While appearing on Tuesday's edition of "MSNBC News Live" to comment on Caroline Kennedy's bid to be appointed the United States Senate, Washington Post news editor Vincent Bzdek hyperbolically lauded Caroline's uncle, Senator Ted Kennedy, as "one of the greatest legislators in the history of the country."
Anchor Norah O'Donnell also read from a New York Daily News column harshly attacking Caroline Kennedy as unqualified. She then defended, "Is that really fair? Is that a little bit tough?" In a follow-up question to Bzdek, O'Donnell gushed at the legacy of the Kennedy family: "The Kennedys have long been known for their eloquence. Of course, Ted Kennedy, the lion of the U.S. Senate, a great speechmaker, in terms of delivering on policy." Wondering if Caroline could live up to such standards, she queried the Washington Post editor, "Is she being compared unfairly to her uncle?"
Bzdek, who has written "The Kennedy Legacy: Jack, Bobby and Ted and a Family Dream Fulfilled," a yet-to-be released book on the Kennedys, saw parallels between uncle and niece. He explained, "...When Ted Kennedy first ran for the Senate in '62 when his brother was president, the same criticisms were made of him, that he was just running on his name and that he didn't have much to offer."
Based on the product description on Amazon.com, Bzdek's book sounds like a love letter to the liberal clan. It will apparently answer these questions: "How did the brothers [John, Bobby and Ted Kennedy] pass the torch to each other? What have the three brothers left us collectively? And who carries the torch forward now?" The newspaper editor has also written a biography of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. According to a review in the Washington Post, that book is "a rather admiring picture of its subject."
A transcript of the December 30 segment, which aired at 10:32am on MSNBC, follows:
NORAH O'DONNELL: Caroline Kennedy, that's who we're talking about, has endured a lot of criticism about how she is handling her bid for the Senate seat. And the shots keep on coming today, like this one from the New York Daily News. Michael Goodwin writes, quote, "A strange thing is happening on the way to the coronation. The wheels of the bandwagon are coming off. Fantasy is giving way to inescapable truth. That truth is that Kennedy is not ready for the job and doesn't deserve it. Somebody who loves her should tell her. Her quest is becoming a cringe-inducing experience, as painful to watch as it must be to endure." Joining us from the Washington Post news room is news editor and author Vincent Bzdek. His book, "The Kennedy Legacy," is going to come out in April. All right, Vincent, thanks so much for joining us.
VINCENT BZDEK (Washington Post news editor): Thanks for having me, Norah.
O'DONNELL: Cringe-inducing? Is that really fair? Is that a little bit tough?
BZDEK: They have been tough. You know, I think we have to remember that this is mostly a media campaign. This is really an appointment not a campaign. And I'm not sure what I know of Governor Paterson that he is paying that much attention to what is said in the media. What I think is the more- the bigger question is what he thinks of what Obama has to say about it. Because Obama has been a big supporter of Caroline and Caroline, of course, was head of his vice presidential search committee. So, I think that's the real question is what kind of influence does Obama have on Governor Paterson?
O'DONNELL: Let's listen to this recent interview that Caroline Kennedy gave where some are making light of or criticizing her for using the phrase "you know" a lot.
CAROLINE KENNEDY: You know, in our family, my family in particular I think, you know- You know, we have to work twice as hard. Because, you know, people have this perception that, you know- But I think that's a question of what do you do with that opportunity?
O'DONNELL: The Kennedys have long been known for their eloquence. Of course, Ted Kennedy, the lion of the U.S. Senate, a great speechmaker, in terms of delivering on policy. Is she being compared unfairly to her uncle?
BZDEK: You know, it's interesting, because when Ted Kennedy first ran for the Senate in '62 when his brother was president, the same criticisms were made of him, that he was just running on his name and that he didn't have much to offer. And he really didn't. He didn't have much legislative experience. So, there's a lot of parallels and he's proven to be, you know, one of the greatest legislators in the history of the country. So, I think it's really early, too early, judge, especially judge her by a few verbal ticks. She's been quite eloquent in the past and was quite eloquent at the Democratic National Convention in Denver this summer.
O'DONNELL: No doubt. And we look forward to your new book coming out in April on the Kennedys. Vincent Bzdek, thank you so much.
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center.




















Editor at Large
Comments Policy
He is also
December 30, 2008 - 15:35 ET by 10ksnookerI here a very good swimmer and liar.
