Chappaquiddick Incident Revealed Kennedy Privilege and Damaged Political Career
TL;DR
- Senator Edward M. Kennedy's political career was irrevocably altered by the Chappaquiddick incident, shifting public perception of the Kennedy family from "demi-royalty" to one marred by scandal.
- The incident revealed a pattern of immature behavior and driving infractions in Kennedy's past, contrasting sharply with the valor of his deceased brothers and foreshadowing his own political trajectory.
- Joseph Gargan's role as "Joey I'll Fix It" highlights the Kennedy family's reliance on loyal fixers, a dynamic tested by the Chappaquiddick events and the subsequent cover-up attempts.
- The decision to hold a reunion party with only six women and several married men, discouraging wives, created optics that later fueled public suspicion and scrutiny of Senator Kennedy.
- Kennedy's suggestion to fabricate an alternative account of the accident, shifting blame to Mary Jo Kopechne, demonstrates a willingness to engage in potentially criminal deception to protect his political future.
- The extensive purchase of alcohol for the party, despite claims of limited drinking, suggests a potentially inebriated environment that may have contributed to poor decision-making and the accident itself.
Deep Dive
The Chappaquiddick incident fundamentally altered Senator Edward M. Kennedy's political trajectory and public image, revealing a pattern of privileged behavior and questionable decision-making that contrasted sharply with the heroic legacy of his brothers. This event, involving a fatal car accident on July 19, 1969, exposed deep-seated issues within the Kennedy family's political machine and Ted Kennedy's personal conduct, leading to immediate and lasting consequences for his presidential ambitions and his role in American politics.
The immediate aftermath of the accident highlighted a stark contrast between the urgency of the situation and the actions of those involved. When a submerged car was discovered at Dyke Bridge, Police Chief Jim Arena's investigation quickly identified the vehicle as belonging to Senator Kennedy. However, Kennedy, despite being present on the island, did not immediately report the accident. Instead, after an attempt by friends, including former prosecutor Paul Markham and cousin Joseph Gargan, to retrieve the body of Mary Jo Kopechne from the submerged car, Kennedy proposed an alternative, false account of events to the authorities. This attempt to control the narrative and shield himself from responsibility, particularly the decision to leave the scene and swim across a channel rather than report the incident, demonstrated a pattern of prioritizing self-preservation and political expediency over immediate accountability. The discovery of Kopechne's body, identified by her purse and identification, underscored the tragic human cost of the accident, while Kennedy's subsequent actions raised serious questions about his judgment and character.
The Chappaquiddick incident also served as a critical inflection point in understanding Edward Kennedy's personal history and his place within the powerful Kennedy dynasty. Unlike his brothers, Joseph Jr. and John F. Kennedy, who were groomed for leadership and met tragic ends, Ted Kennedy's early life was marked by a perceived lack of the same intense competitiveness and high expectations. His academic record at Milton Academy and Harvard was mediocre, and he was expelled from Harvard for cheating. His military service, though honorable, was relatively sheltered. Furthermore, his time at the University of Virginia Law School was characterized by multiple driving infractions, including a high-speed chase and evasion of arrest, incidents that were subsequently smoothed over by family influence and legal intervention. These early patterns of privilege, questionable decision-making, and reliance on family connections foreshadowed the behavior exhibited at Chappaquiddick. The accident occurred during a regatta weekend reunion of former "Boiler Room Girls" from Robert Kennedy's campaign, a gathering with an optics problem given the attendees and the presence of married men. Kennedy's decision to drive Kopechne, a single woman in her twenties, late at night, and his subsequent actions after the crash, reinforced a perception that he was not ready for the responsibilities he held, a sentiment echoed in his difficult 1962 Senate campaign where he was criticized for his inexperience and reliance on his family name.
Ultimately, the Chappaquiddick incident irrevocably shaped Edward Kennedy's public image and political future. While he was re-elected to the Senate multiple times and held significant leadership positions, the shadow of Chappaquiddick prevented him from ever seriously contending for the presidency. The event exposed a stark disconnect between the idealized Kennedy legacy and the reality of his personal conduct, revealing a man who, despite his family's immense influence, struggled with accountability and demonstrated a pattern of behavior that ultimately limited his political reach. The incident stands as a critical case study in the interplay of privilege, personal responsibility, and the enduring impact of a single event on a public figure's life and career.
