What impact did Mary Jo Kopechne have on American political developments after 1969?

Answer 1

When Ted Kennedy's car went off the bridge and Ms Kopechne drowned, she took with her all hope Kennedy may have had to become president. It was also the final straw for Kennedy's wife Joan. Kennedy took hours to report the accident (??) to police, arriving at the police station in dry clothing to say he dove repeatedly in an effort to find Ms. Kopechne. It set the stage for Kennedy to not be seen as a man fit for the high office of president. Only those in his home state of Massachusetts remained loyal to him as their senator. Those of us who remember those dark days see him as a bloated, arrogant buffoon.