He sings a mean "National
December 30, 2008 - 15:45 ET by kgHe sings a mean "National Anthem"...........in Spanish
"Forget change, I want improvement!"
Fools are easily
December 30, 2008 - 15:43 ET by SlicksterFools are easily impressed, Ted has been nothing but a failure. Who else but the government keeps a useless employee around for forty years?
Slickster
December 30, 2008 - 15:46 ET by Mica the MagnificentUnions?
The Kennedys have long been
December 30, 2008 - 15:49 ET by SickofLibsThe Kennedys have long been known for their eloquence. Can Caroline live up to the high standards?
TED: Errah, errah, errah, errah, belch, I said no ice, errah...
CAROLINE: You know, I just want to say, you know, that, you know...
The answer is a resounding yes, she can.
You know
December 31, 2008 - 09:43 ET by KC MulvilleIn his defense of Caroline Kennedy's lack of eloquence, this editor dropped the "you know" a couple times himself. Thank God for editing, I guess.
Ted Kennedy has been
December 30, 2008 - 16:08 ET by R D HelmTed Kennedy has been nothing but a womanizing, stumbling drunkard his entire life.
Because of him, one women needlessly drowned in Teddy's own car, and several million innocent people lost their lives in Southeast Asia shortly after Teddy and his buddy J.F. Kerry finally managed to force our withdrawal from the region.
No current or former senator that I am aware of did more to destroy freedom, foster racial division, promote socialism, along with the commensurate exponential growth of the federal government, and steer this country ever and ever closer to an all-out nanny-state than has Ted Kennedy.
With the exception of Joe Jr. and possibly JFK, Senator Edward M. Kennedy and his thouroughly dysfunctional family has been a giant, embarrassing wart on the a$$ of this nation for nearly five decades.
-Sorry, but somebody had to say it.
-Dave
“Them that’s going get on the wagon.
Them that ain’t get out of the way.”
Dave... Unfortunately
December 30, 2008 - 16:14 ET by bigtimerDave...
Unfortunately they will continue to be so for another five decades too...as long as the msm has anything to do with it...plus they stay in their very blue areas.
Kathleen didn't so well though with her last election if memory serves me correct...it really broke my heart by the way.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Ted Kennedy has been
December 30, 2008 - 17:22 ET by 1611LilacLadyWith the exception of Joe Jr. and possibly JFK, Senator Edward M. Kennedy and his thouroughly dysfunctional family has been a giant, embarrassing wart on the a$$ of this nation for nearly five decades.
Maybe I am misunderstanding the above? 'possibly JFK?'
http://hnn.us/articles/7982.html
The Cuban Missile Crisis the Myth You Might Believe
by Sheldon M. Stern
I suggested instead that we might discuss one of the most famous incidents relating to the Kennedy-Khrushchev correspondence: on the evening of October 26, the Soviet leader sent a letter offering to remove the missiles from Cuba if the U.S. pledged not to invade the island nation. But, early on October 27, Khrushchev demanded that the U.S. also withdraw its Jupiter missiles from Turkey.
****
President Kennedy himself immediately seized on the political benefit in this explanation of the settlement of the crisis since the secret agreement to remove the U.S. missiles from Turkey was just that—top secret—and remained so for decades.
Isaiah 5:20a Woe unto them who call evil good, and good evil. . . KJV
Not to mention his abysmal,
December 30, 2008 - 17:30 ET by EdhenryNot to mention his abysmal, anti-american, damaging immigration policies, starting in mid 60s reducing technical qualifications, then 1.3 million "last time" amnesty in 80s and "this is not amnesty" in 2008.
He is weak in character, socialist in politics and a pork master the size of Sheets Bird. If there were 100 TKs in the Senate, we would be a colony of Britain, with the economy of France and the character of Russia.
The True Legacy of Ted ...
December 30, 2008 - 16:35 ET by Miss Cheviouslest we forget ....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVryCh7Pj-w&feature=related
for your listening pleasure ..
December 30, 2008 - 16:45 ET by Miss Cheviouspart one found here ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXSQ5BX6YXg
MissC... Thank you, those
December 30, 2008 - 16:52 ET by bigtimerMissC...
Thank you, those are keepers, great memories...he was the greatest, he was also the greatest in the Senate...I was wishing numerous times he would run for Prez, just thinking about his duel with Matthews afterwards was worth everything to watch...my Aunt in Ca. and I were going back on the phone while all that was happening...talk about priceless!
