Title: Here and Now for Friday, August 28, 2009

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" I'm running young it's here and now and we've been hearing all day about Senator Ted Kennedy the lawmaker. Here in Boston where replaced people have more personal recollections. Ted Kennedy died late last night at the age of 77 after yearlong battle with brain cancer. And a life marked by tragedy scandal and boring accomplishments but here -- doing when people are remembering the small touches. Judy Sullivan's daughter Megan was among a group of Massachusetts reservists in 2006. Have been. Flown back from Iraq to their base in Indiana where they were told it to save money they be taking an eighteen hour bus ride home to Massachusetts. -- says she called the senator's office on a Friday afternoon and left a message machine."

" By turning -- at -- said that they keep getting up planes and they were off flying home and mr. Kennedy actually. And now it actually caught my house thanked me for letting him you know what was -- nor would I in -- Involved with currently grateful he can't for what heated to get my daughter home and all preference home."

" Then Senator Kennedy greeted those troops from -- ended."

" a matter of simple math you know what did you attitude Massachusetts and buzz. -- sixty miles an. And artwork when it goes 600 -- and the."

" Brian Hart and that from Massachusetts. Also found himself pulled into Ted Kennedy's orbit Bryant as a Republican he backed the war in Iraq. His son private first class John Daniel heart was killed in Iraq in 2003. First senator Kennedy's office helped find Brian's son's body which -- unbelievably been lost in the shuffle. Then the father and the senator began working together to get more protection for Condit troops Brian joins us and for -- your thoughts today."

" Great sympathy for is for his family I mean if so what what emotions that he taught me was embassy."

" Senator Kennedy came to your son's funeral. And away you asked to speak with him and -- hurt your feelings about how your son died now you senate called you a few days before he died. With concerns about his unit on -- armored humvees and that's of course tragically how he died in an ambush. US to speaks to Ted Kennedy about this."

" Well we've met with him. -- we ask for a specific meeting there with him these administrators opposite Arlington and he brought in naval attache with him. And we told him what John and police sergeant. That has escorted John David Bernstein home."

" Told us which was that there were only five armored humvees in northern Iraq and that. They were still hot swapping body armor in some cases and did everything John had told us. Little whispering in the phone to -- the week before he was killed what's true. And Senator Kennedy said he would look into that the next Senate Armed Services Committee hearing and he did around November 18 and found out that a third of the soldiers didn't have ceramic plates and that they were only 400 -- armored humvees and all of Iraq. -- maybe 30000 vehicles. And now we went about with PM two. Get funding in production. I think going. On armored humvees and then when we thought that was overweight as we've found out a year later that it was a that -- armored humvees but they've forgotten -- Midsize trucks. And then we got that going and then that was it -- and inside plates for marine's body armor. I'm tourniquet blood clotting agents but just seem to go on and on and back again 2005. -- The there was a move to actually shut production of armored vehicles side down to save money."

" And now. This was in April and Senator Kennedy went to the floor."

" What does kind of literally listening and waiting to I get funding to keep the plane going another six months and a funny any bail and they call it felt like get ten at night and we we just could not believe that this should not passed."

" And the next day he went at it again and he got."

" John McCain to the switch a couple of votes to keep them on the plant running for another six months and I guess that provided armor for about 10000 people. Internet little state alone."

" So keeping plants opened in Ohio and Indiana to. Armor humvees. What do you think the effect of this work was."

" Well it's saved. Several thousand people from injury in almost certainly say several hundred people from -- I mean the casualty rate went from. Two point four persons per incident in and -- armored humvee down to something like one in thirteen wounded in an aircraft. And the figures are probably even better than that now. -- take people's lives not people bash. The senator. In ignorance really about his positions on -- defense and equipment."

" Is obviously the most important thing to you is to get these measures passed but I'm also thinking you've got a call. From Senator Kennedy at 10 o'clock at night here's someone who have been most passion -- voice against the war in Iraq you'd -- in a Republican. For the war and obviously with a son that you lost to it. It's too little bit more about your personal journey here what was that --"

" Well. So. It it was ongoing for now close to six years and I give you some examples. In October 04 we went to John's grave. And he found out about the fact that we were there was some young young kids and he. Don't Sunday morning he and his wife. Show up. In black navigator that. Section sixty with just. To lay flowers nobody. In South. Carolina tendon and he's told download that the best time to good Arlington was in the morning. Because it's he needed private time in a very public place. And announced. In. Two in 2006."

