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Kennedy exerted enormous power thanks to his seniority and committee chairmanships, his willingness to work with Republicans, his unusually energetic staff, and the celebrity accorded the most famous name in politics. More than any senator in recent decades he was the master of legislative legerdemain: handling negotiations over broad policy goals, vetting the smallest details, negotiating with the concerned lobbyists, orchestrating the public hearings, briefing and leaking to the media, crafting compromises, cutting deals with the White House and with Republicans, and designing a legislative path through committee and onto the floor to get his legislation passed.  

Kennedy exerted enormous power thanks to his seniority and committee chairmanships, his willingness to work with Republicans, his unusually energetic staff, and the celebrity accorded the most famous name in politics. More than any senator in recent decades he was the master of legislative legerdemain: handling negotiations over broad policy goals, vetting the smallest details, negotiating with the concerned lobbyists, orchestrating the public hearings, briefing and leaking to the media, crafting compromises, cutting deals with the White House and with Republicans, and designing a legislative path through committee and onto the floor to get his legislation passed.  

Kennedy garnered the nickname "Lion of the Senate" for his long and vigorous career in public service. In the club-like atmosphere of the U.S. Senate, Kennedy enjoyed personal support from Washington insiders.<ref>Republican Senator [[Orrin Hatch]] (R-Utah) said "he's like a brother to me,"[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-wallis/the-lion-of-the-senate_b_103322.html] while Senator [[John McCain]] (R-Arizona) said that he has "the highest respect for him," calling him a "skillful, fair, and generous partner" in the times they have worked together.[http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1807447,00.html] President [[Obama]] called Kennedy "the greatest United States Senator of our time."[http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Senator-Kennedy]</ref>  But outside of Washington, Rev. Thomas Euteneuer had a more objective view of his fellow Catholic:  "It is not enough for Kennedy to have been a 'great guy behind the scenes' as we have seen him referred to even by his political opponents. ...  Every indication of Senator Kennedy's career, every public appearance, every sound bite showed an acerbic, divisive and partisan political hack for whom party politics were much more infallible than Church doctrines."<ref>http://www.hli.org/index.php?option=com_acajoom&act=mailing&task=view&listid=2&mailingid=666</ref>  

Kennedy garnered the nickname "Lion of the Senate" for his long and vigorous career in public service. In the club-like atmosphere of the U.S. Senate, Kennedy enjoyed personal support from Washington insiders.<ref>Republican Senator [[Orrin Hatch]] (R-Utah) said "he's like a brother to me,"[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-wallis/the-lion-of-the-senate_b_103322.html] while Senator [[John McCain]] (R-Arizona) said that he has "the highest respect for him," calling him a "skillful, fair, and generous partner" in the times they have worked together.[http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1807447,00.html] President [[Obama]] called Kennedy "the greatest United States Senator of our time."[http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Senator-Kennedy]</ref>  But outside of Washington, Rev. Thomas Euteneuer had a more objective view of his fellow Catholic:  "It is not enough for Kennedy to have been a 'great guy behind the scenes' as we have seen him referred to even by his political opponents. ...  Every indication of Senator Kennedy's career, every public appearance, every sound bite showed an acerbic, divisive and partisan political hack for whom party politics were much more infallible than Church doctrines."<ref>[http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/6125411376.html Human Life International's Statement on the Passing of Senator Edward Kennedy]</ref>  

The [[Kennedy Family]] has been a major part of the Democratic Party for a century, beginning with his grandfather as mayor of Boston, his older brothers President [[John F. Kennedy]] (assassinated in 1963) and [[Robert F. Kennedy]] (assassinated in 1968) and their [[special needs]] sister Rosemary.  Despite the family's immense [[financial]] resources she was shunted off to an institution in [[Wisconsin]] at the age of 23 and spent her entire life abandoned by the family where she died alone in 2005 at the age of 86.<ref>http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-01-07-kennedy-death_x.htm</ref><ref>http://www.newsmax.com/kessler/Rosemary_Kennedy/2008/06/17/105127.html</ref>  Ted Kennedy was long a presumptive nominee for president himself, but the [[Chappaquiddick]] scandal in 1969 caused him to delay his candidacy until 1980, when he was defeated by the unpopular incumbent Democratic President [[Jimmy Carter]].  

