Posted on 08/31/2009 5:01:29 PM PDT by GoldStandard
Like many Americans, I watched as Senator Ted Kennedy was laid to rest over the weekend after his year-long battle with brain cancer. The day marked not only the end of the Camelot era, but seemed to signal the final passing of many things politically. I certainly didn't agree with Senator Kennedy's politics on many issues, but as I listened to his friends, family, and Senate colleagues—including my father—tell stories of the man they knew, what was so evident was that Ted Kennedy always believed you could find compromise on the really important matters.
I remember meeting the senator around age fourteen, going into his office with my father and thinking what a larger than life figure he was. Broad, booming voice, wearing a bright blue suit—he looked exactly the way you picture a Kennedy in your mind. His personality took up the entire room.
Growing up, I remember my father often speaking highly of Senator Kennedy during town halls and his stump speeches, always mentioning their relationship as an example of a Republican and Democrat working constructively together to bring about change. One memory that my father recently spoke about was when he and Senator Russ Feingold were given the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award, but the weekend of the ceremony happened to coincide with my little brother Jimmy's birthday. So my father called Senator Kennedy to explain that he wouldn't be able to attend because of my brother’s birthday. Senator Kennedy told my father to bring Jimmy along and promised him they would celebrate his birthday in a memorable way. My brother and father still talk about that birthday because the Kennedy family went over the top with multiple cakes, lots of presents, and several renditions of “Happy Birthday.” It was obvious that Senator Kennedy understood the importance of family and balancing those duties with the complications of political life.
Above all, I know my father regarded Senator Kennedy as an old school politician who brought a sense of camaraderie to the Senate floor. Alas, this era of collegiality and respect, the era of Tip O'Neill and Ronald Reagan, is over. The recent reaction in the blogosphere to Ted Kennedy’s death proves that. After reading some of the discourse online, I was both surprised and disgusted at what was being written. I was shocked that even in death, people were having partisan quarrels about his legacy which led me to writing a Tweet saying, "I just don't know what kind of life of anger you lead if you can't put politics aside for a moment to respect a man’s passing..." Immediately, this post was used yet again by some as an example of my "secret liberalism." Because what—apparently I can only respect a politician who had served nearly five decades in the Senate if he was a Republican? I don't know how or why we got to this place in politics. Why death is used as yet another excuse for mudslinging and party rhetoric. It is depressing to think that we have come to an age where you can only mourn a man's service to his country if he abides by every single political tenet you believe in.
Whenever people ask me if I want to run for office, my answer is always no. Among the many reasons is that I don't want to go into an industry where there seems to be a complete inability to meet in the middle on issues. Why would anyone want to work in an us-versus-them environment? This is why I have always had tremendous respect for politicians who are willing to fight for what the believe in but understand how to compromise to get something done. When I talked to my father on the phone this weekend after Senator Kennedy's funeral he said to me, "Those that don't believe there are second acts in politics didn't know Senator Kennedy".
If nothing else, I hope that the death of Ted Kennedy inspires high school students in civics classes and political science majors in colleges all across the country. If they listened this weekend to all Senator Kennedy was able to accomplish in his remarkable life, they too will realize why public service—in any capacity and for either political party—is and should continue to be a worthy calling.
Ping.
If the law applied to Senators and members of American royalty as it does to us “common” people, Teddy would have been thrown in jail for manslaughter and lost his Senate seat.
I'm certainly no fan of the McCainlet, but she is so far from fat you have to be joking or blind!
"can only mourn a man's service to his country"
I am getting tired of people referring to what these politicians do as "SERVICE". Maybe at the local or state level it could be considered service ... but these self-aggrandizing money grubbers in Washington are, if anything, "BEING SERVICED".
Heredity? "The girl can't help it." (no offense Little Richard)
You forgot the barf alert!
When little Meghan grows up, maybe someone will tell her about her Lyin’ hero and Mary Jo Kopechne.
Good. Keep it up.
Did you mention that Meghan is (a) fat(head)?
Outweighs him to, I'm guessing. Bimbo carries a lot of weight.
Kennedy wasnt a lion, he was a Tom Cat.
Oh, good Lord. Did you see this?
Talk about nauseating.
I need some valiums and a whole handful of dramamines.
Except for Meghan and her 37 facebook friends.
Did you vote for him and the traitor Kerry also.
Chubby —> fat. One can be fat w/o being obese.
Prince Evilblot from Camelot:
"Now listen to me Mary Jo, we've got to find a compromise on this really important matter."
"Here's what "we" need to do." "You stay here, and I'll cut out ... err ... I'll walk a few steps until my head comes up above this 6-foot deep water and then .... err ... I'll valiantly swim as long as necessary through these dark, deep and swirling waters, and then seek help."
"I won't rest for even a minute in trying to find help as soon as I reach the shore!"
"See Ya soon Mary Jo!"
Yea Megan, he was a real compromiser on the really important matters, wasn't he?
Meghan McCain is a poster child for kids abandoned in favor of politics, business, philanthropy, drugs, or whatever comes before family. Somebody, anybody, should have given this young woman a shove toward responsible adulthood. Eventually, she may turn into a human being, but I fear we’re in for a long, long adolescence.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.