If it wasn’t for Ted Kennedy, I’d probably be unemployed now. You see, when I was in college I wanted to be a journalist. Unfortunately and tragically, that’s not a place these days for those looking for job security. Like a scene from Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life, I can see my guardian angel pointing to a cubicle in some half-filled newsroom as the place I would have toiled if Kennedy had never lived.
Luckily for me, I had an opportunity to work for the senior senator from Massachusetts. During college, I was an intern in Kennedy’s Senate press office—thinking I would get some valuable Capitol Hill experience as I began my career as a reporter. But I was instantly impressed by his commitment to public service, and awed by his ability to use legislative power to improve people’s lives both in America and around the world. Like the Jimmy Stewart character in Capra’s movie, Kennedy had a profound impact on millions of lives and many generations through landmark legislation. We would be a different society without Ted Kennedy.
Inspired, I changed course. I no longer wanted to be a journalist. Politics and government would be the life for me. So immediately after graduation, I went back to DC to work for Kennedy from 1984 to 1987. Let me share with you three things that made that experience great and three things that made it challenging.
Working for a Great Man
1. Kennedy attracted talented people like a magnet, and he did it for decades. I had the opportunity to work with the best legislative staffers and political organizers of our generation. Two helped me a lot: Carey Parker, brilliant and publicity-shy, was Kennedy’s legislative director for four decades. If there were a legislative staffer Hall of Fame, Carey would be a first-ballot inductee. The late Paul Tully, a legendary presidential campaign organizer, was my boss and has an organizing institute named after him at the Democratic National Committee.
2. When you worked for Kennedy, you knew you were working for a great Senator. But you were also working for a historic figure who happened to be patriarch of America’s best known family. Oh yeah, he also was the national standard bearer for health care, civil rights, arms control, immigration, and many other issues. You figured out quickly that this was not a typical Senate office and this was not a 9-5 job.
3. Kennedy was a serious man, dealing with serious issues. But he had a humorous and playful side, too. Our office softball team was nicknamed the “Ted Sox.” Kennedy played only rarely. But when we played the staff of the Speaker of the House, both Kennedy and Tip O’Neil showed up. Kennedy played first base and heckled O’Neil each time he came to bat. I think we won. Regardless, Kennedy claimed we did.
The Challenges of Greatness
1. Kennedy may have been the hardest working Senator and you had to keep up with as a staffer. It’s difficult to imagine anyone else having a more demanding schedule. Kennedy was always on the go, but always did his homework. Each night, including weekends, he would take home “the bag” —an old leather satchel filled with staff memos and briefing papers. He read everything and would scribble margin notes. I remember one time Kennedy catching a questionable number in a lengthy spreadsheet that Tully and I prepared.
2. “The Senator” (that’s what we called him, or “EMK” in staff memos) always wanted to be prepared. As a staff, we were insanely prepared. For example, his policy briefing books were extra thick and contained a tremendous amount of information. For speeches that required the use of a teleprompter, we had to have a back up hard copy on the podium just in case something happened to the prompter. During my time, nothing ever did—but we were prepared.
3. Kennedy was the leader of a political dynasty, which means there were generations of people all over the country who worked for him and his deceased brothers. Most of the time, this was great because the Kennedy network is loyal, dedicated, and helpful. We say proudly that once you work for the Kennedys, you always work for the Kennedys. But on occasion, it would be challenging trying to accomodate disparate interests and opinions—especially from the older generation. I remember a few times hearing someone tell me (usually with a thick Boston accent): “You know, for Jack (or Bobby) we used to do it differently.” I felt like saying: “Okay but that’s before you had computers and databases, right?” I never did say that, but I was tempted.
Yesterday, Pres. Barack Obama called Ted Kennedy “the greatest United States Senator of our time.” Many Democrats and Republicans will agree. I was honored to have worked for him.
