U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy dies at age 77

BOSTON (Reuters) – U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy, a towering figure in the Democratic Party who took the helm of one of America's most fabled political families after two older brothers were assassinated, died at age 77, his family said.

"Edward M. Kennedy, the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply, died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port (Massachusetts)," the Kennedy family said in a statement early on Wednesday.

One of the most influential and longest-serving senators in U.S. history -- a liberal standard-bearer who was also known as a consummate congressional dealmaker -- Kennedy had been battling brain cancer, which was diagnosed in May 2008.

His death marked the twilight of a political dynasty and dealt a blow to Democrats as they seek to answer President Barack Obama's call for an overhaul of the healthcare system.

Kennedy was a longtime advocate of healthcare reform, a signature issue of Obama's presidency. Obama said on Wednesday he was heartbroken to hear of the death of Kennedy, a crucial supporter of his presidential candidacy.

"I valued his wise counsel in the Senate, where, regardless of the swirl of events, he always had time for a new colleague. I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the Presidency. And even as he waged a valiant struggle with a mortal illness, I've profited as President from his encouragement and wisdom," said Obama, who was elected last November and took office in January.

Kennedy had recently urged Massachusetts lawmakers to change state law so the governor, if necessary, could quickly fill a Senate vacancy as the chamber debates the contentious healthcare issue.

Known as "Teddy," he was the brother of President John Kennedy, assassinated in 1963, Senator Robert Kennedy, fatally shot while campaigning for the 1968 Democratic presidential nomination, and Joe Kennedy, a pilot killed in World War Two.

When he first took the Senate seat previously held by John Kennedy in 1962, he was seen as something of a political lightweight who owed his ascent to his famous name.

Yet during his nearly half century in the chamber, Kennedy became known as one of Washington's most effective senators, crafting legislation by working with lawmakers and presidents of both parties, and finding unlikely allies.

At the same time, he held fast to liberal causes deemed anachronistic by the centrist "New Democrats," and was a lightning rod for conservative ire.

He helped enact measures to protect civil and labor rights, expand healthcare, upgrade schools, increase student aid and contain the spread of nuclear weapons.

"There's a lot to do," Kennedy told Reuters in 2006. "I think most of all it's the injustice that I continue to see and the opportunity to have some impact on it."

After Robert Kennedy's death, Edward was expected to waste little time in vying for the presidency. But in 1969, a young woman drowned after a car Kennedy was driving plunged off a bridge on the Massachusetts resort island of Chappaquiddick after a night of partying.

Kennedy's image took a major hit after it emerged he had failed to report the accident to authorities. He pleaded guilty to leaving the scene and received a suspended sentence.

Kennedy eventually ran for his party's presidential nomination in 1980 but lost to then-President Jimmy Carter.

His presidential ambitions thwarted, Kennedy devoted himself to his Senate career.

A 2009 survey by The Hill, a Capitol Hill publication, found that Senate Republicans believed Kennedy was the chamber's easiest Democrat to work with and most bipartisan.

Republican Senator John McCain called Kennedy "the single most effective member of the Senate if you want to get results."

In January 2008, Kennedy endorsed Obama, who was serving his first term as a senator, for the Democratic presidential nomination. Many saw the endorsement as the passing of the political torch to a new generation. A year to the day before his death, Kennedy made an electrifying speech to the Democratic convention that nominated Obama for president.

'LION' BATTLED ON

Kennedy had been largely sidelined in Congress since becoming ill. The "Lion of the Senate" began to use a cane and often looked tired and drained as he mixed work with treatment.

Yet colleagues and staff said he remained determined to fulfill what he called "the cause of my life," providing health insurance to all Americans. He helped draft legislation to overhaul the $2.5 trillion U.S. healthcare system.

Kennedy's interest in healthcare dated from his son's bout with cancer in the 1970s. More recently, he cited his own illness as he made a case for reform.

"I've benefited from the best of medicine, but I've also witnessed the frustration and outrage of patients and doctors alike as they face the challenges of a system that shortchanges millions of Americans," he wrote in a May 28, 2009, issue of the Boston Globe.

His charisma as "the last of the Kennedy brothers" was such that draft-Teddy drives were a feature of U.S. presidential election years from 1968 through the 1980s.

But he never fully escaped the cloud of the Chappaquiddick accident. A decades-long argument arose about whether he tried to cover up his involvement by leaving the scene while Mary Jo Kopechne's body remained submerged and whether police helped sweep such questions under the rug. All involved denied any cover-up.

Later crises involving younger Kennedys, notably the 1991 Palm Beach rape trial of his nephew, William Kennedy Smith, caught a bloated and weary-looking Uncle Ted in a media glare. Reports of heavy drinking and womanizing led to a public apology for "the faults in the conduct of my private life."