" Well I'm not. Intensive look so -- so you you you're very private on that morning it sounds like it is just that -- photographer's. Hand."

" No publicity you know I mean it it was a purely fairly quiet thing in need to get time out of his scheduled to. Come out with sticky and it that we greatly appreciated it and it happened one other time. In January 2006. I was with him when he gave a speech. Demanding that we make plans to leave Iraq in. But the National Press Club. And after that speech was done. He's found out that I was going to Arlington. But frankly I do I do that to be it could be grounded in reality. Now when you're MDC and that it -- see John. And he and Vicky and grabbed me up in their car and we drove right into Arlington and now. It was just three of us. Just very condoms."

" And again for someone who see him as the roaring lion or as you said the poster child. Four failed liberal ideals you were standing there with the man I just what's that like."

" Humbling. To be honest with you. You know. Senator Kennedy cared about the little -- You know we didn't have. Money or power or influence but he took the time and it's been the emotional and at this school. Put up the energy required to make things actually happen process. You know too little too late doesn't have to be the way. Equipment. It's applied to our troops and torture is not like a semantic -- it's actually defines who we are and he was the one it's. -- took up the challenges on those issues and the Iraq War remember it's. Speech I was there with him when he called the quagmire Porter was in Iraq. And I remember that the audience virtually being dead silent and that was you know four and then -- by 06. The place was standing room only and applauding. Had the gravity and the courage to address. Civil war."

" As it's needed to be discussed and I think was ashamed that congress was so. Complacent and willing."

" Two. What -- what the country -- to war with certain such little oversight I remember him currently at Arlington the second time we were there that what. Scared him was in Vietnam."

" He saw the same votes in the same issues happening again and again and."

" He's dead what scares me we were looking at section sixty where the soldiers are buried for the Iraq and Afghanistan and it was about half full."

" In his -- when we decided to leave. Vietnam. We had half again as many casualties. Between there and apparently left and he -- like fear that that's going to happen again and."

" You know I I think about that often."

" That's Brian part of that from Massachusetts remembering Ted Kennedy the senator from the other side of the political aisle. Who became his friend and fellow advocate fighting for their protection for combat troops. Brian hasn't lost his son. John Daniel hard in Iraq in 2003 Brian thank you so much for speaking -- a."

" Well depending on your point of view Senator Edward Kennedy was a warrior for the underdog or as we said the poster child for outdated liberal ideals. And the Democratic National Convention in Denver last August just this week a year ago he made a surprise appearance from his sick and vowing to push for national healthcare."

" This is the cause of my life -- hope. That we will break the poll gridlock. And guarantee. That every American and north south. Easy whereas John hello -- decent quality healthcare as a fun. --"

" But Kennedy's voice has been absent from the heated debate over health care need that one voice could've competed with those raised against ideal -- the Christian Science Monitor and now. Gala is overstating the absence of Senator Kennedy in the past few weeks and from here. Not at all but you know I don't think it's the public voice that was important to has been missed. We know that voice you know the the voice it can hurl words at the back of the largest audience. Auditorium you can think of we know that voice. But the voice that I'm hearing about just trying to cover health care in his absence. Is almost. And -- discount to strange but a feminine voice it's a voice that appears certain that. -- it follows that knows everybody's needs in the family. And looks after them. People describing to me sessions where he would he incumbent at the last minute and say fiftieth Q we Abbott had you can you do this fruit pursuant soaking you do this for so and so. Or when there was a gridlock walking in and knowing what to Republicans need as well as the Democrats. That's the voice can be sorely need."

" he was able to force those alliances. But one wonders if he would also be saying to those worried seniors at town hall meetings. That it was county last year who made that surprise appearance in congress from his sick bed to try to save a vote that would have cut Medicare. And N and has been on their side we just have -- model and no absolutely no that the vote. The vote is really important to -- I think he's pushing what's pushing so hard. To get the Massachusetts law changed so that someone can immediately be appointed to replace him so that the Democrats are not missing from the peaceful. No I think that's right we're of course there was a lot of controversy about that request this year that. Senator Kennedy made to the governor here in Massachusetts to appoint him to his seat we talk more -- About the politics of the man and the impact of the man in Washington. The success of the failures. -- panic Christian sense Montague staring there's the continued. To remember Senator Ted Kennedy who died late last night at -- age -- 77 after a year of fighting -- brain tumor. We'll be back with more here and now."

