The Youngest Brother Is His Own Man

Ted Kennedy's malignant brain tumor adds yet another chapter to the tragic epic of the Kennedy clan, Robert Kaiser writes in the Washington Post. The youngest of Joe Kennedy's sons got a huge boost from his older brothers when he entered politics, Kaiser notes, but he built his legacy of different stuff than theirs—not so much brilliance and charisma, but effectiveness, admired on both sides of the aisle, at making government work.

"JFK brought charm and wit to government," Ronald Steele, author of a book on Robert Kennedy, tells Kaiser. "Bobby is remembered for what might have been—but Ted should be thought of as someone who showed how government could be made to serve the people." (More Ted Kennedy stories.)