Kerry Prepares to Protect Kennedy's Legacy

[babylonsister]

http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1919468,00.html


Kerry Prepares to Protect Kennedy's Legacy
By Jay Newton-Small / Boston Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009

Sen. John Kerry stands with his wife Teresa Heinz Kerry at the side of the casket of Sen. Edward Kennedy at the John F. Kennedy Library.

Mike Segar / Reuters


Senator John Kerry, the new senior senator from Massachusetts, stood with his eyes closed, his right hand on Ted Kennedy's flag-draped casket. Thirty seconds went by and, head bowed, Kerry crossed himself and stepped back. His hand reached toward the casket one last time for a final friendly pat.

"As far as I'm concerned we still have a senior senator and we have to celebrate his life," Kerry says a few minutes later, backstage at the John F. Kennedy presidential library, where his friend and mentor is lying in repose. Dozens of Kennedy relatives mill around and Kerry greets them all. "What's changed is Teddy's lying in there. There's a moment here where the mission gets larger. And I've got to step up and we're going to have to do our best to meet the challenge."

snip//

The last time Kerry spoke to Kennedy was a little less than two weeks ago. Kerry had just had hip replacement surgery — he is still using a cane during his recovery — and Kennedy called to check on him. "And I said, what the hell are you doing calling me when you have so many other things to think about? It was typical of Teddy," Kerry says. Kerry last saw Kennedy a few weeks ago, when the two sat on the Kennedy compound porch in Hyannis Port. "You know, he couldn't put all things together at that point — you'd finish some sentences for him in some ways," Kerry recalls, shifting his cane to stretch his right leg out. "But you knew what he was getting at. He was very tuned in to the boats that were sailing, that were racing in the bay. He was just very much there. He had the total ability to be Ted Kennedy and think and know what's going on; it was just getting hard for him to verbalize." The two talked about sailing and the sea. And health care: "He'd say, 'We just gotta get it done,'" Kerry says.

Kerry will push for whatever health care reform bill is passed to be named for Kennedy. "I think he would be very honored and very gratified if the bill were named after him," he says.

Of course, Kerry is now the head of the Massachusetts delegation, which is currently scrambling to fill the gaping hole left by Kennedy. "And all of us in our delegation, and a number of us have talked about it, I mean we've got to make sure that there's not a gap here," Kerry says, referring to the effort to change the current state law, which doesn't allow an interim appointment until the seat is filled with a special election early next year. But don't ask Kerry who will fill Kennedy's seat. "There'll be a spirited, classic Massachusetts donnybrook, and I will happily not get into the middle of it," he says with a laugh. Will he endorse anyone? "It's not my instinct right now. I've got a lot of friends who are thinking of running."

Kerry feels now that Kennedy will always be looking over his shoulder. "Teddy took this very seriously, even though he had so much fun and made people feel that he didn't always take it that seriously," Kerry says. "He set a real example for phone calls and contacts and follow-ups and that's what you need to do."

At this point Kennedy's widow, Victoria, passes by and Kerry — hip be damned — pops up with a grimace. He hugs her and, teary eyed, she says, "I just want to make him proud." Kerry nods. He too knows well the feeling of having big shoes to fill.

[Jackeens]

1. That photo is so hard to look at, Kerry was just heartbroken. No better man to carry the torch.

[Inuca]

2. "to make him proud". Agree n/t

[Justice]

3. Kerry can start by having his staff return phone calls to constituents

Kennedy's staff is magnificent. Kerry's staff literally does not return phone calls.

[frazzled]

15. Kerry's staff hangs up on you

Or at least that is what happened to me.

I no longer live in Massachusetts, but I can tell you from working on state political issues and meeting long-time Mass. politically involved people up to and including the highest levels, there is not a huge amount of love for Kerry. Teddy was the "go-to" guy. Teddy got things done. Teddy sent his own staff over to get projects off the ground. Kerry didn't show up to meetings (or if he did he fell asleep).

I'm not saying Kerry's not a good man. I'm saying he doesn't have the same kind of attitude toward constituent services that Kennedy had; he's just not that good with people.

Maybe a bunch of Kennedy's people will come to work for Kerry and things will get better. But I have a feeling that kind of leadership comes from the top. We'll see.

