Ted Kennedy’s death leaves a messy hole in American public life

Lexington

A hell of a senator
Aug 27th 2009




Illustration by KAL
HAD a young woman not drowned in his car, he might have been president. That, alas, is how many will remember Ted Kennedy. He ought rather to be remembered for his 47 years of manly toil in the Senate, where he was a staggeringly capable legislator. He arguably brought more lasting change to America than any other member of his celebrated family. Yet his story hinges around the tragedy of Chappaquiddick in July 1969.