The man known as the conscience of the Democratic Party in the US, or simply "The Lion," has died. Senator Edward Kennedy was 77 years old.
It would be pointless to try to eulogize him extensively as so many will do so today so much more eloquently than I ever could. Suffice it to say he was the reason the dream of a truly just society in America is still alive. Democrats loved him, Republicans feared him, but it could never be said that anyone truly hated him -- the terrible Chappaquiddick incident notwithstanding. It's because of Kennedy the debate over health care has been kept alive all these years, and that Net Neutrality has become a common cause for those on both the left and the right.
While organizationally President Obama had a far superior campaign to that of now Secretary of State Hillary Clinton there can be no doubt it was the endorsements of Mr. Kennedy and his niece, Caroline, early in the primary season -- as well as Kennedy's seatmate John Kerry giving him access to Kerry's huge mailing list -- that ensured Obama would get the nomination. By doing so the torch had been passed from the baby boom to Generation X.
It is now up to Massachusetts voters to choose a replacement in a by-election that has to be held later this year. One can only hope and pray they will choose someone who tempers justice with mercy and believes the most lowly has the same rights as a person as privileged as Kennedy.
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