The Passing Of The Torch

With the recent death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy and the announcements of no other Kennedy family member running to be his replacement, the passing of the torch will officially take place. This reference to a power shift in the Democratic Party began when a young Chicago Politician walked onto a stage during the 2004 Presidential Democratic Convention. Today, that politician is the leader of the most powerful nation on this world. President Barack Obama was supported by Senator Kennedy dating back to his term as Senator representing Illinois as well as an earlier State Senator representing the South Side of Chicago. This support ultimately was credited to President Obama’s ability to defeat Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic Presidential Primary in 2008.

Senator Kennedy was a polarizing figure in politics as were his brothers, President John Kennedy and Attorney General Robert Kennedy. Like his brothers, his personal life was not without controversy as well. Most notably was the automobile accident in which MaryJo Kopechne, a staff member of Robert Kennedy’s Presidential Campaign, was found dead in a submerged vehicle owned by Senator Kennedy. The vehicle apparently drove off the Chappaquiddick Bridge on Chappaquiddick Island in Massachusetts. Details of what really happened that night will forever be debated. However, it is believed that this incident was the single event in the Senator’s life that probably prevented him from reaching the Presidency.

Remaining in the Senate until his death, Senator Kennedy carved a stellar career that was acknowledged by politicians from both sides of the political aisle. For most of us here in Massachusetts, especially in the city of Boston, it is believed his personal influence was the support behind the Big Dig Highway Project. Even though this project was plagued with over budget issues and corruption, it was the biggest economic boost the city had ever received at that time. This Project was credited with keeping the employment numbers above average nationally, in the Boston Area, during a slow economic time in the early years of the highways construction.

Love him or hate him, Ted Kennedy tirelessly spent his life, trying his best to make life better for everyone in this country. As for the citizenry, some say the Kennedy family will be missed in public service, others say it is about time someone else carried the torch. The truth of the matter is the Kennedy family was committed to public service throughout all of the generations. You can be assured that any absence of a Kennedy in public life will probably be temporary. It is in the family blood to want to serve and be apart of the ongoing life of our country. Stay tuned; I’m sure another Kennedy is readying him or herself to once again emerge as a leader and servant of the public cause.

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Kennedy
http://www.projo.com/news/content/KENNEDY_HONOR_09-10-09_TVFM2C6_v12.3b3ea6b.html
http://kennedy.senate.gov/
http://kennedy.senate.gov/senator/
http://www.iop.harvard.edu/About-Us/IOP-Tribute-to-Senator-Edward-M.-Kennedy
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/27/us/politics/27kennedy.html
http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=K000105
http://www.masspike.com/bigdig/background/index.html
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://urbanhabitat.org/files/images/boston%2520177.jpg&imgrefurl=http://urbanhabitat.org/node/315&usg=__LQhjpsU9s7bDEmHcVYSQbyEfaok=&h=768&w=1024&sz=325&hl=en&start=9&um=1&tbnid=LJaWjbvhsxKz6M:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3DBig%2BDig%2BBoston%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us%26sa%3DX%26um%3D1