february august united_states senator massachusetts member democratic_party second senior member senate died fourth longest serving senator united_states history having served years prominent living member kennedy family years surviving son youngest brother president senator victims assassination father congressman kennedy entered senate november special election fill seat held brother john elected year term reelected seven times incident july resulted death automobile passenger kennedy pleaded guilty charge leaving scene accident incident aftermath hindered chances president united_states attempt presidential election resulted democratic primary campaign loss incumbent president kennedy known charisma skills eulogy brother robert rallying cry modern american best known speeches recognized lion senate long tenure influence bills kennedy staff wrote enacted law liberal kennedy championed government emphasizing economic social justice known working republicans find senators disparate views kennedy played major role passing laws including laws addressing immigration cancer research health insurance disability discrimination aids care civil rights mental health benefits children health insurance education 2000s led unsuccessful immigration reform efforts course senate career continuing obama administration kennedy continued efforts enact universal health care called cause life kennedy hospitalized suffering seizure diagnosed brain limited appearances senate died august port massachusetts home later years life come viewed major figure spokesman american early life born february section boston massachusetts youngest children members prominent irish american families boston constituted wealthiest families nation elder siblings included john robert john asked newborn godfather request parents honored agree request baby newborn entered world president birthday named assistant instead frequently uprooted child family moved new_york massachusetts florida london england attended different schools age education suffering result age seven received communion pope vatican spent sixth seventh grades mediocre student eighth grade massachusetts parents youngest child compared older brothers ages sixteen suffered failed deaths airplane crashes early political personal influence maternal grandfather honey mayor boston congressman spent high school years prep school massachusetts grades finished 36th class graduated high school football playing varsity years school later described play absolutely fearless tackled express train new_york asked loved contact sports played tennis team drama debate glee clubs college military service law school like father brothers attended spring semester assigned athlete oriented brothers lived offensive defensive end freshman football team play characterized large size fearless style semester kennedy friends arranged copy answers student final examination science class end second semester anxious maintaining eligibility athletics year friend place spanish language examination ruse immediately discovered students expelled cheating standard harvard treatment disciplinary cases told apply year demonstrating good behavior kennedy enlisted united_states_army june signing optional year term shortened minimum years father intervened following basic training fort new_jersey requested assignment maryland training dropped weeks explanation went camp gordon georgia training june kennedy assigned honor guard shape headquarters paris france father political connections ensured deployed ongoing korean war stationed europe traveled extensively weekends climbed switzerland discharged months march private class kennedy entered harvard summer improved study habits brother john senator family attracting public attention joined owl final club chosen fraternity athletic probation sophomore year kennedy returned second string way end crimson junior year barely missed earning varsity letter received recruiting head coach asking interest playing professionally kennedy saying plans attend law school contact sport politics kennedy starter end harvard senior season working hard improve blocking complement size season ending game snow yale bowl november yale won kennedy caught pass score harvard touchdown team finished season record academically kennedy received mediocre grades years improved average senior year finished barely half class age kennedy graduated harvard history government accepted grades kennedy followed brother bobby enrolled acceptance controversial faculty alumni judged kennedy past cheating episode incompatible honor code took faculty vote admit kennedy attended summer virginia kennedy felt study times hard times long students grades middle class ranking winner prestigious elected head family connections brought prominent speakers campus fast automotive habits curtailed charged reckless driving driving license attending law school officially named manager brother john senate election campaign ability connect ordinary voters street helped bring record setting victory margin gave credibility john presidential aspirations graduated law school family early career early second year law school october kennedy met following dedication speech gymnasium family donated campus purchase new_york bennett senior worked model won beauty contests unfamiliar world politics engagement grew nervous marrying know father insisted wedding proceed married cardinal november joseph church new_york reception held nearby children february september born september born july mid-1960s marriage trouble joan growing alcoholism kennedy admitted john ran president united_states managed campaign western states learned fly democratic primary campaign western states meeting delegates bonding trying hand ski jumping riding seven weeks spent wisconsin helped brother win contested primary season similar time spent wyoming rewarded unanimous vote state delegates brother following victory presidential election john vacated seat senator massachusetts eligible fill vacancy february turn thirty initially wanted stay west run office right away said disadvantage position constantly compared brothers superior ability brothers favor