" Yeah. Yeah it's. Cool."

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" Welcome back here and now we're remembering the life of the late Senator Ted Kennedy from Washington to the man on the streets and here is one -- Happens to be from the weaker ethnic minority group in China but he's living in Washington in Boston rather and we spoke to this morning here's how he responded when he heard the news."

" In my opinion -- and enough justice and here is a man of kindness. Sandra Kennedy also did a great job for people want several people -- people -- people oppressed people or accidental self. That the last things happen."

" Guilty attic is senior congressional correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor. Yeah we've been talking about religious legislative achievements. There it was a -- life and we -- gonna touch on that as well but just take off. The legislative achievement. He he started out working on on immigration on health care you can. Is hardly a major social issues can't go back can -- Kennedy cahoots he was. Push that first critical feels it. Expanded. Immigration so that -- contest quota based on -- mainly Europeans that opened the door. Two Hispanics as well his approach to health care and in he strongly believed in single Payer system. He it would told several. Aides who went on to tell biographers that the great. Regret of his life with that he did not compromise with Richard Nixon when he could have Nixon was proposing comprehensive. Health insurance for all Americans. But I have to you saw him really take anything he could can't. And just expand it for example. This chip -- program to support. Give healthcare to poor health insurance -- children it a step. And we start that and then it gradually we find it more and more and we expanded and that I think was the model for how he worked as a legislator."

" Went -- to include the women infants and children program -- the cobra law that allows workers to continue their health insurance between -- hip which limited the ability insurance companies to use. Preexisting conditions to deny coverage. Opponents ability and disability. I wanna bring in Julian Phillips -- professor of history and public affairs at Princeton university's Woodrow Wilson School."

" Julian you -- gets some wonderful thoughts about love him or hate him and people do boat. What was his kind what was his consistency what was the thing that you you notice. I mean -- a child of the 1960s."

" Set of principles about liberalism about the use of government to ameliorate social problems and to try to achieve social equality. Those are the ideas that animated him since the 1960s. And what's remarkable. Is not just his legislative record but how persistent he was. In pushing for that even an era of conservatism. And and I think that's both let made many Democrats love him and -- it lot of other Democrats like Clinton. And also by many Republicans hated him because he stood for exactly the principles. They were trying to fight against."

" Orrin hatch the Republican senator from Utah city came to Washington for just one reason to fight Ted Kennedy. But as you know Gail okay."

" He ended up being big -- of being close friends. The very -- that one in my first encounters with Orrin hatch he invited me to -- whose office to listen to. The the song he'd written for this for Senator Kennedy just -- would've -- I would have a great friendship. Either -- touching things that it can come out. At the end of his life and Robert Novak who recently -- is well. Expressed his great -- about this respect in astonishment when Kennedy called him up. Offering medical assistants in a suggestion for his own treatment to two of them were bookends ideologically their whole life. Julian we have to touch on -- and you'll hear the phrase all day and in the days to come on a life marked by. Tragedy and scandal and in there were legendary personal losses but also. Personal problems of course Chappaquiddick waiting ten hours to report that -- have been an accident in the young girl with in the car and she died. And then just fit the perception of and nightlife I was once Upton. -- heat in the island off of Maine interviewing artist Jamie Wyeth. And in Jamie Wyeth bathroom is a picture of Ted Kennedy not wearing very much late at night up on the roof. Why didn't debt Ted Kennedy changed what what happened."

" Well I mean part of it was is that second marriage by all accounts his wife helped him to try to at. Recoup himself and and -- get on a different path. I think another part was the effect of Chappaquiddick it forever. Tarnished his ability to win the presidency or to even really run for the presidency is serious manner. And I think he he was aware that he was aware of the limits that his own personal -- costs and he talked about that. Very often so by the 1980s and especially really in the 1990s. I think about what we were seen as a more sober Kennedy starting to emerge. And one who is really focused on doing everything possible to preserve his legacy -- the legacy of liberalism including you know. -- his own ghosts. And problems to keep those that."

" You would you put -- great anecdote that Kennedy sitting with his father in line and best friend Edmund Reggie who says. Yeah some people say UN Daniel Webster the two greatest senators of all time in Kennedy turns him and says -- Webster do. And -- person. Where would you put him."

