John Berman has been at ABC since 1995, and allowed to appear on television since 2001. He covered the 2008 campaign extensively, following John McCain and Mitt Romney during the primaries and then Barack Obama in the general election. He also spent more than 20 months chasing George W. Bush around the country as a producer from 1999 until 2001, earning the clever nickname, "Pain in the Ass," from our 43rd president. He is a frequent and sometimes welcome contributor to all of ABC's broadcasts.
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Kennedy Hoping to Attend Convention
August 24, 2008 6:01 PM
From ABC News' Rick Klein, author of The Note: The biggest question that has convention delegates buzzing in Denver on Sunday: Will Sen. Ted Kennedy appear in person Monday night?
The answer to that question, a Kennedy friend tells ABC News, is yes -- assuming he gets final clearance from his doctors before flying to Denver and appearing at the Pepsi Center.
"The plan is for him to fly in Sunday night," said the friend, speaking on condition of anonymity.
A video tribute to Kennedy, D-Mass., is slated for Monday evening, the first night of the Democratic National Convention. Directed by documentary filmmakers Ken Burns and Mark Herzog, the video will be introduced by Kennedy's niece, Caroline Kennedy.
Assuming the senator is able to make the trip, expect a thunderous reception when he takes the stage at the conclusion of the video. It's likely to be the emotional high point of the evening -- if not of the entire convention -- if it's able to come together, given the Kennedy family's long association with the Democratic Party, and Kennedy's early endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama.
Obama campaign aides and convention organizers have said that the decision rests with Kennedy himself, and that they have always considered his attendance unlikely. Kennedy has returned to work in the Senate only once since suffering a seizure in May, and he is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for a malignant brain tumor.
Kennedy associates have long said an in-person appearance would be a last-minute decision, depending entirely on the senator's health. Kennedy's son, Patrick, stoked speculation Sunday that a visit to Denver remains a distinct possibility.
"If anything, it'd be an 11th-hour call," Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., told the Associated Press. "If he's up to it in the 11th hour and can get the green light from doctors, he might be able to pull it off."
An aide to Sen. Kennedy cautioned that the situation is fluid and "day-by-day," and that an appearance at the convention should still be considered unlikely, given the senator's health.
I'll be blogging all week from Denver -- and next week from St. Paul. Check back here for more entries.
August 24, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (258)
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Well a Kennedy appearnace might be one way to dampen down the Clinton imprint on this convention, which I think a lot of people in the Democratic Party would be thankful for. But it would also overshadow Michelle Obama's night. So its a bit six of one half a dozen of the other.
Posted by: markymark | Aug 24, 2008 6:12:36 PM
I am so sick of this Clinton drama. Sick of it.
Posted by: Kevin | Aug 24, 2008 6:20:35 PM
I just saw a Hillary-worshipper on TV and she said, "I hope Obama loses so Hillary can run in '12."
I used to think the Bush-worshippers were the dumbest people on earth.
No more.
They will flush our country down the toilet out of spite.
And what makes it worse is that Hillary ran a HORRIBLE campaign. Her own memos prove she couldn't make an executive decision to save her life.
I hate to break it to them, but if Obama loses, Hillary doesn't stand a chance in '12 as many people will blame her.
And rightfully so.
Posted by: Laffy | Aug 24, 2008 6:43:25 PM
Go Ted. I agree, the Clintons are like a bad guest who keeps staying. I can't believe I admired them so much. People kept telling me they were vicious -- and they are. Clinton in 2012? If McCain wins, he will probably have two terms (either him or his VP).
Posted by: diana | Aug 24, 2008 6:47:17 PM
DREAM ON Obama supporters But we will not vote for Obama.
Go Mcain 08.
Posted by: neal | Aug 24, 2008 6:53:01 PM
Lectern versus podium. Starting with Charles Gibson, I hope the speakers and news people get their nomenclature correct. People stand on the podium and place their papers on the lectern.
William Brennen
Posted by: William Brennen | Aug 24, 2008 7:02:46 PM
I want Clintons as far away from this as possible she is sickooooooooooo she LOST honest they have no shame blaming everyone but the right people.She LOST what about the word do you guys not understand.....
Posted by: indp voter | Aug 24, 2008 7:05:06 PM
Oh you C.lintonites AKA R.epublicans. Go ahead. Show how vindictive, shallow, and petty you are by voting for Mc.Cain. Shows you the character of HRC if Mc.Cain is the next best thing in the voters' mind. Good god.
Posted by: HISFINGCANE | Aug 24, 2008 7:05:07 PM
Uh, Teddy? It's ok to go. You're dying. They need you to light the match for the opening flag burning and traditional Democract spitting on the Colour Guard.
