What Is Ted Kennedy Remembered For? A Look at the Initial News Reports

News broke early on Wednesday that Senator Ted Kennedy had died from a brain tumor. He was 77.

Since news organizations tend to be short-staffed overnight, it is particularly interesting to compare the prominent points that different sites highlighted in their initial depictions of Sen. Kennedy's life and career. Regardless of when Sen. Kennedy's death was publicized, his career begs questions that every reporter covering him must have considered.

Because the announcement came in the wee hours of the night, it's obvious that these editorial decisions were made well in advance. It was no secret that Sen. Kennedy's health was worsening, as he recently requested the appointment of an interim replacement to take over his seat in the Senate. Newspapers, blogs and news networks had fair warning and plenty of time to debate what the senator should be best remembered for. I have organized the sites into categories to show what the sources emphasized in their reports.

First and Foremost, He Was a Kennedy:

CNN: "Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy, the patriarch of the first family of Democratic politics, died Wednesday at his home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, after a lengthy battle with brain cancer. He was 77."

Fox News: "Sen. Edward Kennedy, the longtime, beloved lawmaker whose personal tragedies along with his professional triumphs and losses unfolded in the public eye, has died of brain cancer. He was 77."

Reuters: "Senator Edward Kennedy's death marks the twilight of one of America's most fabled political families, with no heirs to the Kennedy name poised to emerge with the same mix of gravitas, ambition and celebrity."

McClatchy: "U.S. Sen. Edward Moore Kennedy, the last of the Kennedy brothers who profoundly reshaped American politics over the past half-century, died shortly before midnight Tuesday at his home in Hyannisport, Mass."

He Grew Out of the Kennedy Shell:

Politico: "Edward Moore Kennedy, Camelot's youngest brother who never reached the White House but grew into the most accomplished legislator of his generation in the Senate, died Tuesday after a long battle with cancer."

New York Times: "Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, a son of one of the most storied families in American politics, a man who knew triumph and tragedy in near-equal measure and who will be remembered as one of the most effective lawmakers in the history of the Senate, died Tuesday night. He was 77 ."

USA Today: "Sen. Edward Kennedy, who began his public life as the prodigal son of a political dynasty and ended as its respected patriarch, died late Tuesday at his home in Hyannis Port, Mass. He was 77 and had been battling brain cancer."

Boston Globe: "Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who carried aloft the torch of a Massachusetts dynasty and championed a liberal ideology during almost a half century in the Senate, but whose personal and political failings may have prevented him from realizing the ultimate prize of the presidency, died Tuesday night at his home in Hyannis Port. He was 77 and had been battling brain cancer."

Los Angeles Times: "Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, the Massachusetts Democrat and icon of American liberal politics who was the last surviving brother of a legendary political family, died Tuesday. He was 77."

CBS News (via AP): "Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, the liberal lion of the Senate and haunted bearer of the Camelot torch after two of his brothers fell to assassins' bullets, died late Tuesday after battling a brain tumor. He was 77."

Washington Post: "Edward M. Kennedy, one of the most powerful and influential senators in American history and one of three brothers whose political triumphs and personal tragedies captivated the nation for decades, died at 77."

He Was a Noteworthy Senator in His Own Right:

Wall Street Journal: "Sen. Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy, a liberal icon and frequent Republican target who was one of the longest-serving and most accomplished lawmakers of the modern era, has died at age 77."

MSNBC: "Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, the liberal lion of the Senate, has died after battling a brain tumor. He was 77. "

Huffington Post: "Legendary Senator Ted Kennedy has died at age 77, losing his battle to brain cancer. In May 2008 doctors diagnosed Kennedy, one of the most influential and longest-serving senators in U.S. history, with a malignant brain tumor."

ABC News: "Sen. Ted Kennedy died shortly before midnight Tuesday at his home in Hyannis Port, Mass., at age 77. The man known as the "liberal lion of the Senate" had fought a more than year-long battle with brain cancer, and according to his son had lived longer with the disease than his doctors expected him to."

NPR: "Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts -- the scion of an American political dynasty who became an iconic liberal legislator -- died Tuesday night of complications related to a cancerous brain tumor."

