Tag: Bill Bradley

Among those who opposed him politically but mourned him personally was one man who had recently crossed paths with him, Ronald Reagan. Reagan’s words to Ethel Kennedy were simple and heartfelt: “I know there is little anyone can say at such a time but if there is anything we can do to be of help in any way, please let us know. By that time, Reagan was governor of California and Kennedy was the U.S. senator from New York. He knew that Reagan had bested him. Reagan wrote that letter as Kennedy lay dying, he lost any zeal he had for making a presidential run that year. Fast-forward to another June 5, 13 years later in 1981. Ronald Reagan is president of the United States. Ronald Reagan reflecting on Bobby Kennedy: “I’ll tell you one thing. Goldwater asked Reagan if he thought Robert Kennedy could have been elected. He’d have made one helluva president.” And 23 years after that ceremony and conversation, President Reagan himself died at the age of 93 after a struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.