The events of January 2008 consciously evoked the passing of the torch to a new generation. This metaphor was made memorable in John F. Kennedy’s 1961 inaugural address. And it gave a much-needed boost to President Obama’s prospects for Democratic front-runner Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York, herself a member of a nascent political dynasty. Although Mr. Clinton had the support of lesser-known members of the Kennedy family’s extended family, Mr. Clinton’s star power was firmly anchored by Mr. Obama.
I was the only reporter allowed backstage that day, so I was able to see all the details up close. I couldn’t help but think back to when the Kennedy family gathered on stage in Philadelphia on Thursday to formally declare their support for President Biden and protect their family’s legacy from Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Independent presidential campaign.
Take a moment to think about how much has changed for your family since 2008. What shocked me most at that time was the sight of an unusually calm President Obama holding back tears just before the event. His own father had come to this country from Kenya as part of a program supported by the Kennedy Family Foundation.
“I have to admit, I had to tone it down a little bit,” the future president later admitted to me when I spoke of the emotions I witnessed. “It was a powerful thing. Seeing Ted, Caroline and Patrick together, the role they played in shaping my values and ideals and what I believe about America, and the role they played in shaping my values and ideals and what I believe about America, and the role they played in shaping my father’s Hawaii …It brings things full circle.”
Little did anyone know at the time that this would be one of the final culminations of the Kennedy family’s collective influence in modern electoral politics.
Ted Kennedy only had 19 months to live before he was diagnosed with a brain tumor before seeing President Obama achieve his cherished goal of health care reform. Patrick will leave parliament in 2011 to focus his energy on mental health issues. At one point, Caroline was considered to be a senator from New York, whom Clinton had appointed as secretary of state, but she would later serve as Obama’s ambassador to Japan instead.
Fewer and fewer Americans have memories of the Camelot days, and no one should be surprised that Kennedy’s magic is not what it once was. But this election cycle brought another dark ending for the family.
RFK Jr. has capitalized on Kennedy’s gloomy aura, frequently citing his slain father and uncle. His last name has him in the low double digits in the polls, but it’s not enough to win the electorate, much less win the election, although former President Donald Trump is behind former President Donald Trump in some states. This could be enough to tilt Biden’s balance of power. November is the most important month.
The prospect of Kennedy helping Trump return to the White House has horrified three of his relatives, including Caroline, who is serving in the Biden administration.
Joining Biden on stage Thursday were six of RFK’s brothers. Although they did not directly mention their brother at the Philadelphia rally, the target of their rebuke was clear.
“President Biden has been a champion of all the rights and freedoms that his father and uncle championed, which is why nearly all of Joe and Rose Kennedy’s grandchildren support Joe Biden,” said his sister Kerry Kennedy. That’s right. …The Kennedy family supports Joe Biden.”
No, this wasn’t a message of hope or aspiration, but it’s not the kind of political season we’re in right now. In an election fueled by fear and resentment, there is no torch to pass – except the one the Kennedys fear will be used to light their remaining family name.
