Sen. Ted Kennedy campaigning for then-Sen. Barack Obama during the 2008 campaign.
Tonight is a sad moment for progressive action in America.
Ted Kennedy, it is being reported, has died. At age 77, a year to the day from his speech to the Democratic National Convention in 2008, Sen. Kennedy died following his diagnosis with brain cancer.
I remember, more than a decade ago, working at various D.C. entities, and feeling the remarkable presence of Senator Kennedy throughout Democratic and liberal causes. It always appeared that he or his spirit were motivating much if not all liberal successes of the day.
I later learned that it was not just the day, it was Kennedy.
He was not a perfect politician or a perfect person, but he taught — and often reminded — much of today’s Democratic party about our ideals — and the worthwhile struggles we all face to reach toward them.
One of the 14 Senators who voted against the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, Sen. Kennedy was a strong supporter of lesbian and gay equality before it was even vaguely popular — in any crowd — to do so. Even earlier, in 1993, Kennedy replaced the retired California Democratic Sen. Alan Cranston as the chief sponsor of the “gay rights bill” that was then being introduced in the Senate. Ted Kennedy was one of the stalwart — and much needed — voices of equality in our nation, and I particularly mourn for this loss.
For much of Kennedy’s political career, universal health insurance was a goal at the heart of one of those ideals. As he said in his 1980 address to the Democratic National Convention — the end of his failed run at the presidency — “[L]et us resolve that the state of a family’s health shall never depend on the size of a family’s wealth.” His spirit, if not his voice, has been and will be a part of this year’s debate about the future of health care in America.
In his struggle to do good by his brothers, and for our nation, Ted Kennedy has done well.
[UPDATE: After a day of Kennedy coverage, some more thoughts -- and more video of Kennedy.]
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OTHER VIEWS: The Washington Post (first story) and The Boston Globe (first story) will be the places to read in the coming 24 hours. The statement released by the Kennedy family tonight:
“Edward M. Kennedy — the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply — died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port. He always believed that our best days were still ahead, but it’s hard to imagine any of them without him.
“We’ve lost the irreplaceable center 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.
“We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice, fairness and opportunity for all. He loved this country and devoted his life to serving it.”
From Josh Marshall at TPM:
In the end, Teddy Kennedy’s life was defined by the blessing and curse of longevity, a span of almost eighty years that allowed him to become a legislator and politician vastly more accomplished than either of his brothers but also revealed his personal failings in ways his brothers’ never were.
From the stark, honest perspective of Anthony Catalino:
Dear Ted, Thank you for believing in all the people whose parents and families never did. THIS community loves you eternally.
Below is the C-SPAN coverage of his last appearance before the Democratic National Convention:
Popularity: 10% [?]
Chris Geidner is a lawyer in Washington, D.C., who writes at Law Dork, is the senior political writer at Metro Weekly and has written for The Atlantic Online, Advocate.com, Salon and other publications. An extended biography can be found