I just did the math...Ted Kennedy is 73 years old! How much

[Gloria]

longer will he be around for us??? When the day comes that he is gone from public life, we lose a tie to the hopes we had in the past, and perhaps even those for the future...

[B0S0X87]

1. I think he's running again in '06

I bet he beats Strom's record for longest time in the senate.

[Zenlitened]

2. All the more reason for him to finish the fight swingin' hard!

Teddy K, we NEED you out there now, bringing the battle to our enemy!

:)

[genius]

3. Byrd's 87

[Maat]

4. You know ... I'm not approving of a certain incident in Sen.

Kennedy's past ... only in the sense that if one of my clients did the same thing, they would have served at least several years (this retired social worker's clients) ... but that guy sure has fought my battles for me in a very dedicated fashion. They say he is very hard-working in terms of Senate matters. And has nothing to lose ... so he speaks his mind ... and can speak OUR mind.

[Hippo_Tron]

12. On a side note Laura Bush did the exact same thing

She killed her friend running a stop sign while she was driving drunk.

[Maat]

13. Yep.

And she wasn't a hardworking public servant for many, many years afterwards, either!

Like I said, I'm grateful for his pushing and supporting all sorts of progressive causes over the years.

[ChiciB1]

5. GEEEEZ!!

I LOVE Teddy, but there's an old saying. The Past Is In The Past and The Future's Just Begun!

I should know, I lived through all the Kennedy tragedies, other than Joe. JFK, RFK, MLK all of those! My Generation!

How many times have I longed for that activism to return, only to realize that you can't go back! Ted Kennedy has really really proved himself to be all that he could be. I will cry as hard for him as I did his brothers! Oh Bobby!!! That one hit the hardest!

But Teddy is still here and still fighting and he has become the future in his own right! May he live on as his mother did! Funny, they used to say he was the "weakest" one. Unfortunately he had to fill some pretty HUGE shoes and by Golly (won't say the other name) he DID IT!

[B0S0X87]

10. Interesting post

I didn't live through the era, but I sort of got the idea that the 60's activism died when Teddy didn't run in '68 or '72. He was the one who was supposed to carry on Camelot, The Impossible Dream, the sense that we were living in a time where anything could be done, but instead he chose to serve Massachusetts and run the family (a big job on its own, from what I've heard).

I don't mean to put down Teddy in any way. He's been an anchor for us in the senate for over forty years, and most historians put his influence and accomplishments ahead of any other Kennedy.

[ChiciB1]

16. I think the reluctance has ALWAYS been

what happened to his brothers. Part of his earlier problems most assuredly evolved from PTSS which was NOT even THOUGHT of at that time. He must have felt some terrible angst and FEAR also!

Many of us NEVER wanted him to run because of what had happened. Then when he did make a bid, it was right after Nixon and Watergate and the Democrats chose to go with "squeaky clean" Carter to avoid any hint of scandal.

I have enormous respect for Jimmy Carter and think he's proved himself to be one of the BEST ex-presidents, but there was friction between Kennedy & him. I think they've come to terms with it, but Teddy got passed over and I'm sure it must have been a real slap in the face. But before Nixon we had nominated McGovern, a man who was so maligned for far too many years! My first foray into campaigning was for that man! What a heart he has.

There is NO DOUBT in my mind that Kennedy has come full circle and is still thought of by many as the head of the Democratic Party. But then, I am a LIBERAL down here in Florida!

[bobbieinok]

29. many democrats did NOT want him to run for president...many thought

he'd be walking around with a gigantic target on his back......those of you not adult then probably have no idea the fear people felt for the Kennedy clan.....we thought there were political groups and crazies just waiting for a chance

wasn't there a small plane crash he was able to walk away from?????

and he was the 'father' to help with JFK's and Robert's children

[spooked911]

6. He's still going strong-- I wouldn't worry too much.

[housewolf]

14. I hear him mess up sometimes

Like in his press conference today, referring to Obama as "osama bin laden."

Often when he is questioning someone in a hearing, he says a phrase and then pauses and respeats it. I don't know if he's gotten lost on his page (if he is reading his presentation) or if he's forgotten and needs to re-que his brain in order to proceed.

He still mostly has all his wits about him but I notice these little symptoms and wonder what's going on with him.

[ChiciB1]

21. Just Had To Tell You

that I wish I would have chosen Wellstone as an Avatar! Everytime I see him reminds me of just how WONDERFUL he was.

He died on my birthday???? I'll never get over it!

But the Peace Sign is very much part of me too!

[Gman]

7. I think he'll die a Senator

unless he's incapicated beforehand. It's the Kennedy ethic to keep fighting for those who can't fight for theirselves.

[MADem]

8. He has some tough genetic code

He's got at least one more term left in him, at least...

[HeeBGBz]

9. I just got through watching him tonight

He looks better than he has in a long time. He was right on target too.

[LittleClarkie]

11. It's the missus, isn't it

He's been better since his latest wife, hasn't he?

Don't flame me if I've got it wrong. I'm not up on my Teddy history.

[Red State Rebel]

18. I think you're right

he seems to be on a more even keel since he married.

[hopein08]

25. I think so...

I read a biography of him in the mid 1990s (unauthorized but by a former staffer) and according to the book, Vickie (current and 2nd wife) told him that he had to stop drinking if they were going to get married because she didn't want to worry every day about finding her husband in a gutter, dead from liver failure. She really gave him new life.

[Freddie Stubbs]

19. He is up for reelection next year

He usually slims down every six years.

[elperromagico]

15. Compared to the other Senators who have served as long,

he is a youngun.

You know, if he served until age 100 - the same age Strom Thurmond served until, and still less than the age his mother died at - he would retire from the Senate after 70 years.

Chew on that.

[Pacifist Patriot]

17. Great speech this morning!

I hope he is in the Senate longer than Thurmond was.

[Ivan Sputnik]

20. 73 isn't as old as it used to be.

70 is the new 60.

[JI7]

22. i think Kennedy's tend to live long as long as they aren't murdered

Ted Kennedy has been getting more in shape and has lost weight. as long as he makes sure his health stays well, i don't think he will be going anytime soon.

[theboss]

23. He looks better now than ten years ago

During Clinton's first term, I thought Teddy was on borrowed time. He was hugely overweight and just looked exhausted all the time. He looks a lot healthier these days.

But, he's done a lot of livin' in those 73 years.

[WI_DEM]

24. He's running for at least one more term.

If he wins (and he will) a Kennedy will have represented Ma in the US Senate for 58 out of 60 years, with Teddy serving 50 years from 1963-2013 (but he may run again in 2012).

[Carolab]

26. It's not that old. But he should shed a few more pounds.

He has a family history of longevity (except for the assassinations).

[BernieBear]

27. He looked good on TV today

looked healthier than he has in a long time, clear eyes, clear skin

Way to Go Ted!!!!!!

It will be a sad day when he is not part of our political life.

BernieBear

[DemGirl7]

28. Ted Kennedy really doesn't look like he's 73

well at least to me...he is not in really bad shape or anything, I'm sure he'll be around for awhile longer...and I'm hoping for at least two more terms for him...