Jude Barry, a one-time San Jose Inside blogger, is a former Ted Kennedy staffer in Washington, DC. We asked him to tell us how he got his start with legendary Massachusetts politician and give us some insight into what it was like working for Kennedy.
You gotta love the media double standard: Teddy commits manslaughter, gets away with it, and the media [and voters in MA] look the other way. Meanwhile, the governor of South Carolina gets pressured to resign for the lesser crime of cheating on his wife [as if Teddy never did that].
Here’s a good perspective on Teddy from the Boston Hearld:
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/view.bg?articleid=1193617
I didn’t realize you had been on the jury. Thanks for letting us know.
Nothing new in your link that any informed person didn’t already know. Perhaps you can share with us who some of your idols are that are perfect, unblemished, and of course agree with you.
Archie,
I may be an idiot, but even an idiot knows that killing a woman is far worse than cheating on a woman. I can’t believe you and the rest of the left completely look the other way on this issue. It is truly a sad example of the Democratic Party.
I too worked for EMK in 1980 and 1988. He was a gregarious man and an outstanding human being.
The first condolence I heard the other night came from Nancy Reagan who praised him for his efforts in stem cell research and said he was a great friend of her beloved Ronnie.
Orrin Hatch, John McCain loved the guy. Yet throughout his life the rightwing used him as “red meat” to raise money.
A Nixon White House used every trick in the book to discredit him. He succeeded as a liberal in the age of Ronald Reagan.
Admired by both sides of the aisle, he now goes to rest. He outlived his brothers and his record exceeds theirs in accomplishment.
I only wish those who praise him today, especially his political opponents, would have spoken more openly and publicly of the man while he was alive.
It seems like they wasted an opportunity. But EMK would not mind, his legacy will outlive all of the others of his era.
Moreover, his cause endures, his hope still lives and his dream shall never die.
Great essay and fine eulogy. I met TK once at a DNC meeting and he was very impressed that i volunteered at the RKF for President HQ in downtown San Jose when I was eight. Opening boxes was the extent of my work. Later, at San Jose State, the Ted Kennedy for President campaign had opportunities through Joe Trippi to sign on as delegate candidates, but most of us were bumped for more prominent names for the delegation. As a superdelegate, I also had the chance to attend a delegation breakfast where Kennedy spoke.
The George Bailey reference Barry talks about is well encapsulated in the scene where Bailey confronts Mr. Potter (Capra’s character) and says, “This ramble you are talking about do most of the working, living and dying in this town. [shouldn’t they do it with a couple of decent rooms and a bath?]”
Whether people know it, but people involved in public affairs affect the lives of many people, and people who fight for change either help people by making their lives better, or give them hope. That is the Kennedy legacy.
Great story Jude. My thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family. He will be missed. May he rest in peace.
I knew someone like Hugh Jardonn would respond to a thoughtful tribute by spewing his hateful rhetoric. Just give it some time and his pals John Galt and Frustrated FinFan will respond with something similar.
Teddy killed an innocent woman with his negligence, and left the scene of the accident. We should remember that, not sweep it under the rug.
True to form, Hugh crawls out from under rock. He doesn’t disappoint.
It must really rock Hugh’s world that Kennedy will be remembered forever for his lifetime of helping those less fortunate than himself. Hugh, on the other hand, will always be the insignificant, bitter, blogger with nothing positive to say—ever.
Senator Edward Kennedy lived with many tragedies in his life—brothers Joe, Jack and Bobby all killed while serving their country.
His two children, both faced deadly cancers, a plane crash almost took his own life, three nephews died too early in life and, yes, there was Mary Jo.
If Mr. Jardonn thinks Senator Kennedy did not suffer enough—he did not know Senator Kennedy. But unlike Mr. Jardonn, Senator Kennedy was not bitter, he did not hate his political opponents or seek retribution against those who sought to harm him.
He took all the pain and made a positive contribution to his country. He used his exalted position to help the poorest and least powerful people in our society.
