Farin Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 Kennedy, one of the most influential and longest-serving senators in US history, had been battling brain cancer, which was diagnosed in May 2008 [smaller]Lee Glendinning | guardian.co.uk | Wednesday 26 August 2009 | Link[/smaller] Ted Kennedy, the last surviving brother of one of America's leading political dynasties, has died of a brain tumour at the age of 77, his family said today. Known as Teddy, he was the senior US senator from Massachusetts and a liberal stalwart of the Democratic party. At the time of his death he was the third longest serving senator of all time. "Edward M. Kennedy, the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply, died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port (Massachusetts)," the Kennedy family said in a statement. "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," the family statement added. He was diagnosed with brain cancer in May 2008. Like his two assassinated brothers, President John Kennedy and presidential candidate, Robert Kennedy, he was expected to scale great heights politically. But his political career was significantly blighted by the Chappaquiddick incident, in 1969, when the car he was driving ran off a bridge and plunged into water, resulting in the death of Mary Jo Kopechne. His death marked the twilight of a political dynasty, and dealt a blow to Democrats as they seek to a an overhaul of the healthcare system, one of Kennedy's personal goals. He was the brother of President John Kennedy, assassinated in 1963, Senator Robert Kennedy, fatally shot while campaigning for the 1968 Democratic presidential nomination, and Joe Kennedy, a pilot killed in the second world war. When he first took the senate seat previously held by John Kennedy in 1962, he was seen as something of a political lightweight who owed his ascent to his famous name. Yet during his nearly half century in the chamber, Kennedy became known as one of Washington's most effective senators, crafting legislation by working with lawmakers and presidents of both parties, and finding unlikely allies. At the same time, he held fast to liberal causes deemed anachronistic by the centrist "New Democrats," and was a lightning rod for conservative ire. He helped enact measures to protect civil and labour rights, expand healthcare, upgrade schools, increase student aid and contain the spread of nuclear weapons. "There's a lot to do," Kennedy told Reuters in 2006. "I think most of all it's the injustice that I continue to see and the opportunity to have some impact on it." After Robert Kennedy's death, Edward was expected to waste little time in vying for the presidency. But in 1969, a young woman drowned after a car Kennedy was driving plunged off a bridge on the Massachusetts resort island of Chappaquiddick after a night of partying. Kennedy's image took a major hit after it emerged he had failed to report the accident to authorities. He pleaded guilty to leaving the scene and received a suspended sentence. Kennedy eventually ran for his party's presidential nomination in 1980 but lost to then-President Jimmy Carter. His presidential ambitions thwarted, Kennedy devoted himself to his senate career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edna Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 Eunice Kennedy died a few days ago, I believe... Is there any old Kennedy left? I loved Bobby Kennedy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinkstones Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 Eunice Kennedy died a few days ago, I believe... Is there any old Kennedy left? I loved Bobby Kennedy... Jean Kennedy Smith is the only one still alive. I loved Bobby too, even though I was never alive when he was making his difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edna Posted August 27, 2009 Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 I loved Bobby too, even though I was never alive when he was making his difference. I was maybe 9 or 10 when he was shot but I remember it so well... everybody's was sad about it at home... I even remember it made me sick for a whole week... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MindCrime Posted August 27, 2009 Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 Ted Kennedy burned a lot of bridges and he drove off them while intoxicated too. ... too soon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil Posted August 27, 2009 Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 RIP Ted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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