爱德华·肯尼迪生平回顾

音频下载[点击右键另存为]
Edward Kennedy grew up in the shadow of two brothers who became American icons. But his decades in the United States Senate established him as a political legend in his own right. "I'm saying they want to undermine the Medicare system, and the next is gonna be social security.”

Though blessed with family wealth and fame, he was devoted to helping those not so fortunate. Massachusetts' voters sent him to the Senate in 1962 two years after brother John F.Kennedy won the White House. “That the torch has been passed…”

Those heady days of Camelot were short lived and tragedy became his crucible. JFK's assassination in 1963 is followed by Robert Kennedy's assassination in 1968. "He is a good and decent man, who saw wrong and tried to right it, saw suffering and tried to heal it, saw war and tried to stop it.”

It then seemed Teddy's destiny and his burden to run for president. He did it in 1980 against President Jimmy Carter. Kennedy lost the nomination then delivered a stirring convention speech many considered his finest. "The cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."

But his political star was often eclipsed by a tumultuous private life. In 1969 he drove off this bridge in Chappaquiddick Island. Campaign worker Mary Jo Kopechne died. His 24-year marriage to Joan ended in divorce in 1982. A decade later he married Victoria Reggie, who brought balance back to his personal life and a renewed sense of purpose in Washington.

 At age 75, he appeared to be at the top of his game when he endorsed Barack Obama in effect handing the Kennedy torch to a new generation.

 "...that our country's best days are still to come."

Edward Kennedy, lionized by liberals, often demonized by conservatives, but remembered by all as a passionate lawmaker who made a difference.

Brian Moore, NBC News, Washington.

注：in his own right: 凭自己的能力或资格,独自地