Sen. Edward M. Kennedy Loses Cancer Battle

Last Surviving Brother in Political Dynasty and One of Most Influential Senators in History Was 77

(CBS/AP)  Updated at 6:18 p.m. Eastern.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, the last surviving brother in an enduring political dynasty and one of the most influential senators in history, died Tuesday night at his home on Cape Cod after a yearlong struggle with brain cancer. He was 77.

In nearly 50 years in the Senate, Kennedy, a liberal Democrat, served alongside 10 presidents - his brother John Fitzgerald Kennedy among them - compiling an impressive list of legislative achievements on health care, civil rights, education, immigration and more.

In a brief statement to reporters at his rented vacation home on Martha's Vineyard, Mass., President Barack Obama eulogized Kennedy as one of the "most accomplished Americans" in history - and a man whose work in Congress helped give millions new opportunities.

"Including myself," added the nation's first black president.

CBS News has learned that Kennedy will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. At the eternal flame rests four Kennedy family members, including the former president, Jacqueline Kennedy, their baby son, Patrick, who died after two days, and a still-born child. Former Sen. Robert Kennedy F. Kennedy is buried a short distance away.

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"Liberal Lion" Remembered
Flags to Fly at Half-Staff for Kennedy
Mass. Gov. Supports Quick Replacement for Kennedy
In His Own Words
"The Last Brother"
Life in the Public's Glare
In Pictures: The Kennedys
Obits from U.S. Newspapers
Brothers "Would Have been Proud"

The Senate desk that was used by Kennedy - and earlier by his brother John - is now covered by a black shroud, and a vase of white roses. Outside, flags are at half staff.

Kennedy's only run for the White House ended in defeat in 1980, when President Jimmy Carter turned back his challenge for the party's nomination. More than a quarter-century later, Kennedy handed then-Sen. Barack Obama an endorsement at a critical point in the campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, explicitly likening the young contender to President Kennedy.

CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer said Kennedy earned the respect during his long career of both his Democratic allies and his Republican opponents in Congress.

"I don’t think we will ever see that kind of person again in the United States Senate. He was from another time," Schieffer told Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith, citing Kennedy's ability to reach across the political aisle despite his popular label as a poster-boy for liberalism and big government.

To the American public, Kennedy was best known as the last surviving son of America's most glamorous political family, father figure and, memorably, eulogist of an Irish-American clan plagued again and again by tragedy. But his career was forever marred by an accident at Chappaquiddick in 1969, when a car he was driving plunged off a bridge, killing a young woman.

Kennedy's death triggered an outpouring of superlatives from Democrats and Republicans as well as foreign leaders.

Vice President Joe Biden said he was "truly, truly distressed by his passing" and said that in the Senate, Kennedy had restored his "sense of idealism."

Sen. Orrin Hatch, the conservative Republican from Utah, called Kennedy "an iconic, larger than life United States Senator whose influence cannot be overstated."

Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., the longest-serving senator, said: "I had hoped and prayed that this day would never come. My heart and soul weeps at the lost of my best friend in the Senate, my beloved friend, Ted Kennedy."

Kennedy's family announced his death in a brief statement released early Wednesday.

"We've lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever," it said. "We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice, fairness and opportunity for all."

A few hours later, two vans left the famed Kennedy compound at Hyannis Port in pre-dawn darkness. Both bore hearse license plates - with the word "hearse" blacked out.

Several hundred miles away, flags few at half-staff at the U.S. Capitol, and Obama ordered the same at the White House and all federal buildings.

In his later years, Kennedy cut a barrel-chested profile, with a swath of white hair, a booming voice and a thick, widely imitated Boston accent. He coupled fist-pumping floor speeches with his well-honed Irish charm and formidable negotiating skills. He was both a passionate liberal and a clear-eyed pragmatist, willing to reach across the aisle.

He was first elected to the Senate in 1962, taking the seat that his brother John had occupied before winning the White House, and served longer than all but two senators in history.

CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric reports that an interview with former CBS News correspondent Roger Mudd, during which Kennedy waffled in response to a question on why he wanted to be president, probably damaged his chances of winning the Democratic nomination just as much as the Chappaquiddick fallout.

Kennedy - known to family, friends and foes simply as Ted - ended his quest for the presidency in 1980 with a stirring valedictory that echoed across the decades: "For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dream shall never die."

