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Bobby Kennedy: Fearless

By Bud White on October 6, 2008 at 10:00 AM in African Americans, Bobby Kennedy, Civil Rights, Democratic Party, Health Care, Indiana, Racism, Sexism, White Working Class, Women

Like many Democrats, I fell hard for Bobby Kennedy. Although I wasn’t born when he was killed, his memory is woven into the fabric of the Democratic Party. You couldn’t be a Democrat through the conservative revolution of the 1980s and 1990s without yearning for his voice of outrage.

Bobby was the last politician, except perhaps for Hillary this year, who consciously sought to unite the remaining factions of the New Deal coalition. He sought the votes of African Americans in Watts and conservative whites in Indiana. His funeral train famously symbolized the divided America he sought to unite; for many miles between New York and Washington, whites and blacks, young and old, saluting veterans, nuns, and Americans every stripe lined the train tracks to see the train which took Bobby to his final rest.

It’s been 40 years since he was taken from us. In many ways our country is a more tolerant and better place. Women and minorities are no longer legally treated as second-class citizens, environmental and health standards have been put in place, a massive safety net saves many from abject poverty. But we’re also a cruder and meaner country, a place where destroying your opponent is considered the sign of a smart politician. It’s now considered funny and acceptable to sexualize and degrade women who seek elective office. In contrast, Bobby refused to be interviewed by the very tame Playboy magazine for fear his children would one day see it.

Bobby Kennedy’s voice was direct and honest. Of course he was a politician, but he knew his strength was in his authenticity. Politicians today smooth the edges of their rhetoric. In a desire not to offend, they soften their approach and offer platitudes instead of policies. They sooth us, but they don’t challenge us. Bobby challenged.

A professor from my college, where Bobby visited in the mid-sixties, related to me that when students asked Bobby who would pay for health care for the poor, he simply told them “You will.” His fearless voice is sorely missed today.

On Monday night I’ll be speaking with Thurston Clark, author of the superb new book: The Last Campaign: Robert F. Kennedy and 82 Days that Inspired America. I hope you’ll join us.

What are your memories of Bobby?

  • John Smith

    He was the brains behind JFK. This guy would have made a great President and as you can tell nobody wants that anymore these days. If someone is working for the people they try to get rid of him.

    • Lipstick LaPig

      His son is amazing.
      I appreciate his environmental activism.

  • Patjon

    Barack Obama’s name is not fit to be mentioned in the same breath as Bobby Kennedy’s.

    • http://! Clinton Fan

      Hillary Clinton’s is, though….and the comparisons between her and RFK are apt. She too was a key advisor to a renowned President (and a relative, to boot). She is the junior Senator from NY, a “carpetbagger,” just like RFK. She too, gave a shit about those in poverty, those barely getting by, those in need of decent health care, decent schooling, opportunity…and she was also smart enough to understand that you have to balance your domestic agenda AND your global viewpoint–you don’t “sacrifice” one for the other or you’re in deep trouble.

      I think the only way you can mention RFK and Obama in the same breath is to say something like “Obama couldn’t hold a candle to RFK on his best day compared to RFK’s worst.”

      RFK had EXPERIENCE on the national stage–REAL experience, over years, not 143 days’ worth. RFK had good judgment and didn’t consort with charletans, sleazebags, hucksters, thieves and people who are labeled in this Post-911 environment as “domestic terrorists.” RFK didn’t promise shit he couldn’t deliver to people. RFK didn’t lie about the problems facing the country, and try to paper over the real worries with catchphrase slogans. RFK appealed to young, old, rich, poor, people from all walks of life–Obama alienates the old and the working class in a big way (and anyone with half a brain at minimum when it comes to national security matters). They’re about as similar as dogshit and cheesecake.

  • http://medusa2.wordpress.com Medusa

    I was young and the country was in turmoil, but I do remember Bobby Kennedy as an inspiration to all of us. He traveled through the very poor areas of America and because TV crews were with him, I remember it was the first time we saw images of the poverty in Mississippi Delta.

    I also remember his speeches were filled with literary references.

    The robbery at the Rules and By-Laws committee would not have been allowed to happen with Bobby around.

    • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE7PFbK5L88&feature=related trixta

      Obama is a slap in the face to the memory of RFK, JFK, MLK. Isn’t his hero Reagan?

  • Colleen

    I remember walking to downtown Kalamazoo to the courthouse to hear Bobby speak. He was the kind of politician that could bring out The best in us. Recently, my 26 yr old son watch the movie about Bobby and remarked that there aren’t anymore politicians like Bobby. I agree.

