Why The Kennedy Eulogies Struck the Right Tone

The eulogies this past weekend for Senator Ted Kennedy provided the late senator a wonderful send-off, presenting him as both passionate partisan and powerful conciliator, a send-off that would undoubtedly have pleased him. Undoubtedly, in that he planned most of the proceedings himself.

While he didn't write his eulogists' speeches for them, he couldn't help but have a very good idea of what they would say. And what they presented was a picture of a man who was a staunch Democrat, "the soul of the Democratic Party," as President Barack Obama put it, a most imperfect man who was nonetheless a great man of family, and a man of the Senate. Or, perhaps more accurately, a man of the old Senate.

President Barack Obama's complete eulogy for Ted Kennedy.

Kennedy came to the Senate as a very young man of 30, in 1962. He remained there until his death last week, a span of some 47 years in which this last of the fabled Kennedy brothers was expected to seek and probably win the presidency, yet nonetheless was most at home where he was.

His brothers, John and Robert, saw the Senate as a high-profile way station, a platform from which to mount powerful bids for the ultimate in national executive power. Ted Kennedy, a more collegial personality as most who were the youngest children in their families usually are, found it to be not only a platform for raising and promoting one's national profile, but also a forum in which national policy was there to be forged.

Gary Hart, who I first met in 1978, was elected to the Senate in 1974. I remember him describing the Senate he entered -- as distinguished from the Senate of the 1980s, already becoming a harsher and more hyperpartisan place -- as one of a certain collegiality and gentlemanliness, with a measured pace, a place in which one could fight strong partisan battles and yet have reasonable discussions with one's foes.

That was in part due to the tradition of the place -- who here can still remember when the Senate was known as "the world's greatest deliberative body?" -- and in part to the ways of its leader.

Vice President Joe Biden remembered Ted Kennedy during the wake at the John F. Kennedy Library.

Montana Senator Mike Mansfield, almost certainly the only major Democratic politician ever to have served in the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, and an early critic of the Vietnam War, was Senate majority leader from 1961 to 1977, the longest tenure in the Senate's history. He welcomed the freshman Hart, as he had the freshman Joe Biden, and the freshman Ted Kennedy before him, and put them all to work.

Kennedy found his political home in this environment. More the doctrinaire liberal than either John or Robert Kennedy, he spoke passionately and fought strongly for the partisan causes that came to define the Democratic Party.

But he focused not only on the fight, but on the result, keeping lines of communication to Republicans open and compromising to find the deal when he felt that the fight was becoming for naught. As a result, Ted Kennedy made a large and lasting imprint on the fabric of America.

From his perch on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which he once chaired and where he served longer than anyone else in history, he shaped the judicial system. Through his chairmanship of Senate committees on labor, education, and health issues, and through sheer assertiveness, determination, and skill as a sort of senator at large, Kennedy played a critical role in developing education, housing, and health care opportunities, advancing the civil rights of women, minorities, gays, immigrants, and the disabled, and promoting human rights and arms control while opposing unwise intervention around the world.

Through it all, he developed many lasting relationships with colleagues.

Last Saturday, you may have seen the white-haired man in the wheelchair, waving his little American flag and crying as he waited in the sun at the U.S. Capitol for the last Kennedy motorcade to arrive for a final farewell before moving on to Arlington.

That was 91-year old Robert Byrd, a one-time Klansman from West Virginia, who at first had little in common with Ted Kennedy. That was especially so when he ran against Kennedy and unseated him as Senate majority whip, a post Kennedy held from 1969 to 1971.

Byrd remains in the Senate, and is its president pro tem, having earlier succeeded Mansfield as Senate majority leader. Only Byrd and South Carolina's Strom Thurmond have served longer in the Senate than Ted Kennedy.

John McCain, Kennedy's frequent antagonist and not infrequent ally, remembered his friend.

They had little in common, the staunch segregationist and the civil rights champion and clashed repeatedly, but Kennedy kept the lines of communication open and forged an alliance and a lasting friendship.

That's what Joe Biden, also a man of the old Senate, was getting at in both his tearful reaction last week to Kennedy's death and his speech at Friday night's wake for Ted Kennedy at the John F. Kennedy Library.

It wasn't that Kennedy was a soft touch. He played the hardest of hardball at times, setting in motion the downfall of Richard Nixon -- some observers say Kennedy came to regret not cutting a national health care deal with Nixon -- by engineering the appointment of his close associate Archibald Cox as Watergate special prosecutor and spearheading the defeat of hard right jurist Robert Bork's nomination for the Supreme Court.