" I I do think he ranks highly as a legislator he's not the sponsor of many pieces of legislation so it's a bit elusive if you look at his record. But when you start to catalog all the things he's been involved with from immigration reform voting rights. American disability act through No Child Left Behind he has a pretty impressive record he was a prime mover. Behind a lot of key pieces of legislation I think he ranks very highly and in terms of being a senator again who articulated a set of ideas. A great orator I think few people can match where he was able to do -- he can. Dominate a committee room a convention hall like few other senators we've seen."

" just a few seconds for news. Contact Daniel Webster could never have stood up to scrutiny Ted Kennedy has this except for Chappaquiddick he once wrote letters to a a bank saying unit banking analyst coming up it's time for my annual retainer it hook up a who knows senator could do that today -- live."

" Daniel Webster. Again until -- exceed congressional reporter for the Christian Science Monitor. Thank you so much for speaking -- us today and I'm sure gonna here in the days ahead how Washington is reacting to this story you'll thank you. He -- and Julian Phillips sir Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School please stand right there we'd love to hear more of your insight into the historical importance of senator Edward M Kennedy died last night at 877. We're gonna have much more here and TU."

" EU. Support for here and now comes from the listeners of WBUR Boston where the program is produced. Hinckley Allen and Snyder were partners have been giving clients practical legal advice for over a hundred years throughout new England and now including Connecticut. Online it has -- dot com. And the Institute of Contemporary Art on Boston's waterfront presenting the work of a diverse range of contemporary artists performers and more. Ice CA Boston dot --"

" And Robin Young it's here and now the Associated Press has put as a reporting that Senator Ted Kennedy will be buried at Arlington national cemetery joining his -- there. Given his family pedigree an after the assassinations of his two Brothers -- actually turned to Ted Kennedy running for president. But a tragic and damning event altered the course of his political career here now's Monica Brady-Myerov has that part of -- story."

" On a summer night in 1969. After a party in Chappaquiddick on Martha's Vineyard. Kennedy was driving with Mary joke a technique a former aide to his brother Robert and veered awfully small and that bridge. The car overturned in a pond Kennedy swam to safety and said he tried to rescue could technique he explained his version of events in a nationally televised address."

" Maybe you that he -- say merry go by diving. Strong under current. Exceeded only increasing. --"

" Kennedy did not report the incident to police ten hours later police found his car in the pond with -- inside. Kennedy said his actions were indefensible. And during -- hour. I mean a big no -- He offered to resign from his senate seat if voters in Massachusetts -- it in -- he received overwhelming support. Even so this event more than any other limited his political aspirations. Says biographer Adam Clymer."

" It's defined as national future."

" Still ten years later in 1979. Kennedy was frustrated that his major priority universal health care. With being sidelined by a democratic president Jimmy Carter. It was a long shot at Kennedy challenged Carter for the democratic nomination."

" I am asking you to renew the commitment. Of the Democratic Party. To economic. Justice."

" Despite initial support from some Democrats also frustrated with the Carter administration. Kennedy's candidacy faltered his campaign was damaged when he couldn't clearly answer a reporter's question why you wanna be president. And his actions in Chappaquiddick were -- played in the press as the quote moral issue. But Kennedy took his campaign all the way to the 1980 Democratic Convention before battling out. Some say this weakened Carter who lost to Republican Ronald Reagan. After the loss Kennedy returned to the Senate and -- says he blossomed in opposition to the Reagan administration sometimes in partnership with Republicans."

" He protected civil rights laws -- for Reagan -- to cut back keep protect civil war. Important programs. And he worked the report Orrin hatch. During the federal government and all majority it's. He worked oh with a goal -- some -- number -- With disabilities. Act probably. Single most important piece of legislation here it is."

" That's Kennedy biographer Adam climber ending that report from here now's Monica Brady -- awful spring back historian -- Telus or for just a minute before the break Chilean. Do you agree with Adam -- then after that failed 1980 presidential bid. --"

" Oh absolutely I mean he was a struggling politician in many ways between 1969. And 1980. He was someone who is haunted by his scandal. And he was somebody who while being a very attractive voice for liberalism. Also was not gonna win the presidential nomination and he turned his attention to the Senate and I think he blossomed when he accepted that he would be a great legislator. And not present -- United States."

" It may -- that burden was off -- then another one may be still there I mean you think it was about redemption about somehow. You know somehow redeeming. Moment a lot of."

