My source, long retired, told me this story:

On May 15, 1972, when Democrat George Wallace was shot at the Laural, Maryland shopping center, the Secret Service was immediately ordered by then President Richard Nixon to protect Shirley Chisholm, an African-American Congressman from New York,  Wilbur Mills, the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and Senator Ted Kennedy, who was not a candidate in '72.

Three days following the shooting, Kennedy visited Wallace in the hospital.  It's said from those on his security detail, that the visit with Wallace about the would-be assassin clearly had an affect on him.  Shortly after Kennedy's visit with Wallace, he flew to a fundraiser for a fellow Senator.  Flying there in a private plane, he went to the back of the plane where the security detail was sitting. He asked the detail leader if they could all stay as close to him as possbile because, Kennedy said, "I don't want to get shot."

Discussion among the agents on the detail turned to the Kennedy family, the Kennedy name; and that with that name came prestige, respect and opportunity; but also a great burden. As Senator Kennedy walked back to the front of the plane, it was clear that at that particular moment Ted Kennedy would have traded places with any one of them.

Later in '72, George McGovern tried to get Kennedy to run as his VP, but he declined.

Kennedy Tidbits:

A little quirk he had, on his many travels in and out of airports, he always checked the pay phones for coins.

He "grudgingly" stood by Jimmy Carter after losing Democrat 1980 Primary.  When Carter first heard that Kennedy would challenge him in that Primary, Carter said, "I'll kick his a _ _ "; which indeed he went on to do.

HEADLINES:

• Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy Dies of Brain Cancer at Age 77
• 'Liberal Lion' of the Senate
• Statement From Kennedy Family