The Can-Do Kennedy
May 22nd, 2008
By ROBERT STEIN
Print
Unlike his brothers, Ted Kennedy won’t leave behind any soaring rhetoric for the history books, but colleagues in both parties this week are recalling his four decades as the Senate’s most practical politician who “routinely reached across party lines on a wide number of issues to cut landmark deals.”
In contrast to their public use of his name to signify woolly-headed liberalism, Republicans are talking about the “go-to guy” in getting laws on the books, practitioner of a lost bipartisan art in the era of Bush-Rove scorched-earth polarization.
“He’s a legislator’s legislator,” says Sen. Jon Kyl. “At the end of the day, he wants to legislate, he understands how, and he understands compromise.”
“I’ve known and worked with him for 40 years,” recalls GOP Conference Chairman Lamar Alexander. “He’s results-oriented. He takes his positions, but he sits down and gets results,” Alexander said.
Jack and Bobby Kennedy were tough acts to follow, and their younger brother turned out not to have their talent for words to inspire voters. In 1980…
This entry was posted on Thursday, May 22nd, 2008 at 10:04 am and is filed under Women's Issues, John F Kennedy, Bush Administration, Ted Kennedy, Senate, Republicans, Congress, Conservatives, Liberals, Politics. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.










Add New Comment
Viewing 2 Comments
Thanks. Your comment is awaiting approval by a moderator.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Add New Comment