The news of Sen. Edward Kennedy's incurable brain tumor struck hard in Washington this week. Capitol Hill's boldest liberal, the Massachusetts senator is respected by members on both sides of the aisle and well-known as a skilled and passionate orator.
This week, Word for Word features excerpts from some of the Senator's speeches over his 46-year career that earned him a reputation as Washington's "liberal lion."
Here's an example from a speech he made on the Senate floor in winter of 2007 when he chided Republicans for stalling a bill that would increase the minimum wage:
"What is the price we ask the other side? What is the price that you want form these working men and women? What cost? How much more do we have to give to the private sector and to business? How many billion dollars more are you asking? Are you requiring? When does the greed stop?"
In this current election season, there's a lot of discussion lately about politicians as skilled orators -- how important is it for the people voted into public office to be passionate speakers? Is it rare to find politicians who have a talent for public speaking? What other memorable speeches made by politicians do you remember?
__________________________
Larissa Anderson
Producer, Word for Word
MPR | APM
recommend
Facebook
Twitter
bookmark 
print
Comments: 3
This is what irritates me about Kennedy's rhectoric and his politics. The week before last I received my statement from MSRS, one of the State of Minnesota Pension Funds. The letter proudly announced that the State Investment Board earned a whopping 18% rate of return last year.
Think about that. How exactly does one go about earning 18%?
So here we have an entity that more than any other represents the base of Sen. Kennedy and the Democratic Party's power (civil servants) and it is proudly proclaiming not only its wealth ($50 Billion) but its astounding investment success.
Consider that the wealthiest family in the state, the Pohlads, can only brag a measily $2 Billion in wealth, and doubtfully earn such a generous rate of return because they, unlike civil servants, pay taxes on their earning.
If the Pohlad's could be accused of earning their wealth through outsourcing, down-sizing and off-shoring of jobs, I am sure the thunder of Kennedy's rhectoric would be leveled against them. But should we not be asking why he has not leveled his fire against the largest concentration of wealth in the nation - retirees, and especially union and civil servant pensions?
If one were to tick off the largerst set of stockholders in any major corporation, the top of the list is inevitably dominated by civil servant and union pension funds. For instance, the largert single shareholder in Exxon is the New York State Teachers Retirement fund.
So here we are with the Minnesota State Investment Board now controlled by DFL functionairies: Lori Swanson, state attorney general; Rebecca Otto, state auditor; and Mark Ritchie, secretary of state.
One needs to ask, will these people put their money where Ted Kennedy's mouth is?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Jo_Kopechne
Oratorial skills aside, I wonder how Mary Jo's family feels about him?