingers say about W, and what will likely appear in HIS obit. Just sayin'.
Well, I feel bad he passed away but he does not deserve any of the honors or speeches he will get unless they all mention the fact he killed a woman drunk driving and because he was a so called kennedy nothing happened to him. Just another great moment of this country in action. Im from Mass and 39, he did not do one thing for me while he was in office. He got richer while the ppl he supposedly represented got poorer. The big dig, killed some ppl just like he did and all they got was a slap on the wrist. Hopefully now we wont have to hear about the kennedys any longer. He stayed in office and missed over two hundred votes when he was sick. He should have left office the day he got sick but no...he was a kennedy and it was his privledge to stay in office and not represent the ppl from mass. It is not news when he went sailing but the boston media always had to make it a story. Wow, a man sailing...wow. How many times was he drunk while in office...Gotta love an alcoholic congressman representing the ppl of this state...No wonder mass is so screwed up now....
JUST A REMINDER...HE MURDERED A WOMAN DRIVING DRUNK BECAUSE HE WAS ALWAYS AN ALCOHOLIC. he should never have been elegible to be in office after that day. But then again, the ppl of this country a quite stupid...hence electing a non us citizen muslim into office so he can go visit africa just because he is black.