They were his constituency—and while one may not agree with his politics, even his harshest critic acknowledged his good intentions.
Ironically, Nixon never went to jail. Bush, Cheney and Rumsfield will not go to jail and all of their crimes were intentional acts.
Whatever fault you may find with Senator Kennedy’s decisions that tragic night, unlike those others, his actions were never based in malice.
I can only hope Mr. Jardonn and others of their ilk will someday find peace for themselves and be able to shed the bitterness in their lives that causes such hatred and vile against their fellow man, even after death.
They might even use Senator Kennedy as an example, and simply let go of their hate.
Very nice post.
This site has become almost useless due to the constant hate rambling from the conservative lunatic fringe.
Unfortunately, a new generation of Americans has little or no memory of Chappaquiddick. And of course you have to dig for any coverage of it. Here’s one article:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics
/story?id=8212665
Here’s another good article:
“Mary Jo Kopechne and Chappaquiddick: America’s Selective Memory”
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/08/26/mary-jo-kopechne-and-chappaquiddick-americas-selective-memory/
On a good note, at least this tragedy kept this swine out of the white house.
White Flight,
My pal Hugh Jardonn? I’ve never met the man, but Hugh Jardonn seems like a man who stands for honesty and accountability.
Oh, and White Flight, you’re no Hugh Jardonn.
An added perspective from James Zogby, President of Arab American Institute:
Ted Kennedy will rightly be remembered by generations of Americans for the values he espoused, and his legislative accomplishments which translated those values into action.
I have a number of memories of the Senator, but one, in particular, will remain with me forever.
In the horrifying days after 9/11, I received death threats from a few wretched souls who assumed that, because of my Arab ancestry and advocacy, I shared responsibility for the terrorist attacks on our country. All this created a double trauma for me, my staff and family. We were Americans and our nation had been attacked. We, too, wanted to grieve, but were pulled away from our grief by these threats and told, in effect, “you are not part of us”.
We reported these calls and received police protection. And then, out of the blue, came a different kind of call. I answered and heard a voice so instantly recognizable. It was the Senator calling to tell me of his concern for me and my family and to offer his support. It was an act of grace: spontaneous, uplifting and undeserved. Shortly thereafter, I received calls from other Senators also expressing the same concern and offering the same support (I didn’t know then, but discovered later, that it was Senator Kennedy who had urged them to call).
A few days later, Kennedy invited a large group of Arab American leaders to his Senate office to discuss the problem of hate crimes and a range of civil liberties concerns. We left the meeting feeling more secure.
And so I will remember Ted Kennedy, not only for what he has given to our nation, but what, in the most trying of times, he gave to me and my community—a restored sense of belonging.
Observer,
Thank you for sharing this story with us. When I read it I was heart sick that you were treated with such distain. I am so deeply sorry that you and your family went through that. Please know that the few cruel people who did this to you and your family do NOT represent the MAJORITY of Americans.
I’m very happy to read that Sen. Kennedy showed you the sensitivity and compassion you and your family deserved. He was a great man whom I, and millions of others will sorely miss. God bless you and keep you and your family safe.
I feel sorry for Mary Jo Kopechne and her family. When divers found her body she was in an air bubble in the car, and experts think she may have lived several hours before she died. Kennedy made 18 phone calls before reporting the accident to the police 10 hours later. We will never know for sure what happened, but….
I agree 100% Steve. Ted Kennedy was completely wrong not to call for help. She might still be alive today had he called for help.
Where’s Mary Jo Kopechne’s Eulogy?
“You wouldn’t forget about her, would you? That would be negligent.”
I would like to commend Mr. Barry on a wonderfully eloquent and insightful article. I agree with him that Sen. Kennedy is responsible for some of the greatest legislation passed in the last 40 years. That he accomplished this in a bi-partisan manner in the political era that he did speaks volumes about the man and his ideals.