    • http://JohnMcCain.com Galt, Master Thrall of Planet Triskelion, Proprietor of the NQ Popcorn Concession

      I remember walking to downtown Kalamazoo to the courthouse to hear Bobby speak. He was the kind of politician that could bring out The best in us.

      The antithesis of Obama who has brought out the worst in his supporters.

      • Kal

        Including pornographizing of self, others, and opponents….

  • John Smith

    He would have never gotten the nomination if the DNC would have behaved as it did today.

  • Shiloh

    Individuals like that should be the target of the new democratic party as it recovers from Obama (which it will)

  • bert

    Thanks for the memories, Bud. I was alive and in college during Bobby’s run for President. His was the second political campaign I worked on; his brother’s was the first. I actually got to see and hear him when a van load of us drove to Indianapolis to do some canvassing for him. Bobby spoke to us and thanked us.

    Sometimes I think we lost more with Bobby than even with JFK.

    No Secret Service assigned then as presidential candidates were not provided at that time. LBJ got legislation passed after RFK’s assassination.

    Yes, RFK also appealed to the FDR coalition, just like Hillary and President Clinton before her.

    If you think this video is moving, someone should put up video of the people lined up for his train ride to Arlington National Cemetery. Now that is moving.

    I have seen the Clark book, The Last Campaign, advertised here. I am going to get it after I finish reading Stricherz’s Why Democrats Are Blue.

    • JS Ruby

      I was in college at that time too and worked for Bobbie. It was one of the saddest days of my life when he was killed. It took me a long time to get over it or maybe I haven’t. He expressed hope for people that was real, and not just a political throw away line like you see today. I wish some one would post the video of his last train ride. I get choked up every time I see it. I too was helping HRC and I am still not happy with the way she was treated. I too will being looking for the Clark book to read. Thanks for the post Bud.

  • Soldier of Christ

    Bud, to be honest….your article is well read and interesting, but, knowing the Obama camp they are going to make a big stink with NQ showing this article of one of the kennedys.. They are just that kind of people! It is a reminder of what happen to him….so in my opinion it has nothing to do with the current race and the death is just a reminder of the unknown. In my opinion there are things that should not be brought up- because if they are screaming “racist” they will be screaming ” murder”. And, accusing this great NQusa of stirring up emotions and plots. Obama’s camp is that evil. The film is not helping Mccain. But, this is my opinion only.

    • bert

      Nonsense, Soldier. First Amendment and free speech always trump all. Which is why we must make certain Obama is not elected. Let them make their racist charges. I think in the end it will come back to haunt them and hurt them. I know it has hurt America and has sent race relations back decades.

      • Talk2ThePaw

        But if OB is elected their will be no more free speech in America. The fairness doctrine will be reinstituted and no media outlet will be allowed to put forth any words or thoughts that do not comply with OB’s definition of Amerika. He will do everything in his power and that of his Truth Squads to quash the internet as they have done in China and other totalitarian countries. And don’t forget Google is complict in censoring the internet in countries such as China. Google is in the bag with OB and will comply with his wishes.

    • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE7PFbK5L88&feature=related trixta

      That may be true, but NQ is not affiliated with McCain (nor HRC, for that matter), so let’s see what happens.

      BTW, we should be taking ABC’s THE VIEW to task on NQ for being sooo in the tank for Obama. I tune in once in a while to see what “they’re saying,” and it is really sickening to see them “catapult the propaganda” in favor of BO.

      I remember when Rosie was on the show how I disliked Elizabeth, but now she’s the only one I agree with on that show! Politics makes very strange bedfellows. I’m also shocked at how Barbara is so obviously biased toward BO and against McCain!

    • http://! Clinton Fan

      The goal isn’t to “help” McCain here.

      He’s simply the lesser of two evils.

      Most people congregating here are like me, Clinton fans. We feel she got robbed, which she did.

  • Arabella Trefoil

    I was working for Gene McCarthy at the time. In restrospect McCarthy and Howard Dean are two peas in a pod. I thougth Robert Kennedy was an interloper. I had friends and family who knew teh Kennedies so it was awkward.

    I still have my McCarthy campaign stuff.

    Later on in life, Robert Kennedy Jr. was very helpful to local causes that I devoted years of time to. Small world.

