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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

Mary Jo Kopechne (July 26, 1940 – July 18, 1969) was an American teacher, secretary and administrator, notable for her death in a car accident on Chappaquiddick Island in a car driven by United States Senator Ted Kennedy.


Kopechne, born in Forty Fort, Pennsylvania, was the only child of insurance salesman Joseph Kopechne and his wife, Gwen. After graduation from Caldwell College for women in New Jersey, Kopechne moved to Montgomery, Alabama, to teach at the Montgomery Catholic High School. She then moved to Washington, D.C., to work as secretary to Florida Senator George Smathers before subsequently becoming secretary to New York Senator Robert F. Kennedy following his election in 1964. At the time of her death, she was working for Matt Reese Associates, a Washington, D.C., firm that helped establish campaign headquarters for politicians. She had taken that position in December 1968 after Kennedy's death from an assassin's bullet the previous June.

On July 18, 1969, Kopechne attended a party on Chappaquiddick Island, off the coast of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, held in honor of the "Boiler Room Girls." This affectionate name was given to the six young women who had been vital to the late Robert Kennedy's presidential campaign and who had subsequently closed up his files and campaign office after his assassination.

Besides Kopechne, the other women, all single, were Susan Tannenbaum, Maryellen Lyons, Ann Lyons, Rosemary (Cricket) Keough, and Esther Newberg. The men in attendance, all married but present without their wives, were Ted Kennedy, Joe Gargan, U.S. Attorney Paul Markham, Charles Tretter, Raymond La Rosa, and John Crimmins. The festivity was held at Lawrence Cottage, rented for the occasion by Gargan, Kennedy's cousin and lawyer. The 12 attendees gathered at the cottage after two Kennedy boats raced in the Edgartown Regatta earlier in the day.

Kopechne left the party at 11:15 p.m. with Kennedy after he allegedly offered to drive her to catch the last ferry back to the Katama Shores Motor Inn in Edgartown where she was staying. (According to Kennedy, they left the party at 11:15 p.m. to catch the last ferry of the night -- at midnight.) Kennedy stated, on his way to the ferry crossing back to Edgartown, that he accidentally turned right onto Dike Road - a dirt road - instead of bearing sharply left on Main Street (Chappaquiddick Rd), which was a paved road. After proceeding one-half mile, he descended a hill and came upon a narrow bridge set obliquely to the unlit road. Kennedy drove the 1967 Oldsmobile Delmont 88 belonging to him, off the side of Dyke Bridge, and the car overturned into Poucha Pond, a fairly narrow tidal body of water. A Reader's Digest investigation estimated that the car was traveling at about 35 miles per hour when it left the bridge.

Kennedy extricated himself from the submerged car but Kopechne died. Kennedy said that he made several diving attempts to free her and, after exhausting himself, rested for 20 minutes. He then walked some fifteen minutes, past several houses, back to the Lawrence Cottage where the party had been held. When Kennedy arrived back at the cottage, he saw the white Valiant his group had rented parked near the front door. The Senator testified that as he came up to the back of the vehicle, he saw Ray LaRosa. Kennedy made no mention of the accident to LaRosa, however, and instead told him to go get Joe Gargan, Senator Kennedy's cousin and lawyer, and another friend, former U.S. Attorney Paul Markham. Kennedy explained the situation, and although there was a working phone at the cottage, the trio allegedly drove to the scene of the accident to attempt a rescue. The group claimed that the tidal current was too strong and prevented them from reaching Kopechne.

Still, despite their failure to rescue Kopechne, Kennedy, Gargan, and Markham made no attempt to contact authorities. Instead, Kennedy was driven to the Ferry dock where he jumped into the water and swam the distance between Chappaquiddick and Marthas Vineyard Islands, some 500 feet, and returned to his room at the Shiretown Inn, in Edgartown. Gargan and Marken claimed Kennedy said he was heading to contact the authorities, and they returned to the cottage. A night clerk at the Shiretown Inn said he encountered Kennedy on the premises at 2:50 a.m. The next morning, Gargan, Markham, and several female co-workers of Kopechne took the first ferry back to Edgartown. At the Shiretown Inn, Kennedy was seen around the hotel smartly dressed and calmly conversing with other guests. By 9 a.m. Gargan, Markham, and Kennedy were on a ferry back to Chappaquiddick Island, purportedly to return to the cottage.

