I will be the first one to tell you that I do not agree with Ted Kennedy’s political beliefs. I will also be the first one to tell you that I think Ted Kennedy is guilty of receiving much more special treatment due to his family name than George W. Bush ever did, even though Kennedy spent countless hours criticizing Bush for such treatment. Needles to say, I am not a fan of the man. But I do respect him, and I believe that everyone, regardless of party membership, should mourn the loss of such a fantastic politician.

Ted Kennedy is arguably the most effective lawmaker the United States has ever seen, or will ever see. And his effectiveness had nothing to do with his family name or his reputation. Instead, his success was due to his ability put his ego on hold and compromise, something that most Washington politicians find impossible. In his time in office, he authored 300 bills that became law, and co-sponsored over 550 bills that were written into law. Such high numbers could not be achieved without the ability to reach across the isle and make friends.

He also never took anything personally. Many of his colleagues have said that even after a heated battle on the Senate floor, he would always come out laughing and shaking hands. He knew that politics was politics and kept it that way. He was friends with people who had the exact opposite viewpoints as his own because he was able to separate politics from his personal life.

While Kennedy was able to address both parties’ concerns effectively, he never compromised his overall position for political gain. He never fell from his original position, and that is something that should be respected, as it is a rare quality in a politician. He is always consistent, and never second-guesses himself.

Many politicians will tell you that they were always against going into Iraq, when their records scream differently. Or that they always thought No Child Left Behind would fail. Ted Kennedy doesn’t have to say any of those things, because he didn’t vote to go into Iraq, and he co-sponsored No Child Left Behind and continued to support it. No matter of protest or anger from his constituents could make him sway from the truth.

Ted Kennedy truly worked to achieve what he believed would be a better society. He fought hard for people he believed to be left out or left behind. He was a leader in the civil rights movement, and worked hard to push those ideals through a reluctant Senate. He pushed for social welfare programs for those he believed needed help, and supported legislation from legislators from both parties that he believed would advance our country.

There are not many politicians like Ted Kennedy now, and their probably won’t be anytime soon. He was a role model for how politicians should behave (previous personal history aside), and how they should work together. Unfortunately, the death of this great politician has become politicized as of late. Both parties are guilty. Lets not allow his death to become a point of contention in the Senate. Lets simply allow his memory to be connected with one of the longest and most successful Senate runs in United States history.

Regardless of your political affiliation, you cannot deny the political force that was Ted Kennedy, or the positive legacy he will leave upon Washington Politics. While you may not agree with his politics or find his past to be appalling, you should at least agree that he is an irreplaceable politician who deserves the same respect that you would grant to anyone who performed their duties so impeccably.

Jessica Huseman is a Sophomore CCPA and political science double major. She can be reached for comment at [email protected].