Well I don’t think anyone is unaware that Edward M. Kennedy passed away last night. It’s all over the media – almost too much on NPR. Now I’m a long time supporter of NPR but they were getting a bit bogged down in sentiment during All Things Considered this afternoon. Heck, I think I even heard Robert Siegel’s voice crack a bit.
Now, I am a staunch Democrat and a Kennedy supporter but I wasn’t that big a fan of Ted as a person (I’ll get to that in a minute.) Even so, it’s kind of hard to believe that he’s is gone. Mel and I were talking about it and I think spending a large part of our lives on Cape Cod meant that Ted and the Kennedy family were just part of our lives. Ever since Mel and I became politically aware, Ted Kennedy has been part of our lives. Heck, he’s been in office longer than I’ve been alive. And living on Cape Cod meant that you might run into Ted at the airport or at the Melody Tent or, dare I say, a social gathering (though that only happened once.) He was a charismatic, influential person – even been called the most influential man in American politics who was never President. It was touching to here tributes from some of his closest friends and staunches opponents – men like Orrin Hatch who said, “Today America lost a great elder statesman, a committed public servant, and leader of the Senate. And today I lost a treasured friend.” This is perhaps his greatest legacy – his ability to find allies in the most unlikely places.
But most of this is rehashed drivel that you’ve heard (or are going to hear,) again and again.
But what about Ted Kennedy as a person – as a man? I’ve met Mr. Kennedy on several occasions and have even had the pleasure of shaking his hand and bending his ear for a minute or two. And I find that he shares a trait with several of his Democratic colleagues. In my past job I had the honor of also meeting and chatting with John Kerry (back before the run for President.) I also met and had an extended conversation with then Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill. All of them Massachusetts Democrats. All of them men I supported (or would have supported in the case of Mr. O’Neill who died just as I was beginning to exercise my right to vote.) And all of them men whom I didn’t care for as people. All of them arrogant and condescending and self-centered. All of them men who would look down their noses at you and make you feel like you were intruding on their time. And all of them men I would vote for again in a heartbeat.
Now, I’ve also had the opportunity to meet and chat (albeit very briefly,) with then Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney. A man who stands for everything I’m against (at least politically speaking,) and for whom I would never vote. I found him warm and genuine. A man who took time to thank me for the extra effort that went into setting up a meeting he chaired; something Ted never did – oh he thanked the influential important people (like the college president,) but he didn’t have time for the little people. So this is my dilemma – I like the Republicans but can’t abide their politics and I dislike the Democrats but whole heartedly embrace their policies. I’m at odds with myself.
And why is it that as Democrats we have the high ideals to fight for the little guy – to make the world even for all – and yet, all of our representatives seem to enjoy the privileges of membership so much? Why does a man like Ted Kennedy, who spent so much of his public career fighting for equal rights, and good jobs, and health care for all feel such a need to “act” his station? Why are these guys such SOBs?
I don’t have answers – just questions. And Ted will have to take these issues up with his maker. History or time or lore may brand Ted Kennedy as one of this countries greatest statesmen – and for the most part I agree – but I know Ted as a man who had more than his share of vices and faults. I wish him and his family peace at this difficult time and I may even shed a tear for him. But I hope upon hope that the next generation of great Democratic statesmen are more down to earth; more common – OK BO, time to pony up!
Now, I am a staunch Democrat and a Kennedy supporter but I wasn’t that big a fan of Ted as a person (I’ll get to that in a minute.) Even so, it’s kind of hard to believe that he’s is gone. Mel and I were talking about it and I think spending a large part of our lives on Cape Cod meant that Ted and the Kennedy family were just part of our lives. Ever since Mel and I became politically aware, Ted Kennedy has been part of our lives. Heck, he’s been in office longer than I’ve been alive. And living on Cape Cod meant that you might run into Ted at the airport or at the Melody Tent or, dare I say, a social gathering (though that only happened once.) He was a charismatic, influential person – even been called the most influential man in American politics who was never President. It was touching to here tributes from some of his closest friends and staunches opponents – men like Orrin Hatch who said, “Today America lost a great elder statesman, a committed public servant, and leader of the Senate. And today I lost a treasured friend.” This is perhaps his greatest legacy – his ability to find allies in the most unlikely places.
But most of this is rehashed drivel that you’ve heard (or are going to hear,) again and again.
But what about Ted Kennedy as a person – as a man? I’ve met Mr. Kennedy on several occasions and have even had the pleasure of shaking his hand and bending his ear for a minute or two. And I find that he shares a trait with several of his Democratic colleagues. In my past job I had the honor of also meeting and chatting with John Kerry (back before the run for President.) I also met and had an extended conversation with then Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill. All of them Massachusetts Democrats. All of them men I supported (or would have supported in the case of Mr. O’Neill who died just as I was beginning to exercise my right to vote.) And all of them men whom I didn’t care for as people. All of them arrogant and condescending and self-centered. All of them men who would look down their noses at you and make you feel like you were intruding on their time. And all of them men I would vote for again in a heartbeat.
Now, I’ve also had the opportunity to meet and chat (albeit very briefly,) with then Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney. A man who stands for everything I’m against (at least politically speaking,) and for whom I would never vote. I found him warm and genuine. A man who took time to thank me for the extra effort that went into setting up a meeting he chaired; something Ted never did – oh he thanked the influential important people (like the college president,) but he didn’t have time for the little people. So this is my dilemma – I like the Republicans but can’t abide their politics and I dislike the Democrats but whole heartedly embrace their policies. I’m at odds with myself.
And why is it that as Democrats we have the high ideals to fight for the little guy – to make the world even for all – and yet, all of our representatives seem to enjoy the privileges of membership so much? Why does a man like Ted Kennedy, who spent so much of his public career fighting for equal rights, and good jobs, and health care for all feel such a need to “act” his station? Why are these guys such SOBs?
I don’t have answers – just questions. And Ted will have to take these issues up with his maker. History or time or lore may brand Ted Kennedy as one of this countries greatest statesmen – and for the most part I agree – but I know Ted as a man who had more than his share of vices and faults. I wish him and his family peace at this difficult time and I may even shed a tear for him. But I hope upon hope that the next generation of great Democratic statesmen are more down to earth; more common – OK BO, time to pony up!
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