Posted by: killerbee | Aug 24, 2008 7:05:43 PM
Laffy,
What you just admitted about your own judgment is why people like me give zero credibility to what you think. BHO says that good judgment is being against the war in Iraq and the surge and then picks a VP running mate that voted for them. This guy is a real loser. Perhaps he could make it as a goat herder like his Dad.
Posted by: james | Aug 24, 2008 7:05:53 PM
I'd love to see Ted kennedy make the convention.
Maybe he would seize up again and die on stage and the whole country could watch it in real time.
It would give voters something more important to discuss than Obama and his new friend.
Posted by: John | Aug 24, 2008 7:11:51 PM
I want to send someone a thank you card for the price of gas going down to $3.28 per gallon here in Dallas. To whom should I send it? Pres. Bush, Botox Girl Pelosi, the chairman of big, bad ExxonMobil, Al Gore? Someone help me out here. If the oil companies ran the price up to $4.00, why have they lowered it to $3.28? Are they just stupid or what?
Posted by: james | Aug 24, 2008 7:12:39 PM
I'll be so happy to see the Clintons disappearing for awhile after this coming week. They epitomize what's wrong in Washington. I'll be delighted to vote for Obama in November.
Posted by: Richard | Aug 24, 2008 7:13:39 PM
Neil, Bill Clinton is a convicted liar. That's a FACT. With a firm Democract control over Congress, the Dow Jones hover around 1500 pts for 50 years. Newt Gingrich and his Contract with America swept the U.S. Congress and jumped the economy and the Dow to 11000 points. Darned speculators, right? Clinton benefited enormously from a strong Republican Congress. 1500 to 11000 points isn't exactly a business cycle, it's was a revolution (Republican revolution). What did Bill do when the Islama-nuts tried to blow up the WTC the first time? At least he signed NAFTA. I'm sure you agree that was a great idea, right?
Posted by: killerbee | Aug 24, 2008 7:14:05 PM
Hey there Neil1785. You need to lay off of JFK. So what if liked to scr*w everything in a skirt (except Jackie maybe) and Bill liked to get bjs from the interns. Those are just some of the perks of the office. Are you jealous?
Posted by: james | Aug 24, 2008 7:17:07 PM
If Barry actually does win this country can finally have that important debate on race issues. You know, how much and when will reperations get stuffed down the middle classes throat. If you debate against it, the Democracts will call you a racist. No more debate.
Posted by: killerbee | Aug 24, 2008 7:23:05 PM
IT WONT BE LONG NOW TED BURNING IN HELL WITH THE REST OF THE KENNEDYS!
Posted by: MAC | Aug 24, 2008 7:23:06 PM
Neil, why are you screaming? Please stop screaming.
Posted by: killerbee | Aug 24, 2008 7:24:48 PM
Did anyone invite the family of Mary Jo Kopeckne?
Celebrating a killer that got away with killing a young girl...only in America!!
Posted by: Bill | Aug 24, 2008 7:26:02 PM
Why didn't "Big Brained" Bill do something when Islama-nuts tried to blow up the WTC? How did his inaction work out? I know, Pres Bush did it. Rosie O'Donnell said so.
Posted by: killerbee | Aug 24, 2008 7:27:58 PM
Mary Jo would like a tribute too.
Posted by: Bob | Aug 24, 2008 7:28:00 PM
Looks like the Republican Good Squad posing as Democrats have found their way here. I really hope no one takes them seriously. Typical Republican tactic of dividing and conquering. They just have this one little problem. Their candidate McCain can't escape the fact that he voted with Bush/Cheney 95% of the time. That WILL be brought up in the debates, count on it.
If any of the Pro-Hillary folks posting here are really Democrats, they should honor Hillary by doing as she is asking--to Vote and Vote BIG for Obama. She has been gracious enough to make that very clear. If you don't, you dishonor her and the Democratic Party.
If McCain does get in you will have yourselves to blame and live through at least four more years of what we are now paying the price for. Is that what you really want? Think about it and then vote for Obama/Biden in November.
Posted by: Larry | Aug 24, 2008 7:30:54 PM
Now there's you a really big idea. Gotta love that Barry.
Posted by: james | Aug 24, 2008 7:30:57 PM
Sorry, that should have read GOON squad, at least I get to say it twice.
Posted by: Larry | Aug 24, 2008 7:31:51 PM
Larry, I'm not a republican. I'm a democrat who wants Clinton as presidential nominee because she's more qualified than the obama who ahas little brains.
Posted by: neil1785 | Aug 24, 2008 7:32:07 PM
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