[blm]

20. Good thing for Mass that Kennedy attended locals while Kerry targeted government corruption

uncovering and exposing IranContra, S&L crisis, Iraqgate, CIA drugrunning and BCCI, eh?

Did Mass need two senators and their staffs focusing on domestic and local issues?

Hasn't the historic record of this nation been more protected by Kerry's focus on government corruption? Corruption that many Dem senators had no interest in involving themselves?

This nation would be in its second decade of full-on fascism by now if not for Kerry's persistence and focus, especially with the DC powerstructure and the powerful in his own party lined up against him.

[high density]

26. Is Kerry still working on Iran Contra? Maybe that's the problem. NM

[blm]

30. He's heading Climate Change and is lead senator on Pakistan-Iraq-Iran-Syria. And you?

You do know that it was Kerry who negotiated recent breakthrough on Syria relations and the North Korea release of journalists, right?

Guess when corporate newsmedia decides who to ignore, they have plenty of willing sheep who are eager to further that ignorance.

BTW - are you of the mind that IranContra matters ended? Seems to me that just about everything wrongheaded and dangerous to this nation the last 10 years is deeply rooted in the matters left outstanding in IranContra....and matters left outstanding in Iraqgate...and especially matters left outstanding in BCCI.

[high density]

31. Me? I'm not a US Senator with a staff of people

So, I'm not sure what you're getting at there. What he's doing doesn't change whether or not a member of his staff can talk to constituents. You inferred that he was too busy with a bunch of stuff from a few decades ago to talk to people, and I thought that was a bit disingenuous at the least.

[blm]

32. Well, so someone SAYS. I've heard differently about the nature of his staff, and still concede

that Kennedy's staff is unequaled in their detailed attention to local matters and constituency. But, the shots at Kerry and his staff are absurdly exaggerated. In fact, Kerry and Kennedy's staff have often worked together on many matters, especially the last two years.

Why don't you try calling Kerry's office and see for yourself whether or not this charge they routinely hang up on callers is a myth?

[frazzled]

33. Were you ever a citizen of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts?

I'm doubting it.

Your response seems to have little respect for the so-called "locals" -- that is to say, citizens. For the locals, that means getting them healthcare, making sure that their sons and daughters have body armor ... you know, all that stuff that isn't just grandstanding but actually matters.

Kerry's staff hung up on me for asking him to vote against the Iraq War Resolution. He didn't listen to the "locals." His vote led to some of the worst corruption (Abu Ghraib, Blackwater, Halliburton)--corruption that we are still having trouble extricating ourselves from--that this country has seen in my lifetime. So don't tell me about corruption.

I've been watching your idolatrous obsession with BCCI for years now, and it doesn't impress me. I lived in Massachusetts. It's not that I don't like Senator Kerry, as I said. He'll just never be a Ted Kennedy. He'll be something else, but he won't be Ted Kennedy. That's all I'm saying.

[blm]

34. You missed the point - you had two senators doing very important things and emphasizing

different priorities.

Kennedy excelled on domestic issues resulting in an unequaled influence on legislation while Kerry managed to uncover more government corruption than any lawmaker in modern history.

Did Mass need both to focus only on domestic issues and state needs and deprive the nation of an open government advocate and skilled investigator? Would you prefer that IranContra, S&L crisis, Iraqgate, CIA drugrunning and BCCI were never uncovered and investigated? Unfortunately, many powerful Democrats in DC did want to leave those matters unscrutinized and Kerry defied them.

Do you understand that the only reason we even KNOW about the Aug6,2001 brief is because Kerry kept taking Bush1 to court to get access to documents routinely secreted as national security secrets?

Take a step back and look at the whole picture - neither Kennedy or Kerry were/are perfect men, but, they did a helluva lot more than most realize to effect this nation's REAL historic record. Mass residents should be proud of both senators contributions to history not nitpicking. Sheesh...no other state has had such accomplished and historically significant representation from its senators.

[saltpoint]

4. I like the Senators from Massachusetts. I like the timing of this post.

I like what John Kerry has had to say about the passing of his friend and colleague.

