RIP Sen. Kennedy

I think Fallows summarizes his life well, see Joe Klein for a longer form version:

A flawed man, who started unimpressively in life -- the college problems, the silver-spoon boy senator, everything involved with Chappaquiddick -- but redeemed himself, in the eyes of all but the committed haters, with his bravery and perseverance and commitment to the long haul. And his big, open heart. A powerful, brave, often-wounded animal at last brought down.

Ezra Klein also has a terrific selection of articles written about him.  Kennedy’s cause, aptly summarized by Harold Meyerson, was looking after the downtrodden and as back in 1980, the year I was born, he was already a forceful advocate for providing health care to all.  Sen. Byrd suggested naming the health care bill after him (via Ezra Klein).  It seems logical.  The best way to honor the dead is not pomp or circumstance but to advance the causes the what they consider the cause of their life.  It’s certainly how I’d want to be remembered.  There will be haters, but as Achenbach noted for all of Kennedy’s polarizing qualities the Senator was one of the best at getting compromises.  I heard on NPR tonight the story of how he helped Sheppard through the sanctions on the apartheid regime in South Africa, even overcoming Reagan’s veto.