And The Dream Will Never Die

Ted Kennedy dies at the age of 77.

His 2008 DNC speech, from one year ago today.

This is awful, awful news.

...the cause of his life was to have quality and affordable health care for all of our citizens. He passed before he could see the bill signing.

Statement from the family:

“Edward M. Kennedy – the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply – died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port. We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever. We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice, fairness and opportunity for all. He loved this country and devoted his life to serving it. He always believed that our best days were still ahead, but it’s hard to imagine any of them without him.”

...Bob Shrum, who actually wrote the 1980 DNC concession speech, has a great rememberance of Kennedy's surprise speech last year in Denver. I wasn't in the arena, but I was in the Daily Kos' Big Tent, and the response was deafening. Kennedy came out during the California primary to stump for Barack Obama in a Latino section near East LA, and I planned to make it but ended up bailing.

Idiot, me.

I believe today is the first day without a Kennedy in the US Senate since 1953.