Emotional VP Biden Mourns Loss of His “Anchor,” Ted Kennedy
Email ABC News' Sunlen Miller reports: An emotional Vice President Biden, today mourned the loss of Sen. Ted Kennedy – calling the late Senator his “friend” and “anchor” – at times wiping away tears in his eyes and pausing for moments to collect his thoughts. During an event at the Department of Energy intended to announce $300 million in grants to cities supporting clean fuels, infrastructure and vehicles, as part of the Recovery Act – Biden spent most of his time on stage – 8 minutes total – speaking about Kennedy. He apologized that the intention of the event would not be addressed. “I had planned on speaking to the Clean Cities Program as one of the several initiatives we have to begin to reshape our energy policy, but as if Teddy were here, as we would say in the Senate, if you excuse a point of personal privilege, I, quite frankly, think it's — would be inappropriate for me to dwell too much on the initiative that we're announcing today and not speak to my friend.” Mr. Biden, who served with Kennedy in the Senate for 36 years, starting when Biden was just 29 years old and Kennedy was just 30 years old – spoke not only about his professional legacy but focused on his personal contributions. Serving with Kennedy, Mr. Biden said, restored his sense of idealism and faith in what the country could do. He said that Kennedy was the only other person – besides him – that is “more optimistic, more enthusiastic, more idealistic, sees greater possibilities” than when they were elected. “He was never defeatist. He never was petty. Never was petty. He was never small. And in the process of his doing, he made everybody he worked with bigger; both his adversaries as well as his allies.
Don't you find it remarkable that one of the most partisan, liberal men in the last century serving in the Senate had so many of his — so many of his foes embrace him because they know he made them bigger? He made them more graceful by the way in which he conducted himself.” The Vice President spoke with Vicki Kennedy this morning on the phone. He told her that during every single moment in his adult life, Mr. Kennedy was there “to encourage, to counsel, to be empathetic, to lift up.” Biden made note of his 1972 campaign when Kennedy showed up at his side to campaign in Delaware, and when Kennedy helped him cope with his tragic family accident. “I literally would not be standing here were it not for Teddy Kennedy,” the VP said, “He was there — he stood with me when my wife and daughter were killed in an accident. He was on the phone with me literally every day in the hospital when my two children were attempting, and God willing, got — thankfully — survived very serious injuries. I'd turn around and there would be some specialist from Massachusetts — a doc I never even asked for — literally sitting in the room with me.” Biden recalled something that Vicki Kennedy said to him in their phone call this morning. “I was talking with Vicki this morning, and she said — she said, "He was ready to go, Joe, but we were not ready to let him go’." Biden said the loss has left a “great void in our public life and a hole in the hearts of millions of Americas and hundreds of us who were affected by his person touch throughout our lives; people like me who came to rely on him.” Noting that Kennedy changed the political landscape for almost half a century, Biden said most will remember what he did legislatively, but that he prefers to remember how Kennedy treated other people. “There was people I admire, great women and women, but at the end of the day, it gets down to being about them. With Teddy, it was never about him. Well, today, we lost a truly remarkable man.
To paraphrase Shakespeare, I don't think we shall ever see his like again.” –Sunlen Miller
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He was all the decent people’s friend. RIP Senator Mr. Kennedy. Work well done with a righteous heart. God got you.
Posted by: tychisum | August 26, 2009, 12:19 pm 12:19 pm
Too funny, the left can’t help but keep making remarks about water and Teddy. Anchor?
Posted by: What Me Worry? | August 26, 2009, 12:24 pm 12:24 pm
Condolensces to family and friends, and a salute to helping make America great on a world level.
Posted by: barbsinger | August 26, 2009, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm
“He was never defeatist. He never was petty.. . . He was never small. And in the process of his doing, he made everybody he worked with bigger; both his adversaries as well as his allies.Don’t you find it remarkable that one of the most partisan, liberal men in the last century serving in the Senate had so many of his — so many of his foes embrace him”
****
Seeing how petty some of us can get on here (not excluding myself though I have my moments when I try), I do find that pretty amazing and wonderful.
RIP, Ted. My condolences to your family and many friends.