Action Items
- Audit the decision-making process for handling the Chappaquiddick incident to identify systemic failures in reporting and accountability.
- Create a communication protocol for crisis situations, mandating immediate reporting of all accidents involving public figures.
- Analyze the influence of family legacy and personal history on Senator Kennedy's actions and decision-making during the Chappaquiddick aftermath.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of legal counsel in obscuring facts and delaying official reporting in the Chappaquiddick case.
Key Quotes
"On July 19th, 1969 an auto accident, involving Senator Edward M. Kennedy and the death of a young woman, changed the course of American political history forever."
This quote establishes the central event of the podcast episode: a car accident involving Senator Edward M. Kennedy that resulted in a fatality. The author highlights that this incident had a profound and lasting impact on American political history, setting the stage for the narrative that follows.
"But for a certain generation of Americans, Chappaquiddick is known not as an upper-crust summer destination, but the site of one of the most notorious incidents in US political history, a scandal that permanently altered the life and career of Senator Edward Kennedy and changed the American people's perception of the Kennedy family itself, previously practically worshipped as valiant demi-royalty."
The author contrasts the modern perception of Chappaquiddick as a wealthy vacation spot with its historical significance as the location of a major political scandal. This interpretation emphasizes how the incident irrevocably changed Senator Kennedy's life and career, and also shifted public opinion of the Kennedy family from revered figures to subjects of scandal.
"Upon hearing this information, a sense of urgency gripped especially Farrar, who, now understanding the possibility that someone as prominent as Senator Edward Kennedy might either be dead or desperately in need of help, quickly finished donning his equipment, including scuba tank, mask, and flippers, and swam to the vicinity of the car."
This quote details the immediate reaction of John Farrar, a volunteer diver, upon learning the submerged car belonged to Senator Edward Kennedy. The author shows how this identification escalated the urgency and personal involvement of Farrar, highlighting the potential gravity of the situation due to the Senator's prominence.
"Although quite familiar with political celebrities as an experienced state trooper, Arena was already somewhat flummoxed by the confusion of the morning, and his attire certainly didn't help. He was about to interact with one of the most prominent politicians in the United States, clad in a soaking wet bathing suit and little else."
The author describes Police Chief Jim Arena's unusual and unprofessional state of dress when he first encountered Senator Edward Kennedy. This passage underscores the surreal and chaotic nature of the morning's events, as Arena, an experienced officer, found himself in an awkward situation with a major political figure.
"Kennedy claimed that he was driving down Dyke Road and unexpectedly he was suddenly on the bridge, the car going over the side. It rapidly filled up with water and he thought he would drown, but somehow he floated to the surface. He claimed to have repeatedly tried to swim to the car and rescue Mary Jo, but finally decided it would be better to get help."
This quote presents Senator Edward Kennedy's initial account of the accident to Joseph Gargan and Paul Markham. The author relays Kennedy's narrative of unexpectedly driving off the bridge, his struggle in the water, and his decision to seek assistance rather than continue rescue attempts.
"Gargan immediately shot the entire idea down, raising some quibbles, but ultimately focusing on one fundamental: Senator Kennedy had told him that he was driving the car. They would have to file a false police report that would involve all three of them, attorneys concocting a story that could certainly get Gargan and Markham disbarred, especially if they were observed on the bridge loudly shouting to each other well before any subsequent report to the police."
The author details Joseph Gargan's strong rejection of Senator Edward Kennedy's proposed alternative story about the accident. Gargan's reasoning, as presented by the author, centers on the legal and ethical implications of filing a false report, particularly for himself and Markham as attorneys, and the contradiction with Kennedy's earlier admission of driving.
Resources
External Resources
Books
- "The Bridge at Chappaquiddick" by Jack Olsen - Mentioned as a source of information for the podcast.
- "Senatorial Privilege" by Leo Damore - Mentioned as a source of information for the podcast, specifically for details concerning the behavior of key players and Joseph Gargan's account.
People
- Edward M. Kennedy - Subject of the podcast episode, involved in the Chappaquiddick incident.