By this time, however, fisherman had happened upon Kennedy's submerged vehicle and pulled it ashore, rushing to a house a few yards away to notify the authorities at around 8 a.m. Police arrived by 8:20, and a diver was on the scene by 8:30, discovering Kopechne by 8:45. By this time, the car was identified as Senator Kennedy's. Those at the scene feared another Kennedy tragedy might have occurred, and a search for other possible victims ensued; however, at 9:30 Kennedy was spotted on a phone at the Chappaquiddick side of the ferry, where he was asked by authorities if he knew that a dead woman's body had been retrieved from his car. Kennedy initially denied any knowledge of this, but later acknowledged his involvement during questioning at the Edgartown police station, which he documented through a short, written statement about the previous night's trip to the ferry with Miss Kopechne. When questioned about the details, Kennedy refused to answer without his attorney being present.

Kennedy's statement already had problems, however. The previous evening, Deputy Sheriff Christopher Look, on returning from duty in Edgartown, had seen what he believed to be Kennedy's black sedan driving erratically with a male and female passenger sometime around 12:40 a.m. The sedan failed to negotiate a sharp left turn on paved Chappaquiddick Road leading toward the ferry, the direction from which Deputy Look was returning home. Instead, the sedan continued straight and came to a dusty, sudden stop on the dirt cemetery driveway then locally called Cemetery Road (today Willet Lane). The deputy came to a stop and in his rear-view mirror noticed the sedan backing up, leading him to believe the driver needed directions. Look exited his vehicle and walked toward the sedan, and the sedan's reverse-taillights more closely illuminated him as it emerged from the dirt driveway. However, no sooner was Look's deputy uniform lit, according to Look, the sedan quickly turned to its right -- the opposite direction from the Ferry -- and sped down Dike road, which is dirt. Dike is the road leading to the beach, and the intersection where this occurred was about a half mile from Dike Bridge, where the accident was later discovered. Deputy Look caught an L and two 7s bracketing the Massachusetts license plate number, which would closely match Kennedy's L-78207 Oldsmobile plate.

Kennedy avoided the press gathering outside the police station, quietly exiting to an unmarked car that took him to a privately hired plane at the airport nearby, which took him back to the Kennedy compound at Hyannisport. Likewise, guests of the party also quickly left for the mainland via Ferry long before the authorities concluded there had been a party at the Lawrence Cottage.

The incident carries a controversial dark-cloud for Kennedy because John Farrar, the diver who retrieved Kopechne's body early the following morning, stated Kopechne was in a position suggesting she had been breathing from a pocket of air trapped in the back-seat wheel well and had suffocated and not drowned, which implied that had Kennedy contacted authorities immediately, rescuers may have saved her life. However, since Kopechne's parents' lawyer, Joseph Flanagan, filed a petition barring an autopsy, the cause of death was never medically confirmed. When the car was recovered, all the doors were locked and three of the windows were either open or smashed in.

Kopechne's parents also claim that they learned of their daughter's death from Ted Kennedy before he reported his involvement to the authorities, and that they only learned he had been the driver through wire press releases some time later.

Kennedy ultimately received a deferred six-month sentence for leaving the scene of an accident. Kennedy defenders claim the legal case proved Kennedy was clear of guilt, whereas critics of the incident assert Kennedy got off lightly because of his family and political connections, and that many details were swept under the rug only to emerge later through journalistic efforts that suggested little effort was made to gather information detrimental to Kennedy.

Posted by: Ted Kennedy | Aug 24, 2008 7:33:30 PM

Mary Jo Kopechne (July 26, 1940 – July 18, 1969) was an American teacher, secretary and administrator, notable for her death in a car accident on Chappaquiddick Island in a car driven by United States Senator Ted Kennedy.


Kopechne, born in Forty Fort, Pennsylvania, was the only child of insurance salesman Joseph Kopechne and his wife, Gwen. After graduation from Caldwell College for women in New Jersey, Kopechne moved to Montgomery, Alabama, to teach at the Montgomery Catholic High School. She then moved to Washington, D.C., to work as secretary to Florida Senator George Smathers before subsequently becoming secretary to New York Senator Robert F. Kennedy following his election in 1964. At the time of her death, she was working for Matt Reese Associates, a Washington, D.C., firm that helped establish campaign headquarters for politicians. She had taken that position in December 1968 after Kennedy's death from an assassin's bullet the previous June.

