I awoke to the sad news of the death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy this morning. Ted Kennedy has been at the center of the fight for social justice in this country for nearly fifty years. I cast my first ever presidential vote for him in the Massachusetts primary in 1980. I am deeply saddened at his loss and immensely troubled at the cruel irony that his departure comes at the moment when his dream for universal health care is both within reach and in grave danger. Maybe though, this will give President Obama an impetus for greater passion in pushing Kennedy's Senate colleagues to give him a fitting memorial, one that transcends empty rhetoric extolling his contribution.
I am on my way on a 400 mile round trip today to try and persuade two union health plans with whom I work to merge together, so will be unable to comment further until this evening. I will try and give much more complete thoughts this evening on this immense loss for all of us.