Posted by: Alyson | August 26, 2009, 12:39 pm 12:39 pm
Coming from a wealthy family, he spent 36 years in government to try to make the country better – not to make himself rich, not to make his already-made name, but out the desire to improve our country.
He was not perfect, he was not a saint, but he was a good man who worked to pursue his best intentions and as with any life well lived, his passing should be honored.
Posted by: jhw539 | August 26, 2009, 12:40 pm 12:40 pm
“WE CANNOT have a fair prosperity in isolation from a fair society. So I will continue to stand for a national health insurance. We must—we must not surrender—we must not surrender to the relentless medical inflation that can bankrupt almost anyone and that may soon break the budgets of government at every level. Let us insist on real controls over what doctors and hospitals can charge, and let us resolve that the state of a family’s health shall never depend on the size of a family’s wealth.”
—Senator Edward Kennedy, concession speech, 1980 Democratic Convention
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Posted by: Alyson | August 26, 2009, 12:43 pm 12:43 pm
I also love this quote:)
“Frankly, I don’t mind not being president. I just mind that someone else is” – at Washington Gridiron Club dinner, March 1986.
Bet lots that ran could relate to that!
Posted by: Alyson | August 26, 2009, 12:52 pm 12:52 pm
Mr. Kennedy can rest in peace knowing the estate tax will provide an enormous bonus to the country’s coffers.
Posted by: mad | August 26, 2009, 12:57 pm 12:57 pm
Politics must be set aside today. Kennedy was an American icon and must be honored respectfully.
Posted by: Matt | August 26, 2009, 12:59 pm 12:59 pm
“Let us insist on real controls over what doctors and hospitals can charge”
No. This is not the role of our government. Teddy and Alyson you’re both wrong.
Posted by: Gipper | August 26, 2009, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm
It’s a pitiful shame the wingnuts can’t stop talking about the tragic death of Mary Jo, God forgave Ted why can’t you? Ted Kennedy was a masterful legislator, the kind of Senator no man can come close to resembling. RIP Teddy
Posted by: Sue | August 26, 2009, 1:06 pm 1:06 pm
-God forgave Ted why can’t you?-
How do you know?
Posted by: Upstairs | August 26, 2009, 1:10 pm 1:10 pm
I know because Ted was a God-fearing man, and a God-fearing man asks forgivness for his sins. You should really do the same.
Posted by: Sue | August 26, 2009, 1:30 pm 1:30 pm
“I know because Ted was a God-fearing man, and a God-fearing man asks forgivness for his sins. You should really do the same”
And I’m a sinner too, but murder isn’t one of them…I’ve got to say, all this religion stuff is making the left sound all fundamentalist and wacky. Pray for me sister…See ya in church!
Posted by: Upstairs | August 26, 2009, 1:44 pm 1:44 pm
Perhaps now, he can find within himself, the ability to be his own anchor.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | August 26, 2009, 1:46 pm 1:46 pm
I suggest everyone check out Orrin Hatch’s statement today in honor of Ted Kennedy (it’s on his senate page), and google the tribute song Orrin Hatch released today in honor of Ted Kennedy. The main sentiment is that you don’t have to agree with everyone’s politics–none of us agree 100% of the time– to honor the dedication and service of a fellow American.
Posted by: Alyson | August 26, 2009, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm
Good to see the liberals already using Sen. Kennedy’s death as a prop to pass health care. Hey, if we can’t pass a plan that even the friendly folks at the WaPo today suggested should have its plug pulled, we’ll just tug everyone’s heart strings for the sake of honoring a man who hasn’t even been buried yet.
I rarely agreed with Sen. Kennedy, but I’m not glad to see him dead and I’m surely sickened to see liberals running around using his death as an emotional prop to further their political agenda.
Posted by: BH | August 26, 2009, 2:15 pm 2:15 pm
“…..Kennedy was an American icon and must be honored respectfully.”
________________________
The truth is that he was a greedy radical leftist who did a great deal of damage to the USA in order to line his own pockets and promote his own career. He stopped caring about the country and the people in it a long time ago.
But, the last time I checked, he had not yet completely destroyed the freedoms we have in this great country. If you want to waste your time and energy honoring that guy, go for it.
