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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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Words Failed Kennedy on Chappaquiddick

Senator invited Kopechne's parents over, couldn't talk

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(Newser) – Though he longed to tell Mary Jo Kopechne’s parents about the 1969 accident that killed their daughter, Ted Kennedy couldn’t find the words on two occasions when he invited them into his home, a new book on the senator says. “When the time came, after plenty of small talk, he said he just couldn’t talk about it,” Gwen Kopechne told the author, the New York Daily News reports.

“The burden of guilt sat on Ted’s chest like an anvil,” Edward Klein writes of the tragedy on Chappaquiddick Island in Ted Kennedy: The Dream That Never Died. “He desperately wanted to relieve himself of the guilt, but in the end, he couldn’t find the words to express his feelings. And, in fact, he would never find expiation for his guilt.”

Map of Chappaquiddick Island, just off the island of Martha's Vineyard, that shows the locations of the major events of the evening of July 18, 1969.
Map of Chappaquiddick Island, just off the island of Martha's Vineyard, that shows the locations of the major events of the evening of July 18, 1969.   (Getty Images)
Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., reacts to the crowd after he arrived with President Barack Obama at the White House Forum on Health Reform, March 5, 2009.
Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., reacts to the crowd after he arrived with President Barack Obama at the White House Forum on Health Reform, March 5, 2009.   (AP Photo)
Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., listens as President Barack Obama speaks at the White House, March 5, 2009.
Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., listens as President Barack Obama speaks at the White House, March 5, 2009.   (AP Photo)
Edward Klein's book on Ted Kennedy is in stores today.
Edward Klein's book on Ted Kennedy is in stores today.   (Amazon.com)
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The burden of guilt sat on Ted's chest like an anvil. He desperately wanted to relieve himself of the guilt, but in the end, he couldn't find the words to express his feelings. And, in fact, he would never find expiation for his guilt. - Edward Klein, Kennedy biographer

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16 comments
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Derni
May 19, 09 11:21 AM CDT
Mybe words can't even bring closure to this horrible event-bu thtne again-we'll never know. Perhaps a cared or DVD to them stating how difficult it is to personally meet with them and talk about the lose of the daughter and then follow with an explanation if indeed it is impossible to confront the past event head on with the parents? Reply
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-1
TerrifiedCitizen
May 19, 09 11:54 AM CDT
The fact that it happened was unfortunate; the fact that he was unable for what ever reasons to rescue her was tragic; the fact that it was covered over for political and legal expediency was the ultimate sin... the only thing left to do is to frankly discuss it with her parents and allow them some type of closure, even if it hurts. I'm not sure waiting until you're about to draw your last breath on your death bed after already enjoying everything you could grab in life, to confess and ask for forgiveness constitutes genuine remorse. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Mad
May 19, 09 3:26 PM CDT
>Blinking rapidly< You can't possibly be thinking the Kopechne's are still alive, right? I mean, even if you didn't read the source article, you can simply deduce Mary Jo's parents would have to be ancient to be still alive today. The fact you think the Kopechne's lacked "some type of closure", proves you did not read forward
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+1
johntitor
May 19, 09 12:32 PM CDT
What a shame, corruption spans both parties.... Reply
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+2
Timinator2K
May 19, 09 12:36 PM CDT
Mary Jo's death, was NOT "unfortunate." She died by his drunk, imperial hand and he swam away from it because he was a living god Kennedy of used camel lot. Sorry you're dying, Ted but, Mary Jo was cheated out of the majority of her life a long time ago because of you. Reply
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+5

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