  • http://www.patriotroom.com Bill Dupray

    So You Want To Hit Obama Hard With Bill Ayers? Try This Video on For Size

    http://patriotroom.com/?p=2823

  • AnnieO

    OT: Does anybody know what happened to the article on Barack’s Revolutionary Buddies? I was just watching the video and trying to read the rest of it and now it’s gone.

  • NCgirl

    I think Bobby was the brains and the conscience behind Jack. Not meaning to change the subject, but I just found this on Drudge:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUEQz5dltmI

    Teens pledge allegiance to “The One.” This is getting scary folks.

  • doc99

    History buffs may find This interesting.

    • NCgirl

      Ooh, that is interesting. Thanks.

  • HT

    Bud, thanks for the memories, and even though I cried through the video, it was good to be reminded of a time when some politicians wanted to work for the people (I was 17 and a huge fan). Bobby Kennedy was special, as is his son; good men in a mediocre world. I agree with a previous poster that Bobby was the brains in JFK’s government, but he was also the fire, the passion. One very small person wiped out all that potential, and that is the saddest thing of all. Similar to the current situation where one very small person, BHO, wiped out what I consider to be the potential of the greatest presidency in history, HRC. Why do we never learn? Back to lurking.

  • rog

    And yet you’re all voting for John McCain and Sara Palin. Two people that stand for everything RFK was against.

    The cognitive dissonance here is amazing.

    • Jackie

      And how do you come to that conclusion.

    • Mary

      Pay attention, Rog.

      Robert F. Kennedy would NEVER have voted for the FISA “compromise.”

      O’bambi did.

  • NCgirl

    Something I just remembered…it was Bobby who got Jack to call and get MLK released from jail when he was arrested in Atlanta. That is really the thing that clinched the presidency for Jack Kennedy.

    • Bud White

      Bobby also provided a plane to retrieve MLK’s body from Memphis at the request of Correta Scott King. Of course his opponents accused him of being political with the act, it was purely at Mrs. King’s request.

  • Lorey

    We must try to each other people in order to prevent Obama from winning in November if not we will be partly responsible for the demise of our country. Reach, out, talk, call. Don’t let this happen.!!!!

  • Lorey

    I mean to reach.

  • Lorey

    Repost from Snoppy In PUMA PAC:

    Stop the Obama Constitutional Crisis
    Sign the Petition : 189 Letters and Emails Sent So Far

    http://www.rallycongress.com/constitutional-qualification/1244/stop-obama-constitutional-crisis/

    Only 189 letters and emails sent so far – we can do better – The letter informs our representatives of the Berg lawsuit and urges that a Court determine Obama’s eligibility to be President before the election.

    • Jackie

      I sent 1 and so did my husband–I sent the info to my daughter and her friends. Common folks this is our country we are talking about.

  • American Woman

    I was a teen living in the suburbs of Washington DC…I remember the saddness of my parents…and a kind hopelessness the community felt…they have both past now…and the Democratic Party that I have supported my entire life is dead…I remember my mother playing this song in tears..and it brings me to tears when I hear it…Barack Obama is not Bobby Kennedy…and it’s an insult to even suggest so…

    Abraham, Martin and John

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po0RH-Uf0Zo&feature=related

  • Alice Paul WPB

    I was 8 and I remember walking down the street and hearing about him being shot. I was young but I remember to this day feeling sadness, even though I didn’t know much about politics.

    I recommend watch Emilio Estevez’s movie Bobby if you haven’t seen it. Very well done but I don’t remember it getting much aclaim for some reason!

  • tek

    I was more affected by RFK’s death than JFK. I was in college and I was campaigning for him. It was stunning when he was shot. Not hard to look back and see the strategy in the 60s. Assassinate everyone who was helping the American people and fighting for a real democracy. Then corporate schills move into the vacuum in the federal government. Since RFK’s death, the only real democrat we’ve had in office has been Bill Clinton. The corporate elite didn’t dare shoot him, so they slandered him to death and bribed his own party into impeaching him. Now we have a bunch of crooks running the country–both parties.

    • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE7PFbK5L88&feature=related trixta

      Actually, Obama is against everything RFK stood for.

      Don’t kid yourself, Obama is the flip side of the neo-con fascist coin.

    • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE7PFbK5L88&feature=related trixta

      The coup against Clinton was carried out through character assassination,rather than literal assassination.

    • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE7PFbK5L88&feature=related trixta

      Nixon was a disaster! Obama’s petulance and thug-like qualities remind me of him. Perhaps history will repeat itself with Obama—Obama’s fascist presidency will be his own downfall.