On July 18, 1969, Kopechne attended a party on Chappaquiddick Island, off the coast of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, held in honor of the "Boiler Room Girls." This affectionate name was given to the six young women who had been vital to the late Robert Kennedy's presidential campaign and who had subsequently closed up his files and campaign office after his assassination.

Besides Kopechne, the other women, all single, were Susan Tannenbaum, Maryellen Lyons, Ann Lyons, Rosemary (Cricket) Keough, and Esther Newberg. The men in attendance, all married but present without their wives, were Ted Kennedy, Joe Gargan, U.S. Attorney Paul Markham, Charles Tretter, Raymond La Rosa, and John Crimmins. The festivity was held at Lawrence Cottage, rented for the occasion by Gargan, Kennedy's cousin and lawyer. The 12 attendees gathered at the cottage after two Kennedy boats raced in the Edgartown Regatta earlier in the day.

Kopechne left the party at 11:15 p.m. with Kennedy after he allegedly offered to drive her to catch the last ferry back to the Katama Shores Motor Inn in Edgartown where she was staying. (According to Kennedy, they left the party at 11:15 p.m. to catch the last ferry of the night -- at midnight.) Kennedy stated, on his way to the ferry crossing back to Edgartown, that he accidentally turned right onto Dike Road - a dirt road - instead of bearing sharply left on Main Street (Chappaquiddick Rd), which was a paved road. After proceeding one-half mile, he descended a hill and came upon a narrow bridge set obliquely to the unlit road. Kennedy drove the 1967 Oldsmobile Delmont 88 belonging to him, off the side of Dyke Bridge, and the car overturned into Poucha Pond, a fairly narrow tidal body of water. A Reader's Digest investigation estimated that the car was traveling at about 35 miles per hour when it left the bridge.

Kennedy extricated himself from the submerged car but Kopechne died. Kennedy said that he made several diving attempts to free her and, after exhausting himself, rested for 20 minutes. He then walked some fifteen minutes, past several houses, back to the Lawrence Cottage where the party had been held. When Kennedy arrived back at the cottage, he saw the white Valiant his group had rented parked near the front door. The Senator testified that as he came up to the back of the vehicle, he saw Ray LaRosa. Kennedy made no mention of the accident to LaRosa, however, and instead told him to go get Joe Gargan, Senator Kennedy's cousin and lawyer, and another friend, former U.S. Attorney Paul Markham. Kennedy explained the situation, and although there was a working phone at the cottage, the trio allegedly drove to the scene of the accident to attempt a rescue. The group claimed that the tidal current was too strong and prevented them from reaching Kopechne.

Still, despite their failure to rescue Kopechne, Kennedy, Gargan, and Markham made no attempt to contact authorities. Instead, Kennedy was driven to the Ferry dock where he jumped into the water and swam the distance between Chappaquiddick and Marthas Vineyard Islands, some 500 feet, and returned to his room at the Shiretown Inn, in Edgartown. Gargan and Marken claimed Kennedy said he was heading to contact the authorities, and they returned to the cottage. A night clerk at the Shiretown Inn said he encountered Kennedy on the premises at 2:50 a.m. The next morning, Gargan, Markham, and several female co-workers of Kopechne took the first ferry back to Edgartown. At the Shiretown Inn, Kennedy was seen around the hotel smartly dressed and calmly conversing with other guests. By 9 a.m. Gargan, Markham, and Kennedy were on a ferry back to Chappaquiddick Island, purportedly to return to the cottage.

By this time, however, fisherman had happened upon Kennedy's submerged vehicle and pulled it ashore, rushing to a house a few yards away to notify the authorities at around 8 a.m. Police arrived by 8:20, and a diver was on the scene by 8:30, discovering Kopechne by 8:45. By this time, the car was identified as Senator Kennedy's. Those at the scene feared another Kennedy tragedy might have occurred, and a search for other possible victims ensued; however, at 9:30 Kennedy was spotted on a phone at the Chappaquiddick side of the ferry, where he was asked by authorities if he knew that a dead woman's body had been retrieved from his car. Kennedy initially denied any knowledge of this, but later acknowledged his involvement during questioning at the Edgartown police station, which he documented through a short, written statement about the previous night's trip to the ferry with Miss Kopechne. When questioned about the details, Kennedy refused to answer without his attorney being present.

