on ted kennedy
his ability to work across party lines was a major part of his legacy.
when we elected him, barack obama brought with him his relationship with kennedy, that of student and mentor. part of that included a desire to “bring everyone under one tent.”
you can appreciate obama’s willingness to cooperate (read: bend over) for republican votes, but at what cost? the republicans that ted kennedy worked with to get legislation passed were willing to compromise, even if at some cost. all compromise in this current fight comes given an opposition’s remarkably detached intentions to vote against the watered down bill no matter what concessions democrats make.
do we not owe this man? of course we do. it’s time to stop screwing around on health care.