Townsend: Many Can Carry on Ted's Legacy

By: David Morgan
Topics: Ted Kennedy

The eldest daughter of Robert F. Kennedy and niece of Senator Ted Kennedy, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, remembered her uncle who was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery Saturday as one who gave of himself to others even in the most difficult times of his life.

"There are so many memories of him both political and personal," Townsend told "Early Show" anchor Harry Smith, after an emotional weekend in which a political dynasty and a nation said goodbye to the nine-term Massachusetts Senator, who died last Tuesday of brain cancer at age 77.

(CBS/AP)

(Left: Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend is embraced by her uncle, Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. at a 2002 campaign rally at Bowie State University in Bowie, Md.)

The former lieutenant governor of Maryland, Townsend recalled the terrible occasion in 1973 when her cousin Teddy lost his leg — on the very day of her wedding. After asking whether she should postpone her wedding because of the trauma for the family, Townsend said she was always very touched by the fact that Teddy said no.

"He came and picked me up at my mother and father's house and walked me down the aisle, and during the time talked about his own wedding and what a wonderful time that can be. And he was, in the most tough, difficult moment for his own self, he was trying to be helpful and open and positive for me.

"And I think that is really a metaphor for what he did throughout his life. He's had terrible, personal tough times, and yet he was always out there helping others."

Townsend was 16 when her father was assassinated in 1968. But she remembered family occasions when the three Kennedy boys — Jack, Bobby and Teddy — were together.

"What I really remember is them together primarily in Hyannis Port, when there were so many touch football games, which was great fun. Or going sailing.

"I remember sailing with my Uncle Teddy and my father and we were in a race, and I was the ballast! Which for those who aren't sailors means I was just dead weight, just getting wet for four straight hours.

"But what I also remember during those times, not only sort of the fun family times, but obviously the sense of public life and that you gave back to the country."

When her father was attorney general and Uncle John was President, Townsend remembered Ted's campaign for Senate running on the Kennedy name. "But the point was you're given opportunities and then, what do you make of those opportunities? And I think what we saw over the last few days is that people said Ted Kennedy, why not how you got to be senator, but when you were there, you did more than any other senator in American history."

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick indicated last week that he wanted to honor the request of the late Senator that anyone appointed to fill out the remainder of his term pledge not to run, so as not to have an unfair advantage in a campaign.

When asked by Smith if another Kennedy belongs in his vacant Senate seat, Townsend said, "I think Teddy Kennedy gave much to our country. I think if my brother, Joe, wanted to run, I think he's put up a great race and be a great senator, but there are a lot of people who can carry on Senator Kennedy's legacy."

David Morgan
David Morgan is a senior editor at CBSNews.com and cbssundaymorning.com.

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by forprogress_org September 1, 2009 11:43 PM EDT: So much of Senator Edward Kennedy's ?The Dream Shall Never Die? speech is relevant now. It makes me sad that so many Americans do not know how much it was really he that advanced the dreams of his brothers into reality. So many of us who want now to pick up the "fallen standard" need the example his life offers of HOW liberal ideals can be transformed into something real that betters the lives of our neighbors.

I put together some of the audio of the speech, accompanied it with images and ideas that highlight some of his accomplishments, and put it into a video. The following page also has information on the 6 (of 13 or a minority) Democratic senators in the Senate Finance Committee who have yet to pledge their support for the public option in the Kennedy Health Care bill. They are responsible for holding up the compromise (between the present RepublicanCare and the Single Payer liberals want) of a public option.

http://ipolity.com/wiki/index.php?page=TDP+Health+Care; Reply to this comment

by craigh9 August 31, 2009 3:33 PM EDT

That's a tall order to continue the ways of Ted Kennedy:

Cheating, lying, murdering, passing legislation for personal reasons, etc.

Reply to this comment


by inketolstoy August 31, 2009 3:42 PM EDT: I know a few guys following in Ted's path. Drinking, chasing women and living off your family legacy isn't that difficult. It is called legacy fraternity life. Ted just managed to make a career out of it in politics like George Bush, Al Gore, and so many others. (Rock please.)

by myopinionpal August 31, 2009 2:07 PM EDT

There are people that post on here think they are saints and have done nothing wrong in their entire life that warrent jail time so while you throw stones at Sen.Kennedy throw some at yourself first.