Bloomberg: "Senator Edward Kennedy, whose life was marked by triumph and tragedy as he evolved from a dubious choice for high office into one of the most influential senators in U.S. history, has died. He was 77."

Time Magazine: "Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, the liberal lion of the Senate, has died after battling a brain tumor. He was 77. "

What part of Senator Ted Kennedy's life will you remember?

Comments

[cardineau]

I am a Kennedy fan ... have always been. He was one of the very few people in Washington that I respected and felt was doing his honest best for the people of this country. Lets hope one of the Kennedy children will take up this fallen torch.

[toggan]

My mother died of cancer a few years ago. I recall her avid interest in politics and her love of the Kennedy legacy which included John, Bobby and Edward. To not know what was going on in D.C. was not an option in my home. She always said "You have to watch what goes on in D.C. because what happens in D.C. will affect your life." As an adult and watcher of CSPAN, I have often seen Ted Kennedy roar into the microphone when anyone dared discussion of reduced funding in an Education or Healthcare program. I would think: "Wow...he's really angry." Ted Kennedy would step up to the mike in the Senate with his nostrils flaring and passionately argue why any proposed, negative legislation should be voted down. He was a lion. I came to admire and respect him very much. It's as if I have lost a member of my family in a way. He will be missed, indeed. May he Rest in Peace.

[Sandy972]

Name one person in the Senate now who compares to Ted Kennedy and what he did for the American people. No matter whether you like the Kennedys are not, most of them have followed in a path of dedication to what is right instead of what is wrong. I hope some of the children will pick up where he left off, they do have that gift.

[ldelp84227]

The Kennedy family has been through more good times and certainly more difficult times than most families. I didn't care for Ted Kennedy in his early years, but he did step up to the plate when his family needed him. As for the country he did work on many good projects for the people.

I read an article Senator Kennedy wrote some time around 2001 that our products, cosmetics, etc. are more dangerous than tobacco. That hit home with me since I was trying to get someone to do something for people with my illness chemical intolerance. It is a shame nothing was ever accomplished to make our products safer. I know he wanted more for the people without health insurance.

I am sure as his time came closer in the end that there was more he wish he could have done. It would be nice if our leaders could come together and stop acting so foolish and do something for the suffering. All this anger has just made me weaker knowing my life will not get better until our leaders can start acting like leaders and stop the greed and bickering. There are others in gov't that are ill and as the ends approches I am sure it can be a scary thought when it is time to meet their maker.

All we can do is pray for the family and our country. Linda

[Mark D]

As someone just 38, most of my impressions of Sen. Kennedy revolve around three things:

1. His fight for health care -- I've had two back surgeries, and my wife had to cash out her 401(k) to pay for all our bills. And we have insurance. His commitment to getting the system fixed may not have been successful in his lifetime, yet he understood what most Americans experience, something too rare nowadays.

2. His Iraq War vote -- Despite the fear mongering, the personal attacks, the cries of "traitor!" from the rabid right, the bloodlust ... he stood up for truth. Not some distortion, but reality: Iraq wasn't a threat, would cost us dearly, and distract us from combating terrorism. If only more had the same sense.

3. His actions to help those at the economic bottom -- For someone who never had to worry about money, housing, or being treated as an equal to worry about those who did, says an incredible amount about hm. If everyone who comes from such circumstances had the same realization and desire to help others, this nation would be a much better place.

What I find most tragic about this whole thing is that there simply isn't anyone in the Senate with the combination of truly progressive ideals and ability to get things done that he had. Without someone like that, our politics seem destined to continue down their current path--where "bipartisanship" means "giving Republicans everything they want."

You'll be missed, Sen. Kennedy.

[BeachBubbaTex]

Nice post... fanned

[sb250guy]

I know many 'red state' folks are not really sad about this (some, even jubilant), but I really hoped he would be around a little bit longer. I'm from Massachusetts. Even if you disagreed with his views, you must understand that he always viewed his work as a duty to 'the people'. It is a rare thing. Bushes and Kennedys are both priveleged families but their histories are sooooo different. Ted was a true American and patriot (founding fathers type). What a loss!

