Via Ben Smith:

It has taken all day for me to even begin to process the loss of Senator Ted Kennedy. I was lucky to be able to see “the Lion” in-person on a number of occasions and those memories and images have been buzzing through my mind all day.

I have a vivid memory of watching Teddy during the 2002 “Fighting for Families” bus tour in support of gubernatorial candidate Shannon O’Brien and Sen. John Kerry as he gave an impromptu and rousing speech to striking labor workers somewhere in western Massachusetts. I recall that his speech began in a low whisper and the crowd quieted to hear his words. As he continued to talk about the plight of the union members and the need for fair working conditions, it was if someone suddenly hit a switch and his voice became loud, animated and it rang throughout the crowd. On that occasion and a number of future encounters, I remember closing my eyes while Teddy spoke so I could just listen to his voice and that all-too-familiar Kennedy accent. The voice alone carried with it such a rich and important piece of the American experience.

Sadly, Teddy was forced to give many eulogies throughout his life and some remain among his most famous speeches. I have spent time today searching through them and I thought there would be no better way to eulogize him then to simply let the words that he offered when people needed to be comforted and given strength speak for themselves.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Rose Kennedy (Ted’s mother)

Part One

Part Two

Part Three


Robert F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy, Jr.

“We dared to think, in that other Irish phrase, that this John Kennedy would live to comb gray hair, with his beloved Carolyn by his side. But like his father, he had every gift but length of years. We who have loved him from the day he was born, and watched the remarkable man he became, now bid him farewell.”

Here are some pretty amazing photos of Teddy Kennedy through the years. Via Time.com.

Some of my favorites:

Time.com.

Late last night, America lost Sen. Edward Moore Kennedy.

I hardly ever wake up during the night, but last night I woke up at about 2:30am and read the news on my Blackberry. I couldn’t get back to sleep – my head was reeling with personal memories, as well as the sheer impact that Sen. Kennedy’s loss will have on the country and the world.

However, at about 3:30am, I slowly drifted back to sleep, contemplating Teddy Kennedy’s epic role in American society and picturing the scene up in Hyannis Port, his family gathered around him, saying their final goodbyes. Then, I began to think past the earth…

Whether you believe in heaven or not, there is something really comforting about the thought of Teddy, Jack and Bobby sitting on a cloud, carefree, somewhere in the heavens, sipping on a cold summer drink. Those three have a lot to catch up on…

Rest in peace, Teddy Kennedy.

Here are some of my favorite Kennedy moments via YouTube:

Ted Kennedy Returns to the Senate Floor, July 9, 2008:

Democratic National Convention, August, 2008:

Ted Kennedy Endorses Barack Obama, January 28, 2008:

Ted Kennedy introduces John Kerry during Iowa Caucuses in January, 2004:

Ted Kennedy victory speech in November, 1994:

The Dream Will Never Die, Democratic National Convention, 1980:

More: Associated Press – Kennedy: Always in the public spotlight

Big news out of Congress today:

Tens of thousands of Americans, from teenagers to baby boomers, soon will get a fresh chance to lend a helping hand in a time of need.

The House voted 275-149 Tuesday for a $5.7 billion bill that triples positions in the Clinton-era AmeriCorps program, its largest expansion since the agency’s creation in 1993, and establishes a fund to help nonprofit organizations recruit and manage more volunteers.

Congress was sending the bill to President Barack Obama, who often cites his years as a Chicago community organizer for giving him his political start. Obama has made national service programs a high priority. His budget proposal calls for more than $1.1 billion for the programs, an increase of more than $210 million.

The president, who began an eight-day European trip Tuesday, plans to sign the measure when he returns to Washington.

“I call on all Americans to stand up and do what they can to serve their communities, shape our history and enrich both their own lives and the lives of others across this country,” Obama said in a statement.

With the nation plunging deeper into a recession, Obama and backers of the effort see it as a way to channel a rising desire among Americans to help their neighbors.

“History has … shown that in time of crisis, Americans turn to service and volunteering for healing, for rebuilding and for hope. The spirit of generosity in the American people is one of the greatest assets of our nation,” Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, said during debate on the bill.

MORE…

VIDEO – Rep. George Miller (D-CA) discussing this legislation:

What a moment…

This is great…

“Well, he wasn’t just for gay rights, he was more for gay rights than Ted Kennedy,” said Carlson facetiously. “He was basically gay.”

-MSNBC TV host Tucker Carlson on Willard Mitt Romney’s position(s) on gay rights

The former Governor of Massachusetts has officially announced that he will seek the Republican nomination for President of the United States of America. Romney was, for the most part a failed Governor, having little accomplishments to point to. He did not seek a second term as Governor, because, well, he would have lost to this guy. Oh yeah, he’s also a liberal Democrat. UPDATE: Not that there is anything wrong with that.

‘If you get involved in a major ground war in the Saudi desert, I think support will erode significantly. Nor should it be supported. We cannot even contemplate, in my view, trading American blood for Iraqi blood.” {New York Times Aug 19, 1990}

Dennis Kucinich? Al Sharpton? Ted Kennedy? Nope!

John McCain said this in 1990.

John McCain: “Against the war…before he was for it.”

HT: Cliff Schecter