Difference between revisions of "Edward M. Kennedy"

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[[Image:Tedkennedy.jpg|right|thumb]]
 
[[Image:Tedkennedy.jpg|right|thumb]]
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'''Edward Moore ("Ted" or "Teddy") Kennedy''' (b. 1932) is the second longest-serving [[United States|U.S.]] [[Senator]], a [[Democrat]] from [[Massachusetts]].  His family has been a major part of the Democratic Party for almost 50 years, beginning with his older brothers President [[John F. Kennedy]] (assassinated in 1963) and [[Robert F. Kennedy]] (assassinated in 1968).  Ted Kennedy was long assumed to become the Democratic nominee for president himself, but the [[Chappaquiddick]] scandal in 1969 caused him to delay his candidacy until 1980, when he was unable to overcome the power of incumbency enjoyed by Democratic President [[Jimmy Carter]].
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'''Edward Moore ("Ted" or "Teddy") Kennedy''' (b. 1932) is the second longest-serving [[United States|U.S.]] [[Senator]], a [[Democrat]] from [[Massachusetts]].   
  
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Ted Kennedy has always represented the most [[liberal]] side of the Democratic Party, from support for taxpayer-funded abortion to same-sex marriage. Senator [[Robert Byrd]] defeated him for a leadership position (Majority Whip) in the Senate in 1971 and Kennedy has never served as Majority Leader.  His  political power behind the scenes is undisputed.  
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==Early Life==
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Ted Kennedy has spent a long life in politics. He is well known as being the younger brother of the late President [[John F. Kennedy]] and the late Senator [[Robert Kennedy]]. He went to Harvard College in 1950. However, was shortly expelled for cheating on his examination. His home is in Hyannis, Massachusetts, where he lives with his second wife, Victoria Reggie Kennedy. In 1962, Kennedy was elected to the Senate from [[Massachusetts]] in a special election and was reelected eight times.  
  
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In addition to many other bills, Kennedy played a key role in the crafting the language in the [[No Child Left Behind]] Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110), a massive [[education]] bill signed into law by Republican President [[George W. Bush]].
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==Chappaquiddick Scandal==
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On July 18, 1969, Senator Kennedy killed Mary Jo Kopechne after he drove his vehicle off a bridge and into a Pond after a party on the island of Martha's Vineyard. While in the car, Kopechne drowned while Kennedy did not to do anything to save or help her. The "incident" became a national scandal and has hurt Kennedy's image. He entered a plea of guilty to a charge of leaving the scene of an accident after causing injury. He received a sentence of two months in jail. Many Americans claim that he did not receive proper justice.
  
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He is currently Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, where the first bill he pushed through was an increase in the [[minimum wage]] by $2.10, to $7.25. In April 2006 he was honored by Time magazine as one of "America's 10 Best Senators."<ref>http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1183965,00.html</ref>
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==Presidential Campaign==
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Kennedy was frequently mentioned as a possible Democratic presidential candidate in 1972 and 1976. However, he chose not to run due to his controversial past and claimed to have family concerns after his two brothers were assassinated. But in 1980 he decided to primary incumbent Democratic President, [[Jimmy Carter]]. Despite Carter's unpopularity, he won the primary and eventually lost to [[Ronald Reagan]].
  
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==U.S. Senate==
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Kennedy has gained a reputation as a very [[liberal]] Senator, even further to the left than most Democrats. On [[abortion]] he has a very anti-life record. He voted against confirming Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court of the United States and was in the minority of his own party to vote against confirming Judge John Roberts to the Court. On [[Immigration]] Kennedy has been a strong supporter of amnesty for Illegal Aliens. He voted agaist the war in [[Iraq]] and is also one of only five Senators who say they support Gay marriage.
 
[[Category:US Senators]]
 
[[Category:US Senators]]

Revision as of 01:32, June 30, 2007

Edward Moore ("Ted" or "Teddy") Kennedy (b. 1932) is the second longest-serving U.S. Senator, a Democrat from Massachusetts.

Early Life

Ted Kennedy has spent a long life in politics. He is well known as being the younger brother of the late President John F. Kennedy and the late Senator Robert Kennedy. He went to Harvard College in 1950. However, was shortly expelled for cheating on his examination. His home is in Hyannis, Massachusetts, where he lives with his second wife, Victoria Reggie Kennedy. In 1962, Kennedy was elected to the Senate from Massachusetts in a special election and was reelected eight times.

Chappaquiddick Scandal

On July 18, 1969, Senator Kennedy killed Mary Jo Kopechne after he drove his vehicle off a bridge and into a Pond after a party on the island of Martha's Vineyard. While in the car, Kopechne drowned while Kennedy did not to do anything to save or help her. The "incident" became a national scandal and has hurt Kennedy's image. He entered a plea of guilty to a charge of leaving the scene of an accident after causing injury. He received a sentence of two months in jail. Many Americans claim that he did not receive proper justice.

Presidential Campaign

Kennedy was frequently mentioned as a possible Democratic presidential candidate in 1972 and 1976. However, he chose not to run due to his controversial past and claimed to have family concerns after his two brothers were assassinated. But in 1980 he decided to primary incumbent Democratic President, Jimmy Carter. Despite Carter's unpopularity, he won the primary and eventually lost to Ronald Reagan.

U.S. Senate

Kennedy has gained a reputation as a very liberal Senator, even further to the left than most Democrats. On abortion he has a very anti-life record. He voted against confirming Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court of the United States and was in the minority of his own party to vote against confirming Judge John Roberts to the Court. On Immigration Kennedy has been a strong supporter of amnesty for Illegal Aliens. He voted agaist the war in Iraq and is also one of only five Senators who say they support Gay marriage.