Senator Edward Kennedy dies at 77
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| Wed, 08-26-2009 - 7:15am |
Who will take his place?
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8221686.stm
Veteran US Senator Edward Kennedy, the brother of former President John F Kennedy, has died at 77, after a long battle with a brain tumour.
He became a Democratic Massachusetts senator in 1962, replacing his brother when he resigned to become president, and was re-elected seven times.
Senator Kennedy was a dominant force in US politics for almost 50 years.
President Barack Obama, of whom he was an active supporter, said he was "heartbroken" to hear of his death.
"An important chapter in our history has come to an end," he said. "Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States senator of our time."
Senator Kennedy had championed issues such as education and healthcare, central to Mr Obama's first term.
Senate Majority leader
In 2006, Time magazine named him as one of America's "Ten Best Senators" saying that he had "amassed a titanic record of legislation affecting the lives of virtually every man, woman and child in the country".
The BBC's Richard Lister in Washington says Senator Kennedy, known affectionately as Teddy, will be remembered as one of the most effective and popular legislators in American history.
Our correspondent says he was also skilled at forging alliances across party lines: pushing an education initiative with President George W Bush, and immigration reform with Republican John McCain.
But he was a fierce critic of the Bush administration, in particular over Iraq and the prisoner abuse scandal.
He will also be remembered as a staunch supporter of Irish Republicanism - at one time calling for British troops to leave Northern Ireland - although he was later involved in the peace process leading to the Good Friday Agreement.
Senate Majority leader Harry Reid said the Kennedy family and the Senate had "together lost our patriarch".
"The liberal lion's mighty roar may now fall silent, but his dream shall never die," he said.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said that Senator Kennedy would be "mourned not just in America but in every continent".
"Even facing illness and death, he never stopped fighting for the causes which were his life's work. I am proud to have counted him as a friend."
'Joyous light'
The Kennedy family announced his death in a brief statement in the early hours of Wednesday.
"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 statement said.
"We've lost the irreplaceable centre of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever."
Edward Kennedy was the only one of four brothers to die a natural death.
His brother Joseph was killed in an air crash in World War II, and both President John F Kennedy and presidential hopeful Robert F Kennedy were assassinated in the 1960s.
He was widely expected to be the next Kennedy in the White House, but he was never able to fully overcome the scandal caused in 1969, when he drove a car off a bridge at Chappaquiddick near his home, killing his female passenger.
The incident helped derail his only presidential bid, more than a decade later.
But he remained active in politics right up until his death, famously endorsing Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination during a tight race with Hillary Clinton last year.
At his death, he was the third longest serving senator in US history.
Last week, he asked the Massachusetts governor to change state law to allow a speedy succession when his Senate seat became vacant.
Analysts suggest that Senator Kennedy feared a lengthy gap could deny Democrats a crucial vote on Mr Obama's flagship health reform.
His death comes weeks after that of his older sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, on 11 August.
Joe Holley writes in The Washington Post on Ted Kennedy's political importance
New York Times journalist John M Broder describes the Kennedy effect.
Kathryn Lean Lopez blogs her tribute at the National Review.
David Rogers in Politico highlights the veteran senator's lasting political importance.
Andrea Billup writes in the The Washington Times that 'Camelot' fades with Kennedy passing
Kathy Kiely in USA Today examines the impact of Ted Kennedy's death on healthcare reform.



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The Senate, the state of Mass., his family, and the entire country will miss him dearly. He was the ultimate patriarch for the Kennedy clan. They all looked at him as a father figure, and rightfully so.
God bless Senator Edward Kennedy, and long live his legend. Goodnight friend.
What a great man & all he stood for & did for our country.
My thoughts & prayers are with his family at this tough time.
Blessings,
Gypsy
)O(
"What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night.
It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime.
It is the little shadow which runs across the grass
and loses itself in the sunset.
- Crowfoot, Blackfoot warrior and orator
Dog fighting is cruelty, which is a human activity and a human illness.
It's not the dog's fault.
All dogs need to be evaluated as individuals."
--Tim Racer, one of BAD RAP's founders
http://www.badrap.org/rescue/
Mika Dog
"All things share the same breath;
the beast, the tree, the man.
The Air shares its spirit with
all the life it supports."
--Chief Seattle
"If there are no dogs in Heaven,
then when I die I want to go where they went."
~Will Rogers
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress
can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
~~Mahatma Gandhi
"Life is a state of mind." ~~from Being There.
Blessings,
Gypsy
)O(
It's a sad for Mass. and the country. He did a tremendous amount for the little guy and human rights, despite his mistakes. Since someone always brings it up, I am in no way trying to excuse him regarding the Mary Jo Kopechne case, just paying tribute to all that he did following.
He took a personal interest during my family's long, expensive custody battle to keep my adopted sister out of the hands of her wealthy and abusive bio "family".
How
~Heather~
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