running immediately senate seat accomplishment match brothers father overruled john asked massachusetts governor kennedy family friend interim senator john term december kept seat available started work february assistant district attorney massachusetts took nominal salary developed hard attitude crime took overseas trips billed fact finding tours goal improving foreign policy credentials nation latin american trip fbi reports time showed kennedy meeting alleged soviet spy locals country reports deemed left communist reports fbi sources kennedy renting opening hours tour latin american trip helped kennedy foreign policy views subsequent boston_globe columns warned region turn communism reach effective way kennedy began speaking local political clubs organizations special election massachusetts kennedy initially faced democratic_party primary challenge state attorney general kennedy slogan massachusetts john campaign seat years earlier support liberals intellectuals thought kennedy inexperienced knew suspension harvard fact later public race kennedy faced notion brother president attorney general don think kennedy kennedy proved effective street level televised debate said office united_states senator inherited said opponent candidacy joke voters thought performance family political machine finally getting fully kennedy won september primary margin november special election kennedy defeated republican product noted massachusetts political family gaining percent vote united_states senator years brothers kennedy sworn senate november maintained attitude older laden southern members entered senate avoiding publicity focusing committee work local issues compared brothers office lacked john robert intense drive november kennedy presiding senate task given junior members aide rushed tell brother president shot brother robert soon told president dead sister kennedy flew family home port massachusetts tell father afflicted stroke suffered december news june kennedy passenger private commander airplane flying bad weather washington massachusetts crashed apple orchard western massachusetts town southampton final approach pilot kennedy aides killed kennedy pulled wreckage fellow senator birch spent months hospital recovering severe injury lung broken ribs internal bleeding suffered chronic pain rest life kennedy took advantage long meet academics study issues closely hospital experience triggered lifelong interest provision health care services wife joan campaigning regular election massachusetts defeated republican opponent margin kennedy returned senate january walking cane employing stronger effective legislative staff took president succeeded voting rights act explicitly ban poll tax state local level directing attorney general challenge gaining reputation legislative skill leader pushing ended system based national origin despite kennedy predictions profound effect demographic makeup united_states played role creation following cold warrior path fallen brother kennedy initially said reservations expanding role vietnam war acknowledging long enduring struggle kennedy held hearings plight refugees conflict revealed government coherent policy refugees kennedy tried reform unfair aspects draft time january trip vietnam kennedy disillusioned lack progress suggested publicly tell shape going ship initially advised brother robert challenging incumbent president johnson democratic nomination presidential election strong showing new_hampshire primary led robert presidential campaign starting march recruited political leaders endorsements brother western states san_francisco brother robert won crucial california primary june midnight robert shot los_angeles died day later devastated death closest robert kennedy family kennedy aide said seeing hospital robert lay mortally wounded expect face grief delivered eulogy robert funeral included quoted brother need enlarged death life remembered simply good decent man saw wrong tried right saw suffering tried heal saw war tried stop loved rest today pray wished day come pass world said times parts nation touched sought touch men things dream things chaotic democratic national convention august mayor chicago party factions feared unite party encouraged available draft year old kennedy seen natural heir brothers draft movements sprang quarters delegates thinking seen stand brother ready job getting uncertain reaction mccarthy negative southern delegates kennedy rejected place convention candidate nomination declined consideration vice presidential spot remained symbolic standard bearer robert delegates instead deaths brothers took role father reports negotiated october marital contract following republican richard_nixon victory november kennedy widely assumed runner democratic nomination january kennedy defeated louisiana senator margin senate majority whip youngest person attain position boosted presidential image appeared conflicted having run position reluctance danger kennedy reportedly observed know going ass shot day don want constant series death threats kennedy rest career incident night july kennedy martha island party gave boiler room girls group young women worked brother robert presidential campaign year kennedy left party driving women year old later drove pond inlet tidal channel island kennedy escaped overturned vehicle description dove surface seven times attempting reach ultimately swam shore left scene contacted authorities morning body discovered july kennedy pleaded guilty leaving scene accident given sentence months jail suspended night gave national broadcast said regard fact report accident police immediately denied driving influence alcohol denied immoral conduct kennedy asked massachusetts electorate stay office resign getting favorable response messages sent kennedy announced july remain senate run election year january death held massachusetts request kennedy lawyers ordered conducted secret presiding judge concluded aspects kennedy story night true driving appears contributed death grand jury martha conducted day investigation april issued indictment report public kennedy deemed conclusions justified questions incident generated large