Kennedy-campaign staffers also confide that Teddy has probably pushed himself too hard in this early campaign swing, in an attempt to make up ground on Carter. This has resulted, they claim, in a weary candidate given to poor performances. Some of this may be true; for, although Ted Kennedy is not as glib as his well-crafted speeches have suggested over the years, neither is he as inarticulate as his stump performances have shown him over the past several weeks. "He was always so well-prepared," a friendly Massachusetts congressman mused. "But now he doesn't seem the polished, astute guy he's been. He almost looks preoccupied."
Yet the problem with Kennedy's campaign is not simply a case of road fatigue or reoccurring foot-in-mouth disease; nor can it be laid off to the distracted mien of a man who must understandably fear maniacal intent lurking around every corner. The more profound problem posed by his performance – particularly by his comments on Iran – is that it reinforces public doubt about his judgment. The fundamental question raised is this: with other people's well-being at stake, does Kennedy put his personal and political interests ahead of those in danger? It is the Chappaquiddick question bridging several continents.
Nor can Ted Kennedy afford to speak with a forked tongue about our posture of national unity toward Iran's threats when the most damaging perception about him is that he covered up after the accident at Dike Bridge by deceiving the public – which just happens to be what 80 percent of the Democratic public believes he did, including 60 percent of his own supporters. As one of Kennedy's congressional advocates complained, "It looks like he's gonna have to ride that Dike Bridge until Election Day."
Kennedy and his campaign are inadvertently highlighting these liabilities by making leadership the focus of his candidacy – an issue, if it can be called that, that redounds to questions of a character. By failing to frame the race as a competition between visions of the future, Kennedy is inviting invidious comparisons between Carter and himself as men rather than encouraging comparisons of their views toward the energy crisis and the world's changing economic order. Comparisons based on these issues could not help but prove beneficial to Kennedy, since Carter's announcement speech was as bereft of vision as his three years in office have been. (What it did contain was multiple use of the phrase, "That is the truth." Five times he used the line to tag and explanation of what America cannot do, obviously implying that telling the truth is not something Edward M. Kennedy can do.) "Kennedy's not providing a vision for the people," a staffer for a senator close to Kennedy complained. "He's not even providing a vision of the past."
Related:
Jimmy C. and Teddy K., After Ted, Strange bedfellows, More 
- Jimmy C. and Teddy K.
When the Camelot Caucus convenes in Faneuil Hall this Wednesday, the American presidency will once again become the trophy of a personality joust. In 1968 and '72, there was at least the issue of Vietnam to veil the overweaning ambitions of competing public men. But even that ambiguous nobility is lacking this year.
- After Ted
The death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy early Wednesday morning brings to a close the life and legendary career of one of Massachusetts's greatest political figures.
- Strange bedfellows
Wait, lemme get this straight: Was that Howie Carr — who's known for accompanying on-air references to homosexuality with a crude audio approximation of gay sex — happily schmoozing with guest Randy Price this past week?
- With Kennedy's death, a chance to move beyond royalty
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, the last "lion" of the Massachusetts clan, finally rests – in peace, I hope.
- Ted Kennedy's real record
When a 32-year incumbent seeks re-election, there is a long and well-documented record that can be examined. So it's disconcerting to note that admit all the miles of newsprint and videotape that have been expended covering the US Senate campaign, little has been said of what Ted Kennedy has or hasn't accomplished.
- Public and private affairs
Philandering, like heavy drinking, traditionally has been one of those activities that the boys in the press keep mum about when reporting on the boys on the Hill, or the boy in the White House, or any boy, for that matter. The rationales for this silence are curiously contradictory.
- Ted's turn
A little-known provision in the crime bill now being negotiated by a House-Senate conference committee would greatly expand the number of prison cells available to house violent criminals, and it wouldn't be cost a dime. But it may be doomed unless Senator Ted Kennedy is willing to spend some political capital.
- Going Mobil
Washington – If ideology wasn't already dead in presidential politics, the plug was pulled on its support system last Monday, when the Kennedy campaign announced that its advertising and polling would be organized by Mobil Oil's vice-president of public affair, Herbert Schmertz.
- Tormenting Teddy
After 32 years in the US Senate, Ted Kennedy remains a force to be reckoned with, both for his legendary family history and his considerable accomplishments.
- Ted Kennedy's passing
Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who served Massachusetts for 46 years — sometimes surrounded by controversy, but always with distinction — was the only one of Joseph P. Kennedy’s four sons to die surrounded by family at home in his bed.
- The annunciations
The broad brush strokes of Teddy Kennedy's presidential announcement may have uplifted liberal hearts, but Jerry Brown's announcement challenged liberal thinking with some pencil-sharp specifics about the role of government in economic planning for the 1980s.
- Less
Topics:
Flashbacks
, Ted Kennedy, Ted Kennedy Memorial, Marco Trbovich, More
, Ted Kennedy, Ted Kennedy Memorial, Marco Trbovich, Jane Byrne, Cold War, Election Campaigns, Jimmy Carter, Jimmy Carter, U.S. Department of State, Edward M. Kennedy, Less
