Townsend: Many Can Carry on Ted's Legacy
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.
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."