number articles books years 1970s end kennedy joined new invitation founder president died senator chairman senate labor health lost primary election kennedy leadership role issue national health insurance august kennedy introduced bill universal national health insurance cost sharing paid payroll taxes general federal revenue kennedy easily won election term senate november percent vote republican candidate received fewer votes january kennedy lost position senate majority whip lost support members defeated senator west_virginia later tell defeat blessing allowed focus issues committee work best strengths lay exert influence independently democratic party apparatus began decade chairman senate labor february president nixon proposed health insurance reform employer mandate offer private health insurance support health maintenance organizations hearings national health insurance held bill support kennedy sponsored helped pass limited act played leading role senator creation passage national cancer act october kennedy speech troubles northern_ireland said britain vietnam demanded british troops leave northern counties called united ireland declared accept given decent opportunity britain position backed away couple years kennedy harshly criticized british formed long political relationship labour_party founder scores anti war speeches kennedy opposed president richard_nixon policy calling policy violence means war december kennedy strongly criticized nixon administration support pakistan ignoring brutal systematic repression pakistani army traveled india wrote report plight million refugees february kennedy flew bangladesh delivered speech killing begun year earlier greatly damaged kennedy future presidential prospects declared shortly incident candidate presidential election polls suggested win nomination tried kennedy gave thought running year decided saying needed breathing time gain experience care children brothers sum feels wrong gut november poll place democratic nomination race percent near democratic nomination june forces tried kennedy enter contest minute declined repeatedly tried recruit kennedy vice presidential running mate turned choice stepped soon convention tried kennedy nod success instead chose kennedy brother law kennedy son discovered leg underwent long difficult experimental year drug treatment case brought international attention doctors general media young kennedy return ski slopes half year later suffering severe attacks pressure situation mounted times entered facilities alcoholism emotional strain arrested drunk driving traffic accident february president nixon proposed comprehensive health insurance reform employer mandate offer private health insurance replacement state run health insurance plans available income based cost sharing april kennedy mills introduced bill near universal national health insurance benefits identical expanded nixon plan criticized labor senior citizen organizations substantial cost sharing august nixon resignation president ford health insurance reform mills tried advance compromise based nixon plan gave conservative half committee instead backed limited voluntary tax credit plan wake scandal kennedy pushed campaign finance reform leading force passage set contribution limits established public financing presidential elections april kennedy travelled soviet_union met leader advocated nuclear test ban relaxed emigration gave speech met soviet secured exit famed kennedy continued focus vietnam especially fall kennedy initially opposed racial lines grew support practice focal point civil rights efforts federal judge ordered racially integrate boston public schools kennedy surprise appearance september anti rally city hall plaza express need peaceful dialogue met extreme hostility predominantly white crowd insults children tomatoes eggs retreated john kennedy federal building went far push glass walls break kennedy talked contender presidential election strong runners possible democratic candidates kennedy concerns family strong news boston_globe time magazine incident raising doubts kennedy version events september kennedy announced family reasons run election declaring decision firm final eventual democratic nominee built little way relationship kennedy primary campaign convention general election campaign kennedy senate election defeated primary challenger angry support school boston won general election percent vote carter administration years difficult kennedy important democrat washington brother robert death carter kennedy committee influence carter turn resented kennedy status political celebrity despite generally similar priorities different kennedy expressed reporters content congressional role viewed presidential ambitions far kennedy wife joan separated staged joint appearances public events held hearings march led public revelations extensive scientific misconduct contract research organizations including kennedy visited china goodwill mission late december meeting leader eventually gaining permission number mainland chinese nationals leave country visited soviet_union 1970s kennedy showed interest nuclear efforts field visited hiroshima january gave public speech effect chairman time amassed wide ranging senate staff candidate carter proposed health care reform included key features kennedy national health insurance bill december president carter told kennedy bill changed preserve large role private insurance companies minimize federal spending payroll tax financing phased interfere carter paramount domestic policy objective balancing federal budget kennedy labor compromised requested changes broke carter july commit pursuing single bill fixed schedule comprehensive coverage frustrated carter budgetary concerns political caution december speech national health insurance democratic convention kennedy said liberal goals overall party sail wind particular provide health care basic right expensive privilege kennedy proposed new universal national health insurance bill choice competing federally regulated private health insurance plans cost sharing financed income based employer mandate individual mandate replacement government