  • Willy Nilly

    No good memories here. Eugene McCarthy challenged Johnson in 1968, but was not given much chance. But then he did well, and had a shot at winning. So then Bobby Kennedy enters the race to try to pick up the spoils after McCarthy had done all the heavy lifting. Not honorable.

    Not much good either from the JFK years. Bobby was mob-like, altho it must be said that may have been a necessary adaptation to opposing the mobs, like he did.

    When he was killed, it should have been blamed on Islam, but the MSM never does, not even back then. I regret his assassination, of course, but think the USA would have been poorly served by him as president. Nixon was the better option.

    • http://firefox AnnieCarmel

      Yes, I agree. That he was killed by a Palestinian seems to get lost on people. I always thought they were behind it. The thought of those same people supporting a candidate for POTUS makes me sick.

  • Katherine B.

    I was a young grad student in D.C. and his was the first campaign I ever volunteered for. It was such an exciting time. The night of the California primary I left campaign headquarters and headed for home because it was late, given the time differences. I watched from home and when it came on that he had been shot, I picked up the phone to call my cousin and all the circuits in D.C. were busy and this was in the very early hours of the morning. Later, I went to watch as his family drove through the streets of D.C. and was struck how they leaned forward in the seats of the limos to look out at us in the crowd and to quietly wave in acknowledgment.

  • http://firefox AnnieCarmel

    My first grassroots campaign was for Gene McCarthy. We were all so young; The Children’s Crusade. Gene was a poet, philosopher and a good man but it was already becoming apparent that he’d never have the toughness to stand up to the old Democrats. Bobby on the other hand had taken on the mobs and Jimmy Hoffa. When my friends and I switched our loyalties to Bobby, we were called traitors. I’m not sure LBJ would never have pulled out of the race if he had been against McCarthy. We detested our president because he lied to us about the war. Bobby had gone through a metamorphosis after JFK was assassinated but you could always see a lingering sadness in him. When he announced he’d run, we knew he was back and he’d win. Faced with the possibility of a Nixon presidency, we thought he was the best choice. He was more accessible than JFK; more in touch with the man on the street and educated himself about poverty and discrimination by seeing it first hand up close.

    I lived in the East Bay at the time and that night as it became obvious that he’d won CA, I fell asleep in front of the TV only to be awakened by the phone. A fellow campaign worker asking if the TV was on. It seemed impossible that it was happening again. I was a medical assistant then and of course kept hoping Bobby would recover. The doctor I worked for though had already gotten the word on how extensive the head wound was…hopeless. And that’s the way I felt. The funeral was surreal. Estevez’s film captured the era so well that I wept through most of it.

    Late that summer I went to Israel for a month and though not planned that way, it became a spiritual journey for me. I didn’t bother to vote that year and the following fall, I, like many young people, turned on, tuned in and dropped out to live in a counter culture community for the next 14 years. I’ve seen the left wing up close. Not everything was bad but a lot was not pretty. Obama personifies everything that was wrong with those days. Most of us matured, evolved as people and moved on from the 60′s. People like Ayers did not. He’s stuck in his own history and he’s a dangerous man. So is Obama.

  • Sassy

    My introduction to the Kennedys was with JFK and Jackie…wow, we were so proud to have them representing our country!
    We never felt jealous of their wealth, and the Kennedys seemed to really love our country and it’s people!
    Also, we started space exploration, and it really seemed as though there were no limits for us!
    Everything is far different today, and young people are missing the sense of pride that wells up in one’s heart!

  • katmandu

    Are you channeling Bobby Kennedy? What, are you Shirley MacLaine in disguise?

    No, the point was that Obama is a panderer and a divider. Clinton had more gravitas, and the only people she “divided” were the ones who feared her work.

    Best irony of the day. As we await the onslaught of Keating 5 ads, John Glenn, another Keating 5 member, was featured at a big Obama rally in Ohio yesterday, introducing Springsteen. http://hotair.com/archives/2008/10/06/obamas-keating-moment-glenn-stumps-for-team-o/

    http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/10/06/copy/BOSS.ART_ART_10-06-08_A1_OVBH96K.html?adsec=politics&sid=101

    Now THAT’s a new kind of politics. I wonder if they’ll run the Keating ads in Ohio?

  • benny

    same old, same old.

  • Lipstick LaPig

    Obama did so much in the primaries, that they could concentrate on just that and win the election.