First of all RIP Ted Kennedy. His was an epic life all the more wonderous for the shadow of those around him. A contrast of sorts, a frequent communicant who championed the liberal agenda, a Kennedy who never became president, a legislator beyond excellence. Fabled by his famous older brothers he carved his own destiny and now casts a long shadow of his own over US and indeed world affairs.
Whilst the particular era perhaps ended long ago, there was still a tragic finality in reading that Senator Kennedy’s remains were being flown to Arlington national cemetary after the Boston service, to be laid beside his brothers Jack and Bobby Kennedy in the family plot. Three brothers now all in the ground.
Edward Kennedy did have one shot at the presidency of course, in 1980 when he was beaten for the Democratic nomination, in what he knew then must be his last attempt, he made a poignant post ballot speech, for a man who saw the hopes slip from his grasp only a few hours before but raised himself for the hopes of many and delivered a historic concession “the dream will never die”..
On a slightly brighter note, and am sure the man himself would grant a wry smile, I noted in a side column how the hopefuls are already gathering to contest the now vacant senate seat left behind. Of course with a full slate of legislative progress to be made and at times stormy assembly, that extra Democrat seat cannot be left idle for long. Not that the aspirants will mind an accelerated progression process.
There’s a story told about the late Labour leader John Smith. His own funeral of course was the scene of fevered plotting with the celebrated Blair / Brown feud at full peak of which he would have wholeheartedly approved. On hearing of a bereavement in the ranks, after making the appropriate noises and a suitable solemnity to the relatives, he would turn to his confidantes and allow a sparkle in the eye and a rub of the hands as his thoughts darted to the by-election ahead and the selections to be made with his famous phrase .. “Where there’s death there’s hope” …