payment private adding drug coverage eliminating cost sharing june carter proposed limited health insurance reform employer mandate provide catastrophic private health insurance plus coverage cost sharing pregnant women extension poor adding catastrophic coverage plan gained traction congress failure come agreement represented final political breach carter wrote kennedy disagreements carter proposed approach ironically thwarted carter efforts provide comprehensive health care system country turn kennedy wrote relationship carter clearly president carter difficult man convince presidential campaign kennedy finally decided seek democratic nomination presidential election launching unusual campaign incumbent carter member party poll shown democrats preferring kennedy carter margin spring summer kennedy run carter intimidated despite percent approval rating saying publicly kennedy runs whip ass carter later asserted kennedy constant criticism policies strong indicator kennedy planning run presidency labor unions urged kennedy run democratic party officials feared carter result heavy losses congressional elections august kennedy decided run polls showed advantage carter carter approval rating slipped percent kennedy formally announced campaign november boston received substantial negative press response question want president interview broadcast days earlier iranian hostage crisis began november soviet invasion afghanistan began december prompted electorate rally president allowed carter pursue rose garden strategy staying white house kept kennedy campaign headlines kennedy campaign staff disorganized kennedy initially ineffective incident emerged significant issue staff expected newspaper editorials criticizing kennedy answers matter january iowa initiated season carter demolished kennedy percent margin kennedy fundraising immediately declined campaign remained defiant saying going whip kennedy lost new_england contests kennedy form coherent message running saying believe permit dream social progress shattered premises failed concerns issues related personal character prevented kennedy gaining support people disillusioned carter chicago kennedy wear bullet proof vest assassination threats key march primary illinois kennedy failed gain support catholic voters carter crushed winning delegates little mathematical hope winning nomination polls showing likely defeat new_york primary kennedy prepared withdraw race partially jewish voter vote united_nations israeli settlements kennedy staged upset won march vote percent margin carter responded advertising campaign attacked kennedy character general explicitly mentioning kennedy managed narrow win april pennsylvania primary carter won held june super tuesday kennedy won california new_jersey smaller states contests overall kennedy won presidential carter won carter delegates clinch nomination kennedy carried campaign august new_york hoping pass rule free delegates bound primary results open convention failed night convention kennedy withdrew second night august kennedy delivered famous speech career drawing allusions quotes alfred lord american concluded words hours ago campaign came end cares concern work goes cause hope lives dream shall die madison square garden audience reacted wild applause demonstrations half hour final night kennedy arrived late carter acceptance speech shook carter hand failed raise carter arm traditional party unity carter difficulty securing kennedy supporters election campaign factor led defeat november ronald_reagan 1980s election saw republicans capture presidency control senate kennedy minority party time career kennedy presidential loss instead reaffirmed public commitment american chose ranking member labor public welfare committee later important decisions career kennedy committed champion women issues gay rights established relationships select republican senators block reagan actions preserve improve voting rights act funding aids treatment equal funding women sports title combat minority worked long hours devised series hearings like public forums invite experts discuss topics important kennedy hope stop reagan government nearly sole effective democrat battling january announced getting divorce proceedings generally received reported million settlement divorce granted later year kennedy created friends ireland organization senator house speaker tip support initiatives peace reconciliation northern_ireland kennedy easily defeated republican businessman win election senate leaders granted seat allowing major seats despite traditional limit seats kennedy visible opposing aspects foreign policy reagan administration including intervention support nicaragua opposing reagan supported weapons systems including bomber missile strategic defense initiative kennedy senate leading advocate nuclear freeze critic reagan policies soviet_union memorandum chairman general secretary noted stance asserted kennedy senator discussions soviet contacts suggested relations improved kennedy meet person discuss arms control issues soviet officials kennedy help able address american public news media unimpressed idea kennedy staff drew detailed plans candidacy presidential election considered family opposed realization senate fully satisfying career late decided run kennedy campaigned hard democratic presidential nominee defended vice presidential nominee criticism pro choice catholic reagan elected landslide kennedy staged dangerous high profile trip south_africa january defied government wishes militant anti white spending night home visited wife imprisoned black leader returning kennedy leader push economic sanctions south_africa collaborating senator secured senate passage reagan veto comprehensive anti act despite political differences kennedy reagan good personal relationship administration approval kennedy traveled soviet_union act arms control negotiations soviet leader discussions productive kennedy helped gain release number soviet jewish including kennedy accomplished legislator personal life troubled time weight fluctuated wildly drank heavily times interfere senate duties kennedy later acknowledged went lot difficult times