The Atma of Politics
EDWARD "TED" M. KENNEDY: The Lion of the Senate, The Torch Bearer of the Kennedy Dynasty!

In August end, the fearless senator from Massachusetts died after a year long battle with brain cancer. The legacy that he leaves behind is one of mystery as well as hope for a new generation in America.

The younger brother of President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, Senator Edward Kennedy comes from a line of powerhouse political family members. Despite the patriarchal pride and prowess of his father, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and the political success and recognition of his brothers, Edward Kennedy made his name in the United States as a diligent and hardworking senator from Massachusetts as well as an ardent advocate for those less fortunate and for causes he felt were dear to him. From ethical reform to financial reform, from Immigration Legislation to Health Care Legislation, Senator Kennedy was on top of it all.

President Barack Obama and the late Senator Edward Kennedy

Not only was he a senior senator from Massachusetts but he was the second most senior senator in the United States Senate and the third longest serving in U.S. history. He was known as the "Lion of the Senate" for his courage and fierce advocacy of issues that were important to him. In fact, it was not uncommon for the furor of his voice (to the point of cracking) to be heard throughout the senate floor when disagreements broke out. Although he was considered a liberal by Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike, he was equally deemed a patriot and deeply well-serving public servant by the same people. His qualifications as a senator and the recognition for his good work have not gone unnoticed.

The Kennedy brothers

However, now, with the last of the "Kennedy boys" gone, what is the legacy that is left behind? What does the world have to look forward to with regards to the Kennedys as well as for politics in general? A Kennedy has been in office or involved in politics for more than half of the 20th century, what will become of this family political dynasty?

Some have speculated that some of the Kennedy children or spouses will step up in a major way from a political perspective; however, we have already witnessed some major setbacks. First, there was John F. Kennedy Jr., the prodigal son of the former president who many in the world had very high hopes for. JFK Jr. unfortunately came under the so called "Kennedy Curse" and crashed to his death in a personal flight over Martha’s Vineyard. Then more recently we heard from JFK’s daughter, Caroline Kennedy, whom many hoped would step in as Hillary Clinton’s replacement in the New York Senate when Mrs. Clinton took the position of Secretary of State. However, after only a few weeks of public scrutiny for concerns of nepotism and lack of qualifications, Ms. Kennedy dropped out of the list for consideration. Another name floated as a Kennedy hopeful is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., respected environmental attorney and son of former senator RFK. However, RFK Jr. has yet to stake his claim into the political world, staying on the sidelines at the moment. Senator Edward Kennedy’s son Patrick J. Kennedy is a congress man in Rhode Island. Kathleen Kennedy was Lieutenant Governor of Maryland but lost her bid for Governor. Then there is Maria Shriver, wife of California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, but she has remained mostly in the public interest and advocacy sector. Other Kennedy children have immersed themselves in politics but none have stood out as having he charisma and potential to take the reign of the family’s political destiny.

More recently, after the death of Senator Edward Kennedy, a move in Massachusetts has been made to have the governor, Deval patrick, name an interim replacement for the senator and two names that have been floated are Senator Kennedy’s widow, Victoria Kennedy and Nephew Joseph P. Kennedy II. But no one knows whether such an appointment is legal and/or permissible in the state of Massachusetts. Only time will ultimately tell what will happen to this prolific family and what type of legacy will be left.

This leads to the question of how American politics will change without Senator Edward M. Kennedy in office? Obviously, we can only know by witnessing what unravels. However, an immediate future issue that seems to be raised is what will happen now that the Democrats do not have their 60senate members to hold on to a supermajority to avoid potential Republican filibusters in areas such as Health Care reform, Immigration Reform and potentially further Financial bailout considerations.

In the long term, the question is more about our country’s love of what the Kennedy Dynasty represents, almost the American version of nobility. Without a Kennedy leading our country in one way or the other, has America lost its ability to appreciate a family’s political strength? These types of questions will undoubtedly unfold over the next few days, months and years.

But one thing is for sure, there will never again be a family with groundings and history so rooted in American politics as the Kennedys and so very loved by America. Anything that rises now represents the Modern America, a New America. Whether that is a bad or good concept is for you to decide?

Dev B. Viswanath is a practicing attorney who is currently hosting a weekly political show called Desis & Politics which airs on Saturdays at 8:30am and repeated on Sundays at 10:00 am on ITV/ITVGOLD in NY, NJ, and Conn. on Time Warner Cable (Channel 77 or 563), in NY and NJ on Cablevision (Channel 244), and in NY, Boston, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia on RCN (Channel 476) You can also watch previously aired programs at www.itvonweb.com . Please feel free to email Dev with your comments or suggestions at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

[BY DEV B.VISWANATH ]