The [[Kennedy Family]] has been a major part of the Democratic Party for a century, beginning with his grandfather as mayor of Boston, his older brothers President [[John F. Kennedy]] (assassinated in 1963) and [[Robert F. Kennedy]] (assassinated in 1968) and their [[special needs]] sister Rosemary.  Despite the family's immense [[financial]] resources she was shunted off to an institution in [[Wisconsin]] at the age of 23 and spent her entire life abandoned by the family where she died alone in 2005 at the age of 86.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-01-07-kennedy-death_x.htm Rosemary Kennedy dies at 86], [[USA Today]]</ref><ref>[http://www.newsmax.com/RonaldKessler/Rosemary-Kennedy/2008/06/17/id/324146/ Rosemary Kennedy's Inconvenient Illness], [[Newsmax]]</ref>  Ted Kennedy was long a presumptive nominee for president himself, but the [[Chappaquiddick]] scandal in 1969 caused him to delay his candidacy until 1980, when he was defeated by the unpopular incumbent Democratic President [[Jimmy Carter]].  

==Religion==

==Religion==

Kennedy was raised [[Roman Catholic]], and though he disagreed with church leaders on such issues of [[abortion]] and [[homosexual]] rights, he was described by USA Today "as a devout Catholic who clung to his religion's belief in the potential for human redemption".<ref>http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-08-26-ted-kennedy-obit_N.htm</ref> His mother, Rose Kennedy, was a strong Catholic who often attended Mass twice daily. She once told her now adult son that he was guaranteed to go to heaven if he went to Mass seven straight Fridays. Ted's close friend Dick Clasby recalls, "So Ted and I went seven Fridays, and that was it,".. that was the deal."<ref>Peter Canellos; ''Last Lion: The Fall and Rise of Ted Kennedy'' pp. 45-48 </ref>  As a politician, Ted Kennedy aggressively promoted taxpayer-funded abortion and same-sex marriage in direct violation of Catholic teaching.

Kennedy was raised [[Roman Catholic]], and though he disagreed with church leaders on such issues of [[abortion]] and [[homosexual]] rights, he was described by USA Today "as a devout Catholic who clung to his religion's belief in the potential for human redemption".<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-08-26-ted-kennedy-obit_N.htm Sen. Edward Kennedy, 77, dies of cancer]</ref> His mother, Rose Kennedy, was a strong Catholic who often attended Mass twice daily. She once told her now adult son that he was guaranteed to go to heaven if he went to Mass seven straight Fridays. Ted's close friend Dick Clasby recalls, "So Ted and I went seven Fridays, and that was it,".. that was the deal."<ref>Peter Canellos; ''Last Lion: The Fall and Rise of Ted Kennedy'' pp. 45-48 </ref>  As a politician, Ted Kennedy aggressively promoted taxpayer-funded abortion and same-sex marriage in direct violation of Catholic teaching.

[[Regent University]] School of Government Dean Charles Dunn sees Kennedy as one who turned from his Family's conservative roots.

[[Regent University]] School of Government Dean Charles Dunn sees Kennedy as one who turned from his Family's conservative roots.

<blockquote>He gradually in metamorphosis moved from the right of center theologically and politically to the far left of center, so he left the mooring spiritually of his mother and ideologically and politically of his father.<ref>http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/politics/2009/August/A-Look-at-Ted-Kennedys-Catholic-Faith</ref></blockquote>  

<blockquote>He gradually in metamorphosis moved from the right of center theologically and politically to the far left of center, so he left the mooring spiritually of his mother and ideologically and politically of his father.<ref>[http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/politics/2009/August/A-Look-at-Ted-Kennedys-Catholic-Faith A Look at Ted Kennedy's Catholic Faith]</ref></blockquote>  

From a 1971 letter to Catholic League member Tom Dennelly, Republican activist and writer Deal Hudson quotes Kennedy as stating,   

From a 1971 letter to Catholic League member Tom Dennelly, Republican activist and writer Deal Hudson quotes Kennedy as stating,   

<blockquote>It is my personal feeling that the legalization of abortion on demand is not in accordance with the value which our civilization places on human life. Wanted or unwanted, I believe that human life, even at its earliest stages, has certain rights which must be recognized; the right to be born, the right to life, the right to grow old.<ref>http://www.usnews.com/blogs/god-and-country/2009/08/26/sen-ted-kennedys-catholicism-first-take.html</ref></blockquote>   

