Ted Kennedy’s wife mooted as successor

Although Ted Kennedy is still seeking medical opinions about how to treat
his malignant brain tumour, moves are already underway to find his successor as Democratic Senator for Massachusetts. First in line, according to some reports, is his wife, Victoria Reggie Kennedy (pictured with Ted), known to the family as Vicki.

A former Washington lawyer who is 22 years her husband's junior, she is seen to be the best hope of keeping the senatorship in family hands: it has been held by the Kennedy family and its close allies for more than 50 years. Although she has no experience of elected office, she does come from a political family closely connected with the Kennedys. Her father managed presidential campaigns in Louisiana for all three Kennedy brothers: John in 1960, Robert in 1968 and Ted in 1980.

Ted Kennedy's current term ends in 2012, when he will be 80. But should he step down earlier a special election would have to be held within five
months.

Vicki's emergence as a potential candidate reflects a lack of talent among
the younger Kennedys. Ted's son Patrick, a congressman for neighbouring Rhode Island, is reckoned to have shown few signs of being ready for higher office, while Bobby Kennedy's son, Joseph, a former congressman, has been criticised for his dealings with Hugo Chavez, the left-wing President of Venezuela.