Commentators and voters often favorably compare United States President Barack Obama to a past political star, the former U.S. leader, John F. Kennedy. The latter held office from 1960 until his assassination on the streets of Dallas in 1963. Like Kennedy did, Obama shows tremendous charisma and stirs renewed hopes among the people.

Those making the comparison included the late Ted Kennedy (1932-2009), the former president’s younger brother and, until this week, the most influential surviving member in one of America’s leading families. The final Kennedy brother, a long-time senator, pursued a political career full of dramatic successes and failures, but with many more successes.

On Tuesday, Senator Kennedy died of cancer at age 77. Obama expressed “heartbreak” and agreed to eulogize at the funeral.

Last year, doctors diagnosed Senator Kennedy as having a malignant brain tumor. Quickly, it became apparent that the elder statesman’s career neared its end.

Once a presidential contender too, Senator Kennedy represented Massachusetts since 1962. Among senators, he stood second in seniority to Robert Byrd of West Virginia. Nicknamed “the lion of the Senate”, he gained an enviable reputation as a conscientious advocate of liberal principles.

What better final hurrah than endorsing Obama and helping the modern politician so reminiscent of John Kennedy into the Oval Office? Defiantly done when in cancer’s grip, this may become Senator Kennedy’s greatest deed.

In an emotional speech, he told the 2008 Democratic National Convention: “The torch will be passed again to a new generation of Americans. So, with Barack Obama… the work begins anew. The hope rises again. And the dream lives on.”

Senator Kennedy has died, but the legacy of his long and distinguished career remains. The Kennedy clan’s prominent place in American history remains secure and well deserved.

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