Senator Edward Kennedy
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Kid brother to senior statesman was an extraordinary journey, matching the similar journeys taken by his brothers John and Robert. All three of the Kennedy brothers who entered our national public life--meaning the three who survived World War II--demonstrated this extraordinary quality of growth, particularly after they arrived in Washington. Too many successful politicians stop growing once they get there, certain that they already know it all and have already completed their growth within the biblical standard of "wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and Man." But not the Kennedys, and certainly not Edward Moore Kennedy.
Spurred by his father and by his own interests to seek the Senate seat for Massachusetts that JFK had vacated upon entering the White House, Teddy entered a hotly contested Democratic primary in 1962. He was opposed by Eddie McCormack, the favorite nephew of the House Democratic majority leader, John McCormack of South Boston. President Kennedy, whose brother Bob was then serving as Attorney General, was concerned that he would be accused of fostering nepotism and founding a dynasty. He did not wish to add a feud with Eddie's uncle to his already difficult relations with Congress. Neither did he wish to add still another private disagreement with his beloved father to an already long list. So he publicly vowed that the White House would remain neutral regarding the 1962 Senate Democratic nomination in Massachusetts. But privately he asked RFK and me to fly unannounced to Cape Cod and brief Teddy on the eve of his first televised debate with McCormack. We found Teddy surprisingly relaxed and informed. He won the debate, the primary and the election, just as he won every race for re-election in the 47 years since.
Teddy never lost his drive to serve his country and honor his brothers' memory. Bobby's assassination left Teddy in charge of not only the Kennedy legacy but the Kennedy family as well. Already a loving father of his own wonderful children, he took special care to help guide and comfort Jack's and Bobby's survivors. Throughout it all, his impact as a Senator and Democratic Party leader continued. Fellow Senators on more than one occasion have told me that when Ted rose on the Senate floor to speak, members of both parties paid attention whether or not their views were compatible with his, because they knew he had done his homework.
Several decades ago, John F. Kennedy, as a Senator known for his special interest in history--including particularly the history of the Senate itself--was named to head a special committee to select five Senators whose portraits would hang in the Senate reception room for all to see. The "Famous Five" were to be chosen on the basis of their historic contributions in terms of courage, integrity and substantive activity over a long Senate career. They are now called the "Famous Nine," after two Senate resolutions added four more portraits.
There are still two spaces remaining in that room. I can think of no one more deserving of having his portrait placed there now than Senator Edward M. Kennedy.
Sorensen was special counsel and an adviser to President John F. Kennedy
How He Found Himself BY JOE KLEIN