Kennedy was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor in May 2008 and underwent surgery and a grueling regimen of radiation and chemotherapy.

He made a surprise return to the Capitol last summer to cast the decisive vote for the Democrats on Medicare. He made sure he was there again last January to see his former Senate colleague Barack Obama sworn in as the nation's first black president, but suffered a seizure at a celebratory luncheon afterward.

He also made a surprise and forceful appearance at last summer's Democratic National Convention, where he spoke of his own illness and said health care was the cause of his life. His death occurred precisely one year later, almost to the hour.

He was away from the Senate for much of this year, leaving Republicans and Democrats to speculate about the impact what his absence meant for the fate of Obama's health care proposals.

Under state law, Kennedy's successor will be chosen by special election. In his last known public act, the senator urged Massachusetts state legislators to give Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick the power to name an interim replacement. But that appears unlikely, even though Patrick said Wednesday in radio interviews that he would sign such a bill if it reached his desk. The vacancy leaves Democrats in Washington with one less vote for at least the next several months as they struggle to pass Obama's health care legislation.

[robham777]

Once again I am amazed at the liberal's duality when it comes to morality.
Not to detract from the accomplishments of the late senator, but he represents everything that most liberals oppose. Due to his Kennedy surname he avoided penalties that would have excluded him from his role as a public servant. I have read so many post by democrats about the disparity between justice for the rich and the poor, that I can not help but point out the hypocrisy.

[NyStateisPoor]

Hypocrite dems are trying to steal the seat by quickly reversing the law THEY PASSED when it looked like Romney could appoint Kerrys replacement.

This is the most blatently transparent disgusting political move, playing on Kennedy's death, I have ever seen.

Of course, Kennedy suggested it when he knew he was about to croak.

[pepperwood2]

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy Loses Cancer Battle ..... This Great American Senator of All Time deserves to have as much press & media coverage as Michael Jackson. Let's not be quick to move on & write this Great Legend off.

[autumsky]

A Tribute to Edward M Kennedy

The Last of The Boys Of Camelot

The last of the boys of Camelot has passed on
Sailed beyond the sunset leaving a nation to carry on
In the marble walls of the Senate his spirit wanders there
And is we listen closely we may here him answer here!
The last of the mighty lions peacefully slipped into history
Following those before him in his family
The youngest of Rose's boy's is back home
United again and forever with his brothers Bobby and John

By Louise Riveiro - Mitchell

[maryjok]

toldyouso29
It would be easy to forgive the death of that young girl if he had confessed to his crime and gotten out of politics. The fact that he kept his fame and fortune is precisely what makes it unforgivable.
Even Catholics require repentance.

[noloyalisti]

The Edward Kenenedy Universal Health Care Bill. Now that has nice ring to it!

[xjug1987]

Joe Kennedy was a Boot Legging Law Breaker. He purchased high office for his sons in an effort to ?legitimize? his name. JFK to his credit was a war hero in WWII, but his premature death has placed an average president into ?legendary? status. Had he finished his first term I doubt we?d be talking about him. RFK was little more than JFK?s brother. Eddy however was essentially ?Scraps? in the family. All Kennedy?s are arrogant nothings. They live above the law and not a one of them knows and honest day?s work. JFK was a philanderer at the least, RFK too, Ed was at least a murderer, William Kennedy Smith a rapist, Joe Kennedy had a 12 year marriage annulled? With 4 children how do you get a marriage annulled? Patrick Kennedy is in and out of rehab, crashes cars and never pays the price. RFK Jr jets all over the globe in his private jet telling everyone else to stop polluting and crusades for Climate Change, don?t forget Michael Skakel RFK?s nephew who is in prison for life, for the murder of a young woman almost 40 yrs ago. Tell me his parents and those close to him, ?didn?t know??..the list goes on?. These people have escaped justice, never known correction or discipline and avoided responsibility their entire privileged lives. Poor Jackie that she involved herself with these people. The media hates the Bush?s, a true American Political Dynasty but loves the Kennedys? and one must ask why? The media stands for nothing but style over substance and that of course is the Kennedy legacy. (I?ll throw that other philandering, lying, thieving family that rules don?t apply too either, the Clintons?). Ed Kennedy?s legacy is Socialism and the Ruling Elite. We?re better than you and we?ll tell you what is best for you, and oh, the rules we make for you do not apply to us. He and his ilk have damaged our nation. His advocacy of ?Barry the Pious? may have caused the permanent destruction of what the people have made and God has blessed. He will not be missed. My prayer is for his soul and that he and his Maker reconciled prior to his passing. If not, then and only then would I weep for this man.