Kennedy's statement already had problems, however. The previous evening, Deputy Sheriff Christopher Look, on returning from duty in Edgartown, had seen what he believed to be Kennedy's black sedan driving erratically with a male and female passenger sometime around 12:40 a.m. The sedan failed to negotiate a sharp left turn on paved Chappaquiddick Road leading toward the ferry, the direction from which Deputy Look was returning home. Instead, the sedan continued straight and came to a dusty, sudden stop on the dirt cemetery driveway then locally called Cemetery Road (today Willet Lane). The deputy came to a stop and in his rear-view mirror noticed the sedan backing up, leading him to believe the driver needed directions. Look exited his vehicle and walked toward the sedan, and the sedan's reverse-taillights more closely illuminated him as it emerged from the dirt driveway. However, no sooner was Look's deputy uniform lit, according to Look, the sedan quickly turned to its right -- the opposite direction from the Ferry -- and sped down Dike road, which is dirt. Dike is the road leading to the beach, and the intersection where this occurred was about a half mile from Dike Bridge, where the accident was later discovered. Deputy Look caught an L and two 7s bracketing the Massachusetts license plate number, which would closely match Kennedy's L-78207 Oldsmobile plate.

Kennedy avoided the press gathering outside the police station, quietly exiting to an unmarked car that took him to a privately hired plane at the airport nearby, which took him back to the Kennedy compound at Hyannisport. Likewise, guests of the party also quickly left for the mainland via Ferry long before the authorities concluded there had been a party at the Lawrence Cottage.

The incident carries a controversial dark-cloud for Kennedy because John Farrar, the diver who retrieved Kopechne's body early the following morning, stated Kopechne was in a position suggesting she had been breathing from a pocket of air trapped in the back-seat wheel well and had suffocated and not drowned, which implied that had Kennedy contacted authorities immediately, rescuers may have saved her life. However, since Kopechne's parents' lawyer, Joseph Flanagan, filed a petition barring an autopsy, the cause of death was never medically confirmed. When the car was recovered, all the doors were locked and three of the windows were either open or smashed in.

Kopechne's parents also claim that they learned of their daughter's death from Ted Kennedy before he reported his involvement to the authorities, and that they only learned he had been the driver through wire press releases some time later.

Kennedy ultimately received a deferred six-month sentence for leaving the scene of an accident. Kennedy defenders claim the legal case proved Kennedy was clear of guilt, whereas critics of the incident assert Kennedy got off lightly because of his family and political connections, and that many details were swept under the rug only to emerge later through journalistic efforts that suggested little effort was made to gather information detrimental to Kennedy.

Posted by: Ted Kennedy | Aug 24, 2008 7:33:35 PM

Will anyone from the Kopeckne family be speaking?

Posted by: Jeffrey | Aug 24, 2008 7:33:43 PM

Yes James, that demonstrates clearly what the Republican base is really all about.

Pretty disgusting. I do hope ABC deletes your garbage.

Posted by: Larry | Aug 24, 2008 7:34:07 PM

I’m only a lukewarm Obama supporter. But as immature as Hillary Clinton’s antics during and since the primaries have been, the behavior of her ardent supporters strikes me as even worse. I suppose one can understand how amoral egomaniacs like the Clintons might embrace deeply divisive (OK, downright evil!) tactics for purely short-term political gain when driven by ambition as they are. But her continuingly ardent supporters? I can only suppose that they are motivated by the same sort of mindlessly arbitrary partisanship as European soccer hooligans. I fear that McCain (who admits, at least halfway, that he cares only about his ambition) will win and drive this country the rest of the way into the ground, and it will be only Hillary and her supporters who are to blame.

Posted by: Lisa | Aug 24, 2008 7:34:43 PM

I am so sick of the Kennedys. All of them, vertical or horizontal.

Posted by: The Oracle | Aug 24, 2008 7:34:47 PM

Obama is a clown. Vote for me.

Posted by: John McCain | Aug 24, 2008 7:34:52 PM

Larry, Just how do I "vote BIG'? Would that be to vote several times, LBJ style? The little O boy doesn't need my help unless it is to remove his head from his a**.

Posted by: james | Aug 24, 2008 7:36:42 PM

Yeah "Teddy". Do you really want to go there? I can post a few hundred items on how McCain has used the C word towards his current wife, how he was doing Cindy while his then current wife was in a hospital recuperating from a life threatening car accident, and on and on.

Ever hear about people in glass houses not throwing stones? Be careful about what you post, it just might fly back in your face. Kind of like spitting in the wind.

