KSigkid |
08-26-2009 09:17 AM |
I'm usually not someone who reacts to celebrity deaths. I will say, though that I saw this on the news this morning and felt some sadness.
Senator Kennedy worked extremely hard for Massachusetts, and I can't say enough good things about his work on behalf of the Commonwealth. We talk a lot about how a Congressman is supposed to represent his constitutents - I think Senator Kennedy did that better than anyone. The Commonwealth will miss him dearly...I just hope for the citizens of Massachusetts that they get an effective advocate in the Senate sometime in the near future. Even as a Republican, I gave no second thought to voting for him when I was living in the Commonwealth.
My wife and I, by virtue of our respective jobs, got to deal with Senator Kennedy's office quite a bit. We were always impressed by the professionalism, honesty and accountability in the office. Even if he didn't personally agree with a position, he was willing to compromise if he thought that the proposal was in the best interests of the people. I think especially of the close relationship that he had with Governor Romney; they disagreed on many issues, but they had a lot of respect and admiration for each other, and on big projects (like the MA healthcare reform), they worked together to accomplish big goals. We talk about reaching across the aisle as some sort of cliche, but Senator Kennedy actually did it.
By virtue of growing up in New England, attending college in Boston for 4years and living in Boston for 3 years afterward. I got to know a great many people who had worked for Senator Kennedy, at all levels. To a person, they spoke very highly of him. He expected a lot out of his staff, but he also was more than willing to help them out with their careers if they had proven themselves in his office. I can't even begin to count the number of stories I heard of the Senator, displaying kindness towards current and former staffers.
I think, even with someone as public as Senator Kennedy, it's tough for people outside Massachusetts to understand just how much he (and the Kennedy family, to this day) meant to the Commonwealth. You go to Boston, the Cape, Martha's Vineyard...the Kennedy thumbprint is everywhere. I only lived in the Commonwealth for 7 years, so I don't think I'm the best person to speak on that issue (someone like nme525 would be better). But there's still something about the Kennedy name that holds power in Boston, and around the Commonwealth. I have to say that my opinion of him changed quite a bit in the time I lived in Boston, and by the time I left, I had an immense respect for him.
I think if you'd asked Joe Kennedy if he thought his sons would make an impact on the country, he would have said "Yes," without a moment's pause. But, if you'd told him that Ted Kennedy would make the biggest impact of them all, I don't think he would have believed you.
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