Ted Kennedy always led the most [[liberal]] side of the Democratic Party, from support for taxpayer-funded [[abortion]] to [[same-sex marriage]]. Kennedy played the instrumental role in blocking a referendum on same-sex marriage in [[Massachusetts]].<ref>[http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=95626 How Ted delivered marriage to Massachusetts]</ref> Kennedy tried and failed to win the White House and was ousted in his Senator leadership role by [[Robert Byrd]], who defeated him for Majority Whip in 1971. | Ted Kennedy always led the most [[liberal]] side of the Democratic Party, from support for taxpayer-funded [[abortion]] to [[same-sex marriage]]. Kennedy played the instrumental role in blocking a referendum on same-sex marriage in [[Massachusetts]].<ref>[http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=95626 How Ted delivered marriage to Massachusetts]</ref> Kennedy tried and failed to win the White House and was ousted in his Senator leadership role by [[Robert Byrd]], who defeated him for Majority Whip in 1971. |