Posted by: Larry | Aug 24, 2008 7:38:56 PM

Larry, if you believe for one second that Hitlary wants Barry to win you know nothing about what makes the Clintons tick. They are power hungry and will stop at nothing to get it, even by using racist comments. They may say to vote for Barry but they will be working hard to undermine his election so she can win in 2012. How are Vince, Ron, the babe Bill molested and her dead husband doing?

Posted by: killerbee | Aug 24, 2008 7:41:10 PM

Would someone PLEASE remember that this SOB drove a car off a bridge with a 20 something woman inside, left her to drown, and left to go to a motel to cook up a story. These Kennedy's are trash, period, and nothing else, from Joe Sr. on down!

Posted by: Duane | Aug 24, 2008 7:41:30 PM

Posted by: Mary Jo | Aug 24, 2008 7:42:35 PM

James, as a loyal Republican you should know something about vote fixing--remember the "hanging chads" in Florida when Bush the little's brother was governor? Remember how Rove, Harriet Miers and the rest of Bushes thugs won't answer Justice Department subpoenas? Even when they are no longer working in the executive branch? Your own little gestapo at work.

Posted by: Larry | Aug 24, 2008 7:43:18 PM

Hey Larry, Cindy was and is hot. Rich too. Atta boy Johnny!

Posted by: killerbee | Aug 24, 2008 7:43:21 PM

neil1785, must be a little hard to see through those little holes in your Klan hood, isn't it?

Yeah we need guys like you voting. In Russia maybe...

Posted by: Larry | Aug 24, 2008 7:45:01 PM

Latest Update !!!! Doctors now admit that a mistake was made during the surgery. It has become apparent that Kennedy's Brain was removed in error and the tumor was left untouched. Doctor's have no explaination for the sudden increase in IQ.

Posted by: Jack W. | Aug 24, 2008 7:45:42 PM

Larry, are you guys STILL whining about Florida 2000? If Algore had just won his measley home state of Tennessee (11 electoral votes) he would have been President. HE LOST HIS OWN STATE! WAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAW. THANK YOU, TENNESSEE!

Posted by: killerbee | Aug 24, 2008 7:46:54 PM

Liberals are always wrong about everything. Always.

Posted by: killerbee | Aug 24, 2008 7:49:27 PM

What do people know about this? Lawsuit filed today against Obama and DNC. Obama not U.S. Citizen- Lawsuit filed- Enjoin DNC

Posted by: rick22reed | Aug 24, 2008 7:49:33 PM

Killerbee,

You mean the same Al Gore that won the popular election, that guy? And you repeating the Algore garbage that that druggie El Rushbo pumps out doesn't make you too bright either. Another Ditto for Brains head.

Posted by: Larry | Aug 24, 2008 7:49:45 PM

Larry, Really hate to disappoint you old buddy but I am not a repub, much less a "loyal" repub. It is just that I am not blinded by the glittering halo of your black Messiah. I see him for what he truly is, an empty suit that can read a teleprompter. At least that is not above his paygrade.

Posted by: james | Aug 24, 2008 7:50:47 PM

This convention is taking on carnival qualities. It will be entertaining, but there are a lot of very pissed off people getting together in a town that does serve alcohol. The problem is, they are mad at each other. Can you imagine the magic of Michelle and Hillary standing together? Bill and Barack? Bill and Michelle embracing? This with 20,000 anguished and motivated Hillary supporters seething on the convention floor. The Schizocratic Party begins Monday. Neither Shakespeare nor Hollywood could have scripted a more intriguing or volatile affair. Into the mix walks the elder surviving Kennedy, taking us back to the days of sadness and denial. A man who should have been prosecuted for negligent homicide, walks forth, while fighting a brain tumor, in itself a courageous effort. I am happy this will be on TV. The convention will have moments of brilliance, but I am afraid, too many moments where the DNC would prefer there were no cameras in the room

Posted by: jggrimm | Aug 24, 2008 7:51:21 PM

Sure let's get Jabba the Kennedy who killed Mary Jo up there with the three Clintons. It's a regular love fest of self glorification going on.

Does anyone know if Obama will be there?

Posted by: Darrel | Aug 24, 2008 7:53:06 PM

And how is your pay grade James? Is El Rushbo financing your tirades here? I'm sure you'd love to lynch all the African Americans, but thank God you are in the distinct minority.

