Sylvia: "Linda Would Have Voted for Obama"

"One of the reasons that I think your mother would have supported Obama was her huge regard for Robert Kennedy. As much of a political cheerleader as I can be, (some might use less polite terms like hectorer, bully, etc.) she was truly passionate and vocal about Robert Kennedy. Some of the traits he had, Obama also has like no other political leader since. I never saw her as genuinely positive about another candidate, although she did have her opinions and preferences. I, on the other hand, was pretty enthusiastic about Bill Clinton and then Howard Dean. Her work enabled her to see the foibles and shortcomings of our government on the ground in connection with projects on which she worked. That, no doubt, blunted her passion for any candidate. RFK was both idealistic and pragmatic. She was particularly impressed with his ability to respond rapidly to campaign charges and problems. While Obama was sometimes slow to respond in the early stages of his campaign, he learned, and has been particularly adept and effective recently.

"I would dearly love to talk politics with her now. I know you must have thousands of moments each day thinking you want to talk something over with her or tell her something only to be dashed by reality. I suppose that the greatness of a person corresponds to the size of the loss of the people closest. I don't know whether it helps to remind yourself that you would never trade her for a mother of less talent, wit, and wisdom."

"Love, Sylvia"