Heartache: The End of Camelot

After 63 years no member of the Kennedy clan will hold office in the Congress or Senate. Who said there's nothing to be thankful for?

The Kennedys have held US congressional seats, the presidency and the public's imagination for more than 60 years.

That era ends when Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island vacates his US House seat next month, leaving a city council post in California as the family's sole remaining political holding.

His departure marks the first time in 63 years that a Kennedy will not be serving in elected office in Washington.

The son of the late Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy says he has no qualms about walking away from politics.

The 43-year-old Kennedy says in his family, 'the legacy was always public service, and that didn't necessarily mean public office'.

Kennedy plans to continue the tradition by championing a national effort to boost brain research.

They should start by studying him. I've always wondered how the brainless spawn of the Swimmer managed to be elected to office.