Patrick Kennedy leaves note for Ted on gravesite: "Dad, the unfinished business is done."

Washington comPost ^ | March 24, 2010 | Philip Rucker and Eli Saslow

[Zakeet]

The political odyssey of health care reform in many ways is the story of Ted Kennedy, and as President Obama signed the historic bill into law Tuesday, Kennedy's gravesite was a place of quiet celebration and poignant reflection.

The late senator's widow, Victoria Reggie Kennedy, spent hours Sunday at the simple white cross at Arlington National Cemetery marking where her husband was laid to rest only seven months ago. Ted Kennedy's youngest son, Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.), visited on Monday morning and left a hand-written note that read: "Dad, the unfinished business is done."

And on a dreary Tuesday morning, dozens of school children and health care advocates paused at Kennedy's tombstone to commemorate the man who for decades made overhauling the nation's health-care system his life's mission.

Kennedy's legacy was not lost on anyone who filled the East Room of the White House for Obama's bill-signing ceremony. Members of Congress wore blue "TedStrong" wristbands in his honor and posed for pictures with Patrick Kennedy. Caroline Kennedy, the senator's niece, sat in the front row, with other members of the storied family. Vicki Kennedy walked into the room with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.).

Obama received a thunderous applause when he evoked the ghost of Ted Kennedy near the climax of his speech.

[Snip]

When Obama sat to sign the bill, Patrick and Vicki Kennedy stood behind him. Finally, Ted Kennedy's dream became the law of the land.

[Stormtrooper79]

He can’t read it from hell!

[Lazamataz]

"Dad, the unfinished business is done."

Untrue.

This is only the first baby step towards a Communist America.

[ZULU]

I think his “Dad” would have preferred a libation of Scotch or Whiskey.

[ilovesarah2012]

Written notes are so yesterday. He could have just texted him.

[tgusa]

ROFL

[kcvl]

The WaPo is such a POS rag.

That's an understatement!

[Apparatchik]

[isthisnickcool]

[ZULU]

He might have left an apology on Mary Jo Kopechne’s grave.

[antiRepublicrat]

Dad, you started trying to kill healthcare in this country by creating HMOs, and now we’ve finished the task.

[NoRedTape]

Dearest Daddy, we steamrolled this F’n bloated bill through using backroom buyoffs and bullying. We did good, albeit against the wishes of the American public. Even Stupak caved like a weak card table. It was somethin’ to see!

[massgopguy]

They had to bury Fatboy at Arlington to keep his grave from being used as a urinal in MA.

[mentor2k]

And next year or so, Patrick will be leaving a cry towel graveside saying, “Dad, I’m sorry, it got repealed!”

[thepatriot1]

...then he soiled himself and passed out.

[mrsmel]

What, did angry voters go pizz on his grave?

[skimbell]

The sad thing is that the stupid phaker is probably waiting for a response.

[Obadiah]

What? Did someone make waitress sandwiches legal now?

[Gay State Conservative]

Next time I'm in Dc *I'll* leave a note on his grave saying “hey,you fat dried up turd...there's a Republican occupying *your* Senate seat.Your drug addled spawn was driven out of Congress by his abysmal poll numbers.And that wind farm is well on its way to completion.Warm enough for ya down there???"

[DesertRhino]

Awwwwwww im gonna cry!! Maybe we were wrong all along!! This story nearly touched my heart, but it missed and hit my gag reflex,,,,

[KarlInOhio]

"Dad, the unfinished business is done."

Unfinished business = finally draining the cases of booze at the various Kennedy compounds. Now it is time for a new generation to step forward and restock.