I missed this Peggy Noonan column last week in which she quoted Christopher Lawford (Teddy Kennedys nephew) telling about a remark of Teddys at a family gathering, "Im glad Im not going to be around when you guys are my age. I asked him why, and he said, Because when you guys are my age, the whole thing is going to fall apart. "
There it is, in one short sentence: a fundamental aspect of liberalisms long decline. Liberalism used to be an optimistic creed, and liberals believed in progress and the ability to solve problems through the persistent application of human intelligence and will. The future was always something to look forward to; now they dread it. Now looking forward to the future is a Reaganite trait. Teddy and his like appear reactionary.
Does this mean Teddy wont run for re-election? Nah; too much to hope for.
Teddy (and all the Kennedys) are a quixotic lot...theyll stand and die to the last man, and thats even more likely if the cause is lost (and tragic). They have a particularly bad case of Celtitis, so dont count on Teddy throwing in the towel.