Reply to this comment


by oiaf0831 August 31, 2009 2:16 PM EDT: You are so right. Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.

Kennedy did so many good things to help the poor. That makes up for any mistakes he made.

Those people who criticize the Kennedys are so evil. I hope they burn in the bad place. Look how many Republicans have affairs. They are the ones who should be kicked out of Congreess.


by Stevenapoli7 August 31, 2009 2:17 PM EDT: It's hard to get a really good wind up when your elbow is 16 inches from the target.


by oiaf0831 August 31, 2009 12:04 PM EDT: I know the Supreme Court abolished religion in public places and prayer in public schools because Jack Kennedy was Catholic and they didn't want the country to be run by the Pope.

Now that we have tragically lost the last of the Kennedys, can we put back prayer in public schools and religion in public places like the Ten Commandments in courthouses and schools?

It just seemed like our country was a nicer place back then.; Reply to this comment

by oiaf0831 August 31, 2009 11:32 AM EDT

The era of Kennedy filth and corruption has finally ended.

Maybe now the USA can become a great nation again.
-------------

How dare you say such a thing!

Kennedy was a great man, and he will be sorely missed.

Reply to this comment


by Stevenapoli7 August 31, 2009 2:07 PM EDT: I miss all the babies he helped kill.


by pasmalltown August 31, 2009 10:29 AM EDT: by cheerup91 August 31, 2009 10:07 AM EDT
"He pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in the death of his passenger, without reporting either the accident or the death to authorities.
He received a suspended sentence and suffered no punishment of any kind at all.
Then during Watergate he accused Nixon of thinking he was above the law."
_____________________________

Oops, gave you too much credit - you're hung up in the past as well........; Reply to this comment


by pasmalltown August 31, 2009 10:25 AM EDT: by cheerup91 August 31, 2009 10:03 AM EDT -
"Finally the era of filth and corruption has ended. And best of all, none of the surviving Kennedy's have any future in politics."
________________________________

Doesn't necessarily have to be a Kennedy, as Ms Townsend
implies. "..but there are a lot of people who can carry on Senator Kennedy's legacy." Your hope that the "era of filth and corruption has ended" is noble, but to imply that it occurs only the Kennedy name is naive and nearsighted. Politics will not be "magically" transformed by Ted's passing. But at least you are looking to the future, rather than dwell in the past.; Reply to this comment


by pasmalltown August 31, 2009 10:09 AM EDT: by fiji4x4 August 31, 2009 9:28 AM EDT and by fstop100 August 31, 2009 9:38 AM EDT -

You look at the past, could it be you are afraid of the future? Look on your "bright" side, Hatch believes "health care reform is less likely without the late Sen. Ted Kennedy"... Time will tell.; Reply to this comment

by fiji4x4 August 31, 2009 9:28 AM EDT

Terrible personal times ... like killing Mary Jo Kopechne because he drove drunk and failed to report the accident to cover up the drinking?

Yeah, what a great guy and role model.

Reply to this comment


by fstop100 August 31, 2009 9:38 AM EDT: It just shows how powerful wealth and power are.
He should have gone to prison for causing her death in his drunken stupor.

by woeisme1 August 31, 2009 9:23 AM EDT

I do believe that there will not be another like Ted Kennedy for a long long time. How do you replace a great man and leader such as he was? Perhaps someone from the new generation will rise up, but I interpret this message to mean that WE...US...those who support his causes...the American people are those who right now need to press, press, press and fight, fight, fight for Kennedy's beliefs such as single payer or universal heathcare reform.

Reply to this comment


by gangesdak August 31, 2009 1:04 PM EDT: The current bunch of politicians caved in already; they have stopped asking for universal health care. Perhaps another Kennedy would step in and start demanding for it and put the faint hearted to shame. I am waiting.