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
more than welcome bt
December 30, 2008 - 17:42 ET by Miss CheviousBesides I couldnt have people thinking that Jihad Cynthia is truely representative of Georgia politicians ... ;) gotta have some balance
Where is Zel now?
December 30, 2008 - 17:48 ET by wildcatthanks miss c.
we need more of his type to lead us to 2012.
wc... He retired...dang
December 30, 2008 - 17:56 ET by bigtimerwc...
He retired...dang it all anyway.
He stood for his principles in the Senate as a democrat, with pride and his true convictions, he was not treated well by his other dems.
He made great floor speeches, such words of wisdom that man had...I miss him greatly.
He was more of a patriotic conservative dem. who followed the Constitution than quite a few on the 'R' side of the aisle were and wasn't afraid to say so either.
A great man.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
bt, give 'em hell Zell is one of a kind.
December 30, 2008 - 18:29 ET by R D HelmDamn proud he is a former Marine from right here in Georgia.
I'd have voted for him for POTUS even if he had run as a dem. He's more conservative then Bush in many ways.
-Dave
“Them that’s going get on the wagon.
Them that ain’t get out of the way.”
Zell
December 30, 2008 - 18:50 ET by Miss CheviousOnly "semi-retired" bt Zell currently teaches a Leadership Course at Young Harris College in his hometown. Hopefully filling those young minds full of mush on what it means to be a TRUE patriot.
He was also active recently in the Chambliss/Martin runoff election making several appearances in support of ....
wait for it ....
wait for it ...
Saxby !!!
Known for their eloquence???
December 30, 2008 - 16:51 ET by 1611LilacLadyDoes anyone else remember when Rush Limbaugh had a brief stint on television? He had a clip of eloquent Teddy the swimmer introducing (I think) Clinton. The only thing that came out of his mouth was a mumble-jumble of nothing. It was very funny!
It must be the result of his near-drowning at Chappaquidick.
I think these lieberals are warming up for the demise of Teddy the swimmer.
Isaiah 5:20a Woe unto them who call evil good, and good evil. . . KJV
LilacL... You betcha' I
December 30, 2008 - 16:57 ET by bigtimerLilacL...
You betcha' I do...it was how we were first introduced to Rush in our area..we could not wait for those shows...wished he still would have the show, but like he said, it was too much of a mess, took too may hours, had too many bosses, took too much time... just too hectic compared to what he is doing now.
I have great memories of the shows though...including the one you mentioned.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Oh, yeah, I remember that
December 30, 2008 - 17:32 ET by SickofLibsOh, yeah, I remember that clip! It was way worse than even Howard Dean's famous screaming-howling thing.
Speaking of the United States Senate, start popping the popcorn
December 30, 2008 - 16:54 ET by Prester JohnRegarding Sentate Dems reluctance to "accept" Gov Blago's pick to replace BHO:
"Congressman Bobby Rush: 'This is a matter of national importance. There are no African Americans in the Senate, and I don't think that anyone, any U.S. senator who's sitting in the Senate right now, wanna go on record to DENY one African American from being seated in the U.S. Senate. I don't think they want to go on record doing that'..."
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D95D9EFO0&show_article=1
PJ... Yeah I heard his
December 30, 2008 - 16:59 ET by bigtimerPJ...
Yeah I heard his mumblings...nothing like an ex-Black Panther congresscritter telling us how it is.
Burris and Blago would have been better off not having him speak at all IMHO.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
If this were a Monopoly
December 30, 2008 - 17:07 ET by SickofLibsIf this were a Monopoly game, I would say one President equals a hotel on Park Place, which is worth way more than a dozen Senators on Baltic Avenue...
...so Bobby should shut the hell up (we HAD a Black Senator, but unfortunately he was never there.)
High Praise
December 30, 2008 - 17:06 ET by mattmA liar from the MSM calls a manslaughterer from the Senate a great legislator...makes sense.
Oh c'mon people, for
December 30, 2008 - 17:12 ET by MidAmericaOh c'mon people, for those who believe in the religion of government they need their Saints. The Kennedys and the rememberance of Camalot are part of the mythology necessary to spread the faith and inspire new believers. Let everyone know that there walks among us a divine lineage who will lead us to a utopian paradise if we will only soften our hearts and listen to their message.
