Taking stock of Ted Kennedy
Comments (13)
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 | 05:46 PM ET
By Henry Champ
Washington's mood was unusually sombre today.
Doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital found a malignant tumour in Senator Ted Kennedy's brain. It is, they say, responsible for the seizures he suffered on the weekend at the family's famous Cape Cod compound.
Called a glioma, the tumour will most likely be treated by radiation and chemotherapy and the success rate, though generally not very high for tumours such as this, is dependent on how virulently the cancer has taken hold.
Beyond that, there is not much more that can be said about the medical prognosis, but there is much that can be said about the man himself.
Senator Edward Kennedy, shown in 2006, has been diagnosed with a tumour known as a glioma on the left side of his brain. (Evan Vucci/Associated Press)
The younger brother of former president John Kennedy, Ted Kennedy did not make much of an impact when he arrived on Capitol Hill in 1962 to fill out his older brother's term as the senator from Massachusetts. (In fact, Ted had to wait two years after JFK vacated the seat on becoming president because he was not yet 30, the minimum age for becoming a senator.)
At the time, he had a reputation for wildness, not unlike many of the younger family members. He was not seen as informed or interested in the big ideas of state. Behind his back, he was called Senator Younger Brother.
That is certainly not the case today.
Growing up on the Senate floor
However, after the assassinations of his brothers Jack (in 1963) and Robert (in 1968), it fell to him to assume the leadership of one of the richest and most powerful families in the United States.
That was a sobering enough reality in itself. But then came the drowning death in 1969 of Mary Jo Kopechne, a pretty campaign worker and passenger in his car when it plunged off a bridge at Chappaquiddick, following a night of revelry, on the way to the Kennedy compound.
The rumours were pretty fierce at the time. Kennedy pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and was given a suspended sentence. And while many have never forgiven him for Chappaquiddick, there is no question the change and sense of purpose it brought to the man himself.
Now, nearly 40 years on, his colleagues are praising his work in the Senate and praying for his recovery.
Among them, Senator John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee: "Senator Kennedy's role in the U.S. Senate cannot be overstated. He is a legendary lawmaker, I have the highest of respect for him."
A rich man's fight
Kennedy loves the battles of the Senate. His is often the leading Democratic voice on the many issues of the workingman. He never tires of the fight for legislation to help the underprivileged or the unlucky.
He loses many of those battles. But every year when the Senate considers an increase to the minimum wage he thunders his support on the chamber floor. On the environment, on improving labour standards, on education benefits for African-Americans and the poor, on help for single mothers and disadvantaged children, his voice would shake in rage at the injustices he saw all around him.
His key issue, though, has been health care and its pursuit has had a decidedly Canadian touch.
He was introduced to the Canadian system by my colleague Don Newman who was a Washington correspondent in the 1970s. Newman arranged a meeting between the senator and then health minister Marc Lalonde.
Newman, a crafty journalist, had elicited a price for his efforts, a sit-down interview with Kennedy.
That interview began with Newman asking, "Senator, many Canadians wonder how it is such a rich and progressive country as the United States does not have a universal health-care program?"
"Mr. Newman, " Kennedy replied, " So do many Americans."
From that day forward, every health-care plan Kennedy put forward was broadly based on the Canadian model of universal coverage.
Re-staging Camelot
Kennedy also became a key voice on the judiciary committee and led the Democratic fight in that famous confirmation battle that cost arch-conservative Robert Bork his place on the Supreme Court.
In recent months, Kennedy has been upbeat. He jumped into the Democratic leadership fight early this spring, sponsoring a rally for Barack Obama at Washington's American University. It was vintage Camelot, with the Kennedy clan — Ted, Caroline, his congressman-son Patrick and others — very much on view.
It was of impeccable timing, coming as it did just before the vote-laden Super Tuesday and probably helped trigger Obama's surge in the nomination race at that point.
The image of the white-maned Kennedy and the young African-American contender hugging each other on stage was a clear signal to the party, that the younger man could do the job, and maybe even inherit JFK's mantle.
The days ahead were looking good for Kennedy as well. Projected Democratic gains in the Senate and House this fall, a possible Democrat in the White House, maybe, just maybe, universal health care would be within reach.
You can bet that as Kennedy battles this tumour, those opportunities — and the political fights ahead — will be on his mind.
Don't assume that these political fights will be easy or that Kennedy is popular with everyone.
The Kennedy name is synonymous with liberalism in this country. His is the name raised when conservatives talk about their political enemies.
You can win elections in some parts of the U.S. by running a TV ad that claims your opponent is a friend of Ted Kennedy.
But no one can doubt his consistency over these last decades, nor the valour in his fight.