" A lot of his life as a batter -- his first race in 1962. His opponent joked that if his last name wasn't Kennedy. His candidacy would be a joke and I think he was always living with that. And then I think he was living with Chappaquiddick and the desire to build a legacy that went beyond. A terrible scandal. And so I think that was very important."

" We're -- back into sooner we take just a 32 break we remembering the life -- Senator Edward Kennedy. It's funny here in Boston just about everybody calls in Canada or Teddy. He passed away late last night at the age of 77 after a year -- very public fight with brain cancer -- hear more from the streets of Boston. And from a long time on -- journalists as well that's in thirty seconds. Keep historian Julian -- of this as well you're listening to -- now. Welcome back we're continuing our coverage of the death of Senator Edward Kennedy who passed to me at age 77. Remembrances and tributes are pouring in but also people on the streets here in Boston where we are based. Are expressing a lot of their opinions about the lion of the Senate."

" I grew up in Boston on the Irish Catholic so. The Kennedy name is pretty movement. And that I think it's a sad day for organized labor unions. Is always there. Labels -- through tough times -- seventies that the case. Senator Kennedy was always a force for us congress. I -- I just believe I believe."

" His stand -- and things that he represented them. -- legislators know we can elect president you know. He admitted in 91 gets -- he's personally in his life and something that he did. But that's okay everybody's everybody's guilty that is accidentally get lots of common people."

" That last voice from Celtics teacher wearing John Clifford of -- Massachusetts. Who was at the Kennedy library in Boston to sign condolence book there crowds of people are expected. There today we've been joined for the whole hour by Julian zealots -- professor of history and public affairs at Princeton university's Woodrow Wilson School. And Julian we're gonna keeping their for just 12 because I also want to welcome. Veteran Boston Globe reporter and columnist Kevin Collin. Carrying me you -- the streets of Boston for decades continue. Come up with what Senator Kennedy meant to this area."

" While I liked David. Ted. Succeeded because he he took the advice that Robert Frost that it offered to check. At two on inauguration day. Robert Frost told Jack Kennedy to be more Irish than Harvard. And articulate to Kennedy's career he was like that he was more Irish and Harvard he news -- it was much more important to return this -- McGill a country's call and abortionists are. There was to go to the Kennedy school of government named after his brother I just think did the idea is so great help Tip O'Neill once said that all politics is local and I think -- succeeded. Specifically because of that and and and it's also specifically because he had the rare ability to reach across the -- that we should be practically now it is wanting. The country is very partisan politics are very partisan. And I think Adam Kramer just mentioned too when you look at -- legislative. Career his accomplishments. There's always somebody with a rock and."

" You mention me you know he's embracing the Irish instead of the Harvard. But as you wanna of the democratic voice even hunt has the accent here in Boston this changed a bit -- years. It's hard and in some -- some might say it's become more conservative. And and what would you say well -- how to explain that to people how how do they reacted to Ted Kennedy. "

" Well I mean like that there are a lot of people would didn't like Ted Kennedy I always think there's an inverse relationship with -- How well you know I would find the people that -- that he's the most. No in the so is it BC news and you feel as it was very hard to know this kind not light and that don't take my award for call Oren hatch. -- embroiled back. Call John McCain to. They did not agree with Kennedy on political matters much at all and yet he was you know infection he really could get he was able to make. Politics personal and that's why he was so successful and the other thing is I always say this is Katie com. Always have a great staff -- Washington. And right here in Boston with family went to sentence people like that they -- it's like if you go through ropes like the beltway it's almost like. -- an All-Star team in various think tanks and government agencies and ngos the go to Kennedy staffers who have moved on and the ones that didn't move one that did the best on the hill everybody will tell you that and then you get down to the congressional offices here each year in the -- in the in the district devastation it. Ted Kennedy's -- it is always considered among them it's not deep down office."

" Concurrent of the Boston Globe -- and bring to the adults -- back -- historian at Princeton Julian attributes are coming in the Chronicle of Higher Education. Thanks to Kennedy had a hand in the creation nearly every major -- a Federal Student Aid program pell grants. Chief architect -- A federal direct loan programs. Defender of student aid. And the Sarah and Jim Brady foundation has a statement from Sarah and Jim Brady of course the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence they say without Senator Kennedy. They've been -- Brady Law."

