Edward Kennedy
Democrat Edward Kennedy, frequently referred to as "Ted" or "Teddy," is the senior Senator from Massachusetts and the second-longest serving Senator in America, after Robert Byrd of West Virginia. He is the younger brother of President John F. Kennedy and former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, and the father of Congressman Patrick Kennedy.
Although Senator Kennedy was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor on May 17, 2008, he made a surprise speech on opening night of the 2008 Democratic Convention in Denver after a tribute in his honor.1 Kennedy's spokespeople had originally said that "Senator Kennedy is in Denver...Right now, he plans to attend, not speak."1
Kennedy was transported to Cape Cod Hospital on September 26, 2008. Kennedy had suffered a "minor seizure" caused from an adverse reaction due to a medication change.2
Fast Facts
- Born February 22, 1932 in Boston, Massachusetts
- Alma-Mater: Harvard University
- Spouse: Victoria Reggie Kennedy
- Has endorsed Barack Obama for President
- Ran for President in 1980 against Democratic incumbent Jimmy Carter
- Named by Time Magazine as one of the 10 Best Senators in 2006
- Religion: Roman Catholic
Political Career
Kennedy graduated Harvard University in 1956, after having been expelled five years earlier for cheating on a Spanish test. When Kennedy's brother John won the Presidency in 1960, he was still under 30, and thus not eligible to serve as a replacement. Two years later, on November 6, 1962, Kennedy won a special election and entered the Senate. He was elected to a full term two years later, and has represented Massachusetts there ever since.
He has developed a reputation as one of the most reliably liberal Senators, and an icon and leader in the Democratic Party.
Chappaquiddick
On July 18, 1969, Kennedy was driving Mary Jo Kopechne, a former staffer for his brother Robert, home from a party on the island of Chappaquiddick, near Martha's Vineyard. Kennedy's car veered off the road and into Poucha Pond; he managed to swim to safety, but Kopechne drowned.
Kennedy claims he tried to save Kopechne, and even recruited other party guests in the effort, but he did not report the accident to police until after Kopechne's body was found the next day by some fisherman. He was eventually charged with leaving the scene of an accident after causing injury and was sentenced to two months in jail, but the sentence was suspended. The ensuing scandal has dogged Kennedy's political career and reputation ever since.
Brain Tumor
On May 17, 2008, Kennedy was rushed to a hospital in Cape Cod, then airlifted to the Massachusetts General Hospital after reportedly experiencing "stroke like symptoms". Three days later, his doctors announced their diagnosis of a malignant brain tumor.3
Related Pages on Mahalo
Ted Kennedy Brain Tumor | Kennedy Hospitalized | Jeff Bingaman | John Kerry | Ed Kennedy Surgery | Newt Gingrich | Joe Biden | Joe Lieberman | Big Think | Ted Kennedy Endorses Obama | John F. Kennedy | Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis | Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy | Caroline Kennedy | Robert F. Kennedy | Eunice Kennedy | Maria Shriver | Arnold Schwarzenegger | Sargent Shriver | Peter Lawford | Joan Kennedy | Neil Diamond | Sweet Caroline Lyrics | Barack Obama | John McCain | Hillary Rodham Clinton | Bill Clinton | Robert Byrd | Al Gore | Richard Nixon | Lyndon Johnson | George H. W. Bush | Orrin Hatch | George McGovern | Patrick Kennedy | Kathleen Kennedy Townsend | Mary Jo Kopechne | Christopher Dodd
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