Sen. Ted Kennedy Dies at Age 77, Remembering the Kennedy Legacy As An Era Passes

Sen. Ted Kennedy's passing at age 77 brings the end of an era in America politics, the remarkable legacy of the Kennedys and their sense of public service and their embodiment of many American ideals. My history of the Kennedys -- "The Kennedys: America's Emerald Kings" (Basic Books) -- was updated in 2008 for the Warner Bros documentary based on the book and is available at Amazon and at the bookstore of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. Sen. Kennedy was very gracious to me personally, granting an interview for my book, allowing private family photos to be used, and in his comments about my investigative work at Newsday.

Ted Kennedy: The Boston Globe Series and Staff Bio

The Boston Globe is running a series about Ted Kennedy excerpted from a new biography that is coming out, written by several of its staff members. Many of these details can be found in "The Kennedys: America's Emerald Kings."

At Obama Inaugural, Caroline Kennedy and Oprah Share Their Reactions

My friend and former Sun-Times colleague was there at the inaugural and got to speak with Oprah and Caroline Kennedy. Here's the top of her report:

Oprah Winfrey, Caroline Kennedy share Obama inauguration thoughts with Lynn Sweet
By Lynn Sweet on January 20, 2009 1:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
WASHINGTON--"It means everything." That's what Oprah Winfrey--sitting down the row from Caroline Kennedy-- told me when we chatted about attending the inauguration of President Obama just before the ceremony.
One of the hottest VIP sections at the presidential inauguration was just below the West Capitol steps, with Winfrey, Caroline Kennedy, Denzel Washington, Jennifer Lewis and the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, among others.
I asked Winfrey what it meant for her to be at the inauguration. During the Democrat primary last year Winfrey jumped into partisan politics by fund-raising for and stumping with Obama and wife Michelle.
"It means everything. It means everything and more and everything. It's like no moment I ever expected to experience.
"I can't say anything that hasn't already been said. It's beyond. It's sacred. You know I feel both celebrative and like celebratory and also very sobered by it. That's how I feel."
I asked Kennedy--who may land inside the Capitol in a matter of days if New York Gov. Dave Patterson taps her to replace Secretary of State Designate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton--about witinessing the inauguration. Kennedy jumped into the public political arena big time last year when she started campaigning for Obama during the Democratic primary.
"It's so exciting for everyone." Kennedy said. "I am thrilled to be here. I can't wait to see and hear his speech. It's such a wonderful day."

Video: Ted Kennedy Collapse at Obama Inaugural, Battling Brain Cancer But He Revives Soon

VIDEO: Ted Kennedy's 'Last Hurrah'- Commentators and Editorials Around the World

Commentators around the world described Sen. Edward Kennedy's surprise appearance at the Democratic National Convention, overcoming illness to make what many believe might be his last hurrah before his party. Here's a short sampling:

David S. Broder, The Washington Post:

When Ted Kennedy made his dramatic appearance before the Democratic National Convention delegates Monday night, the ovation he received was more than a personal tribute. It was a celebration of almost half a century of his history at these gatherings. Going back to 1960, he has been a vivid presence at these conclaves, just as he was Monday night when the party long dominated by the Kennedy clan paid tribute to the elder statesman now stricken with brain cancer. Only twice has he missed a convention -- in 1964, when he was recovering from injuries suffered in a plane crash, and four years later, after Robert F. Kennedy's assassination -- and both times the Kennedy family was a subtext to what went on.

Chris Matthews' "Hardball" program:

Long-time AP political writer Walter R. Mears:

Among the featured performers at the Democratic National Convention, the unexpected address by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy was the best I saw and heard. And the long, programmed keynote speech of Mark Warner ranked worst.
What Kennedy said wasn't as striking as the fact, and the way, he said it. Stricken with brain cancer, not long past chemotherapy and radiation treatments that had taken their toll on him, the 76-year-old senator from Massachusetts was to have been honored with a speech by his niece, Caroline Kennedy, and a taped tribute. Instead, he came from Hyannisport, Mass., to Denver, and took the stage. He said nothing could have kept him away. Kennedy went from the airport to a hospital to be checked by his doctors, and one night later, on Monday, he was at the convention microphone.
His presence on stage was striking, a remarkable act of will. His seven-minute speech was more so. He delivered it in a firm, unwavering voice. He waved at the crowds like the Kennedy of old. It was, in all probability, his last turn at a national convention. It was a star turn.

The New York Times:

Senator Edward M. Kennedy is proof that F. Scott Fitzgerald was wrong when he declared that there are no second acts in American life. Mr. Kennedy — who is struggling against cancer and whose career was celebrated at the Democratic convention Monday night — has had so many acts that we’ve lost count. He was the baddest of the Capitol’s bad boys who had the nerve to run against a sitting Democrat, President Jimmy Carter, in 1980. Now he is the principled voice of a fading generation...What seems especially important right now is Mr. Kennedy’s ability to concede defeat gracefully and rearm himself for another good fight. That is a strength we hope Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton can emulate.

The Salt Lake Tribune:
Whatever else happens during the Democratic National Convention, the surprise appearance of cancer-stricken Sen. Edward M. Kennedy on opening night Monday came as close to a national moment of shared emotion as we're likely to see this week.
For Americans of a certain age, many Republicans included, here was the last of the Kennedy brothers making what may have been his last appearance on the grand stage of this country's politics. His speech, delivered with a strength that belied his halting steps to the lectern, drew from a reservoir of memory and feeling that only he could have tapped, one that members of the World War II generation and their children carry with them.
At 76 and fighting a brain tumor, having long outlived three brothers who died before their time, Kennedy recalled the rhetoric of new beginnings and challenges that his brothers Jack and Bobby sounded in the 1960s. In many of the same lofty words, the youngest Kennedy sibling tried to bridge the long span of time separating the Kennedys of that era and the Democrats' man of the moment today.

VIDEO: Caroline Kennedy Talks about Ted Kennedy, JFK, Obama and Her Own Political Future

All of the intriguing political stories from the Dem's Convention seem to come from New York. What is Hillary going to do in the Senate, what is Bill going to do in Chappaqua and Harlem? But the biggest mystery of all may be the political future, if any, of Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of President Kennedy, who helped convince her uncle, Sen. Edward Kennedy, to come out early and forcefully for Barack Obama. How much influence did Caroline, on the Obama search committee for VP, have on the selection of Joe Biden? And more importantly, what political plum might she be eyeing for all her hard political work?

VIDEO: Patrick Kennedy, Son of Sen. Edward Kennedy, Talks about Father's Convention Speech, JFK, Obama and Kennedy Family

Bearing the name of the first Kennedy to come to America, Cong. Patrick Kennedy, the son of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, talked about his father's speech Monday at the Democratic National Convention. He was asked about Teddy Kennedy's comments, about JFK's call to go to the moon, and the presidential campaign of Barack Obama.