Copyright bostonherald
Former President Joe Biden, in his first public address since finishing prostate cancer treatment, urged “optimism” in a time of political divisions in an address lacking any of the state or city leaders. Biden, looking somewhat weakened by his health battle, spoke as no sitting senator, governor or Boston mayor were in attendance. “As divided as our country is today, we can do better,” Biden said in Boston Sunday at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Dorchester. He didn’t name anyone on either side of political spectrum, but he did say “America is constantly being tested. … it’s a constant push and pull.” Biden was the headliner at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute’s 10th Anniversary celebration, where the former president received the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The 82-year-old is battling an aggressive form of prostate cancer and just completed a round of radiation therapy last week. He served in the U.S. Senate for 36 years representing Delaware, eight years as vice president and four as president. His VP, Kamala Harris, is on a book tour where she’s been critical of her old boss. Her name, or criticisms, didn’t come up last night. “I can’t tell you how much this means to me,” Biden said, often mentioning the late Ted Kennedy for all his support. “He never gave up.” Former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, who was also honored, spoke after Biden and was met with catcalls of “President Walsh.” The support came from a crowd packed with union reps that he admitted was “slanted toward labor,” the former Labor Secretary added. “You’ve heard everyone talking about the importance of working together,” Walsh said, adding it was “important” to answer every phone call and work together to “represent people.” He said during COVID, he worked with Republican Gov. Charlie Baker. ”That’s what we need more of today,” Walsh said, emphasizing bipartisanship. Bruce Percelay, chairman of the Institute, said it was “the biggest night since the opening” that drew politicians from all over Massachusetts. ”We have evolved from an institute that teaches civics to students to a leading voice of bipartisanship for the entire country,” he told the Herald. Joe Kennedy III echoed that sentiment. “This is what the institute stands for — everyone under one roof working toward a consensus,” Kennedy said. “I support that ideal.” Those who did not attend the sold out event, from senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey to Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, were notable for their absence. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll did attend, saying the governor needed to “run the state” and to not read into her absence. Asked by the Herald why the Bay State’s top pols didn’t attend, George Regan, a public relations chief who helped host the event said, “unfortunately the event was sold out,” I don’t know what happened, no one called,” he added. The Columbia Point institute recognized Walsh, who was U.S. Secretary of Labor under Biden, and retired U.S. Navy Admiral Lisa Franchetti for their “inspired leadership.” Walsh is now the executive director of the NHL players’ union. He was also on the short list to be former Vice President Kamala Harris’s chief of staff if she beat President Donald Trump. Franchetti, the first woman to be chief of naval operations, was fired last winter by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who thanked her for her “dedication to our country.” The Kennedy Institute was dedicated on March 30, 2015, and opened to the public the next day. Biden appeared older yet delivered a strong speech that was at times emotional with the memories of Ted Kennedy helping him when his first wife and daughter were killed in an accident and his son, Beau, died from cancer. He never mentioned any of his rivals by name, choosing to devote his speech to urging cooperation. He did mention his wife Jill and son Hunter fondly, adding Hunter remains addiction-free.
