Senator Edward “Ted” M. Kennedy of Massachusetts died late Tuesday night, August 25, 2009, after a battle with brain cancer. His death was announced Wednesday morning in a statement by his family, already mourning the death of the Senator’s sister Eunice just a few weeks ago.The news did not come as a surprise. Kennedy’s health had been deteriorating ever since he suffered a seizure in May 2008 and was diagnosed with a malignant glioma, a brain tumor with a generally grim prognosis. Yet, news of his death gave me pause, and I found myself sincerely mourning the man called the Lion of the Senate.
Born to privilege, Ted Kennedy was the youngest of a band of brothers who changed America. John F. Kennedy was the youngest man ever elected to the presidency of the United States and, although not necessarily effective politically, gave the nation new energy and focus. His assassination in November 1963 also galvanized the nation as well as created the legend of the Kennedys.
Robert F. Kennedy, who served as JFK’s Attorney General, made a run for the presidency in 1968 with a platform that focused on issues of economic inequality in the wealthiest nation on earth, as well as ending the war in Vietnam. RFK’s platform was the most progressive ever experienced in this country, giving hope to the disadvantaged regardless of color or creed. His assassination, following his victory in the California primary, marked the end of the promise of America and the beginning of a conservative backlash.
Edward Kennedy was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1962. Early in his career, he was dismissed as a lightweight and an unworthy successor to his revered brothers. Yet, over time he grew in stature. He was the third-longest-serving Senator in the history of the nation. He was also a leading spokesman for liberal issues, standing up for the rights of the working class and the disadvantaged, regardless of his own privileged background.
The hallmark of his legislative success was his ability to cross the partisan aisle to enact legislation. Ted Kennedy was a statesman—a quality amiss in today’s Washington, D.C., and in today’s American political rhetoric.
What makes Kennedy’s passing even more poignant at this particular time in history is the debate over health care reform in the United States. Instead of a reasoned exchange of ideas, this debate has dissipated into a shouting match that provides little substance and lots of rhetoric. Providing health care coverage for all Americans had been the goal of Senator Kennedy.
His statesmanship and his leadership could have brought some sense to the current debate. I am left wondering what will come of it all.
Rest in peace, Teddy.
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About: Päivi:
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Päivi Hoikkala on filosofian tohtori ja hänen erikoisalaansa on Pohjois-Amerikan historia, erityisesti intiaanit. Väitöskirjansa hän teki urbaaneista intiaaninaisista. Hän opettaa Amerikan historiaa California Polytechnic Universityssä Pomonassa, Kaliforniassa.