Good points, but,
December 30, 2008 - 17:17 ET by Chris NormanGood points, but, unfortunately for them, their "message" has been somewhat muddled the last few years, because of Ol' Ted Kennedy's utter incoherence. Now, I hope they're not, like, looking to Caroline for a more, you know, clarion call.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Well there you go,
December 30, 2008 - 17:39 ET by MidAmericaWell there you go, comparing the mortal to the imortal. The Kennedys are somewhat like the Pope. The Pope is indeed a mortal man but by virtue of his being the Pope he is endowed with divine qualities and responsibilities and is deserving of respect. This is how it is to be a Kennedy. For sure, Caroline is an untested and unproven politician, but that is not the point. She is a Kennedy. To ignore potential Kennedy leadership is like leaving the Chair of St. Peter empty.
I really do agree with
December 30, 2008 - 18:40 ET by Chris NormanI really do agree with your observation. I posted a couple weeks ago that, like it's namesake musical, "Camelot" is best gauzily remembered rather than watched now. Both the musical and the political myth have become tired, worn, and unwatchable - not that either was ever as great as pretended (although the musical had some good songs). However, for the media, the Kennedy version still "shines" - no matter how tarnished the rest of us see it...
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Well I was speaking for
December 30, 2008 - 19:36 ET by MidAmericaWell I was speaking for the media, not me. After all Camalot was a wholly (holy?) created media myth. The media needs the myth of Camalot because it gives emotional significance to government and by extension to their own personal lives. No longer are they just reporting about one scoundrel running against another scoundrel. Now they are reporting, what to them, is a morality play where the forces of good are battling the forces of evil. And they are there to join in that cosmic battle, struggling alongside their hero and being comforted with the knowledge that their lives have meaning and significence. We saw this played out bigtime with the election of obama.
Bzdek owes me...
December 30, 2008 - 17:22 ET by wizardjrya know how much time I had to waste cleaning the coffee spew after reading that...???!! I should hire a cleaner and bill him. <gfete>
Quick, somebody check the compound -
December 30, 2008 - 17:28 ET by SickofLibs- that guy in the screencap looks exactly like a Kennedy... no neck, Chivas-redfaced, grossly overweight and that dumb Hyannis haircut... possibly another previously unknown "cousin"?
Eloquence
December 30, 2008 - 17:53 ET by littlemissmuffinHere's a short clip of Ted Kennedy's eloquence:
<warning - put the coffee, soda, water, etc down before watching>
http://politicalhumo...
Remembering little Caylee Anthony (2005-2008). May justice be served.
lmm... One of the
December 30, 2008 - 18:04 ET by bigtimerlmm...
One of the best!
I still have that link saved too.
I tell you I still LMAO listening to that mumbo-jumbo from the nit-wit...you know darn well if this had been anyone with an 'R' after their name the msm would have been all over it in various ways, 24/7...
NAH...Nary a word from the msm, it infuriated me...I watched this live when it happened so I was doubly mad.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
I think it's hilarious!
December 30, 2008 - 18:31 ET by littlemissmuffinHere's a few definitions for you:
NBC - National Barak Channel
ABC - All Barak Channel
CBS - Constant Barak Station
MSM - Must Support Messiah
Remembering little Caylee Anthony (2005-2008). May justice be served.
At least when Ralph Kramden
December 30, 2008 - 18:26 ET by SickofLibsAt least when Ralph Kramden did the "homina homina homina" thing he was in the middle of getting caught at something!
Drunken Ted...A drunks legacy.
December 30, 2008 - 18:13 ET by ScrapironEnd of the Kennedy dynasty
Interesting to see in black and white what we've all known and felt for
years.
*As soon as cancer was found, I noticed the immediate attempt at canonization of old Teddy by the main stream media. They are saying what a "great American" he is. I say, let's get a couple things clear & not twist the facts to change the real history.*
*1. He was caught cheating at Harvard when he attended it. He was expelled twice, once for cheating on a test, and once for paying a
classmate to cheat for him.
*2. While expelled, Kennedy enlisted in the Army, but mistakenly signed up for four years instead of two. Oops, the man can't count to four. His father, Joseph P. Kennedy, former U.S. Ambassador to England (a step up from bootlegging liquor into the U.S. from Canada during prohibition), pulled the necessary strings to have his enlistment shortened to two years, and to ensure that he served in Europe, not Korea, where a war was raging. No preferential treatment for him like "he" charged President Bush received.