<blockquote>It is my personal feeling that the legalization of abortion on demand is not in accordance with the value which our civilization places on human life. Wanted or unwanted, I believe that human life, even at its earliest stages, has certain rights which must be recognized; the right to be born, the right to life, the right to grow old.<ref>[http://www.usnews.com/blogs/god-and-country/2009/08/26/sen-ted-kennedys-catholicism-first-take.html Sen. Ted Kennedy's Catholicism: First Take]</ref></blockquote>   

Kennedy also wrote:

Kennedy also wrote:

<blockquote>When history looks back to this era it should recognize this generation as one which cared about human beings enough to halt the practice of war, to provide a decent living for every family, and to fulfill its responsibility to its children from the very moment of conception.<ref>http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/aug/09082601.html</ref></blockquote>

<blockquote>When history looks back to this era it should recognize this generation as one which cared about human beings enough to halt the practice of war, to provide a decent living for every family, and to fulfill its responsibility to its children from the very moment of conception.<ref>[http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/aug/09082601.html Ted Kennedy, Abortion Advocate and Health Reform Mastermind, Dead at 77], [[LifeSite News]]</ref></blockquote>

Later, in 1983, Kennedy spoke of his faith in a speech in 1983 at the late [[Jerry Falwell]]'s Liberty Baptist College, now called [[Liberty University]], stating that "I am an American and a Catholic; I love my country and treasure my faith", but expressed that there was no monopoly on truth, while suggesting that "God has taken no position on the Department of Education."<ref>http://religionnews.com/index.php?/rnsblog</ref>  

Later, in 1983, Kennedy spoke of his faith in a speech in 1983 at the late [[Jerry Falwell]]'s Liberty Baptist College, now called [[Liberty University]], stating that "I am an American and a Catholic; I love my country and treasure my faith",<ref>[http://www1.cbn.com/thebrodyfile/archive/2009/08/26/watch-ted-kennedy-talk-about-his-catholic-faith Watch Ted Kennedy Talk About His Catholic Faith ]</ref> but expressed that there was no monopoly on truth, while suggesting that "God has taken no position on the Department of Education."<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1983/10/05/tolerance-and-truth/7c6b77ab-cf42-4b5b-84db-45b273f12717/ Tolerance and Truth], [[Washington Post]]</ref>  

While some Catholics agree with Kennedy's [[moral]] policies,<ref>[http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/RevealingStatistics.html#Sec4 Revealing Statistics; Differences Between Denominations]</ref> other express certain dismay over his promotion of abortion, [[homosexuality]], and other [[sins]] which are contrary to the [[Bible]] as well as official Catholic teaching.<ref>http://www.romancatholicreport.com/id73.html</ref> Kennedy had a 100 percent score from the abortion-rights group NARAL on abortions, and 0 percent from the National Right to Life Committee.   

While some Catholics agree with Kennedy's [[moral]] policies,<ref>[http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/RevealingStatistics.html#Sec4 Revealing Statistics; Differences Between Denominations]</ref> other express certain dismay over his promotion of abortion, [[homosexuality]], and other [[sins]] which are contrary to the [[Bible]] as well as official Catholic teaching.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080103202850/http://www.romancatholicreport.com/id73.html The Father of Lies is the Father of Ted Kennedy]</ref> Kennedy had a 100 percent score from the abortion-rights group NARAL on abortions, and 0 percent from the National Right to Life Committee.   

Kennedy apparently suffered no official church discipline for his contrary actions, and was reported to be attending Mass regularly in February, 2009.<ref>http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2009/02/15/chapter_1_teddy</ref>  The priest at the Kennedys’ parish on [[Cape Cod]],  Mark Hession, made regular visits to the Kennedy home this summer and held a private family Mass in the living room every Sunday.<ref>NYTimes.com ''After Diagnosis, Determined to Make a ‘Good Ending’'' (August 26, 2009)</ref>

Kennedy apparently suffered no official church discipline for his contrary actions, and was reported to be attending Mass regularly in February, 2009.<ref>[http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2009/02/15/chapter_1_teddy A childhood of privilege, promise, and pain], [[The Boston Globe]]</ref>  The priest at the Kennedys’ parish on [[Cape Cod]],  Mark Hession, made regular visits to the Kennedy home this summer and held a private family Mass in the living room every Sunday.<ref>NYTimes.com ''After Diagnosis, Determined to Make a ‘Good Ending’'' (August 26, 2009)</ref>

