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Words Failed Kennedy on Chappaquiddick

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

By Gabriel Winant,  Newser User

Posted May 19, 2009 11:06 AM CDT

(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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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 15 comments
fiestygirl
Sep 7, 2009 12:57 PM CDT
A coward dies many times but a hero only dies once. If Mary Jo had gotten into the car that evening with a hero she may have been alive even today. Her parents are gone but if she had siblings they may still be experiencing her tragic loss. There may be nieces and nephews who still feel the loss of never knowing their aunt as well.
johntitor
May 19, 2009 11:51 AM CDT
Hey im not the one who resorted to name calling...Is that what you fall back on? All im saying is don't post just to incite people, and don't talk out of your bum.
Robert_Dada
May 19, 2009 10:44 AM CDT
No John. You're just a bit ignorant is all.

More Newser Stories

It's Time to Forgive Kennedy for Chappaquiddick: Globe

Kennedy Memoir: Chappaquiddick 'Inexcusable'

Media Airbrush Did Kennedy No Favors: Hitchens

Enough Already: Kennedy Was No Hero

Ted Was the Greatest Kennedy


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