Democratic Convention Watch 2008 - Ted Kennedy

Jimmy Carter's long-time fellow Democratic rival Ted Kennedy got himself a proper tribute as well.

Ted Kennedy is pretty amazing, too. Like all Kennedys, it seems, Ted was personally quite flawed. Drinking, scandals, and more.

We had the conventions on TV in my house growing up, and I have some early memories of fiery speeches coming out of the Liberal Lion. In spite of the ugly 1980 primary challenge (which I was way too young to appreciate), I've always liked both Ted and Jimmy, even if they don't much like each other.

The tribute to Ted got the missus crying. I felt a tear forming but didn't break.

Then Ted himself came out. The man's got a goddamned brain tumor, and he gave a speech. Yes, he looked a little sick. But he fucking walked out, he stood there, his timing was good, his voice occasionally faltered, his Boston accent flared appropriately, he got too close to the microphone a couple of times...

But fucking hell... Ted Kennedy has a fucking brain tumor, and he gave a fucking speech. And a pretty goddamned good one, even when thinking about the speeches we've gotten used to from Barack Obama.

And David Brooks (a.k.a. Yarnell) just called Ted Kennedy the greatest senator in the United States. And usually I dismiss Yarnell as a non-confrontational, conservative yutz. But I guess I'll accept something he says if I agree with it.

After all, this Convention is all about unity!