Animals like you should burn your voter ID cards, that is if you can find them.

Posted by: Larry | Aug 24, 2008 7:53:10 PM

Larry, you need to lay off of the Klan.

Posted by: james | Aug 24, 2008 7:54:15 PM

And James? I may not always be right, but I sure as heck am not a buddy of yours.

My friends are a better class of people, including all of my African American friends who I would trust watching my back long before I'd trust you.

And oh yeah, I spent most of my life in the south.

Posted by: Larry | Aug 24, 2008 7:56:02 PM

Yeah neil1785, things have sure been great under Deke Towelsnapper and his trusty VP, the guy that shot his buddy in the face.

Posted by: Larry | Aug 24, 2008 7:58:50 PM

Larry,

My pay grade is just fine. Thanks for asking. No, I don't work for ElRushbo, but, if you will send me his resume I will consider hiring him to do my yard. And, I think I'll just keep my voter card. Also, I have reported you to PETA for calling me an animal in a derogatory way. You may not want to walk down any dark streets. I hear that they can get very nasty.

Posted by: james | Aug 24, 2008 8:00:02 PM

Teddy killed more with his car than most soldiers have with a rifle. I do not know who said it but it is true.

Posted by: David | Aug 24, 2008 8:01:24 PM

And James, I don't worry about your klan buddies, my buddies in the hood will take 'em on any day--that is if they have the guts to take off the sheets they hide behind--actually, they can keep 'em on, let people see them getting their arses kicked.

Posted by: Larry | Aug 24, 2008 8:01:44 PM

Wow, I'm impressed neil1785, you learned how to cut and paste, good for you!

Posted by: Larry | Aug 24, 2008 8:04:21 PM

Can some one tell me why ISNA will be a prominent speaker at the DNC? It has been seen as a muslim terrorist organizations funding Hamas? Why in the world would they want them to do anything religious at the DNC?

Posted by: Cam | Aug 24, 2008 8:06:37 PM

No need to yell neil baby, your bankrupt posts speak very well for your mentality, rather lack of.

We'll be waiting for your bad boy klansmen y'all.

Posted by: Larry | Aug 24, 2008 8:07:30 PM

So sayeth the idiot

Posted by: cindy | Aug 24, 2008 8:11:55 PM

If Senator Kennedy can make it out to the Convention, it would be a wonderful moment. He is a great American and all America owes him a vote of thanks for decades of work in the Senate. I hope he can come out to conclude the video.

Posted by: Karl in MD | Aug 24, 2008 8:12:25 PM

Republicans are fascists who want to destroy America. We must unite and fight them if we want to save our democracy. Do not forget this!

Posted by: ExDem | Aug 24, 2008 8:12:57 PM

Sure Ted. Knock yourself out. Your time is very short, live it up while you can.

Posted by: Mike | Aug 24, 2008 8:13:51 PM

I don't think I've ever seen such a string of statements proved how racist, stupid, and moronic most of the posters actually are.

Doesn't anyone at ABC actually read this stuff and moderate it a bit. You have things posted here that would make a Klansman blush.

And Neil1785- a special shoutout to you. The fires of hell will never be hot enough for creatures like you. Your statements here prove that you are truly horrible waste of life. You are an embarrassment to the United States.

Posted by: oxfdblue | Aug 24, 2008 8:17:07 PM

I was not referring to black versus white, I grew up with a jewish guy that was as black as Obama. I simply feel that here and now is one lousy time to have a muslim connected with funding Hamas offer religious and main speaker podium time.

Posted by: Cam | Aug 24, 2008 8:20:11 PM

Maybe Teddy could offer one last toast at the convention lectern, then drop over dead in front of an adoring world-wide television audience.

Posted by: driveby_poster | Aug 24, 2008 8:21:42 PM

neil 1785, you are a shame to Americans. you dont deserve your freedom. Hiding behind a computer says it all, you are a COWARD. Mccain too is a COWARD just like you. Go on, he sure deserves your vote.

Posted by: vuzous | Aug 24, 2008 8:22:29 PM

Those who have chosen NOT to vote...or to vote for McCain make well strike out at Obama by Not voting for him. To those of you I say: While you vent your displeasure and anger at him, do remember you will reap what YOU sow. Not only will Democrats suffer the wrath of another 4/8 years of a bad economy...so shall you!

It is really time to MOVE ON and get on with the business at hand.