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Henry Champ is CBC Newsworld's correspondent in Washington, D.C., delivering Canadian viewers the latest developments in the U.S. political arena. Recently, he has been a leading Canadian voice on coverage of the war on terrorism, the war in Iraq and the growing concerns over the Canada-U.S. relationship.
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Comments (13)
Bill
Calgary
According to Henry Champ, Kennedy has apparently attoned for the death of Mary Jo Kopechne by his dedication to public service.
An atonement that was available to him because the wealth and power of his family prevented him from being punished like the common man he so vigorously championed later in life.
Such irony..... I would buy his commitment more if he'd taken his punishment and THEN committed himself.
Plenty of evidence indicates Mary Jo clung to life in an air bubble in that submerged automobile for nearly an hour as young Teddy tried to figure out a way to stay out of trouble.......
Posted July 3, 2008 07:51 AM
Anne Clark
I must say that I have always regarded Robert Kennedy as the 'liberal' icon of the family. I believe that Bobbie would have made a very different country of the US and it is tragic that he never got the chance to try.
Having said that, I can only wish Senator Ted Kennedy my very best for his upcoming battle and, as a cancer survivor myself, I know that his great enthusiasm for a 'good' fight will stand him in great stead.
To those of you who have not gotten past the tragedy of so many years ago, do please let's move on - all people make mistakes at some time or other and living with the consequences is not often easy.
Posted May 24, 2008 04:32 AM
Dennis
I hope he wins the battle against cancer!
Posted May 24, 2008 01:27 AM
John Carpenter
Edmonton
Its my view Henry that John Kerry missed his chance to put any real meaning behind his campaign when he stood silent during the Presidential debates and permitted George Bush to use Ted Kennedy's name and the "L" word as if they should be viewed with disdain. As a sitting President, George Bush's disdain should have been quickly and decisively challenged. Was it possible whatever their political stripe that America, then or now, could dismiss the sacrifices of the Kennedy family? An eldest son to war, second son to assassination as was his younger brother, leaving Ted to stumble but to in the end to devote his life to service of his country. Kerry's lack of courage or perhaps inability to respond spontaneously showed him as lacking in the mettle that has been seen to be the Kennedy's whether John's, Bobby's or as hardened over those years in the Senate - Teddy's. I suggest that America is perhaps ready to give that service its due recognition. The tragedy is that there appears to have been such a long time where lack of courage dictated only silence.
Posted May 23, 2008 01:18 AM
Mary-Anne Brabander
What happened all those years ago is the past. Let's focus on what Ted Kennedy has accomplished since that terrible night. His presence in the Senate has been a beacon for those who would challenge the status quo. His voice has rattled those who would deny Americans universal health care. His unfailing support for the people of the United States should be what is remembered and praised.
Posted May 22, 2008 10:05 PM
sandy
calgary
The Kennedy's, the american royalty. I am sure he will have the best medical care money can buy . While he talks a good story and keeps the Kennedy mystic in the media, every now and then we have an incident when we find they are above the rules they insist the rest of us follow. No matter what the transgression none have spent any time in jail. As for his support of Obama, do they really represent change? Ted has been in senate how long? in my opinion, Bobby was the only one worth his salt and his family does a lot of good without so much fanfare
Posted May 22, 2008 03:09 PM
Gregory Creswell
Detroit,MI,USA
Hmmm, I wonder how the family of Mary Jo Kopechne feels about TK health problem. Mary Jo's birthday is 07/26/1940. The date of her death 07/18/1969, the place, Chappaquiddick,USA, right Teddy.
Posted May 21, 2008 07:49 PM
Julie Betschen
Hurray to Senator Kennedy. If universal health care passes in the U.S.A. it will be mainly because of him. Wishing him best of luck in his fight with cancer.
from a former cancer patient
Julie
Posted May 21, 2008 01:40 PM
Dona
Hudson,QC.ca
May Mr.Kennedy win this fight with his adversary.
Posted May 21, 2008 11:28 AM
Hugh (Bart) Vincelette
I hope with all my heart that Ted Kennedy has his Mother's genetic strength and makeup and is able to fight off this neoplasm . At least one of the Kennedy men should have a very long(er) life , and bring his eminence , esteem , expertise , compassion and ability to show the world that not all American elected officials have the morality of capetbagging oil barons.
Posted May 21, 2008 10:07 AM
Dennis
I hope that Mr. Ted Kennedy will get the best medical treatment!
Posted May 20, 2008 11:05 PM
Dwight Williams
Ottawa
I suspect that after Mr. Lalonde got through with Sen. Kennedy, the latter didn't see the interview with Mr. Newman as being a "pricetag" but rather an opportunity to Get Something Useful Done.
Posted May 20, 2008 09:58 PM
Torti1st
Ontario
I can't help but wonder how often Sen. Kennedy used cell phones?
Posted May 20, 2008 09:27 PM