period life drinking somewhat factor force chased women frequently series romantic relationships want commit long term fellow senator twice drunken incidents washington restaurants involving physical contact kennedy young female surprised room restaurant state partial considering candidacy presidential election influenced personal difficulties family concerns content remaining senate december kennedy publicly cut short talk run added know decision means president pursuit presidency life public service kennedy legislative skills achieve passage cobra act extended employer based health benefits leaving job following congressional elections democrats regained control senate kennedy chair labor public welfare committee kennedy colleague termed best senate knew best legislation kennedy continued close working relationship ranking republican senator close allies health related measures kennedy biggest battles senate came reagan july nomination judge kennedy saw possible appointment leading civil rights law helped place feared judicial philosophy kennedy staff researched writings record hour nomination initially expected succeed kennedy went senate floor announce opposition america land women forced alley blacks sit segregated lunch rogue police break citizens doors midnight raids taught evolution writers artists censored government doors federal courts shut fingers millions citizens rhetoric known speech enraged supporters considered worried democrats reagan administration unprepared assault speech democrats supporting nomination gave kennedy opponents time prepare case september hearings began kennedy challenged civil rights privacy women rights issues demeanor hurt nomination defeated committee senate tone battle changed way washington worked controversial nominees candidates experiencing war waged felt decades later presidential election kennedy supported eventual democratic nominee massachusetts governor start campaign fall lost kennedy won election senate republican easiest race career kennedy remained powerful force senate kennedy sponsored amendment fair housing act prohibits discrimination rental sale marketing financing nation housing amendment strengthened ability enforce act expanded protected classes include disabled persons families children prolonged negotiations bush chief staff attorney general secure bush approval directed passage landmark americans disabilities act kennedy personal interest bill sister condition son lost leg considered enactment important successes career late 1980s kennedy hatch staged prolonged battle senator provide funding combat aids epidemic provide treatment low income people affected passage ryan white care act late november kennedy traveled hand newly fallen berlin wall spoke site famous speech said emotionally wish brother seen fall rise kennedy personal life came dominate image european vacation photographed having sex february published long thorough profile rocks magazine captured kennedy aging irish bottle blonde portrayed control regency brought behavior forefront public attention death cancer brother law august left kennedy emotionally loss close family member kennedy pushed legislative successes civil rights act expanded employee rights discrimination cases came cost criticized republicans southern democrats easter weekend kennedy family florida estate restless brother law left late night visit local bar getting son patrick nephew smith accompany smith returned women met said subsequently walked patrick dressed weird look face smith went beach sex said said rape local police delayed investigation soon kennedy sources feeding press negative information background mainstream newspapers broke taboo publishing case quickly media directly implicated case kennedy frequent butt jokes tonight late night television programs time magazine said kennedy perceived tabloid newsweek said kennedy living symbol family flaws contentious supreme_court nomination united_states history thomas thomas hearings began september kennedy pressed thomas express opinion wade nomination appeared headed success sexual harassment charges broke following month nomination battle dominated public discourse kennedy past reputation ongoing developments smith case said day thomas hill hearings criticized hill supporters little late biographer rates kennedy silence thomas hearings worst moment senate career writer said kennedy let facts life day senate vote kennedy gave speech thomas declaring treatment hill benefit doubt judge thomas judge thomas important supreme_court voted nomination thomas confirmed margin successful nomination media attention thomas hearings kennedy public image suffered poll gave kennedy low percent national approval rating poll found percent massachusetts citizens thought kennedy run reelection margin thought kennedy authorities investigation kennedy losing hypothetical senate race governor points june dinner party kennedy saw washington lawyer divorced mother daughter old kennedy family ally louisiana judge began dating september relationship late october speech john kennedy school government kennedy sought begin political recovery saying aware criticism directed recent months involves far disagreements positions involves disappointment friends rely fight good fight recognize shortcomings faults conduct private life realize responsible confront december smith rape trial held nationally televised watched murder case years later kennedy testimony trial relaxed confident forthcoming helped convince public involvement peripheral smith acquitted kennedy continued relationship devoted children caroline engaged march married judge july civil ceremony kennedy home virginia gain credit personal life helping resume productive career senate presidential ambitions left kennedy formed good relationship democratic president bill_clinton taking office despite having initially backed fellow massachusetts senator democratic presidential kennedy floor managed successful passage clinton created program despite reservations supported president issue kennedy cared national health insurance supported involved formation clinton health care plan run lady failed badly damaged prospects