Difference between revisions of "Edward M. Kennedy"

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==External links ==
 
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*[http://foia.fbi.gov/foiaindex/chappaquiddick.htm FBI FOIA Investigation on Chappaquiddick]
 
*[http://foia.fbi.gov/foiaindex/chappaquiddick.htm FBI FOIA Investigation on Chappaquiddick]
 
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*[http://www.frontpagemag.com/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=30980 Ted Kennedy and the KGB] Jamie Glazov, FrontPageMagazine.com (Thursday, May 15, 2008)
 
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Revision as of 19:12, August 26, 2009

Edward Moore Kennedy
200px
U.S. Senator from Massachusetts
From: November 7, 1962 – August 25, 2009
Predecessor Benjamin A. Smith
Successor Incumbent (no successor)
Information
Party Democrat
Spouse(s) Joan Bennett Kennedy (1958-1982)
Victoria Reggie Kennedy
Religion Roman Catholic

Edward Moore ("Ted" or "Teddy") Kennedy, (February 22, 1932 - August 25, 2009) was the second longest-serving U.S. Senator, a Democrat from Massachusetts. He was a powerful liberal force in American politics, pushing for federal aid to 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 was always a leader of the most liberal side of the Democratic Party, from support for taxpayer-funded abortion to same-sex marriage.

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 unually energetic staff, and the celebrity accorded the most famous name in politics.[1]

Kennedy garnered the nickname "Lion of the Senate" for his long and vigorous career in public service. He earned the respect and friendship of many senators on both sides of the aisle. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said "he's like a brother to me,"[2] 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[3].

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.

Career

After being expelled from Harvard for cheating on exam, he served two years in the United States Army and subsequently graduated from Harvard in 1956.[4] He graduated from the University of Virginia law school in 1959. He is the father of Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy.

Chappaquiddick Scandal

On July 18, 1969, Senator Kennedy drove away from a party on the island of Martha's Vineyard with an attractive young woman named Mary Jo Kopechne. In what he later described as an accident, Kennedy made an unusual turn and then drove his vehicle off a bridge connecting Chappaquiddick Island to Martha's Vineyard. The car landed in a pond, where Kopechne then drowned. Kennedy did not report the incident to the police until the next morning, and his statement then was implausible to many Americans.

This death became a national scandal and hurt Kennedy's image. He entered a plea of guilty to a charge of leaving the scene of an accident after causing injury, but did not serve any time in jail in a sentence criticized for its leniency towards a member of a prominent family.

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.[5]

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.[6] 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.[7] He voted against the war in Iraq[8] and was also one of only five Senators to say they support same-sex marriage[9].

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.[10]

He was most recently Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions,[11] where the first bill he pushed through was an increase in the minimum wage by $2.10, to $7.25.[12]

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. [13]

On May 20, 2008, Kennedy was diagnosed with a brain tumor, which was operated upon, and he received chemotherapy and radiation treatments.[14] He succumbed to the disease on August 25, 2009.

References

External links