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THE TORCH

When we heard John F. Kennedy speak the words, “The torch is passed to a new generation of Americans,” who knew that soon he would be gone—as well as Martin and Bobby. There were negative forces afoot at that time, bent upon stunting the march toward that “New Frontier” to which JKF so brilliantly led the way. With yesterday’s bombastic imprimatur of Senator Ted Kennedy and the demure endorsement of Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg—brother and daugher of the martyred president—it became evident that that torch now is being passed on to Barak Obama.

I was living in San Diego when JFK came to deliver the commencement address at then San Diego State “University.” Later someone gave me a personal photograph of the berobed Kennedy with his beaming face tenderly being caressed by a woman’s hand. The photograph has since been lost to me—but not the image. That was representative of the deep affection that a large portion of the American populace felt for Kennedy. He had that certain, “je ne sait quoi,” an aura, if you will, that attracted huge crowds that expressed open adoration for him. Apparently, that is the quality that Ted and Caroline see radiating from the person of Barak Obama. Thus, they have decided to pass on to him the flame from the torch that has been constantly burning at Arlington Cemetery since 1963. This is big—very big!

In addition to Ted’s obvious repudiation of the despicable tactics of the Clinton’s he has committed to barnstorming for Barak in the West and Southwest. This drastic infusion of the Kennedy mystique could make a positive difference for Barak among Latinos and older voters, who retain the historic and actual memory of those heady times.

When Barak Obama began his odyssey last year on that frigid Saturday morning in Springfield, Illinois, a prescient mood was created by the huge crowd, braving the cold. One sees and doubts, but the enthusiasm has proved to be unstoppable. Often, people become excited, and moments pass; however, these moments seem to pass on to greater moments.

After the 2-to-1 trouncing of Hillary Clinton in South Carolina, the clouds opened just a bit wider for Barak. With Ted Kennedy’s bellowing of yesterday, they parted with a suddenness that seemed to enfold the improbable recipient in the radiation of a newly dubbed heir of the JFK mantle.

Will the sun continue to shine, or will those clouds again close upon the anointed one? We shall see.