The only minor issue I have with Mr. Barry’s comments – and I think the reason why Mr. Jardonn & a few others made their comments – is that there was absolutely no mention of any of Sen. Kennedy’s, for lack of a better phrase, “personal failures.” I have no problem with anyone praising Sen. Kennedy’s legislative legacy loudly and proudly. He is deserving of such praise. It’s just that to praise without mentioning Chappaquiddick and a few of the issues brought up by Mr. Jardonn’s link seems like an attempt to whitewash history to me. Even a quick, “Although he was not perfect.” would have been enough of an acknowledgement for me, although I understand that the intention of the article was a warm remembrance of a man who truly touched and shaped Mr. Barry’s life and we like to remember the positive more so than the negative.
Maybe it’s just me but I can neither forget what happened nor stop feeling sorry for the Kopechne family for a tragedy that did not need to happen. Mr. Jardonn’s link provided a valid counter-point. Read Mr. Barry’s article and Mr. Jardonn’s link and come to whatever conclusion you like. I already knew about Chappaquiddick but Mr. Barry’s article and a few of the other posts provided me with some new personal insight into the man and elevated my view of Sen. Kennedy.
One of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to elected government officials is the prevalence of hypocrisy – which unfortunately can be found equally on both sides of the aisle. I found Mr. Jardonn’s link informative in that I first thought of Sen. Kennedy’s push to change the law in MA, so that his seat wouldn’t be vacant for long, quite a magnanimous gesture combined with intelligent forethought. That was until I read that he originally opposed the very same law he now wanted changed because at that time there was a GOP governor who would have presumably appointed a GOP senator and not a Dem, like Sen. Kennedy. Combined with the fact that Sen. Kennedy has recently missed so many votes – albeit due to his unfortunate health problems – but did not step down so that the people he represented would actually be represented, could lead some to believe his motives were rooted more in political maneuvering than looking out for the best interest of his constituents. I know that is what it looked like to me.
Very well said.
No one is perfect and we must never forget that a beautiful young woman lost her life, and could possibly have been saved had the senator not panicked and called for help. I was a very young girl when this happened and I remember to this day seeing the crash scene, and shots of her body found in the car on TV, and being angry at him for leaving this girl alone to die.
I grew up not liking him very much and felt such suddenness for her family, as I saw them crying on the news too. As time went on Senator Kennedy did much for this country but I never forgot that beautiful, young woman’s face, or reports that she may have lived in terror under water before she died. I doubt that this incident ever left his mind because he probably regretted his decision to cover his butt instead of doing the right thing by calling for help.
I have always wondered WHY officials like him chose to hide and run, rather than do the right thing. I have also wondered how people who help cover things like this up can live with themselves. Do we as a society do something to enable this kind of behavior, or do we have such high standards for behavior of these electeds, or such a punitive system that they are too fearful to act with integrity when things like this happen?
There is probably no better way to demonstrate your lack of class than to spit on someone at their funeral. At least, I haven’t come across one.
Everyone has their mistakes and dark side. If you can’t keep your opinion on that to yourself until after the family mourns the death of a loved one, maybe you should re-examine the whole glass-half-full thing in your own life.
98% of the time, you’re absolutely right. A funeral should be a private affair for family and friends. But in the case of the kennedys, the media has anointed them some kind of royalty and royalty is something that we fought a war 225 years ago to get rid of. Add to that that kennedy was a public figure who pursued controversial politics that lots of people find detestable. So don’t be surprised if there is pushback against all of the puffball coverage of teddy that’s coming out of the media this week. In the case of a controversial public figure like Kennedy, a balanced approach is necessary as William Leptomaine points out above.
On a related note, a link I tried to post the other day didn’t make it. The link is:
http://www.vanityfair.com/online/politics/2009/08/wheres-mary-jo-kopechnes-eulogy.html
Haters are haters and they have no room for sympathy—either at the time of death or any other time.