Kennedy was remarried soon after that to Victoria Reggie, a 38-year-old lawyer with two young children from her first marriage. He poured renewed energy into the Senate, where he would become the third-longest serving senator in history.

Even his Republican foes recognized Kennedy's dedication as he worked to protect civil rights, give federal help to the poor, contain the spread of nuclear weapons, raise the minimum wage, expand health coverage and improve America's schools.

FAMILY STANDARDS

Born on February 22, 1932, Edward Moore Kennedy was the last of four sons and five daughters born to millionaire businessman Joseph Kennedy, who would later be ambassador to Britain, and his wife, Rose.

The Boston Irish family combined the competitive spirit of nouveau riche immigrants with acquired polish and natural charm. The sons were expected to mature into presidential timber and were groomed for that starting with the oldest, Joseph Jr., a bomber pilot who died in World War Two.

"I think about my brothers every day," Kennedy told Reuters. "They set high standards. Sometimes you measure up, sometimes you don't."

Like his brothers, Kennedy was known for his oratory, delivered in a booming voice at rallies, congressional hearings and in the Senate.

He drew praise from liberals, labor and civil rights groups and scorn from conservatives, big business and anti-abortion and pro-gun activists. His image was often used by Republicans in ads as a money-raising tool.

Tragedies dogged Kennedy throughout his life. They included a 1964 plane crash that damaged his spine and left him with persistent pain; bone cancer that cost son Teddy a leg; first wife Joan's battles with alcoholism that contributed to their divorce, and drug problems involving nephews, one of whom died of an overdose. His nephew, John Kennedy Jr., died in July 1999 when his small plane crashed into the ocean near Cape Cod.

In May 2008, Edward Kennedy collapsed at his Cape Cod home and was flown to hospital in Boston, where he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Brain cancer kills half its victims within a year.

Kennedy's illness kept him from attending the funeral of his sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, a leading advocate of the mentally disabled, who died on August 11 at the age of 88.

Re: U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy dies at age 77

I know he did a lot of wonderful work for civil rights but personally I could never get how you could leave someone to drown in a car & call your aides over emergency services.

I hope he rests in peace.

Message edited 8/26/2009 6:46:44 AM.

Re: U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy dies at age 77

May he Rest in Peace.

Re: U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy dies at age 77

I would have thought he was older than 77 - that surprised me. Such sad news for the Kennedy's so soon after losing his sister.

My prayers are with his family and those whol loved him.

Re: U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy dies at age 77

Re: U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy dies at age 77

The summer of death continues. I have lots of fond memories of him from when I was at the Senate. Most include his two dogs, Sunny and Splash, that he always had with him, no matter what.

I was at a committee hearing once, and Splash, the older of the two dogs, was with him. Splash had a tennis ball and was going around to every single senator up on the rostrum seeing if they would play with him. One by one, the senators patted him on the head and shook their head kindly saying 'no,' and when he got to the last senator who whispered, 'no Splash, go sit by your daddy,' he finally, with his tail a bit lower, walked over to Kennedy. He nudged EMK's elbow, and Kennedy, without missing a beat in his remarks that he was making, patted him on the head, pointed to the floor next to his chair, and Splash plopped down with a disappointed and audible "humph," the tennis ball still in his mouth.

Kennedy had a mixed history, but tried to do (and in many cases succeeded) a lot of good for this country. I find it interesting too, that of the 4 sons of Joe Kennedy Sr, EMK was the only one to die of natural causes. RIP.

Re: U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy dies at age 77

He definitely had a mixed history, and I know the drowning of that woman turned many people off of him, understandably.

But at the same time, he did a lot of hard work for the country, and improved the lives of many as a result. His political legacy may even be stronger than either of his brothers really, though not as glamorous or obvious. So good he made it to the DNC last summer--it did seem at the time that might be his last appearance at such a big event.

Makes me sad--a whole era in Washington is ending. RIP for his family.

Re: U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy dies at age 77

Re: U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy dies at age 77

Re: U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy dies at age 77

may he rest in peace

Re: U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy dies at age 77

Re: U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy dies at age 77

Posted by Linda1003

Posted by nrthshgrl

I know he did a lot of wonderful work for civil rights but personally I could never get how you could leave someone to drown in a car & call your aides over emergency services.

I hope he rests in peace.

I have to agree with this. I cannot really respect a man who could do this and then not take full responsibility for it. Basically tried to cover it up.
I know everyone says he did great work for the country.. and that my be true, however I cannot get over that incident. That poor girl...

Re: U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy dies at age 77

The spectre of Chappaquiddick should and will always be a part of Ted Kennedy's life and legacy. . . but he also did an enormous amount of good for millions of people. His fights for raising the minimum wage and for health care for all American were inspiring.

RIP

Message edited 8/26/2009 2:49:59 PM.