Ted Kennedy

Ted Kennedy was a lot of things.  He was human, he had his failings like all humans have.  Like a long line of old style Irish politicians from Massachusetts those failings and that humanity defined him and made him truly superb at the business of legislation and politics.  He treated others like human beings and in that he was able to deal with them, listen to them and concede to them when necessary as human beings, not as the evil representatives of an opposing ideology.  So many people do not treat their opponents, behind the closed doors where deal-making is done, with that humanity and respect.  So many are not able to make compromises because they do not see people as people.  They only see them as competitors, opponents, and ultimately enemies.  Kennedy was not like that.  Possibly because of his own humanity, his own tragedies and his own failings, he did not judge others harshly.  He recognized that treating the opposition with respect, making deals, creating compromises, being a friend to the people with whom he dealt, and getting things done, were not signs of weakness or a signs that he lacked toughness.  He wanted to get things done.  His life as a public servant was not defined by high principal and lofty ideals, although he certainly espoused and fought for them.  In the end his public service and his life was defined, as ultimately all of ours are defined, by his accomplishments.  No matter what you say about him, you can not deny his accomplishments.  As many have said, he accomplished more for the elderly, the poor and the infirm in the United States than probably any other person, ever.  That is his legacy and our politicians and pundits and bloggers and all the ranters and ravers about principal and ideals should take a step back and say to themselves, “With all of my anger and vitriol and animosity, what am I accomplishing?”  What they will find is that they are no Ted Kennedy.

Comments

[Andrew]

I absolutely agree. Whether he was a Democrat or a Liberal, it doesn't defy how well he served his country. I thought most of what you said was accurate and correct, but in particular I enjoyed reading this line over and over again, "He treated others like human beings and in that he was able to deal with them, listen to them and concede to them when necessary as human beings, not as the evil representatives of an opposing ideology. So many people do not treat their opponents, behind the closed doors where deal-making is done, with that humanity and respect. So many are not able to make compromises because they do not see people as people. They only see them as competitors, opponents, and ultimately enemies. Kennedy was not like that." Very well written and yet so true. That is exactly where the Democrats/Liberals shine. I identify myself as an Independent, but after reading this, it reaffirms my faith in the Democratic party, that even though they have numerous skeletons in their closets, they also posses some undeniable positives. After reading about Kennedy and his historical life recently, I must admit, he was a true Patriot.

[JR]

Andrew - I'm not sure I have your faith in the Democrats (although I currently find them more palatable than the Republicans, as far as party affiliation goes). There are plenty of them, including Ms. Pelosi, who do not deal well with others. I am not sure who has taken a page from whom, but they both do an unfortunately good job of shouting at each other and accomplishing nothing. Kennedy was one of the few of a breed of politician on both sides that is becoming extinct - the deal maker.

[Thomas Farrell]

Ted Kennedy was one of a kind. Regardless of his policies you had to respect his strength in what had to be a very difficult life.

[Nathan]

Teddy had a different philosophy than most of those around him. Indeed, he was almost a man from a different time. I do not know who would possibly be able to fill his shoes and bring some humanity back to the senate. Everything is so Partisan these days. One republican voted for the health care bill,just one one. We need representatives who put the needs of the electorate before their own grudges and arguments. Ted Kennedy knew how to do that, but I fear there are none like him left.

[JR]

Nathan, I agree wholeheartedly. Unfortunately there do not seem to be any like him, with a willingness to work together. I am starting to believe that our only hope would be in a third party - an idea I have always disliked.

[Mollie]

I agree with you comment on how young people think today. There really is a lack of compromise and rational thought. We are the "point and click" generation who demand instant results regardless of the outcome. Perhaps patience and careful thinking need to be taught in schools.

[Mollie]

I am not a very political person and I had to find and respond to a political blog for class. But when I read what you had to say about Kennedy, I had to wonder...why wasn't he our president then? It may be a childish question but it just makes sense. As a country who chooses their president...their leader...why wouldn't we chose someone who is human and not just looking out for their own desire for power?

[JR]

Mollie,
For all the admiration I hold for Ted, he had massive failings as well. He was far too "human" and people thought (as I did at the time he ran) that he was not really someone they wanted as President. As a Senator from Massachusetts, he had charm, charisma, and political savvy. He had the ability to work with others as I have stated....but...he did a) cause the death of a young woman while driving drunk, b) got kicked out of college for cheating and generally had problems and failings that made it politically impossible for him to become president. Also, for all his ability to work with the other side, he was also a polarizing figure in public. He was the emblem, to the right, of liberalism gone wild. Whether justified or not, he would have galvanized opposition and that is also not something that makes it politically possible to succeed on the national level. It is much easier to get elected in Massachusetts if your name is Kennedy, than it is on the national level.

[Mollie]

JR-
You have some very good points and thank you for giving me information that I did not know before. Those transgressions were not good and I can how that would effect his election as president. You said that he was "too human"... I agree that political figures need to be something slightly above what the rest of humanity thinks and acts upon. Do you think that "too human" might work better for our country because it is full of "too human" people? Or do you think that would blow up in our faces?