Dems give final salute to Kennedy

Prominent Democrats in the Newport-Mesa area expressed sadness Wednesday over the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy, who died Tuesday at 77.

“It’s a great loss for our country,” said Costa Mesa City Councilwoman Katrina Foley. “He’s definitely an American patriot and somebody who worked tirelessly for the working class and for those who are less fortunate in our communities.”

Foley added that Kennedy, who served in the Senate from 1962 until his death, was “someone I wish I could have met in life.”

Melahat Rafiei, the executive director of the Democratic Party of Orange County, said Kennedy’s input will be sorely missed as the Obama administration seeks to reform health care.

“Many people think if his voice had been louder in the debate on health care reform, the situation wouldn’t have gotten as vile as it has,” she said. “I’m sorry he won’t be around to vote on health care reform, but if it weren’t for his work over the past four decades, we might not even be talking about the issue.”

— Michael Miller