==Education==

==Education==

Among other schools, Kennedy attended Fessenden School, and later the private Milton Academy, earning only C grades. He was admitted to [[Harvard University]] as a "legacy", due to his father and older brothers having attended there. In 1951, Kennedy was expelled from Harvard for cheating, having paid a classmate to take a [[Spanish]] test for him. His father, [[Joseph P. Kennedy]], former U.S. Ambassador to England, worked with the Boston Globe's top political editor on how to blunt the impact of this revelation. His father further advised him to refrain from cheating, stating,  "you're not clever enough." After his expulsion, Kennedy enlisted in the [[United States Army]], applying for a position in Army intelligence at Fort Holabird, Maryland. He departed abruptly after a background investigation "linked him to a group of 'pinkos.'"<ref>Memo, FBI Assistant Direstor Louis Nichols to FBI Associate Director Clyde Tolson, May 11, 1954. Cf. Athan Theoharis, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=hjRUNMqXYUwC From the Secret Files of J. Edgar Hoover]'' (Ivan R. Dee, 1993), ISBN 146171799X, p. 322</ref> He received no special treatment according to his sergeant, but his father worked to keep his son out the [[Korean War]]. Instead, in 1952 Kennedy was assigned to the NATO honor guard in Paris, France.<ref>Peter Canellos; ''Last Lion: The Fall and Rise of Ted Kennedy'', pp. 39,40</ref>  Kennedy failed to advanced beyond the rank of Private, and upon being discharged he returned to Harvard, subsequently graduating in 1956. Kennedy also graduated from the [[University of Virginia]] law school in 1959, where he was the winner of the William Minor Lile Moot Court Competition.<ref>http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/kennedys/timeline/timeline2.html</ref><ref>Adam Clymer; ''Edward M. Kennedy: A Biography''</ref>  Harvard University later bestowed an honorary degree on Kennedy when he was 76-years-old, featuring remarks by Supreme Court Justice [[Stephen Breyer]], and a performance by cellist Yo-Yo Ma. <ref>Steve LeBlanc, Associated Press; ''Harvard to Honor Ted Kennedy, Once Expelled for Cheating'' (Monday, December 01, 2008)</ref>

Among other schools, Kennedy attended Fessenden School, and later the private Milton Academy, earning only C grades. He was admitted to [[Harvard University]] as a "legacy", due to his father and older brothers having attended there. In 1951, Kennedy was expelled from Harvard for cheating, having paid a classmate to take a [[Spanish]] test for him. His father, [[Joseph P. Kennedy]], former U.S. Ambassador to England, worked with the Boston Globe's top political editor on how to blunt the impact of this revelation. His father further advised him to refrain from cheating, stating,  "you're not clever enough." After his expulsion, Kennedy enlisted in the [[United States Army]], applying for a position in Army intelligence at Fort Holabird, Maryland. He departed abruptly after a background investigation "linked him to a group of 'pinkos.'"<ref>Memo, FBI Assistant Direstor Louis Nichols to FBI Associate Director Clyde Tolson, May 11, 1954. Cf. Athan Theoharis, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=hjRUNMqXYUwC From the Secret Files of J. Edgar Hoover]'' (Ivan R. Dee, 1993), ISBN 146171799X, p. 322</ref> He received no special treatment according to his sergeant, but his father worked to keep his son out the [[Korean War]]. Instead, in 1952 Kennedy was assigned to the NATO honor guard in Paris, France.<ref>Peter Canellos; ''Last Lion: The Fall and Rise of Ted Kennedy'', pp. 39,40</ref>  Kennedy failed to advanced beyond the rank of Private, and upon being discharged he returned to Harvard, subsequently graduating in 1956. Kennedy also graduated from the [[University of Virginia]] law school in 1959, where he was the winner of the William Minor Lile Moot Court Competition.<ref>[http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/kennedys/timeline/timeline2.html Timeline: Generations of the Kennedy Family], [[Public Broadcasting Service]]</ref><ref>Adam Clymer; ''Edward M. Kennedy: A Biography''</ref>  Harvard University later bestowed an honorary degree on Kennedy when he was 76-years-old, featuring remarks by Supreme Court Justice [[Stephen Breyer]], and a performance by cellist Yo-Yo Ma. <ref>[http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/harvard-honor-ted-kennedy-once-expelled-cheating Harvard to Honor Ted Kennedy, Once Expelled for Cheating], Steve LeBlanc, [[Associated Press]] (Monday, December 01, 2008)</ref>