legislation years come kennedy strong recommendation played role clinton appointing kennedy senator home page world wide web product effort helped counter image kennedy old touch election massachusetts kennedy faced challenger young funded ran successful entrepreneur washington outsider strong family image moderate stands social issues kennedy recent past 25th anniversary wife joan seeking divorce settlement mid september polls showed race kennedy campaign ran short money image wealthy forced second mortgage virginia home kennedy responded series attack ads focused shifting political views treatment workers paper products plant owned kennedy new wife proved strong asset campaigning kennedy held widely watched late october debate clear winner kennedy pulled ahead polls stayed ahead afterward november election despite bad outcome democratic_party nationally kennedy won election percent percent margin closest election race career kennedy mother rose died january age kennedy intensified practice catholicism attending mass times week carrying kennedy role liberal lion senate came fore republican revolution took control legislation intending fulfill contract america coming house_of_representatives democrats senate country overall depressed kennedy rallied forces combat republicans beginning republicans contract failed pass senate democrats forward legislation coming kennedy staff kennedy secured increase minimum wage law favorite issue increase years following failure clinton health care plan kennedy went past strategy sought measures instead kennedy worked republican senator create pass act set new marks insurance records year forced insurance companies treat mental health payments respect limits reached kennedy prime increased tobacco taxes fund largest expansion funded health insurance coverage children began 1960s senator hatch lady played major roles passing kennedy president clinton scandal trying cheer president getting add past kennedy defense team helped improve president fortunes trial bill_clinton kennedy voted clinton charges saying republicans house_of_representatives partisan president power precisely way rejected regard constitution american people july tragedy struck kennedy family light aircraft crashed atlantic_ocean coast martha accident killed pilot wife sister law patriarch extended family president clinton public memorial service saying nephew think irish phrase live gray hair beloved like father gift length years served role model family members boston_globe wrote changed role evolution surprised people knew baby family grown man reckless steady patriarch family turned good times bad 2000s kennedy easy time election senate republican lawyer entrepreneur sufficiently damaged past personal record republican state party officials refused endorse kennedy got percent general election vote robinson splitting rest long disputed post presidential election battle florida kennedy supported vice president legal actions bitter contest democrats congress want work incoming president kennedy saw bush genuinely interested major overhaul elementary secondary education bush saw kennedy potential major ally senate partnered legislation kennedy accepted provisions governing mandatory student testing teacher democrats like return increased funding levels education child left act passed congress june signed law bush january kennedy soon implementation act saying billion short billion authorized kennedy said tragedy long reforms finally place funds accused bush living personal word matter democrats concluded kennedy penchant cross party deals gotten better white_house defended spending levels given context wars going kennedy senate offices meeting lady september attacks took place involved taken boston following weeks kennedy massachusetts families lost members attacks pushed legislation provided healthcare grief counseling benefits families recommended appointment chief staff special master government september 11th victim compensation fund kennedy maintained ongoing bond massachusetts families subsequent years reaction attacks kennedy supporter american led overthrow government afghanistan kennedy strongly opposed iraq war start senators voting iraq war resolution october iraqi grew subsequent years kennedy pronounced conflict bush vietnam response losses massachusetts service personnel bombs kennedy vocal issue vulnerability sponsored enacted legislation sped production army armored despite strained relationship kennedy bush child left spending attempted work extending cover drug benefits kennedy strategy doubted democrats saw proposed billion program opportunity missed final improvement contained provisions steer seniors private plans kennedy switched opposing passed late led kennedy betrayed bush administration democratic_party presidential kennedy campaigned heavily fellow massachusetts senator lent chief staff campaign kennedy appeal effective blue collar minority voters helped stage come win iowa propelled democratic nomination bush won second term general election kennedy continued oppose iraq issues kennedy sought partner republicans matter immigration reform context ongoing united_states immigration debate kennedy chair united_states refugees kennedy teamed republican senator john_mccain orderly immigration act kennedy bill reach senate vote provided template attempts dealing guest worker programs border enforcement components kennedy returned comprehensive immigration reform act sponsored diverse group senators strong support bush administration bill aroused furious opposition talk radio listeners amnesty program despite kennedy minute attempts salvage failed vote senate kennedy philosophical defeat saying took attempts multiple type legislation build momentum passage kennedy released children book view dog splash senator dog eye view washington kennedy released political history entitled america track kennedy easily won election senate winning percent vote republican language school owner suffered poor recognition illness new president kennedy initially stated support run president january said kennedy remained neutral democratic nomination battle senator senator barack_obama