So the other day when we first found out that Senator Edward M. Kennedy was hospitalized, I was asleep. Boyfriend, knowing it was the only thing on the news, didn’t want to wake me because he knew I’d get upset.
He was right.
Tuesday, he forwarded me an email, an ABC news alert that indicated that Senator Kennedy’s seizures? Were because of a brain tumor. I was paralyzed by sadness as I sat outside the event that we were holding for work – a town hall on cancer.
Someone on twitter the other day wrote something that said “what is it about the Kennedy’s that makes you feel like you know them?”
I don’t know…maybe that their family has ALWAYS for as long I can remember been in the spotlight. Maybe it’s that Joe Kennedy – the sleezy bastard he was, worked hard to get his family to the status they achieved and really, may have accomplished the “American Dream” (before having it all ripped from under him as he created more political enemies than Allies and lost his children one by one…) maybe it’s the way every woman? Wants to be a little bit more like Jackie O. and has a little bit of a crush on the late JFK Jr. (you don’t? Oh…)
But me? I don’t know when the fascination began but it did and I have read many a books on the Kennedy’s, and at one point I thought about contriving a plan so that I could date and marry one. Matt Kennedy? The kid who ran Teddy’s reelection…is kind of a hottie and at one point he had my cell phone number because we were helping with signatures to get Teddy’s name on the ballot. Be still my heart little kennedy…be still my heart. (My fellow CDM eboard members and I had many a conversation about Matt Kennedy…)
*heart*
I digress, given that i spent four long years in MA politics – rallying NU Students to vote for John Kerry for a year and then serving as the Legislative Director for the College Dems of MA, I felt an attachment to Kennedy. He was our Honorary Chairman of CDM, he was a pinacle point of education policy when I was in college and most of us involved in politics in MA? Hold a deep respect for him.
Then? I got to intern in his office. Now, I’ll admit, I was an outgoing senior so I didn’t take my internship nearly as seriously as I should have. I missed a few days here and there because well…I just…didn’t care. But being there? Seeing the history on the walls? Working with people who had worked with him for much longer than I? Was pretty awesome and despite my half assed attendance in the office? I learned a lot about what he does for his constituents. And that man? Does a lot.
So last night, as i got home from job #2 and was watching the news with boyfriend, I saw the clip of Robert Byrd (D-WV) talking about Kennedy on the floor of the senate. Oh. My. God.
I never thought I’d cry over someone that I don’t have much of an attachment too…but then I realized that the Kennedy’s? Are kind of why I’m a Democrat. Teddy especially has worked hard for the American people – regardless of whether they agree with him or even like him. He’s unashamed of his pro-government, pro-choice and pro-labor ways which to me? When you can be that influential and be proud of your values? I could only hope that some day I too will have that kind of influence.
By the way? If any one needs any suggested Kennedy bios? I’m a huge fan and have a few suggestions 
Just cause I’m kind of a nerd like that…no really. I am.
