Ed Rollins
CNN Contributor
The political arena is an emptier place today. A brave and courageous warrior has left the battlefield. He will not be quickly forgotten or replaced.
With the death of Sen. Ted Kennedy, a political dynasty comes to an end. His idealism and his legislative accomplishments will live on and another generation will be inspired by his life's works, but for the foreseeable future there will be no one like Ted Kennedy in the Senate or on the national stage. And no one on the horizon is there to take his place. Not even President Obama.
The great liberal Lion of the Senate has roared his last howl and American politics will be much less for his passing.
I say this as a Republican and a Reagan conservative who opposed most of what Ted Kennedy spent his entire life trying to accomplish. But he was first and foremost a worthy opponent who with the help of his extraordinary Senate staff always came prepared.
| Annie Kate |
August 26th, 2009 7:35 pm ET Ed I didn't know how much legislation Kennedy had sponsored – 2500 pieces and more. That is remarkable. I have seen so many people benefit from one or more of his programs and were so grateful the help was there when they needed it. Ted Kennedy's influence and work will be with us for a very long time, I hope. One thing he showed me was to stick to what you believe – whether it is popular or not – whether it makes you enemies or not – stick to what you believe and come prepared with your research and whatever to stand your ground. If you do that, you can accomplish a lot like Ted did. |
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