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Nancy Reagan speaks about Ted Kennedy's death
Former first lady Nancy Reagan has spoken out on the death of Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy, who died last night of brain cancer at his home on Cape Cod. KPCC’s Steve Julian has more.
Ted Kennedy was a Democrat’s Democrat, one whom Republicans often derided. Yet given their political differences, Mrs. Reagan said she and her late husband, Ron, were very close to the Kennedy family.
She said that Ron and Ted could always find common ground and had great respect for each other. She called him an ally and a dear friend, noting their united support for stem cell research – a position that put her at odds with many in the GOP.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who’s married to Kennedy’s niece, Maria Shriver, gave Kennedy credit for helping him become a politician, saying, “Teddy taught us all that public service isn’t a hobby or even an occupation, but a way of life.” Kennedy’s death comes two weeks after that of Shriver’s mother, Eunice, one of the senator’s siblings.