*3. Kennedy was assigned to Paris , never advanced beyond the rank of Private, and returned to Harvard upon being discharged. imagine a person of his "education" NEVER advancing past the rank of Private.
*4. While attending law school at the University of Virginia, he was cited for reckless driving four times, including once when he was
clocked driving 90 miles per hour in a residential neighborhood with his headlights off after dark. Yet his Virginia driver's license was never revoked. Coincidentally, he passed the bar exam in 1959, amazing!!!
*
*5. In 1964, he was seriously injured in a plane crash, and hospitalized for several months. Test results done by the hospital at the time he was admitted had shown he was legally intoxicated. The results of those tests remained a "state secret" until in the 1980's when the report was unsealed. Didn't hear about that from the unbiased media, did we.
*6. On July 19, 1969, Kennedy attended a party on Chappaquiddick Island in Massachusetts . At about 11:00 PM, he borrowed his chauffeur's keys to his Oldsmobile limousine, and offered to give a ride home to Mary Jo Kopechne, a campaign worker. Leaving the island via an unlit bridge with no guard rail, Kennedy steered the car off the bridge, flipped, and into Poucha Pond.*
*7. He swam to shore and walked back to the party, after passing several houses and a fire station. Then two friends returned with him to the scene of the accident. According to their later testimony, they told him what he already knew, that he was required by law to immediately report the accident to the authorities. Instead Kennedy made his way to his hotel, called his lawyer, and went to sleep. Kennedy called the police the next morning and by then the wreck had already been discovered. Before dying, Kopechne had scratched at the upholstered floor above her head in the upside-down car. The Kennedy family began "calling in favors", ensuring that any inquiry would be contained. Her corpse was whisked out-of-state to her family, before an autopsy could be conducted. Further details are uncertain, but after the accident Kennedy says he repeatedly dove under the water trying to rescue Kopechne, and he didn't call police because he was in a state of shock. It is widely assumed Kennedy was drunk, and he held off calling police in hopes that his family could fix the problem overnight. Since the accident, Kennedy's "political enemies" have referred to him as the distinguished Senator from Chappaquiddick. He pled guilty to leaving the scene of an accident, and was given a SUSPENDED SENTENCE OF TWO MONTHS. Kopechne's family received a small payout ?from the Kennedy's insurance policy, and never sued. There was later an effort to have her body exhumed and autopsied, but her family successfully fought against this in court, and Kennedy's family paid their attorney's bills... a "token of friendship"? * *8. Kennedy has held his Senate seat for more than forty years,but considering his longevity, his accomplishments seem scant. He authored or argued for legislation that ensured a variety of civil rights, increased the minimum wage in 1981, made access to health care easier for the indigent, and funded Meals on Wheels for fixed-income seniors and is widely held as the "standard-bearer for liberalism". In his very first Senate role, he was the floor manager for the bill that turned U.S. immigration policy upside down and opened the floodgate for immigrants from third world countries.
*9. Since that time, he has been the prime instigator and author of every expansion of and increase in immigration, up to and including the latest attempt to grant amnesty to illegal aliens. Not to mention the Pious grilling he gave the last two Supreme Court Nominees, as if he were the standard bearer for the nation in matters of right. What a pompous ass.*
*10. He is known around Washington as a public drunk, loud, boisterous and very disrespectful to ladies. JERK is a better description than "great American".
Let's not allow the spin doctors make this jerk a hero -- how quickly the American public forgets what his real legacy is...*
(author unknown)
Old, Retired and glad of it.
thanks Scrappy, that was too funny
December 30, 2008 - 18:31 ET by SickofLibs"Errah, errah, no, I thought I checked the, errah, two-year box."
Classic.
Ted Kennedy is the reason
December 30, 2008 - 19:26 ET by mostlymoderateTed Kennedy is the reason America has grown crime, gang and drug ridden since the 1960's:
http://www.npr.org/t...
Maybe he should have done
December 30, 2008 - 23:05 ET by pitter43Maybe he should have done some legislation against drunk driving and murder but, oh yes, that would have put him in jail where he belongs. Maybe him and Simpson could share a cell.
Oh Teddy Boy!
December 31, 2008 - 00:16 ET by okiehawk44Can you just imagine being Edward (Teddy) Kennedy right now so close to standing before the Pearly Gates?