But he used, in geopolitical parlance, hard power and soft power in order to achieve his aims.

As Obama, who might well not have become president had Kennedy not come out so strongly for him in the primaries, put it in his well-crafted eulogy at Mission Church in Boston:

We can still hear his voice bellowing through the Senate chamber, face reddened, fist pounding the podium, a veritable force of nature, in support of health care or workers' rights or civil rights. And yet, while his causes became deeply personal, his disagreements never did. While he was seen by his fiercest critics as a partisan lightning rod, that is not the prism through which Ted Kennedy saw the world, nor was it the prism through which his colleagues saw him. He was a product of an age when the joy and nobility of politics prevented differences of party and philosophy from becoming barriers to cooperation and mutual respect - a time when adversaries still saw each other as patriots.

And that's how Ted Kennedy became the greatest legislator of our time. He did it by hewing to principle, but also by seeking compromise and common cause - not through deal-making and horse-trading alone, but through friendship, and kindness, and humor.

The other eulogies, at both the wake and the funeral, were quite something as well. Among them ... Biden, of course, a very young 66-year old, describing himself as a kid brother to Kennedy.

John McCain, the frequent fierce foe and sometime fervent ally.

Old Harvard and Senate pal John Culver, presenting the most amusingly awful yet enjoyable of sailing races.

Ted Kennedy, Jr., joined by his brother, Congressman Patrick Kennedy, gave perhaps the most moving of eulogies to his father.

Massachusetts colleague John Kerry, whom Kennedy helped propel to the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004, on his constant need to scale up to Kennedy's achievements.

Son Ted, Jr., for whom I helped advance an event during his father's presidential campaign at which the then teenager already showed flashes of the great speaking ability on display at his father's funeral, movingly describing how his father helped him learn he really could make his way even after losing a leg to cancer at the age of 12.

Ted Kennedy was a quite imperfect man, as we all know, yet did amazing things in his professional, private, and family lives. He was a man whose life was forged in a different time yet continued to be a force in this time.

But he had the advantage of already being well-established and, yes, a Kennedy, in his case, the Kennedy.

The meta-message of the Kennedy eulogies, which were very well received, is that it's best to be both a passionate partisan and a powerful conciliator.

We've already seen the absence of Kennedy's force and focus in this year's dispirited and bizarre "debate" over health care reform, which eulogists were wise not to focus on particularly in favor of celebrating the man and his method.

But is it possible now to promote both principled partisanship and reasoned conciliation (by which I do not mean simply splitting the difference in a simulacrum of centrism)?

We live in a moment of hyperpartisan politics and hyperactive media, in which nuance and rational debate are usually among the first casualties. These things militate against what the Kennedy eulogies celebrated.

Whether or not the qualities on display in so much of Ted Kennedy's life can now be applied to the public arena may be the central question with regard to political progress in this country.

You can check things during the day on my site, New West Notes ... www.newwestnotes.com.

 

Comments

[Jesster]

While the Dem's did play un-Senatorial-like (given the time) but principled "hardball" on the Robert Bork Supreme Court nomination - they were right and at least delayed the onset of a Court that does not believe that the Constitution is a "living" document which means they think that it is dead. Worse, they believe it was set in stone almost 250 years ago - when most of our modern life/reality was virtually inconceivable...

Sigh, but we have finally achieved a close proximity to that envisioned Supreme Court - with people who share Bork's views - but now know how to package them better for public consumption...

But, if indeed this era (ongoing reality) of uncivilized, meanspirited, UNPRINCIPLED, and dishonest displays/discourse manage to pass for honest and legitimate debate is TRULY all because of the way Dems treated Bork - then we really are doomed: because that means that petty, immature, foolish and pathetic people are making vitally important decisions that effect all of us...

[William Bradley - Huffpost Blogger]

Oh, the Bork business is just an excuse.

In any event, the truly vicious and false attacks go back far beyond Bork.

All you have to do is look at the attacks from the far right on Kennedy's brothers.

[LizM]

"All you have to do is look at the attacks from the far right on Kennedy's brothers."

That's what I call hitting the nail squarely on the head, so to speak. But, I don't think most people will ever be ready to entertain thoughts about what that means.

[catik]

William Bradley, I differ. What better place than a eulogy for a wondrous line?

[William Bradley - Huffpost Blogger]

I'm not sure we differ. I explained why I did not cite that particular line in my essay, which is not a eulogy.