intensified friend running initial split withdrawn kennedy dissatisfied tone clinton campaign saw racially tinged remarks bill_clinton kennedy gave endorsement obama january despite appeals seen symbolic passing torch kennedy said time new generation leadership compared obama ability inspire fallen brothers return kennedy gained commitment obama universal health care priority administration elected kennedy endorsement considered influential democrat raised possibility improving obama vote getting unions traditional base democrats dominated political news gave national exposure candidate known country super tuesday nation approached kennedy suffered seizure rushed kennedy compound cape hospital helicopter boston days doctors announced kennedy type brain grim diagnosis brought reactions shock prayer senators parties president bush doctors initially told kennedy looked opinions decided aggressive exhausting course treatment possible june kennedy underwent brain surgery attempt remove possible operation conducted kennedy conscious minimize permanent effects deemed successful goals kennedy left hospital week later begin course radiation treatment opinions varied kennedy surgery typically extended survival time matter months people lived years operation follow treatments left kennedy thinner prone weak short energy hurt balance kennedy post illness public appearance july surprised senate showing supply added vote break republican bill preserve fees doctors additionally ill attack kidney stones advice associates kennedy insisted appearing night democratic national convention august video tribute played introduced niece senator said wonderful going away special gathering tonight delivered speech delegates impaired vision left unable read reminiscent speech said november torch passed new generation americans barack_obama country committed cause work begins hope rises dream lives dramatic appearance speech electrified convention audience kennedy vowed present obama inaugurated september kennedy suffered mild seizure home port examined released hospital day doctors believed change medication triggered seizure kennedy relocated florida winter continuing treatments sailing lot staying touch legislative matters telephone absence senators wore blue january kennedy attended barack_obama presidential inauguration washington suffered seizure immediately taken wheelchair capitol building ambulance following morning released hospital home washington doctors attributed episode simple fatigue began kennedy dropped spot focus health care issues regarded cause life saw characteristics obama administration democratic congress representing best great chance universal health care following lost nixon clinton opportunities big legislative battle kennedy surprise appearance senate break republican obama package spring arrived kennedy appeared frequently announce attendance committee meetings sure kennedy appear march prime minister united kingdom announced kennedy granted honorary queen elizabeth_ii work northern_ireland peace process contribution relations caused controversy connections irish republican political party later march bill expanding program renamed serve america act senator hatch kennedy honor kennedy threw ceremonial pitch park boston_red_sox season opener april echoing grandfather honey member open park illness prevented major factor health plan symbolic presence key senators involved spring kennedy spread treatments clearly going cure disclosed publicly june kennedy cast senate vote months health forced retreat massachusetts undergoing round absence premature release health committee expansive plan resulted poor public reception kennedy friend taken role labor republican senators observers said lack kennedy physical presence resulted consultation making successful negotiation difficult democrats missed kennedy ability smooth divisions health proposals kennedy cut television commercial struggling early election bid july hbo began showing documentary tribute kennedy life words health care reform bill voted committee content kennedy favored faced long difficult process having chance law end july kennedy awarded presidential medal freedom attend ceremony receive medal attended private service public funeral sister kennedy died age mid august end kennedy wheelchair difficulty speaking consistently said wonderful life death months original diagnosis kennedy succumbed disease august age home port survived wife joan wife sister jean children grandchildren laws statement kennedy family thanked gave care support year stood years march progress justice reaction president obama said kennedy death marked passing extraordinary leader lady learn kennedy death vice president said today lost truly remarkable man kennedy changed circumstances tens millions americans massachusetts governor kennedy opponent senate race called kennedy kind man like adversary lady said terribly went given political differences people surprised close kennedy family miss senator west_virginia president pro senate issued statement kennedy death said heart soul loss best friend senate beloved friend broken senate floor cried kennedy cancer diagnosis public previous year death sister jean living kennedy siblings tributes outside politics including moment peace fierce rivalry new_york_yankees boston_red_sox teams observed moment silence flags park flown half staff performed players stood game yankees observed moment silence kennedy game yankee stadium funeral services kennedy body traveled mile journey kennedy compound past numerous landmarks named family john kennedy library boston massachusetts lay members public filed pay respects saturday august procession traveled library lady perpetual help boston funeral mass present funeral service president obama presidents bill_clinton representing father president decided attend vice president vice presidents senators senators members house_of_representatives foreign dignitaries president obama delivered eulogy funeral service drew celebrities outside politics boston washington united_states including singers actors actress presidents boston area colleges universities including harvard_university