- Mary Jo Kopechne - Victim found in Senator Kennedy's car after the Chappaquiddick incident.
- Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. - Father of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, influential in his sons' political careers.
- Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. - Older brother of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, died in World War II.
- John F. Kennedy - Brother of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, former US President.
- Robert F. Kennedy - Brother of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, former US Attorney General and presidential candidate.
- Joan Bennett - Wife of Senator Edward M. Kennedy.
- Dominic Jim Arena - Edgartown Police Chief investigating the Chappaquiddick incident.
- Sylvia Plath - Seasonal renter of the house near Dyke Bridge.
- John Farrar - Volunteer fire department captain and scuba diving expert involved in retrieving Mary Jo Kopechne's body.
- Robert "Bob" Bougier - Patrolman who transmitted the license plate information.
- Foster Silva - Island caretaker and member of the volunteer fire department.
- John Albaum - Wrecker driver who saw Ted Kennedy at the ferry house.
- Carmen Salvador - Policewoman at the Edgartown police station.
- Christopher Huck - Dukes County Deputy Sheriff and Chappaquiddick resident.
- Paul Markham - Former US Attorney, present with Senator Kennedy at the police station.
- Jack Crimmins - Senator Kennedy's chauffeur and personal assistant.
- Charlie Tredder - Long-time Kennedy campaign worker.
- Ray LaRossa - Long-time Kennedy campaign worker.
- Sydney Lawrence - Owner of the Chappaquiddick cottage rented for the party.
- Esther Newberg - Former staff member for Robert Kennedy's campaign, present at the party.
- Susan Tannenbaum - Former staff member for Robert Kennedy's campaign, present at the party.
- Nancy Lions - Former staff member for Robert Kennedy's campaign, present at the party.
- Mary Ellen Lions - Former staff member for Robert Kennedy's campaign, present at the party.
- Edward T. McCormick - State Attorney General and political opponent of Ted Kennedy.
- John McCormick - Speaker of the US House of Representatives, uncle of Edward T. McCormick.
- Benjamin A. Smith II - Mayor of Gloucester, appointed to fill JFK's Senate seat.
- Knute Rockne - Football coach at Notre Dame, associated with Joe Gargan Sr.
- Ross Richards - Skipper of the winning sailboat in the regatta.
- Marilyn Richards - Wife of Ross Richards.
- Stan Moore - Yachtsmen.
Organizations & Institutions
- Edgartown Yacht Club - Hosted a race weekend.
- Massachusetts State Trooper - Former employer of Police Chief Arena.
- Massachusetts Attorney General - Former employer of Police Chief Arena.
- US Army - Branch Ted Kennedy enlisted in.
- Harvard Law School - Attended by several Kennedy family members.
- University of Virginia - Attended by Ted Kennedy for law school.
- Suffolk County District Attorney's Office - Where Ted Kennedy served as assistant DA.
- US Senate - Seat held by Ted Kennedy.
- Chicago Party Convention - Site of the 1968 Democratic presidential candidate selection.
- National Football League (NFL) - Mentioned in the context of sports analytics in the example.
- New England Patriots - Mentioned as an example team in the example.
- Pro Football Focus (PFF) - Mentioned as a data source in the example.
Websites & Online Resources
- bitesizebiographies.com - Website for the podcast, offering more information, bibliographies, and photographs.
Other Resources
- Dyke Bridge - The bridge on Chappaquiddick Island where the incident occurred.
- Poucha Pond - Inlet traversed by Dyke Bridge.
- Chappaquiddick Island - Location of the incident.
- Martha's Vineyard - Island off the coast of Massachusetts.
- Nantucket - Sister island to Martha's Vineyard.
- Victura - The boat inherited from JFK that Ted Kennedy sailed in the regatta.
- Wianno Senior Competition - Yacht race in which Ted Kennedy participated.
- Boiler Room Girls - Former staff for Robert Kennedy's presidential campaign, attendees at the party.
- Lawrence Cottage - Rented cottage on Chappaquiddick used for the party.
- Shiretown Inn - Senator Kennedy's lodging for the weekend.
- Plymouth Valiant - Car rented by Joe Gargan.
- Oldsmobile Delmont 88 Sedan - Car used by Senator Kennedy and others.