Posted by: Buh Bye Now | August 26, 2009, 2:18 pm 2:18 pm
===Posted by: mad | Aug 26, 2009 12:57:04 PM===
If he could have held on to January 1, 2010, he would have avoided a death tax altogether. Since most of his assets are in offshore accounts, he will avoid them anyway.
Posted by: Axey | August 26, 2009, 2:28 pm 2:28 pm
===Senator Edward Kennedy, concession speech, 1980 Democratic Convention===
Too bad you can no longer ask him why he voted against that very thing when a republican president was pushing it. Nixon, if you don’t already know.
Posted by: Axey | August 26, 2009, 2:30 pm 2:30 pm
=== Kennedy was an American icon and must be honored respectfully.===
I won’t waste too much time honoring him. I also won’t spend too much time dishonoring him. I’m sure his family loved him.
Posted by: Axey | August 26, 2009, 2:32 pm 2:32 pm
Emotional liberals trashed the Denver Dem HQ.
Posted by: Triste | August 26, 2009, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm
===“There was people I admire, great women and women===
I hope that is a typo on someone’s part and our VP didn’t actually say that.
Posted by: Axey | August 26, 2009, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm
Politics must be set aside today. Kennedy was an American icon and must be honored respectfully.
Posted by: Matt
Tell that to the botox witch, that at 2:35am she was emailing reporters and other democrats that they will pass health care this year.
As republicans praise Kennedy. Democrats are hovering over his dead body to see how they can use it to progress their left wing agenda
Kennedy was a man that believed in civil rights, one that stood up for voting rights for everyone…then Obama and Eric Holder kicked Kennedy in the head as they” dismissed” the charges of voter intimidation against the Thugs with billy clubs.. The New black panther party.. and Obama and Holder today are stonewalling to keep from answering questions about the event… Even the extremeist left wing Village Voice called this blantant voter intimidation… of course ABC was silent…Lets play China again ABC and take this post down again..
Posted by: stardate: 2732.5 | August 26, 2009, 2:36 pm 2:36 pm
Democrats are hovering over his dead body to see how they can use it to progress their left wing agenda
Paul Wellstone rolling in his grave…
Posted by: Deekae | August 26, 2009, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
Death is to be respected whom ever it befalls. Respect for the person is another matter. I personally wonder if Mary Jo’s family has forgiven him yet? Also, if he and Mary Jo cross paths in heaven, has she forgiven him? I wonder what type of health care he had? Would it also be good enough for us ?
Posted by: Judy Goebel | August 26, 2009, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm
Ted Kennedy (D-Chivas)
Posted by: JamesJ | August 26, 2009, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm
Judy Goebel | Aug 26, 2009 2:44:13 PM— I wonder if Michael Douglas’s family forgives Laura Bush? Speeding and running a stop sign killing the 17 yr old, without one ticket issued.
See thinks happen, unfortunate and awful things. That doesn’t in anyway measure the person or their life. Sen. Kennedy lived a life of service and helped millions.
Posted by: Try the truth | August 26, 2009, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm
that should be things
Posted by: Try the truth | August 26, 2009, 2:54 pm 2:54 pm
No doubt resolve will follow the tears. The resolve to ram forced “health care” down the throats of a Nation that does not want it. Your post is well stated Rick McDaniel.
Posted by: Reflect09 | August 26, 2009, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm
Obama appeared cold and lacking in feeling as he spoke of his “friend” Sen. Ted Kennedy’s passing today in comparison to Biden who seemed genuinely upset. Obama didn’t appear to be “heartbroken”. Strange and interesting.
Teddy made a huge mistake in betraying the brilliant Clintons for the unqualified Obama. Teddy’s judgment was not always the best…
RIP Teddy. Thank you for a lifetime of public service. I was a Kennedy volunteer in the 1980 Kennedy Presidential campaing. It was audacious for Ted to try to take down a sitting President of his OWN party in 1980 and lead to Pres. Carter’s eventual defeat to Reagan. Wow. Ted accomplished many good things but did many bad things as well. The same notarious womanizer and boozer Teddy helped bring us Title 9, ADA, and SCHIP and No Child Left Behind with Bush. He was a man of contradictions personally and professionally.