president president sports figures including legend management kennedy body returned washington burial arlington national cemetery near graves assassinated brothers kennedy grave marker identical brother robert white oak cross white marble foot marker bearing year birth death aftermath true compass memoir kennedy worked illness published weeks death debuted atop new_york_times best seller list mid december total sales copies special election scheduled january seat massachusetts left vacant kennedy death shortly death kennedy written democratic governor massachusetts massachusetts legislature change state law allow fill vacancy term special election kennedy instrumental prior alteration law prevent governor appointing republican senator presidential campaign succeed law amended september chairman aide kennedy appointed occupy senate seat completion special election announced candidate special election election republican state senator won seat stunning upset ending democratic control going brown victory ended vote senate democrats held appeared spell end health care reform legislation democrats rallied passed measure speaker instrumental credited kennedy life work final remarks house floor final vote kennedy widow attended signing affordable care act president obama wore blue congressman brought copy national health insurance bill father introduced gift president laid note father grave said dad unfinished business patrick earlier decision seek election meant january year streak kennedy holding office washington came end resumed november election great nephew house democratic control kennedy senate seat regained following brown loss political positions political scientists gauge ideology comparing annual ratings americans ratings kennedy lifetime liberal percent score awarded kennedy lifetime conservative rating percent metric kennedy lifetime average liberal score percent according analysis places liberal senator office analysis political scientists princeton_university stanford_university examined difficulties making kind analysis found kennedy likely 8th liberal senator congress rates congressional votes liberal conservative political spectrum policy areas economic social foreign kennedy average ratings follows economic rating percent liberal percent conservative social rating percent liberal percent conservative foreign rating percent liberal percent conservative interest groups gave kennedy scores grades votes aligned positions group gave percent lifetime score 1990s 2000s typically gave kennedy ratings percent typically gave rating percent prevent gun violence gave kennedy lifetime rating percent gave kennedy lifetime grade failing cultural political image died kennedy second senior member senate president pro west_virginia longest serving senator time south_carolina passed later following presidential bid kennedy recognizable influential members party called democratic icon lion senate kennedy senate staff authored bills enacted law kennedy sponsored bills law kennedy known effectiveness dealing republican senators democrats president half successful proposals forward senate democratic policy makers came kennedy labor 2000s bill signed administration significant involvement kennedy late 2000s survey republican senators ranked kennedy democrats kennedy strongly believed principle let perfect enemy good agree pass legislation viewed incomplete imperfect goal improving road april kennedy selected time america best senators magazine noted amassed record legislation affecting lives virtually man woman child country late 1990s liberal icon cross aisle dealer republican leaders began party colleagues sponsor bills soon republican presidential nominee john_mccain said kennedy legendary highest respect worked fair generous partner republican governor california kennedy relative described uncle liberal icon warrior fortunate fierce advocate health care reform champion social justice abroad rock family time kennedy death nation board member wrote kennedy come viewed voice conscience american despite legislative practices years kennedy symbol american republican conservative groups long viewed kennedy reliable mention fundraising letters par similar democratic liberal appeals mentioning famous racially motivated hands negative north_carolina senator election campaign accused supporting racial law political science professor study partisan found state state survey job approval ratings state senators kennedy largest partisan difference senator percentage point difference approval massachusetts democrats republicans associated_press wrote impossible kennedy tried shake image liberal left wing caricature detractors prominent living member kennedy family surviving son said went politics joe died happened tomorrow brother bobby run seat senate bobby died able carry way fallen brothers disappearing failed presidential bid loss life kennedy documented later personal problems image relation kennedy significantly damaged chances president associated_press wrote unlike brothers grown old public victories defeats human contradictions played decades public kennedy legislative accomplishments remained boston_globe wrote early 21st century achievements younger brother rival presidents death prompted realization era truly kennedy new_york_times obituary described character sketch figure senate life instantly recognizable shock white hair face boston powerful stride celebrity self parody friend foe man large faith large flaws melancholy character drank deeply sang loudly kennedy awards honors senator kennedy received awards honors years include honorary bestowed queen elizabeth_ii united_kingdom mexico presidential medal freedom order merit chile honorary degrees number institutions including harvard_university electoral history writings kennedy collected essays privately published kennedy decisions decade policies programs 1970s kennedy critical condition crisis america health care simon isbn kennedy day generation words edward kennedy isbn kennedy mark freeze prevent nuclear war isbn kennedy america track viking adult isbn kennedy senator dog eye view washington david isbn kennedy true compass isbn
Ted Kennedy