==Life and career==

==Life and career==

In 1980, Kennedy campaigned to become the Democratic nominee for president, but lost to incumbent Jimmy Carter. Problems with alcohol and martial fidelity followed him,<ref>Richard E. Burke, Marilyn Hoffer, William Hoffer; ''The Senator: My Ten Years with Ted Kennedy'', pp. 225,26</ref> and in 1984 he divorced his wife of 24 years. He later became the object of more controversy in 1991, when after the end of a night out with the senator, his nephew William Smith was charged with raping a woman. Although Smith was acquitted, the media attention negatively affected Kennedy. In 1992, Kennedy remarried, to Washington lawyer Victoria Reggie.<ref>[http://www.xtimeline.com/timeline/Biography-of-Ted-Kennedy Biography of Ted Kennedy]</ref><ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/tedkennedy/index.htmlAssociated Press, ''Timeline of Sen. Kennedy's life.'']</ref><ref>Bonnie Malkin and agencies in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, ''Ted Kennedy timeline'' (Aug 26, 2009)</ref> Kennedy also was the subject of controversy regarding his alleged [http://sweetness-light.com/archive/kgb-letter-details-ted-kennedys-offer-to-help-ussr advisement to the Soviet Union] during the Presidency of [[Ronald Reagan]].<ref>[http://www.frontpagemag.com/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=30980  Jamie Glazov; ''Ted Kennedy and the KGB'' FrontPageMagazine.com (Thursday, May 15, 2008)]</ref>

In 1980, Kennedy campaigned to become the Democratic nominee for president, but lost to incumbent Jimmy Carter. Problems with alcohol and martial fidelity followed him,<ref>Richard E. Burke, Marilyn Hoffer, William Hoffer; ''The Senator: My Ten Years with Ted Kennedy'', pp. 225,26</ref> and in 1984 he divorced his wife of 24 years. He later became the object of more controversy in 1991, when after the end of a night out with the senator, his nephew William Smith was charged with raping a woman. Although Smith was acquitted, the media attention negatively affected Kennedy. In 1992, Kennedy remarried, to Washington lawyer Victoria Reggie.<ref>[http://www.xtimeline.com/timeline/Biography-of-Ted-Kennedy Biography of Ted Kennedy]</ref><ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/tedkennedy/index.htmlAssociated Press, ''Timeline of Sen. Kennedy's life.'']</ref><ref>Bonnie Malkin and agencies in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, ''Ted Kennedy timeline'' (Aug 26, 2009)</ref> Kennedy also was the subject of controversy regarding his alleged [http://sweetness-light.com/archive/kgb-letter-details-ted-kennedys-offer-to-help-ussr advisement to the Soviet Union] during the Presidency of [[Ronald Reagan]].<ref>[http://www.frontpagemag.com/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=30980  Jamie Glazov; ''Ted Kennedy and the KGB'' FrontPageMagazine.com (Thursday, May 15, 2008)]</ref>

[[File:Blagojevich, obama.JPG|thumb|275px|left|Sen. Kennedy (left), his wife Virginia, former Illinois Governor [[Rod Blagojevich]] (center) with Mrs. Blagoevich, [[Barack Hussein Obama]] is partly obscured, and First Lady [[Michelle Obama]] (far right).]]

[[File:Blagojevich, obama.JPG|thumb|275px|left|Sen. Kennedy (left), his wife Virginia, former Illinois Governor [[Rod Blagojevich]] (center) with Mrs. Blagoevich, [[Barack Hussein Obama]] is partly obscured, and First Lady [[Michelle Obama]] (far right).]]

During his career as Senator, Kennedy is credited with several legislative endeavors, primarily in liberal goals in welfare, civil rights, and education. He was instrumental in passing ''Head Start'' (part of the 1964 Economic Opportunity Act), and promoted the ''No Child Left Behind Act'', as well as increases in minimum wage, and fought for unrestricted access to abortion, even in late term, and voted against  the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. He repeatedly sought to pass hate crimes legislation, such as would penalize discrimination against [[homosexuals]] and women<ref>.http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/08/26/sen-ted-kennedys-legacy/</ref>, and voted against [[DOMA]]. Kennedy was a strong supporter of the 1965 Hart-Celler Act, which  signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, which dramatically changed US immigration policy and numbers.<ref>http://www.michaelsavage.wnd.com/?pageId=487</ref>  