[CJGibson]

How will I remember Senator Kennedy? With robust Health Care Reform.

[pamelalyn]

Senator Ted Kennedy will be remembered in many different ways by many different people. For me, he will be remembered as a larger than life personality, a man who made horrible mistakes, overcame unimaginable tragedy, and achieved tremendous accomplishments. His was a life of failure and redemption. In the end, it was an all too human but extraordinary life that reflected the best of what we can all become and achieve when we devote ourselves to what really matters.

[octafish]

Very eloquently put.

[JerseyGirl4Obama]

Fanned for your eloquent statement.

[DougNTexas]

RIP Senator Kennedy. He was a man for all seasons. We will miss him in the years to come. His work for the poor and the working man lives on.
#DoItForTeddy
Pass this Health Care Bill asap with a public oprion.

[zanzig]

Yes, as others have said, all of it. His life and that of his brothers and some of his sisters have loomed large in my life for all the years I can remember. My world political knowledge was gleaned from John Kennedy's assassination and then Robert's, heard in Brunei, thousands of miles away. I admired greatly the family that continued to stand up and serve the public despite those 2 tragedies, and the later tragedies of the deaths of young John and his wife. I admired this Senator who stood tall and brave and despite the knowledge that it was fellow citizens who killed his brothers, continued to work for the betterment of those fellow citizens. A Colossus of Rhodes, indeed.

[Eclectic Radical]

I'll remember, first and foremost, that whatever his personal failings he was possessed of one of the clearest and strongest public consciences in American politics. When it came to law and policy, he unflinchingly did what was best for the American people as he saw it. While never allowing the perfect to be the enemy of the good, he constantly strove for the best the good could possibly be.

Despite being the favorite target of Republican columnists, talking heads, and radio voices for more than a decade he was never afraid to reach across party lines to Republicans on key issues when he genuinely believed it was the right thing to do.

[Donald]

HuffPost's Pick

The self-deprecating Edward Kennedy was often the first to admit that he began his career in the U.S. Senate as a pampered political dilletante and the object of no small amount of scorn and derision. He worked hard to successfully overcome that initial public impression.

One story I heard him tell, while speaking a decade ago to visiting students from the University of Hawaii, concerned his first campaign for the Senate in 1962 at age 29, when he was taken aback at a rally by a Boston working-class stiff who boldly challenged him for having "never worked a day in your life." When Kennedy sheepishly admitted that it was true that he had never held a real job, the man answered light-heartedly to great laughter, "That's okay, kid - you really ain't missed very much."

We are most certainly a better nation today because of Sen. Kennedy, and tonight I can't really mourn what was obviously his inevitable passing. Rather, I prefer to stand in silent awe of a great and good man who attained his true moral stature in the face of great adversity. May he go to his eternal rest with the quiet satisfaction of knowing that the only real job he held in his lifetime was one that very few, if any, have ever done better.

[RepugsOut08]

Thank you. Loved the anecdote. :)

We have lost the man, but not the man's ideals. Medicare for All!
God speed Senator Kennedy.
We WILL see the signing of the Kennedy Universal Health Care Program into law.
We owe it to you for all you've done for us.

[writerjohnny]

Thanks for the story. I needed a good chuckle and some good old Boston working class humor was just the ticket.

[JerseyGirl4Obama]

Thank you for your lovely post and story.

[irishgawdess]

"What part of Senator Ted Kennedy's life will you remember?"

His never-ending support and work towards social justice in America.

[dct1999]

Well said.

[ladycubsfan]

I remember all of it, the good and the bad. There was much more good than bad. He admitted to, and expressed deep regret for, his shortcomings, which made him...NOT a Republican, NEVER a Republican. The speech he gave after Bobby's assassination (yes, let's call it what it was) was awe-inspiring. I could never have done that, after losing a sibling.
If we don't pass health care reform with a robust public option (in Senator Kennedy's honor), it will be to our great shame...and we'll deserve every health care horror story that comes. Let me rephrase that, the ones who stand in the way of passing reform will deserve that punishment. Unfortunately, innocent people will most likely suffer, not those who obstruct.