I think the Mary Jo Kopechne incident pretty much explains what old Teddy thinks of rules (and laws). They don't apply to him.

Amazing that Massachusetts continues to elect those two arrogant fools. Must not be much to choose from....

I saw a bumper sticker once that gave me a chuckle. It read:

I'd rather go hunting with Dick Cheney than ride in a car with Ted Kennedy.

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." - Ben Franklin

the previous election of Romney as their Governor? My explanation is this: as someone who has spent time in that state (Ft Devens) twice in my life, I think they're politically ignorant and don't have a clue about candidate positionswhen they enter the voting booth. And a wonderful Frappe day to you!

I could not even begin to explain it to you. I didn't understand it then and still don't. As someone who has only spent a few days there a couple of times, I will defer to your explanation. I will say this though, both should have caused enough embarassment to enlighten even the most politically ignorant. Apparently not though.

Massachusetts is a wonderful example of political patronage, street bosses, ward captains and other influence peddlers. This goes back before Kennedy's grandfather (Rose's father) who was one of the best at controlling the masses - mostly Irish then. The system required Democratic votes and life long loyalty to the Party. In turn the civil service jobs - especially police and fire were handed out to loyal supporters, their kids and grandkids.

That has weakened as the state grew in population mostly in the suburbs and the urban areas did not grow at all - which explains Romney. But Kennedy is an icon and world-class plunderer when it comes to bringing home the bacon to his home state. How do you think that Big Dig project got funded? That traffic was no worse than 75/85 through downtown Atlanta, but billions in dollars and thousands of union jobs were created over a very long time just to bury an Interstate highway and put a park on top of it. To be fair, there was an economic development aspect to it - opening up the waterfront which was formerly isolated.

The other thing about Massachusetts and especially Boston/Cambridge is the uncommonly high percentage of colleges and universities - all screamingly liberal and the typical snotty condescending know it all liberal attitude that those who teach (because they can't actually do anything) tend to have. Exhibit A Henry Gates. These people do not need to know the politics of their candidates - they are predisposed to vote Democrat and would rather have a bad Democrat than a good Republican. Exhibit B - Barney Frank.

And Kennedy's hypocrisy in doing a 180 on the state law regarding a senator's replacement - 5 years later? No problem in Mass. Read the coverage on that in the Boston Globe (owned by the NY Times) and you'll either find no mention of how it was Kennedy who got the law changed in the first place - when Romney - R was governor and it looked like Kerry might become President. Or if it is mentioned, the Republicans objecting to it are wild-eyed beasts who disrespect Ted Kennedy, lion of the Senate.

If you really want to know more about how Mass. works and would like to see it up close and personal, just support Obamacare and in less than 3 years the whole country will be like they are - haindmaidens to the Dems.