During his career as Senator, Kennedy is credited with several legislative endeavors, primarily in liberal goals in welfare, civil rights, and education. He was instrumental in passing ''Head Start'' (part of the 1964 Economic Opportunity Act), and promoted the ''No Child Left Behind Act'', as well as increases in minimum wage, and fought for unrestricted access to abortion, even in late term, and voted against  the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. He repeatedly sought to pass hate crimes legislation, such as would penalize discrimination against [[homosexuals]] and women<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/08/26/sen-ted-kennedys-legacy/ http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/08/26/sen-ted-kennedys-legacy.html Sen. Ted Kennedy's Legacy], [[Fox News]]</ref>, and voted against [[DOMA]]. Kennedy was a strong supporter of the 1965 Hart-Celler Act, which  signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, which dramatically changed US immigration policy and numbers.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080703044320/http://michaelsavage.wnd.com/?pageId=487 The Real Kennedy Record], [[Michael Savage]]</ref>

During his tenure on the Senate Judiciary Committee Kennedy was an outspoken critic of conservative Supreme Court nominees, such as [[Robert Bork]], [[Clarence Thomas]], Chief Justice [[John Roberts]] and Associate Justice [[Samuel Alito]]. He also supported nuclear reduction treaties, and worked for more student aid for GIs, and led opposition to the [[Iraq war]].  

During his tenure on the Senate Judiciary Committee Kennedy was an outspoken critic of conservative Supreme Court nominees, such as [[Robert Bork]], [[Clarence Thomas]], Chief Justice [[John Roberts]] and Associate Justice [[Samuel Alito]]. He also supported nuclear reduction treaties, and worked for more student aid for GIs, and led opposition to the [[Iraq war]].  

:MUDD: Do you think, Senator, that anybody really will ever fully believe your explanation for Chappaquiddick?

:MUDD: Do you think, Senator, that anybody really will ever fully believe your explanation for Chappaquiddick?

:KENNEDY: Well the problem is that from that night I found that the conduct and behavior almost beyond belief myself.<ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/08/26/national/main5267991_page2.shtml</ref>

:KENNEDY: Well the problem is that from that night I found that the conduct and behavior almost beyond belief myself.<ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/08/26/national/main5267991_page2.shtml Ted Kennedy: The Last Brother], [[CBS News]]</ref>

Kennedy's response in the third person, "the conduct," was viewed by many as failure to accept personal responsibility.

Kennedy's response in the third person, "the conduct," was viewed by many as failure to accept personal responsibility.

==Presidential Campaign==  

==Presidential Campaign==  

Kennedy was frequently mentioned as a possible Democratic presidential candidate in 1972 and 1976. However, he chose not to run due to his controversial past and claimed to have family concerns after his two brothers were assassinated. But in 1980 he decided to challenge incumbent President [[Jimmy Carter]] for the Democratic nomination. Though Carter was unpopular, Kennedy failed in his effort to supplant him as the party's nominee.<ref>http://www.politicalbase.com/people/ted-kennedy/2888/</ref>

Kennedy was frequently mentioned as a possible Democratic presidential candidate in 1972 and 1976. However, he chose not to run due to his controversial past and claimed to have family concerns after his two brothers were assassinated. But in 1980 he decided to challenge incumbent President [[Jimmy Carter]] for the Democratic nomination. Though Carter was unpopular, Kennedy failed in his effort to supplant him as the party's nominee.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080517080451/http://www.politicalbase.com/people/ted-kennedy/2888/ Ted Kennedy]</ref>

==U.S. Senate==  

==U.S. Senate==  

[[File:1judzb.jpg|thumb|275px|left|Edward M. Kennedy and [[John_Kerry#Opposition_to_the_Vietnam_War|John Kerry]] at the time of the slanderous inquest of American servicemen in the so-called "[[Winter Soldier inquistion]]".  [http://www.wintersoldier.com/index.php?topic=NewSoldier] ]]

[[File:1judzb.jpg|thumb|275px|left|Edward M. Kennedy and [[John_Kerry#Opposition_to_the_Vietnam_War|John Kerry]] at the time of the slanderous inquest of American servicemen in the so-called "[[Winter Soldier inquistion]]".  [http://www.wintersoldier.com/index.php?topic=NewSoldier] ]]

Kennedy gained a reputation as a very [[liberal]] Senator, even further to the left than most Democrats. He had a [[pro-choice]] voting record.<ref>http://www.ontheissues.org/Social/Ted_Kennedy_Abortion.htm</ref> He voted against confirming [[Samuel Alito]] to the [[Supreme Court of the United States]] and was in the minority of his own party to vote against confirming [[John Roberts]] to the Court. On [[immigration]] Kennedy had been a strong supporter of amnesty for [[illegal aliens]].<ref>http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2007/1/25/131758.shtml</ref> He voted against the war in [[Iraq]]<ref>http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8I0G3JG0&show_article=1</ref> and Kennedy was one only five senators who had publicly announced support for same-sex marriage <ref>http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/05/06/democrats_platform_shouldnt_back_gay_marriage_kerry_says/</ref>.

