Taking in Ted Kennedy’s memorial service, I was struck by the complexities of the man. His personal and moral failings are well known.  He had a drinking problem, and could at times display a shocking indifference to the harm his behavior caused others, most obviously to Mary Jo Kopechne, but also to the waitress assaulted during the infamous “waitress sandwich”  incident.

At the same time, Kennedy could be a loving family man and loyal friend.  He amassed friends from all sides of the political isle with a striking sense of humor and, more importantly, by being a man of his word.

His political career was obviously the most defining aspect of his life.  He was a fierce partisan who sometimes let his convictions get the better of him (even to the point of flirting with treason), but would also work with those with whom he fundamentally disagreed if he thought it would make the world a better place.  And that is what I truly believe he wanted to do, even if I think his convictions were misguided, and that his biggest obstacle was often his own all too human failings.