If we really want to look at character flaws we could examine the psyche of some of the haters on this site. Since they are perfect they cannot understand flaws in others. Someday, maybe, they will be in need of kindness, support, and sympathy, yet none will be there for them. They will cluelessly wonder why when all along the answer was right in front of them.
I don’t think looking at someone for who they are, faults and all is spitting on them. I have a great deal of respect for Ted Kennedy. He did a lot for this country and I will miss him. But I can’t ignore the death of an innocent young woman who was swept quickly under the carpet to face save. Her family suffered a loss too. Unfortunately their time to grieve their loss wasn’t allowed to progress because of the circumstances surrounding her death. I’m sure Ted Kennedy’s death is bringing those memories and their feelings of loss to the forefront. Are you suggesting we once again sweep the memory of this young woman under the carpet and pretend she didn’t exist because Ted Kennedy is beloved? I think if we did that we’d be spitting on her grave, don’t you?
Kenny, are your above comments directed towards my comments? I hope not. I really don’t think I was spitting on anyone’s grave in any way. If so could you please let me know which parts hit such a raw nerve so that I can better understand where you’re coming from.
Kathleen – thank you.
William,
Your comments were respectful, fair, honest, and balanced. I don’t think you said anything that deserves concern. Kenny is a good man, but in this case he is wrong. Ignoring bad behavior because someone dies isn’t acceptable.
There seems to be a theory that if someone dies, someone as popular as say Kennedy, and Michael Jackson that we must be “respectful,” and turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to their shortcomings. I disagree because they victimized others and got a way with it. It is much like ignoring a man beating his wife and kids because he’s a good buddy, is the Mayor, or a Police Officer who goes to church every Sunday, and pays the bills for his family while his wife “just raises the kids.”
This young woman died and Ted Kennedy could have saved her. The media had a lot of power back then and could have used it to find out how she really died, and brought justice to her family. Instead, because he was rich and famous and came from a highly respected, WEALTHY family his sins were ignored. It is very sad that we live in a society were this kind of mentality STILL exists, but we do. I’m sure that as long as our society defends popular well liked icons, they will continue to get a way with everything from rape, to murder with the blessings of the public.
First of all, congratulations Governor William Leptomaine, outstanding pseudonym.
Doubtful, if you want to dispense psychobabble why not do what professional charlatans do and give it to the idiots who’ll pay for a dose of drivel? Your take on hate seems to be right out of the ADL Handbook for the Gullible Goyim, where the world’s greatest haters warn not to hate “or you’ll only hurt yourself.”
Look at you, supposedly hate-free but incapable, even when sermonizing, of saying no to that deep, dark hateful little wish of yours, that someday the haters will have to pay for their hateful ways.
Is there anything more pathetic than to be so clueless about oneself?
For your information, there is a part of me that mourns the loss of Senator Kennedy, that part that has for decades derived great joy out of hating that bloated bastard for his elitist lifestyle, organic hypocrisy, deviant character, and ruinous politics. He, the champion of minorities and the poor, who ensconced himself and his loved ones in various compounds, all light years away from the people of his heart. He, the lawmaker, who never met a law he thought applied to him. He, the Lion of the Senate, who, according to his own aide, snorted coke inside his Senate office, demonstrating just how much he revered those hallowed halls and the people who’d put him there. He, the devout Catholic and paterfamilias of the venerated Kennedy Clan, who lusted after staffer’s wives and girlfriends with such vigor as to put Gavin Newsom to shame. He, with his great welcoming hand to the world’s unwashed masses, inviting them in to his country, helping them to the taxpayer’s wealth—providing of course that not a one of them ever move into his neighborhood.
Guys like Ted Kennedy don’t come along everyday. I so enjoyed being part of the huge crowd that hated him that I should’ve been charged a seat license. I think I’m gonna miss him.
FF – Thanks, now back to work, work work!
