"It's the knowledge that it will take a miracle for this to not be his last convention," Estrich said. "When it comes to Ted Kennedy, I don't care if you are a die-hard Carter supporter, a die-hard Clinton supporter, every eye will have tears."
Friends and colleagues rejected the idea that Monday's seven-minute speech marked the sunset of Kennedy's career.
"I think he's focusing on getting back to the Senate and being a part of a great progressive moment in this country," said Bob Shrum, a longtime political consultant who helped write Kennedy's 1980 convention speech. "He does represent for many Democrats the core values of the party."
Gregory P. Craig -- a onetime Kennedy aide who is a member of Obama's inner circle -- said that Kennedy "has built a powerful network of followers and staff associates who are part of his legacy. There are now two or three generations of them. They're effective, smart and single-minded."
On Monday night, Kennedy again challenged Americans to live up to the country's ideals:
"The work begins anew," he said, "the hope rises again and the dream lives on."