I wish a handful of folks on this site would take a day or two and examine the decidedly liberal record of Ted Kennedy and John Kerry to acquaint themselves with two of the most impressive public servants in the history of the nation.

Recommended.

[blm]

5. The best senator on domestic issues, and the senator who uncovered more government corruption

than any lawmaker in modern history.

What would this nation's historic record look like without either of these men? This country would have become a full-on fascist nation by the mid90s.

[saltpoint]

6. So very much is owed by way of gratitude to them both. Agree.

[TayTay]

13. Some can't. They are shouting too loudly to hear anything

And they are screaming for moral, humane things and missing all the moral, humane stories that aide their cause and give them real power.

This is so sad. There is a strength in allowing the heart to listen for a while. You pick up the human side of those opposing you.

Uncompromising resolution means little in the long run. There is nothing to admire in someone who fights a long fight without any real knowledge of what they are fighting for. So many things on the liberal side of the fence are moral causes, sprung from the oh so human needs we see around us. Our power as liberals, our deep, deep power is to carry with us an understanding of human frailty, an understanding of when others need the intervention of others and an understanding of the human heart.

This is not weakness, it is, in fact, one of the strongest things in existence.

[ProSense]

14. Well said.

Beautiful. Thank you.

[karynnj]

16. Like you, I wish that people here would look into the records of Kerry and Kennedy

They are impressive.

[politicasista]

35. Some are still too busy screaming

at him because he isn't a fighter like Kennedy was, and other 4 1/2 year old stories.

People should do what you have recommended, but, don't.

[JohnnyLib2]

7. When he speaks or writes, I'm going to pay special attention now.

He's been been through it all; he's the elder now.

[politicasista]

8. Kick

:kick:

[Cha]

9. This is a beautiful

article..thanks, Babylonsister.

[Honeycombe8]

10. Beautiful pic. Thx. I watched much of it on TV and could tell that Kerry was taking it very hard.

Others were, too. But I suppose Kerry's feelings show more than some, and he took it harder than some. He and Kennedy were very close.

[goclark]

11. That is what friendship is ~

I love President Kerry -- they stole it from this good and decent man.

[YvonneCa]

12. So do I. We can count on John Kerry. He IS...

...a good and decent man.

[politicasista]

17. kick for the both of you

and saltpoint and everyone. :kick: :grouphug: :hi:

[goclark]

19. Have you noticed that Kerry is carrying the baton

for Sen. Kennedy -- when I hear him speak now, it's as if they
(Kennedy,Kerry,Obama) planned exactly how the message will be delivered.

[politicasista]

21. Bingo

And yep. And also sure that Vicki has a role in this somewhere too. :)

[YvonneCa]

22. Absolutely. Don't you just LOVE our...

...Dems. And don't forget Al Gore. ;)

[politicasista]

29. Yep. He was here

last weekend (in TN) with B. Clinton for some convention. I assume they flew from Boston from Teddy's funeral. :(.

They weren't covered much (only a snippet about Bubba "lecturing" to the audience for 30 minutes), but it sounds like they are could be talking again.

[YvonneCa]

23. ...

...Thanks, politicasista. :hi:

[politicasista]

28. No problem

:hi:

[JanusAscending]

18. Two of my favorite guys!

Go get 'em Sen. Kerry, kick some ass and take no prisoners!! You have a grateful nation behind you. God Bless!!

[PresidentObama]

24. Senator Kerry deserves to carry on the torch. That picture is hard, looking at the pain in his eyes.

Kerry says he wants to make Teddy proud. I feel he already has.

[goclark]

25. Love Kerry ~ he even looks like he is on a mission

[ProSense]

27. Kerry is a person who always ensures that our voices are heard.

From MoveOn:

Why We Need The Public Option

Governor Howard Dean just laid out for us all why the public option is such a key part of health care reform.

Write why you think the public option is critical, and Senator Kerry will enter them into the public record at tomorrow's hearing.

Your individual comment will be presented to your Senators.

[Divine Discontent]

36. I support JK. He has been a hero on many issues for a very long time. Can't believe anyone here

could ever mock his efforts on progressive issues.

Any word on that plan to push through a bill with just 51 votes, that was talked about a week ago? Is that something that could still happen? Anyone? I've been busy, and was just wondering...