" Is your warm your thoughts on where he is in history. Again and it ties are to -- someone is great middle lane or are terrible but obviously I do think he will rank in the higher Echelon of senators. And it's not just his domestic stuff I think it's foreign policy was quite important. In the eighties he was a big proponent of the nuclear freeze movement and a critic of Central America. Are the war in Central America. And and one of the leading critics of the current war in Iraq and and so I think when you combine his legislative record. His public presence and ideological fervor and his -- kind of report with other legislators on Capitol Hill. He will rank with some of the better ones the Robert Wagner's of the 1930s."

" And can we just gonna come and Venezuela make sure we've touched on Ted Kennedy the father and the father figure and in our family has his son struggled with cancer and lost a leg another son. Patrick has struggled with alcohol and of course all of the children the extended family that that a little on national."

" What you know. When you think about it from the tips from the -- department was assassinated in 1968 Teddy Kennedy became father not touched his kids. But to the entire extended clan which is an awesome responsibility. And it's it's funny years ago one of one of the people that were paternity and they held that she's I wonder why -- drank so much one point socialist and I might responses I wonder why he Drexel little. What are what are what -- his sense of responsibility. That was on this guy everything about it it's like he was trust in May be a little too early to everything he had to do including assumed that but when you look at you -- I know I was sick of -- he's -- greatest legacy and that whole family was what his father started. When it's at around that dining room table every night in it was to make. Public service honorable -- make it desirable make it something that you would want to achieve in life to do is no greater calling. It didn't intend and that's part of the immigrant experience to it's really remarkable to think. That you know within a generation when the when the Kennedys the right here at -- Irish Catholics are discriminated against --"

" Yeah perhaps ended two years ago more compelled to the north send but I get a call -- come -- mobile phone myself hornets Ted Kennedy. -- for the phone and he goes to guess why just sat next to and it was Ian K please why. The -- in NORTHERN IRELAND and he was at the inaugural session of state of the power sharing government there and just to -- encapsulated this -- this personal arc from the DOD -- immigrant family and in the and -- and it can -- played an instrumental role in ending the Anglo Irish conflict that it's gone on for centuries just remarkable stuff."

" And that meant so much to him that he could still say at that age. Guess -- I just sat next. Hitting coach Kevin Cullen a veteran reporter for the Boston Globe we also think Julian silencer historian at Princeton. Woodrow Wilson School thank you both for helping us remember to Kennedy didn't. Think -- have enough and he was also. A dog lover. We'll have that story and a minute here now. And."

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" Welcome back it's kind of silly when we think back on open in May of 2006. Senator Edward Kennedy came to our studios to promote his children's book. My senator and meet a -- eye view of Washington it was narrated by his beloved Portuguese Water Dog splash. But we'll gonna talk about a second book he had -- at that same time it's called America back on track and I asked the senator about one of the main issues in that book his opposition to the war in Iraq."

" I wasn't in the majority in my party when I voted against going to war which is the best vote I cast in the united deficit. States is senate and beyond that I think that there's a general sense throughout the Democratic Party that this is the year transition that we after. Draw down American forces I would I would do it more rapidly than probably other members I'm basically. Agree with the congressman Murtha -- The united states military in -- in Iraq are part of this whole kind of a problem and we have to -- have an entirely new direction in that policy."

" who's gonna -- that the questions about your party we few exceptions it seems to mean there's a perception. That the debate seems to be going on within the Republican Party with the Democrats in many cases except for. A few voices congressman Murtha viewers come to mind the Democrats stand -- and that's the perception. We heard that it's part of the party planned the Democratic Party clients stand back and that the Republicans fight among themselves which they seem to be doing increasingly. Than others in asking dangerous doesn't send a signal that the Democrats. You have no plans have no leader."

" There are those that. Strongly. Oppose the administration's policy but -- also. Are very very concerned about what the future -- we're boring but when we wrote in. The permission constitutionally the permission of the -- The factions. To have private militias if from me down I mean items trouble before but that was really at a death --"

" I guess it's Ireland saying you saw this and and you -- powerless to stop that and and I I'm I'm I'm wanting needs some people asking why is the Democratic Party so powerless is is and what do you -- idea."

" to have a majority to have a hearing but let me just give you an example do you know how many subpoenas. The Republicans used to that on the Clinton administration who -- 1100. And you know how many subpoenas they have had in terms of oversight. On the Iraqi war three. You have a responsibility. To to have an oversight if you are in the majority but we don't I can't hold a hearing I can't. I'm on the armed services committee and I -- and I can attended I can get John Warner to hold. Hearings and Abu Ghraib which he did and I can we can the Democrats can get them to do. Reports on which they did they do -- studies out Abu Ghraib and we still haven't gotten onto the bottom of it."