Posted by: ticky44 | Aug 24, 2008 8:22:50 PM

obama supporters you can hiss all you want. pre-convention night latest cnn poll 27% of hillary supporters will not support obama regardless/this poll was conducted after biden.
even when hillary (gives the rest of her delegates to obama) so he can win-we all know that hillary has to toe the party line-we don't!
i keep hearing this fantasy/wishful thinking that hillary supporters would jump on board before the convention well that did not happen. now we hear the same projection for before november. dream on!

Posted by: sonia trevino | Aug 24, 2008 8:23:38 PM

I got to tell you that in the last two years the Democrat Congress and Senate took away our tax break, and don't forget two years ago gas was $2.09 a gallon. What did having a Democrat congress and senate do for us, nothing?
Its simple math it costs us money to have Democrats controlling the Congress and Senate.

Posted by: Cam | Aug 24, 2008 8:26:28 PM

Never needed permission from Mr and Mrs Kopechne.

Posted by: Joanne | Aug 24, 2008 8:33:38 PM

Invite Mary Jo's family, not the killer Teddy Kennedy.

Posted by: Darrel | Aug 24, 2008 8:36:50 PM

Good riddance neil1785, now you can just pass out drunk on the couch in your trailer park...

It's been a pleasure emasculating you. Yes it's alright if you need to look up the definition...

Posted by: Larry | Aug 24, 2008 8:38:31 PM

No Obama ever. I will cross party lines and vote for McCain. This is what our boy told us to do. He is an officer in the Marine Corp. Third time in IRaq. He says Obama is bad. Untrustworthy.

Posted by: Dean | Aug 24, 2008 8:41:32 PM

Obama lin Biden.

Posted by: driveby_poster | Aug 24, 2008 8:45:25 PM

I wish for Sen. Kennedy the best. I agree with about 1% of anything he has or ever said, however I do wish him a very speedy recovery and maybe his presence in Denver will help him.

Posted by: BigPoppa37 | Aug 24, 2008 8:46:07 PM

I remember the first time I watched Primary Colors and thought it was fiction. How could anyone slander the Clintons like that movie did? Now it seems to me it was not slanderous. Some of us have had quite enough of the Clintons. But I feel somehow they will manage to even inject their presence in Sen. Kennedy's tribute. They make me sick.

Posted by: jeanne moore | Aug 24, 2008 8:50:29 PM

I remember the first time I watched Primary Colors and thought it was fiction. How could anyone slander the Clintons like that movie did? Now it seems to me it was not slanderous. Some of us have had quite enough of the Clintons. But I feel somehow they will manage to even inject their presence in Sen. Kennedy's tribute. They make me sick.

Posted by: jeanne moore | Aug 24, 2008 8:50:37 PM

I was really saddened that Senator Ted Kennedy was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I was always hoping he'd live long enough to be assassinated.

Posted by: pattiedukes | Aug 24, 2008 9:00:35 PM

It doesn't matter who's more or less qualified.. who's more or less moral.. who's more or less religious... who's more or less corrupt.. who's the bigger liar.. yak yak yak.

All that matters is that two guys beat all the other guys (and one grasping woman) and now one has to beat the other. You're all deluded in thinking you're going to change any opinions with your rants so shut the fu*k up!!! The voters are speaking... get over it.

Posted by: MrKnowItAll | Aug 24, 2008 9:01:55 PM

Is anyone else here worried that Neil may self-combust? Is anyone suspcious about his motives, given that his facts are mainly incorrect? Neil, pick up your marbles, if you still have any, and go home.

The question we have here is do we want McCain in office? As an Obama supporter I know I would be fully behind Hillary right now if the tables were reversed. Let's prioritize people.

And Neil, please, go have a nice cup of warm milk and take deep breaths. I'm worried about you.

Posted by: jenni6 | Aug 24, 2008 9:02:27 PM

Wow, you can just feel it everyone, in every response you read: There's a lot of love on this post.

Posted by: Dire Weevil | Aug 24, 2008 9:02:28 PM

Speaking of the Clintons...they jus won't go away, will they. Kind of like a booger you can't shake off your finger.

Posted by: Stevie | Aug 24, 2008 9:11:25 PM

pattie dukes u sound like a bitter woman

Posted by: kissy | Aug 24, 2008 9:19:44 PM

go soak

Posted by: kissy | Aug 24, 2008 9:21:03 PM