Sad, in that the wussy Dems in Congress couldn't pass a decent health care bill before he died. They damn well better do it now in his honor.

And I was just chastising myself for thinking of that headline. Too much Curtis Mayfield Superfly soundtrack.

The lone survivior of the S.S. Chappaquidick ???

God bless you Mary Jo Kopechne. May you rest it peace.

Figured he didn't have much longer to live when he started trying to change the law he asked for originally. The one that requires Mass have a 5 month wait before appointing a replacement. So much for the filibuster proof majority for a bit.

As the article indicated, he fought for civil rights, health care and a lot more. Basically, for the little guy. More wealthy families should do this. But I don't expect any of them will be Republicants.

R.I.P. Ted

The lone survivior of the S.S. Chappaquidick ???

God bless you Mary Jo Kopechne. May you rest it peace.

In a strange way, Chappaquidick became his strength later in life: With no chance at the Presidency, he wasn't a threat to the upwardly mobile in either the D or R parties - and he could thus collaborate on legislation with anyone. Which he did - quite well, in fact. Reagan/Bush I. Clinton. Bush II. Obama.

I don't see this kind of versatility forthcoming in the up and coming leaders of either party today.

"In a strange way, Chappaquidick became his strength later in life"

It's amazing what can be accomplished when someone reaches the apogee of their career, if they are of the right mindset. See: lame duck politics.

Hillary won't be shedding a tear...Wouldn't be surprised if she snubbed the funeral.

Interesting that Oregon's Democratic Senator, Jeff Merkley, has issued a statement lauding Kennedy. Is Republican Wyden's reticence caused by the fact that Democrats will use Ted's death to defeat GOP efforts to delay and water down health care reform, the way his brother's death helped Johnson get real civil rights bills through?

George,

I don't think they'll try using Teddy to ram through health care reform, as the Congress critters will be unaffected by any new legislative efforts they undertake, and it would be very easy to inject this point into the right wing echo chamber.

After all, Ted Kennedy already had access to the absolute best in medical care for the last 40+ years. It's not like the rest of us will get that plan as an option without some serious taxes or co-payments and deductibles...

the fact that Democrats will use Ted's death to defeat GOP efforts to delay and water down health care reform

Oh that argument is sure gonna fly with voters....

His corpse isn't cold yet and the Dem's are trying to exploit it for political gain?

How downright Rovian.

I suppose if Cheney's heart had given out in early '05 GW could have used it to convince us to support an invasion of Iran with an "it's what Dick would have wanted plea?"