Kennedy Legacy

Ted Kennedy had a powerful effect in the Senate, pushing through major legislation to help the working class, the downtrodden and the dis-enfranchised.

And, even with his body wounded by cancer, Kennedy was a force in this year's fight for health care reform.

Calculating the Kennedy effect on the health care fight might not be possible just yet but the Senator everyone here called "Teddy" pegged that issue #1 in his long career.

A year ago yesterday at the Democratic National Convention with his own health failing, Ted Kennedy crusaded for what he called the cause of his life.

"Teddy spent a lifetime working for a fair and more just America," said Vice President Joe Biden.

Kennedy's successes were legendary: the civil rights acts and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"He was fighting for civil rights and all those who have been left out and left behind," said Democratic Congressman John Lewis of Georgia.

Kennedy joined President Bush on immigration reform and on education: No Child Left Behind

This year, fighting his own brain tumor, Kennedy pushed for a wider war on cancer with republican Kay Bailey Hutchison.

"He was a person that you could reach across the aisle when you did agree with something like cancer survival and really make headway and we were in the process of doing that," said the republican Senator Hutchinson.

Too sick to lead the fight for universal coverage, Kennedy turned over his Senate Health Committee to Chris Dodd.

"And while he wasn't there to cast votes, believe me: his presence was felt during these discussions as they will be in these coming days," said Dodd of Connecticut.

"But without his leadership and his legislative skills there and his vote this becomes far far more problematic for Barack Obama," MSNBC Political Analyst Pat Buchanan said.

Democrats have lost their strongest voice for health care reform and a host of other issues.

Instead of waiting 20 weeks for a special election, democrats in Massachusetts still hope ted Kennedy’s successor can be appointed soon, to continue the crusade for health care reform.