• SPECIAL EDITION •

VOL. 3 NO. 112 POLThursday,I AugusTt 27, 2009ICO www.POLITICO.com

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy 1932-2009 Remembering a Legend

AP

For Obama, a key endorsement Massachusetts pols eye a ‘Problem by problem,’ Kennedy led to an emotional bond once-in-a-generation vacancy transformed himself

By Jo n a t h a n Ma r t i n By Jo s h Kr a u s h a a r By Jo h n F. Ha r r i s a n d Be n Sm i t h a n d Al e x a n d e r Bu r n s The death of Democratic titan Sen. Ted Ken- Through two years of wearying campaign- nedy, which creates the first Senate opening in A decade ago, at the memorial service for ing, defeats and victories, the cool, disciplined Massachusetts in 25 years, is likely to release John F. Kennedy Jr., yet another family member Sen. Barack Obama rarely was overcome by the pent-up ambitions of a long line of Demo- struck down at an early age, Edward M. Kenne- emotion. Once was on the eve of the election, crats who will find the upcoming special elec- dy mourned his nephew by noting that he would when his grandmother died. tion hard to pass up. not live “to comb gray hairs.” The other time, a close aide recalled, was Several of them have already been jockey- It is the defining fact of this Kennedy’s legacy when Sen. Ted Kennedy endorsed him. ing behind the scenes for months over the — both his standing within the Kennedy dynas- Kennedy’s endorsement may have won possibility of a Senate vacancy. Since under ty and his larger impact on American society — Obama the nomination. His legacy, health care current Massachusetts election law Kennedy’s that he enjoyed a long and eventful life. legislation, has already shaped Obama’s presi- successor will be selected in a special election The youngest member of his generation did dency. But it wasn’t until the last minute, in late — likely to be held in late January 2010 — the not have the cool grace of John F. Kennedy, the January 2008, that Kennedy decided to take contest will be especially attractive to sitting dazzling wit or the easy command of language. sides at all — throwing himself into a hard- officeholders who would not have to give up He did not have Robert F. Kennedy’s lean, as- fought primary between two of his friends, their seats to run. cetic features or electric sense of purpose. He Obama and then-Sen. Hillary Clinton. The course of the Senate race, however, may spent decades in Washington as a contemporary

See obama on Page 12 See succession on Page 13 See legacy on Page 9

MORE INSIDE The president and his prede- How Camelot’s little brother “The hope rises again. And From some Kennedy critics, A personal legacy: Some of cessors pay their respects became a senator’s senator the dream lives on.” a moment of silence Washington’s power elite PAGE 3 PAGE 6 PAGE 10 PAGE 15 PAGE 18