[suertebennani]

Three stars died these last weeks.
Mickael Jackson, who?s live, was a show from the first beginning to its non-end.
Farah Fawcett, who gave another definition of forgiveness, help people fight cancer, giving them hope, and losing at last, because of metastasis.
And Senator Kennedy. What an example of courage and political bravery, who was working right to the end. There are critics, specialy related to Jo's death. An accident.
As a public Icon, he?s got such a vision, what is good for America, and what is not; what is good for the world and what is not. What is good for Americans and what is not?And he was damned right! ( I mean for a liberal ).
Today almost everyone pay a tribute to this man, but a widespread comment is that he?s got no time on network and cable television to expose his political critics. If that is true, we live in such a wonderful world, are we ? mohammed suerte bennani. Surgeon and Author. http://www.suertebennani.com

[lrvalentine]

A Sad Goodbye

I did not know Mr. Ted Kennedy. I did not have the privilege of sailing with him on his boat or attending a party at the Kennedy Compound, we did not frequent the same restaurants, or attend the same school, and we were not even in the same social-economic circle. But the impact of the Kennedy Legacy is much more far-reaching; it goes beyond their social circle, beyond their social-economic status, the Kennedy?s Legacy is also American?s Legacy.

Many Kennedy?s did live to see gray-headiness, many were not able to fulfill their destiny, and many did not reach the great expectations that the world had for them. But Teddy did not die in his prime he was able to see his grandkids and fulfill many of his dreams. He lived to see the fire of the Kennedy?s Legacy with the determination and passion in the air. He lived to see the impact his brothers and changes his sisters pioneered. He lived to see that fire of change once again in the autumn of his life when everyone said, not here, not now, America is just not ready. Mr. Kennedy said why not? Right here, right now, and why not.

When the tides of change came knocking once again he embraced it even going against trusted friends and allies. Now a generation of Americans, Americans that did not come to the new world seeking worth or opportunity, but a generation of Americans brought to the new world on slave ships, a generations of Americans who always felt left-out, held back, always looking in the store windows being allowed to come in but after entering seeing that everything that they desired was far beyond their reach. The Kennedy?s also seemed to embrace change. Those Americans no longer feel left-out, or held back, or less than, now those Americans that were brought here are slave ships can say right here, right now, and why not.

My family has been in America since around 1700?s we were not worthy but a working-class family that knows the hardships and pains of poverty. It?s easy to see the problems that infest our society at the bottom. But Teddy grew up in a family of worth and it could have been very easy for the Kennedy?s to turn their heads to the problems that plagued America but they didn?t. The family looked at America?s problems and said we can change the fabric of American society and change it they did.

Now rest old lion a job well done. I don?t know what?s out there beyond the seas, I don?t know what?s out there beyond the skies, and I don?t know what?s out there beyond the sands of deserts. But I know that we all have a purpose and that there is a God who has a purpose for all things. Knowing your purpose takes time, research, and a lot of prays. I?m a person of faith and many people today may say how foolish but my response is why not. Everything has a purpose and he that purposed all things is God.

Rest old lion, it?s time to meet the Creator and he will judge you, we all have made mistakes there is not a perfect person among us but there was Jesus Christ the greatest man who ever lived who can compare to Jesus Christ? No One. But there are the Kennedy?s a family that tried to do what seem right when most people were content with the way society was. So meet your maker and brothers and sisters, Joe, Jack, Robert, Rosemary, Kathleen, Patricia, and Eunice. Well done old lion you lived to comb gray hairs and lived to see the autumn of your life. Now rest and meet your maker that destiny awaits us all rich, poor, Black, White.