[William Bradley - Huffpost Blogger]

Not unlike,say, Mad Men, my latest review of which is accessible by clicking on my name ...

>Damn if this conversation between the likes of you two isn't like a fine mystery novella.

...just sayin'....;-)

[mikefina]

Mr. Bradley, I am generally inclined to agree with your observations re: the eulogies for Senator Kennedy, and your more specific post-mortem of his Senate career. I do however think that you glossed over the pernicious effect the Senator had on collegiality and more notionally "the deliberative body" motif. You gave too little attention to his grotesque tirade at the time of the Bork nomination.

It is fair and fine to agree with the Senator that Bork was too conservative. Perhaps he was. But the confirmation process and the public discourse that has followed from his "back-alley abortion" speech has been detrimental to the National interest and certainly to collegial-harmony in the Senate.

Thanks for your thoughtful post.

[Winning09]

Keeping fringe right Robert Bork off the U.S. Supreme Court was a BAD thing?

Oh, I don't think so ...

[mikefina]

At issue was HOW he 'kept...Bork, off the U.S. Supreme Court'. Your answer offers little to address the central argument of my post.

[William Bradley - Huffpost Blogger]

I believe I went through all that in the piece.

[mikefina]

I reread your piece. I stand by my compliments of it, and my one minor critique. Here is the entirety of your treatment of the Bork hearing:

>>He played the hardest of hardball at times...sp­earheading the defeat of hard right jurist Robert Bork's nomination for the Supreme Court.

I conceded that Bork is too right for most tastes. It doesn't matter that he didn't get confirmed, except that it has poisioned the nomination hearings for the S. Court and all lesser appointed offices. My argument was that the heavy handed and divisive manner in which he dispatched him was emblamatic of the lack of collegiality you tout as his great asset--and a great loss to the Senate.

[Winning09]

This quote from Obama really lays it all out...

>>>> We can still hear his voice bellowing through the Senate chamber, face reddened, fist pounding the podium, a veritable force of nature, in support of health care or workers' rights or civil rights. And yet, while his causes became deeply personal, his disagreements never did. While he was seen by his fiercest critics as a partisan lightning rod, that is not the prism through which Ted Kennedy saw the world, nor was it the prism through which his colleagues saw him. He was a product of an age when the joy and nobility of politics prevented differences of party and philosophy from becoming barriers to cooperation and mutual respect - a time when adversaries still saw each other as patriots.
And that's how Ted Kennedy became the greatest legislator of our time. He did it by hewing to principle, but also by seeking compromise and common cause - not through deal-making and horse-trading alone, but through friendship, and kindness, and humor.

[Winning09]

Teddy Kennedy Jr.'s speech is better than anybody but Obama's! He's great.

Why didn't he run for office instead of his brother? I mean, Patrick Kennedy is good, but Ted, Jr. is great.

[William Bradley - Huffpost Blogger]

I don't know why he didn't run for office? Too sensible, I suppose ...

[Winning09]

lol

[Winning09]

McCain, McCain, McCain, I don't quite know what to make of McCain.

I like his speech here.

But he was so unprincipled in so much of his campaign last year...

[Winning09]

I like Biden and his speech. He's a mensch.

How long did he know Kennedy?

[CTtransplant]

About 36 years or so.

[William Bradley - Huffpost Blogger]

Biden was elected in 1972, with Kennedy's help. Kennedy pushed him to take his Senate seat after the terrible car crash hit Biden's family. Probably at least 38 years.

[Winning09]

All I can say is wow. That is a long time to know someone.

[Winning09]

Obama's speech is very good. He hit the high points about Teddy K. But he didn't do the superstar bit that would have overshadowed the family.

[Winning09]

Teddy Kennedy was the real deal.

The eulogies explain why.

[William50]

I disagree. This man was the focal point of what is wrong in American politics and government.
His narrow views that did not allow for the need to change as America changed is as bad as the system in RUSSA.
This man, is and should be looked at as a huinderance to where America could have been.

[jhm1953]

You're certaintly entitled to your opinion, but upon close examination of Kennedy's record in the Senate, he was nothing but a great man who contributed greatly to the welfare of hsi fellow citizens and people all over the world. He represented the best of what this country could and should be. What a sad and closed minded commentary you present.

[nk007]

I am sorry to say but your diatribe against Senator Kennedy has absolutely no basis in reality. Senator Kennedy was all about changing the United States to make it a more a just and caring nation, especially for the people that were discriminated against. By the way, It may be worthwhile for you to do some spell check before you post your comments.

