Ted Kennedy
We will miss Senator Ted Kennedy as a nation, and I will miss him as a human being. Over the next few months, as we debate his life's passion, which was Universal Health Care, we will feel his presence everywhere. He will be in the Senate Chamber, in the committee rooms, in the White House, and in the minds of most of the reporters old enough to have witnessed the trajectory of this extraordinary generation of America's First Family from it's beginning. Much has been written about Ted Kennedy already. He was indeed extraordinary. My mother, who was a solid Upper East Side Republican until 2004, once happened to sit next to him at a wedding of a mutual friend. She had never met him before. I'm sure the exchange was lively, and being a Dean, I doubt my mother gave him much quarter. A week later, a beautiful, kind, and very personal handwritten letter arrived from Ted Kennedy. My mother, like so many other Americans, was hooked by the Kennedy charm and grace.
Ted Kennedy was a man with a long career of determination as well as charm. When President Obama signs a Health Care Reform bill late this year, Ted Kennedy may not be standing there next to him, but his presence will be deeply apparent in the Oval Office as the President's pen moves across the page.
What a nice story and tribute, Howard.
August 26, 2009 11:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
A week later, a beautiful, kind, and very personal handwritten letter arrived from Ted Kennedy.
Not sayin' he didn't dictate a few gems in the back of the limo on his way home, but as to the "handwritten" part, we might oughta send a copy of the missive to a lab -- you know, just to be sure.
August 26, 2009 1:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
What a touching thought. And so appropriate.
August 26, 2009 2:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
If we get genuine reform with a strong Public Option, the bill should be named for Ted Kennedy.
August 26, 2009 12:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why do I get this sinking feeling that we're just not up to this moment? Hunter at Kos captures it: http://dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/8/26/772316/-No-More-Faith:-The-Senate-Topples-Into-Incompetence
August 26, 2009 12:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
A very moving tribute Mr. Dean.
Ted will be there...like you said, if not in body in spirit. When the president signs it into to law we will all have Senator Kennedy to thank.
August 26, 2009 12:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Glad to see you are out there in every way you can be pushing for health care reform. I worry about the democratic party without you at the helm and I really worry about a health care bill without you in the official position. I think Obama made a huge mistake and wish he would ask Sebelius to step aside and give you the position you deserve. Thank you Dr. Dean!
August 26, 2009 2:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh wow, Mr. Dean, you brought me to tears,
August 26, 2009 3:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dr. Dean if there is any way that you could put a word in the President's ear about the quality of the Lion's courage, persistence and plain vanilla commitment, perhaps we can actually have this bill passed- and passed more, rather than less, the way we need it to be passed. The people want it done, the President wants it done and you want it done.
I know the President has a full plate, but I am imagining that in his place a President Teddy would be visiting with the Senate in September and turning up on vacationing Senators' front porches in August.
August 26, 2009 4:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
The hero of Chappaquiddick has gone to meet his Maker.
August 26, 2009 9:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://michaelfury.wordpress.com/2008/10/15/o-captain-my-captain/
August 27, 2009 7:47 AM | Reply | Permalink