Robert Francis Kennedy was a politician and lawyer who served as the 64th United States Attorney General from January 1961 to September 1964, and as a U.S. Senator from New York from January 1965 until his assassination in June 1968. He was the brother of U.S. President John F. Kennedy and U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy.
Biography
In 1960, Robert F. Kennedy appeared as guest speaker at the Harvard University Commencement.
Kennedy, like the rest of his brothers, was a close friend of Eddie Blake and participated in their family rugby matches and bets.[1]
On January 20, 1961, Robert was present when his brother, John F. Kennedy, was inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States.
He served as an Attorney General under his brother, John, and, after his death, under Lyndon B. Johnson. He led a "War on Crime" but he found opposition among the American people. He also spoke against Jimmy Hoffa, and, as he said, "sheriffs are criminals". His friend Blake believed that his "War" is unwinnable as the people care primarily for their comfort, not what is right or wrong. Kennedy considered quitting his office and run for a Senator.[2]
He met with Blake at the Miami Convention Center, watching the match between Cassius Clay and Sonny Liston.[2]
In September 1964, Kennedy quits his position as attorney general and runs for senator of the state of New York.
The following year, Kennedy calls up Blake in Hawaii, scolding for his handling of the Watts riots and treatment of William Parker, and demands that he apologizes on Parker's behalf.
On June 3, 1968, Kennedy visited Blake's hotel room to discuss the massacre that his friend carried out in Vietnam in March 1968. Upset at Blake's actions and the government's cover-up of the incident, Kennedy informs Blake that he plans to expose the truth at a press conference after the primary votes have been tallied. Blake, however, offered to confess his crimes to the press himself to prevent any backlash from hurting Kennedy.
The following day, Kennedy is announce the winner of the Democratic nomination for the Presidency, defeating Minnesota Senator Eugene McCarthy, with Blake standing by his side.
On June 5, 1968, Kennedy delivered a speech in Los Angeles, California to his supporters at the Ambassador Hotel's Embassy Ballroom. During his speech, Kennedy pushed to halt racial and class divisions in American society, and to end the Vietnam War, the policies of which he describes as unsuccessful. Following the speech, Kennedy is accompanied by Blake through the hotel's kitchen to the nearby Colonial Room, where the press conference will be held. En route, Kennedy is warned by Blake of the CIA's plans to have him assassinated.
Moments after Kennedy entered the ballroom, Sirhan Sirhan opened fire at the senator. Kennedy attempts to escape with Blake, but is discretely shot by him in order to save his own reputation, and for what he believes is for the good of the country.
On June 6, 1968, Kennedy died at Good Samaritan Hospital, hours after the shooting, despite extensive neurosurgery to remove bullet and bone fragments from his brain.