[Winning09]

Kennedy made America as bad as "RUSSA?" You mean Russia? Good Lord, man, get a grip on reality, whydoncha?!

[William Bradley - Huffpost Blogger]

Kennedy was a hindrance to where America could have been under Rush Limbaugh is what I think you're trying to say ...

[Winning09]

ROTFL

[PWM]

So Kennedy prevented the US from changing?

[William Bradley - Huffpost Blogger]

And from changing into what?

[Giordano Bruno]

What an insightful commentary Mr. Bradley. I found this past week to be a cathartic experience, and it reminded us of what we have lost: civility. Teddy was not only a great orator, but he did not waiver on principle as son Teddy alluded to. We were not really ready for him to go. And I wonder if we shall ever again return to the kind of Senate that Mr. Bradley describes. Harry Reid is no Mike Mansfield. And Joe Biden, Bill Bradley (the ex Knickerbocker), Gary Hart, George McGovern, Walter Mondale and Teddy have moved on. Their successors are a hardly an adequate substitute. What remains are a bunch of pandering pansies without backbone, no guiding principles, and apparently no shame. Giordy

[William Bradley - Huffpost Blogger]

Once upon a time, being a United States Senator was the best office to hold.

I still think of Joe Biden as Senator Joe Biden, even though practically every day on New West Notes I recount what he's doing publicly as vice president of the United States.

Do you have a link to that speech or text for it?

[FebM]

Ted inspired poetry from those who eulogized him, as Obama put it

"the image of a man on a boat; white mane tousled; smiling broadly as he sails into the wind, ready for what storms may come, carrying on toward some new and wondrous place just beyond the horizon".

It sounds like a line from an 1850 writing when scholars took pride in the beauty of words.

[CTtransplant]

I really liked that line - stuck with me.

[William Bradley - Huffpost Blogger]

It's a wonderful line, which I thought was a bit too wonderful for this particular piece.

[LizM]

I thought I had links for both - but they are no longer accessible. I'm distressed...and won't be going to bed until I find them again. :(

I still think of Joe Biden as Senator Biden, too...and I miss him. I lost a trusted source of information ( particularly on foreign policy) the day he became Vice President. And, the way most of the press and blogosphere have been treating him, that situation is not likely to change.

[LizM]

Forget the text...here is the video, courtesty of C-SPAN

http://www.c-span.org/Watch/Media/2009/01/15/HP/A/14358/VPElect+Joseph+Biden+Senate+Farewell+Speech.aspx

[William Bradley - Huffpost Blogger]

Er, that Biden Farewell to the Senate speech is an hour and seven minutes long.

Biden's never been an Oscar Wilde man ...

[nk007]

Mr Bradley,
Thanks for your inspired and thoughtful words regarding Senator Kennedy. I loved Teddy Jr.'s touching words about the inspiration he received from his father. I don't care how much the right wingers tried to demonize the Senator, in the end his deeds simply overwhelmed their lies. I really value your posts at Huffington Post.

[William Bradley - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you for the very kind words.

[LizM]

In the absence of the likes of Hagel, Warner, Biden and, now Kennedy, I think we can safely say that the old Senate is gone...at least, for now. Though, I believe that it is possible to get it back to being the world’s greatest deliberative body and a place where principled partisanship and reasoned conciliation coexist as its hallmarks, once again. Political progress on a number of critical issues, as you say, depends on it.

But, present-day senators are going to have to find a way to rise above the hyperpartisan politics and hyperactive media that so many of them now fall prey to. And, the electorate will have to start recognizing and rewarding those qualities of leadership that will make this change in the Senate possible.

By the way...as I was reading this, I couldn’t help but be reminded of Vice President Biden’s ‘farewell to the Senate’ speech...speech is not the right word, but you know what I mean.

Biden painted a poignant picture of the ‘old Senate’ and he skillfully laid out the path that they could all take to move the Senate to a better place. He guided everyone through a brief history of the senate he knew and loved so well and, then, softly urged them to consider how they will be remembered long after they have left their marks. It was very powerful stuff and I can only hope that it found some resonance among those senators in attendance.

[nk007]

LizM:

I think you may be right about the old senate. There are still some good people there, but they are being terrorized by the "know nothing" demagogues like Sens. Inhoffe, DeMintt and Kyle.

[LizM]

The mid-term elections should be interesting in how they may affect the current dynamic in the senate.