Kennedy gained a reputation as a very [[liberal]] Senator, even further to the left than most Democrats. He had a [[pro-choice]] voting record.<ref>[http://www.ontheissues.org/Social/Ted_Kennedy_Abortion.htm Ted Kennedy on Abortion]</ref> He voted against confirming [[Samuel Alito]] to the [[Supreme Court of the United States]] and was in the minority of his own party to vote against confirming [[John Roberts]] to the Court. On [[immigration]] Kennedy had been a strong supporter of amnesty for [[illegal aliens]].<ref>[http://www.newsmax.com/t/newsmax/article/342053 Kennedy-McCain Amnesty Plan Falls Flat]</ref> He voted against the war in [[Iraq]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110623184215/http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8I0G3JG0&show_article=1 Kennedy: Vote Against Iraq War My Best]</ref> and Kennedy was one only five senators who had publicly announced support for same-sex marriage <ref>[http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/05/06/democrats_platform_shouldnt_back_gay_marriage_kerry_says/ Democrats' platform shouldn't back gay marriage, Kerry says], [[The Boston Globe]]</ref>.

In addition to many other bills, Kennedy played a key role in the crafting the language in the [[No Child Left Behind]] Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110), a massive [[education]] bill signed into law by Republican President [[George W. Bush]].<ref>http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/02/bill-clinton-bl.html</ref>

In addition to many other bills, Kennedy played a key role in the crafting the language in the [[No Child Left Behind]] Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110), a massive [[education]] bill signed into law by Republican President [[George W. Bush]].<ref>[http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/02/bill-clinton-bl.html Bill Clinton Blames Kennedy for No Child Left Behind Flaws], [[ABC News]]</ref>

He was most recently Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions,<ref>http://help.senate.gov/About.html</ref> where the first bill he pushed through was an increase in the minimum wage by $2.10, to $7.25.<ref>http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070525/news_1n25minwage.html</ref>

He was most recently Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions,<ref>[http://www.help.senate.gov/about About: U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions]</ref> where the first bill he pushed through was an increase in the minimum wage by $2.10, to $7.25.<ref>[http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070525/news_1n25minwage.html Minimum wage will go up $2.10 on federal level]</ref>

Kennedy and [[John McCain]] collaborated in writing much of the 2007 immigration bill, which failed by two votes for [[cloture]] despite support by President [[George W. Bush]]. <ref>http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/02/28/kennedy_mccain_try_again_on_immigration/</ref>

Kennedy and [[John McCain]] collaborated in writing much of the 2007 immigration bill, which failed by two votes for [[cloture]] despite support by President [[George W. Bush]]. <ref>[http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/02/28/kennedy_mccain_try_again_on_immigration/ Kennedy, McCain try again on immigration], [[The Boston Globe]]</ref>

==Allegations of Soviet/KGB Collaboration==

==Allegations of Soviet/KGB Collaboration==

Three years after that, in 1983, Tunney, on Kennedy's instructions, carried a message to Yuri Andropov, General Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party, expressing Kennedy’s concern about the anti-Soviet activities of President Ronald Reagan: "[I]n Kennedy’s opinion the opposition to Reagan remains weak. Speeches of the president’s opponents are not well-coordinated and not effective enough, and Reagan has the chance to use successful counterpropaganda," according to a KGB report discovered in the KGB archives by London ''Times'' reporter Tim Sebastian and published in that newspaper in February 1992. Kennedy offered to "undertake some additional steps to counter the militaristic policy of Reagan and his campaign of psychological pressure on the American population." Kennedy asked for a meeting with Andropov for the purpose of "arming himself with the Soviet leader’s explanations of arms control policy so he can use them later for more convincing speeches in the U.S." He also offered to help get Soviet views on the major U.S. networks and suggested inviting "Elton Rule, ABC chairman of the board, or observers Walter Cronkite or Barbara Walters to Moscow." Tunney also told the KGB that Kennedy was planning to run for president in the 1988 elections.<ref>Tim Sabastian, “[http://www.scribd.com/doc/19401082/Teddy-the-KGB-and-the-Top-Secret-File-Tim-Sabastian-the-Sunday-Times-Feb-2-1992 Teddy, the KGB and the Top Secret File],” Sunday ''Times'' (London), February 2, 1992 (scribd.com). Cf. Paul Kengor, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=6yidZucL-KAC The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism]'' (HarperCollins, 2009), ISBN 006174099, pp. 207-210, 317-320; Steve Gilbert, “[http://sweetness-light.com/archive/kgb-letter-details-ted-kennedys-offer-to-help-ussr#.Ul6tO5DD_IU Text of KGB Letter on Ted Kennedy],” sweetness-light.com, December 31, 2006; Herbert Romerstein, “[http://www.humanevents.com/2003/12/05/ted-kennedy-was-a-collaborationist/ Ted Kennedy was a ‘Collaborationist’],” ''Human Events'', December 5, 2003</ref>