Lisa
Los Angeles, CA

[clancy49]

The people that truly believe in God should be praying for the soul of Ted Kennedy, he will need all the help he can get.
The Lion is the reason America needs to wake up and put term limits on their representatives. Ted Kennedy was a boozer, adulterer beyond the limits of exceedance, druggie that introduced his own sons and nephews, notice the male testosterone, to the dark valleys of booze, drugs, and womanizing. Had a proper forensic investigation been conducted in Chappaquidik the world would have learned Mary Jo was not only pregnant, but most likely drowned in a swimming pool before her body was put in a car to look like she had drowned in the car. Seat belt on and not showing any struggle to get out? Fishy to say the least. And this Senator Kennedy is not the only one in DC to be guilty of such foul crimes. These acts of murder to cover up scandal occur regularly all the way up to the White House.
It is beyond reason that currently Americans are idolizing criminals, drug addicts, murderers, violent spouse abusers, and adulterers.
We just went through idol worship of a music star that knowingly indulged in illegal prescription drug abuse, who also may or may not have indulged in bizarre sexual practices including pedophilia. We worship sports stars that do drugs, beat wives, run dog fights, and of course beat people up when they feel like it. We set up for adoration the wealthy self serving self gratiating DC degenerates and forgive them their sins with justifications they cared for us. What nonsense is this? We worship the very criminals that rob and rape us as they indulge in corruptive degenerative practices. Pray for his soul, and pray this country will tear down the Golden Calf.

[xjug1987]

Amen!

[truth-b-toll]

GOP- GREEDY OL PARTY. SCUM ON DEMOCRACY.

[jsd330]

Like he's the only one who died of cancer today. Isn't it sad when anyone dies of cancer? And what about our troops dying in Iraq and Afghanistan today aren't they newsworthy? They are thrown into a body bag and forgotten except by their families. They have given more then Ted Kennedy ever did. But so called patriotic flag waving(Republicans & Democrats) forget all about them, and would rather argue over a dead senator.

[bajajohn1]

Eff the neocon Republiturds who populate this page. Full of hate and lies. This little animals worship at Satan's feet after they leave church on Sunday morn.

[searingtruth]

A life given to the service of others, thank you Senator Kennedy.
ST


"I will not believe our labors are lost. I shall not die without a hope that light and liberty are on a steady advance."
Thomas Jefferson, September 12, 1821

"Is it the Fourth?"
Thomas Jefferson, evening July 3; Jefferson died the next morning, July 4, 1826

A Future of the Brave

[lexern]

I think it went something like this.....

Mary Jo Kopechne - " Teddy, I think I'm pregnant "

Ted - " Mary Jo, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it "

[robham777]

One thing I can not understand is the duality which exists among the democratic party. How can you demonize and besmirch anyone who attains wealth and power in this country while you adulate someone that were it not for his status would have spent the last 40 years in prison.

[signseeker1717]

This man and his brothers dedicated their lives to public service. Oh, you think they were doing it for MONEY? Are any of YOU working for the betterment of your fellow citizens? The DREAM IS ALIVE. Kill it if you can.

[TheVarsityClub]

"If I were to get up one morning and walk across the Potomic River the headlines that afternoon would read; President can't swim.".......LBJ

I have been reading this thread throughout the day and I am stunned by the vicious retoric directed towards a man that you only knew through the press. No personal first hand accounts, private letters confessing sins, just information feed to you through the media. Some of you need to cut back on the Kool-aid.

"As the smoke from my manila cigar floats out and away, I am inclined to believe, perhaps the things that are most real are those created in the realm of make believe."...Hans Miller, Harvard University, Class of 1912

[searingtruth]

In memory of our most beloved Senator Kennedy, and hope for the generations that will succeed him.
ST


"Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience."
George Washington, The Rules of Civility, Circa 1748

A Future of the Brave

[AOCGUY]

You Sir are an idiot!

[AOCGUY]

CBS - you have got to fix this site. I apologize I was referring to platteman's post.

[searingtruth]

by AOCGUY August 26, 2009 10:30 PM EDT
"CBS - you have got to fix this site. I apologize I was referring to platteman's post."


Not to worry fellow citizen. I don't like the new threaded structure either because it isolates multiple conversations which are in truth one.
ST

"An elective despotism was not the government we fought for; but one in which the powers of government should be so divided and balanced among the several bodies of magistracy as that no one could transcend their legal limits without being effectually checked and restrained by the others."
James Madison, Federalist No. 58, 1788

A Future of the Brave

[platteman]

When you got your father's money from booze, you can buy just about anything.
Wonder if Mary Jo had any comments about his passing??