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'''Edward Moore ("Ted" or "Teddy") Kennedy''', (February 22, 1932 - August 25, 2009) was the third longest-serving [[United States|U.S.]] [[Senator]] in history, a [[Democrat]] from [[Massachusetts]]. He was a leading [[liberal]] force in American politics, opposing free market solutions in everything from [[education]] to [[health care]].  He pushed for federal taxpayer funding of education in the 1960s, poverty programs in the 1970s, disability coverage in the 1980s and education again in the 2000s; throughout his Senate career -- and especially in 2009 until the day he died -- he promoted socialized medicine.   

'''Edward Moore ("Ted" or "Teddy") Kennedy''', (February 22, 1932 - August 25, 2009) was the third longest-serving [[United States|U.S.]] [[Senator]] in history, a [[Democrat]] from [[Massachusetts]]. He was a leading [[liberal]] force in American politics, opposing free market solutions in everything from [[education]] to [[health care]].  He pushed for federal taxpayer funding of education in the 1960s, poverty programs in the 1970s, disability coverage in the 1980s and education again in the 2000s; throughout his Senate career -- and especially in 2009 until the day he died -- he promoted [[socialized medicine]].   

Ted Kennedy always led the most [[liberal]] side of the Democratic Party, from support for taxpayer-funded [[abortion]] to [[same-sex marriage]].  He voted against saving the life of the disabled [[Terri Schiavo]].

Ted Kennedy always led the most [[liberal]] side of the Democratic Party, from support for taxpayer-funded [[abortion]] to [[same-sex marriage]].  He voted against saving the life of the disabled [[Terri Schiavo]].

Kennedy tried and failed to win the [[White House]] and leadership in the Senate, where [[Robert Byrd]] defeated him for a leadership position (Majority Whip) in 1971. His power came from seniority and committee chairmanships, an unusually energetic staff, and the celebrity accorded the most famous name in politics.<ref>http://www.notablebiographies.com/Jo-Ki/Kennedy-Edward.html</ref>   

Kennedy tried and failed to win the [[White House]] and leadership in the Senate, where [[Robert Byrd]] defeated him for a leadership position (Majority Whip) in 1971. His power came from seniority and committee chairmanships, an unusually energetic staff, and the celebrity accorded the most famous name in politics.<ref>http://www.notablebiographies.com/Jo-Ki/Kennedy-Edward.html</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 moderates and liberals. Senator [[Orrin Hatch]] (R-Utah) said "he's like a brother to me,"<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-wallis/the-lion-of-the-senate_b_103322.html</ref> while [[John McCain]] said that he has "the highest respect for him," calling him a "skillful, fair, and generous partner" in the times they have worked together<ref>http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1807447,00.html</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 moderates and liberals. Senator [[Orrin Hatch]] (R-Utah) said "he's like a brother to me,"<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-wallis/the-lion-of-the-senate_b_103322.html</ref> 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<ref>http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1807447,00.html</ref>.

The [[Kennedy Family]] has been a major part of the Democratic Party for a century, beginning with his grandfather as mayor of [[Boston]], and his older brothers President [[John F. Kennedy]] (assassinated in 1963) and [[Robert F. Kennedy]] (assassinated in 1968).  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 unable to overcome the power of incumbency enjoyed by 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]], and his older brothers President [[John F. Kennedy]] (assassinated in 1963) and [[Robert F. Kennedy]] (assassinated in 1968).  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 unable to overcome the power of incumbency enjoyed by Democratic President [[Jimmy Carter]].  

In 1980, Kennedy campaigned to become the Democratic nominee for president, but lost to incumbent Jimmy Carter. Tales of problems with alcohol and martial fidelity followed him, 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, but 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 advisement to the Soviet Union during the Presidency of [[Ronald Regan]].<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. Tales of problems with alcohol and martial fidelity followed him, 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, but 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 advisement to the Soviet Union during the Presidency of [[Ronald Regan]].<ref>[http://www.frontpagemag.com/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=30980  Jamie Glazov; ''Ted Kennedy and the KGB'' FrontPageMagazine.com (Thursday, May 15, 2008)]</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), promoted the ''No Child Left Behind Act'', 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> Kennedy was one only five senators who had publicly announced support for same-sex marriage, 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), promoted the ''No Child Left Behind Act'', 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>  

Kennedy was opposed the nomination of conservative Supreme Court nominees, such Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justice Samuel Alito.  

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]]. His success was partly attributed to his ability to manage people. Thomas M. Rollins, former staff director of the Labor Committee, stated, "He's a genius at managing people." "Kennedy uses staff people the way Pony Express riders used horses: Ride 'em hard and then leap to another horse". His staff was one of the Senate's largest, with nearly 100 professionals and several dozen interns and visiting fellows. <ref>Rick Atkinson, The Washington Post; ''Why Ted Kennedy Can't Stand Still'', (Sunday, April 29, 1990)</ref>   

He also supported nuclear reduction treaties, and worked for more student aid for GIs, and led opposition to the [[Iraq war]]. His success was partly attributed to his ability to manage people. Thomas M. Rollins, former staff director of the Labor Committee, stated, "He's a genius at managing people." "Kennedy uses staff people the way Pony Express riders used horses: Ride 'em hard and then leap to another horse". His staff was one of the Senate's largest, with nearly 100 professionals and several dozen interns and visiting fellows. <ref>Rick Atkinson, The Washington Post; ''Why Ted Kennedy Can't Stand Still'', (Sunday, April 29, 1990)</ref>   

==U.S. Senate==  

==U.S. Senate==  

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 was also one of only five Senators to openly support 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</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>.

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</ref>