serving in World War Two). Ted (above, centre) has boozed, womanised and scandalised to a degree which would have surely killed a lesser man.

Yet he is suddenly beloved, or at least almost. White-haired and with his face, long ruined by drink, become avuncular, he seems like Father Christmas. He reminds America of long ago

when government distributed gifts of hope. He was among the very few to vote against Dubya Bush's folly in Iraq, and that alone seems worthy of a place at the Round Table.

But Kennedy the man can never be redeemed. The 'Chappaquiddick Incident' of 1969, most infamous of his scandals, leaves too deep a stain. He was drunk when he persuaded Mary Jo Kopechne to get into the back seat of his car, which he then drove off a narrow bridge. He swam ashore, leaving her to drown. He baulked at reporting the accident for nine hours: divers could have saved her if he had called for help.

He lied and covered up and got away with it only because of the Kennedy power in Massachusetts. Mary Jo's mother said: "I don't think he ever