Former Bay State congressman Joseph P.Kennedy II is dismissing as “gossip” claims in a new book that he and Edward M. Kennedy’s wife are battling behind the scenes to succeed the ailing senior senator.
“Whatever rumors and gossip may be out there, I can assure you that every member of the Kennedy family is pulling together behind our uncle, whom we all love dearly,” Kennedy said. “Even President Obama acknowledges that Sen. Kennedy continues to do outstanding work on national health insurance, national service, and a whole range of issues important to the American people.”
But author Edward Klein writes in his new book, “Ted Kennedy: The Dream That Never Died,” that Joe Kennedy views himself as the “heir apparent” to the Senate seat held by his uncle since 1962. The book also paints Kennedy’s wife, Victoria Kennedy, as “an interloper” who has her sights on the seat.
A source close to the storied clan also dismissed the report, saying, “Joe Kennedy doesn’t have any interest in coming back into politics at this point, despite people’s best efforts to pursuade him. I think he’s happy in his life. I don’t think there’s any issue between Vicki and Joe.”
The source also refuted reports of behind-the-scenes jockeying to succeed the senator, who has brain cancer.
“No one is talking about anything beyond the present situation,” said the source. “Anyone who is loyal to Sen. Kennedy is not discussing any eventuality. Whoever’s saying this stuff doesn’t have any real knowledge of what’s going on.”
“Whatever rumors and gossip may be out there, I can assure you that every member of the Kennedy family is pulling together behind our uncle, whom we all love dearly,” Kennedy said. “Even President Obama acknowledges that Sen. Kennedy continues to do outstanding work on national health insurance, national service, and a whole range of issues important to the American people.”
But author Edward Klein writes in his new book, “Ted Kennedy: The Dream That Never Died,” that Joe Kennedy views himself as the “heir apparent” to the Senate seat held by his uncle since 1962. The book also paints Kennedy’s wife, Victoria Kennedy, as “an interloper” who has her sights on the seat.
A source close to the storied clan also dismissed the report, saying, “Joe Kennedy doesn’t have any interest in coming back into politics at this point, despite people’s best efforts to pursuade him. I think he’s happy in his life. I don’t think there’s any issue between Vicki and Joe.”
The source also refuted reports of behind-the-scenes jockeying to succeed the senator, who has brain cancer.
“No one is talking about anything beyond the present situation,” said the source. “Anyone who is loyal to Sen. Kennedy is not discussing any eventuality. Whoever’s saying this stuff doesn’t have any real knowledge of what’s going on.”
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