It must be a lonely, miserable existence in your end of the gene pool. Your gnat-size attacks against the likes of Kennedy only show what a bitter, hateful, little person you are. Kennedy has done more for the disenfranchised in our country than you can dream about. You can spew your venom and pretend you represent a “huge crowd” but that would only be true in your deluded dream world.
People like Kennedy insured that pathetic people like you have the right to spread your hatred.
In your attacks you cleverly ignore his decades of work in the Senate—working both sides of the aisle—to accomplish things that benefit everyone.
Perhaps you can share with us who you admire and how perfect their personal lives are. Perhaps you can share with us anything you have done to improve the plight of the less fortunate. Perhaps you can share with us anything you have done that has had a positive impact on society.
In spite of your hate-filled view of the world, Kennedy was the kind of guy who would try to work even with you to accomplish mutual goals. That is more than I can for you.
Hedley,
Kennedy killed a woman having left her entombed in a car to die, had numerous affairs with married women cheating on his own wife, and was a drug and alcohol abuser. What did he do that was so redeeming that we overlook these things and put him on such a lofty pedestal?
Is there anything more pathetic than to be so clueless about oneself?
Another fitting epitaph for finfan’s tombstone. Writing his own epitaph appears to be finfan’s only redeeming factor.
Finally, a balanced look at Ted Kennedy. I guess it had to wait until he was in the ground:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08292009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/the_kennedy_myth_187072.htm?page=0
And here’s one that asks the question: “how is it that so many women unabashedly revere Kennedy today?”
Darn, link problems again:
Here’s one that asks the question: “how is it that so many women unabashedly revere Kennedy today?”
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08302009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/kennedys_free_pass_with_women_187139.htm
I’ll barge in on this chatty, inter-office cat fignt to say that Teddy did many good things in his way too long career, but being complicitous in the death of an innocent young woman in’t one of them. It is long ago apparent that pop culture demans that we pretend that evil events should be quickly forgoten and that each event has level of gavity.Rubish!
Hedley,
You got me. I’m hateful, horrible, and… hideous. My one saving grace, and I know that it won’t impress you or any other Ted Kennedy fan, is that my evenings out never end with my date abandoned and submerged.
I must admit, though, I admire your outrage. It isn’t everyone who can direct so much nastiness at someone who has done nothing more than hate another for his deplorable conduct. That you so obviously feel compelled to attack me based only on my expressing a perspective different from your own suggests that you have deluded yourself into thinking you have the moral high ground. Well, you don’t, and you never will as long as you go on excusing the despicable behavior of those you favor while attacking those who lack your talent for looking the other way.
Sorry, but I was born not to look the other way. When I read Kennedy apologists speak of how, after Chappaquiddick, the senator became a changed man and committed himself anew to his important position, I can’t forget that he went on boozing it up for decades, added cocaine to his repertoire of debauchery, and continued to drive his car recklessly whether drunk or sober (per one Boston columnist, “it isn’t really considered summer in Cape Cod until the senator drives on the sidewalk for the first time”).
Excuse me, but I’m not seeing the contrition here.
I cannot forget the boldness of his hypocrisy (such as when he rhetorically asked, in the wake of Watergate, “…is there one system for the average citizen and another for the high and mighty?”), and how it revealed to anyone paying attention just how potent was his political immunity; or how he lied before Congress as he publicly defamed the Robert Bork —a dignified and accomplished public servant, all to satisfy his shitty little political agenda.
You may revere Ted Kennedy, but it is a matter of public record that he has, from a position of high office, spoke of others in a manner every bit as harsh as was anything I said of him in my harmless post, the only difference being that in my post I was truthful, while the late senator lied often and freely, and thought nothing of bringing ruin to good people who stood in his way.
That’s some hero you got there.
Well said, finfan. Here is Andrew Breitbart’s take:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/aug/31/the-end-to-two-grim-fairy-tales/