Teddy lived a life of privledge and tragedy on a scale most of us will never experience. May God forgive him his sins and Bless Him for his good works. Condolences to his family
and may their beautiful Catholic faith sustain them in this time of great sorrow. Peace, all.
***************************************
Posted by: T | August 26, 2009, 3:07 pm 3:07 pm
T | Aug 26, 2009 3:07:04 PM— And if he had seemed upset you would be on here calling him weak and a woos! I’m happy at least you have kind words for the Great Sen. Kennedy. Remember the primaries are over, Hillary is happy! What gives you the right to question Sen. Kennedy’s judgment?
Posted by: Try the truth | August 26, 2009, 3:10 pm 3:10 pm
Try the truth:
He did not help millions. He made millions helping himself. He diminished people, he diminished this country, he believed in himself and in his own power. He did not serve his country. He empowered corruption and was instrumental in burdening the citizens of this country with debt and taxes and de-valued investments.
His legacy will be decades of wasted space in the Senate that would have been better used by someone who did not buy the seat, and who actually loved this country and the people of the country.
He was born into wealth. He bought his way into the Senate and corruption earned him the decades that he stayed there. His ego was such that he believed himself above everyone else.
Now, where ever he may be, he finally has to answer to someone who won’t be impressed merely because he was born a rich man’s son.
Posted by: Finally! | August 26, 2009, 3:13 pm 3:13 pm
Me thinks unfortunate and awful things are more likely to happen when one is an insulated, rich, womanizing lush with the last name of Kennedy.
Posted by: Yanc R | August 26, 2009, 3:53 pm 3:53 pm
Joe Biden was sincerely moved and he let it show. Good for him. Politicians are human beings first and foremost. I sympathized with his deep sense of loss.
Several of the tributes to Senator Kennedy have been quite moving, including John McCain’s and Bernie Sander’s. I teared up at a story told on Politico by James Zogby about the senator reaching out to him after 9/11 and urging others to do the same. This is a time to focus on the positives of Senator Kennedy’s life.
My prayers are with his family. Even when a death is expected, it is very hard to bear.
Posted by: moderate | August 26, 2009, 5:08 pm 5:08 pm
Joe Biden had a very close 36-year history with Ted Kennedy, working on a daily basis with a colleague and someone ‘on the same side’ on almost all issues. I suspect Barack Obama first met Ted in 2004 and the Dem Convention. So, of course they are going to – and should – have quite demeanor or emotional responses to this loss. And anyway, as someone else said, Obama is the hope of this Administration but Biden is its heart. I think both tributes were appropriate and genuinely felt. But Biden’s …. Well, wouldn’t we all want someone to see us and respect us and be able to say so so articulately when our time comes? It was a special, and especially personal, moment that I thank him for sharing with us.
Posted by: Elizabeth | August 26, 2009, 7:49 pm 7:49 pm
“Condolences to his family
and may their beautiful Catholic faith sustain them in this time of great sorrow.”
Senator Kennedy, recipient of 100% pro-choice rating from the abortion-rights group Naral. Perhaps he belongs to a different “beautiful Catholic faith” than the one of which I am aware?
Posted by: tjp612 | August 26, 2009, 10:36 pm 10:36 pm
“Senator Kennedy, recipient of 100% pro-choice rating from the abortion-rights group Naral. Perhaps he belongs to a different “beautiful Catholic faith” than the one of which I am aware?”
Senator Kennedy believed in the separation of church and state, something you apparently don’t understand.
You can believe whatever your bible, or your koran or your torah tells you but it’s not the state’s job to force those belief systems on other people.
That is why in the United States there is a Constitution, a separation of church and state, a legal system, a system of justice, checks and balances and a supreme court based on law, not on somebody’s personal religious belief.
Posted by: sallyride | August 27, 2009, 1:11 am 1:11 am
i was so disappoined to hear the bad language that biden used at the kennedy funeral it was in bad taste in a church and also as a public person
he should be corrected
Posted by: frances | August 29, 2009, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm
are there any comments from others about this
Posted by: frances | August 29, 2009, 2:57 pm 2:57 pm