" What do Democrats have to do to become irrelevant some would say it -- it did precisely because of what you saying the party has become irrelevant well what what."

" Well I I would hope that it's such an easily cliche I mean. The Democrats of the ones that personable took on the -- civil rights issues militarily and what. Where we have to look at where you stand if you're gonna look at the future -- I mean. Doesn't that have some relevancy in terms of of what you believe. I certainly do that when I look at. In individual and -- to support them to look where they stand where they stood what do they bid for. The the fact that we did pretty you know pass the Medicare we get asthmatic immediate as education. We took on civil rights issues all of which are very unpopular. And wanna know something. The Democrats -- paid a fearsome political price for. Because effectively you've lost the political south and all the rest but they were prepared to do it so it isn't as easy as someone who's been. It in the -- with Democrats and Republicans alike. To just say oh well I mean why isn't there a magic wand that the Democrats have that are gonna solve all of these problems I know what we're fighting. Four in terms of stopping the privatization. A Social Security. I know what we try to do in terms the prescription drug bill that was hijacked by the special interest. I know we tried to do an immigration and the Democrats along with -- important group of Republicans have been trying to reform that kind of a system. And I know the fight that we've made on the Supreme Court justices which are just beginning to see. When the decision that was made in these last few days the beginning of the closing down on -- rose by. -- Justice Alito and the bit small band of Brothers. That were out there trying to protect. The whistle blowers and privacy and civil liberties and civil rights. -- into the -- delegates and it there's a lot that. I think he needs and he we're in the life science century. When of the Greek tragedies is the reduction in support for research. The Republican halting of stem cell research in the United States and we've tried to get them up. I wanna see that kind of breakthrough types of research to reach out and help people massacres -- also the country in the world. There -- lot of reasons to go back the Senate I wanna see it change obviously in the direction of this country particularly about the abuses of executive power."

" Very personal question your son that Patrick the congressman from -- Admitted problems with drugs and alcohol he's in rehab would you -- advised him to it to quit the job and concentrate on and getting his health. Straight."

" Well at first of all I love Patrick very very much certainly am very proud of them to be willing to. To face up to this issue that says affected. Him and and many other families. And third I've. I believe that today he can be end and and has been a very effective congressman put it. People of Rhode Island so I think he's got a lot to to give -- but I think he says. -- are prepared to deal with this issue and I think he'll really the -- strong and effective. Force for. You know mental health parity in for other kinds of issues in the congress so. And you know I wish the best I think field they'll do well."

" This hasn't -- in here and we'll look at the time and we had you gotten splash so let's take a second on splash would have to be done at. Passing legislation greeted Myers keeping senator fit while playing catch. Seriously -- of us astonished to senior new book that this to hunt goes and he practically everywhere except the Senate floor."

" He wrote in the idea of book consists his story he wrote in the book that. He was disappointed not to go to on the Senate floor because he thinks that he behaves a lot better than a lot of senators that are in there and so he ought to be extended."

" It isn't it happening to have that unrequited love review at this stage in her political."

" For well it it's as every -- dog collar."

" At love note a lover knows they they become of a very important part of the of the family and greatly loved them great sources of of fun and life and -- does go to the Senate. I read every week you know in the French school where the child from the branch school I have heard about the last ten years and I noticed there were many books in that school but I notice that they'd they'd love animals and did seem to me that it could be an interesting way to introduce children. Both to Washington. The capital and the political process telling the story through a -- is voice and that's where try to --"

" late Ted Kennedy in 2006. And we -- close today with his words from his 1995 eulogy for his beloved mother rose."

" She has gone to god. And she is home. And at this moment. She is happily presiding but. -- table. With both of -- Joe's. Rejected carefully but Bobby and it. As she did all our lives and the weather was when I walked back from the range from school this child. Walkway -- a president. Who was her son came back to hyannisport. She will be there ready to welcome the rest of us hope some day. But this I have no doubt. Brad is -- word from the very beginning. Mother's prayers will continue to be more than enough to bring us --"

" Edward Kennedy's 1995 you. Can I late last night at the family compound on cape he -- seven. Here announce a production WBUR -- association and the BBC world service and PRI. I'm -- Please join us again here and now."