Three years after that, in 1983, Tunney, on Kennedy's instructions, carried a message to Yuri Andropov, General Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party, expressing Kennedy’s concern about the anti-Soviet activities of President Ronald Reagan: "[I]n Kennedy’s opinion the opposition to Reagan remains weak. Speeches of the president’s opponents are not well-coordinated and not effective enough, and Reagan has the chance to use successful counterpropaganda," according to a KGB report discovered in the KGB archives by London ''Times'' reporter Tim Sebastian and published in that newspaper in February 1992. Kennedy offered to "undertake some additional steps to counter the militaristic policy of Reagan and his campaign of psychological pressure on the American population." Kennedy asked for a meeting with Andropov for the purpose of "arming himself with the Soviet leader’s explanations of arms control policy so he can use them later for more convincing speeches in the U.S." He also offered to help get Soviet views on the major U.S. networks and suggested inviting "Elton Rule, ABC chairman of the board, or observers Walter Cronkite or Barbara Walters to Moscow." Tunney also told the KGB that Kennedy was planning to run for president in the 1988 elections.<ref>Tim Sabastian, “[http://www.scribd.com/doc/19401082/Teddy-the-KGB-and-the-Top-Secret-File-Tim-Sabastian-the-Sunday-Times-Feb-2-1992 Teddy, the KGB and the Top Secret File],” Sunday ''Times'' (London), February 2, 1992 (scribd.com). Cf. Paul Kengor, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=6yidZucL-KAC The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism]'' (HarperCollins, 2009), ISBN 006174099, pp. 207-210, 317-320; Steve Gilbert, “[http://sweetness-light.com/archive/kgb-letter-details-ted-kennedys-offer-to-help-ussr#.Ul6tO5DD_IU Text of KGB Letter on Ted Kennedy],” sweetness-light.com, December 31, 2006; Herbert Romerstein, “[http://www.humanevents.com/2003/12/05/ted-kennedy-was-a-collaborationist/ Ted Kennedy was a ‘Collaborationist’],” ''Human Events'', December 5, 2003</ref>

 

== Final Illness and Death ==

== Final Illness and Death ==

On May 20, 2008, Kennedy was diagnosed with a brain tumor, which was treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080614043722/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/20/kennedy.tumor/index.html Doctors: Ted Kennedy has malignant brain tumor], [[CNN]]</ref>  He succumbed to the disease on August 25, 2009.  

On May 20, 2008, Kennedy was diagnosed with a brain tumor, which was treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.<ref>http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/20/kennedy.tumor/index.html</ref>  He succumbed to the disease on August 25, 2009.  

Despite his pro-[[abortion]] stance throughout his life, his [[Catholic]] funeral was held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica in the Mission Hill section of [[Boston]].<ref> [http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/26/kennedy.funeral/index.html?eref=rss_politics&iref=polticker Ted Kennedy's funeral planned at Boston church.] </ref>  The senator was buried beside his brothers in [[Arlington National Cemetery]] in [[Virginia]].

Despite his pro-[[abortion]] stance throughout his life, his [[Catholic]] funeral was held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica in the Mission Hill section of [[Boston]].<ref> [http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/26/kennedy.funeral/index.html?eref=rss_politics&iref=polticker Ted Kennedy's funeral planned at Boston church.] </ref>  The senator was buried beside his brothers in [[Arlington National Cemetery]] in [[Virginia]].

==References==

==References==

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==External links ==

==External links ==