Jonathan Freedland: What Ted can teach Hillary
[Jonathan Freedland has been a columnist for the Guardian since 1997.]
Every politician begins a speech with the words "It's wonderful to be here" – but it's rare for that sentence to be freighted with as much poignant meaning as it carried when uttered by Senator Teddy Kennedy at the Democratic convention in Denver on Monday.
The mere fact of his presence on stage, just three months after his diagnosis of brain cancer, delighted and relieved the crowd at the Pepsi Centre. Rumours earlier in the day had said the 76-year-old senator would be able to do no more than attend, watching the (meticulously-produced) video tribute to his life and career from the stalls (a much better video, it has to be said, than the one that introduced Michelle Obama an hour later).
Instead, Kennedy walked his distinctive waddle to the podium, his white hair visibly interrupted by a shaved patch, and delivered a traditional barnstormer of a partisan speech. The voice wavered, but it never mattered. Delegates waved their Kennedy placards, chanted "Teddy! Teddy" and sent waves of affection and admiration his way.
All of which should be carefully noted by Hillary Clinton.
For 28 years ago, at the 1980 convention, Ted Kennedy was the Democrat who had been defeated in a bitter primary contest. His presidential ambitions seemed to have been dashed forever; the best years of his political career were surely behind him.
Yet here he was nearly three decades later, revered as the liberal lion of the Democratic party, respected for his legislative accomplishments, especially those related to what he called "the cause of my life", the still-unfinished work of providing universal healthcare.
And here's the thing. Earlier the man who defeated Kennedy in 1980, Jimmy Carter, was also on stage in Denver. He was received warmly but stirred none of the devotion that poured out for Kennedy. He wasn't even allowed to make a speech (a pre-appearance video had to suffice).
So this is the lesson for Hillary. Even if she never runs for president again, even if she never makes it to the White House, but dedicates herself instead – as Kennedy did – to a lifetime of service in the senate, she could yet be a giant of the Democratic party. And in 2036, who knows, it could be she who receives the ovations – while former President Obama can only look on.
Read entire article at Guardian
Every politician begins a speech with the words "It's wonderful to be here" – but it's rare for that sentence to be freighted with as much poignant meaning as it carried when uttered by Senator Teddy Kennedy at the Democratic convention in Denver on Monday.
The mere fact of his presence on stage, just three months after his diagnosis of brain cancer, delighted and relieved the crowd at the Pepsi Centre. Rumours earlier in the day had said the 76-year-old senator would be able to do no more than attend, watching the (meticulously-produced) video tribute to his life and career from the stalls (a much better video, it has to be said, than the one that introduced Michelle Obama an hour later).
Instead, Kennedy walked his distinctive waddle to the podium, his white hair visibly interrupted by a shaved patch, and delivered a traditional barnstormer of a partisan speech. The voice wavered, but it never mattered. Delegates waved their Kennedy placards, chanted "Teddy! Teddy" and sent waves of affection and admiration his way.
All of which should be carefully noted by Hillary Clinton.
For 28 years ago, at the 1980 convention, Ted Kennedy was the Democrat who had been defeated in a bitter primary contest. His presidential ambitions seemed to have been dashed forever; the best years of his political career were surely behind him.
Yet here he was nearly three decades later, revered as the liberal lion of the Democratic party, respected for his legislative accomplishments, especially those related to what he called "the cause of my life", the still-unfinished work of providing universal healthcare.
And here's the thing. Earlier the man who defeated Kennedy in 1980, Jimmy Carter, was also on stage in Denver. He was received warmly but stirred none of the devotion that poured out for Kennedy. He wasn't even allowed to make a speech (a pre-appearance video had to suffice).
So this is the lesson for Hillary. Even if she never runs for president again, even if she never makes it to the White House, but dedicates herself instead – as Kennedy did – to a lifetime of service in the senate, she could yet be a giant of the Democratic party. And in 2036, who knows, it could be she who receives the ovations – while former President Obama can only look on.