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Three Speeches That Define Ted Kennedy

By John Johnson, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 27, 2009 1:34 PM CDT

(Newser) – He wasn't always the most articulate person in one-on-one conversations, but Ted Kennedy gave powerful speeches, writes Gail Russell Chaddock in the Christian Science Monitor. Three that resonate:

His 1980 concession: “For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." Sure, the words came from a speechwriter, but only Kennedy's delivery made it work, says one historian. “You had to listen to it to fully get the impact.”

Bork opposition: “Robert Bork’s America is a land in which women would be forced into back alley abortions, blacks would sit at segregated lunch counters … and the doors of the federal courts would be shut on the fingers of millions of citizens for whom the judiciary is—and is often the only—protector of the individual rights." Supreme Court nominations haven't been the same since.
Bobby's eulogy: At his brother's funeral, Kennedy made the wise move of repeating Bobby's own words to close: "Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not.”

[Images (2)]

[Videos (1)]

Ted Kennedy delivers a speech in 2004. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta/file)

Ted Kennedy in 2007. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

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The conclusion of Ted Kennedy's concession at the 1980 Democratic National Convention, the "dream shall never die" speech. (News1News)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 3 comments

riffran

Aug 27, 2009 8:51 AM CDT

Then there is the where's my neck brace and lawyers speech,

JonmarkP

Aug 27, 2009 6:50 AM CDT

That's one speech for each Teddy: the skilled politician, the drunk and the womanizer. He could have accomplished a whole lot more if he hadn't been a Bush-style playboy. Unlike Bush, though, he wasn't cruel or an airhead or a redneck in fancy shoes.

maryz

Aug 27, 2009 6:41 AM CDT

I remember watching the 1980 concession speech with my mom, and we were both in tears. I think losing in 1980 helped define who Ted Kennedy would become thereafter, and perhaps we are far better off that he remained in the senate until his passing.

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Christian Science Monitor (Source Grid »)

Politics • US

Senate • Ted Kennedy • obituary • Robert Bork • Massachusetts • death • speech • US Supreme Court • Robert F. Kennedy • senator • Robert Kennedy

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