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Jake Tapper is ABC News' Senior White House Correspondent based in the network's Washington bureau. He writes about politics and popular culture and covers a range of national stories.
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Sending Best Wishes Via C-SPAN 2
May 20, 2008 6:48 PM
The Senate can actually be a very collegial place at times of personal tragedy. And sometimes it can be quite touching.
Just one example: Two senators took to the Senate floor this afternoon to extend their thoughts and prayers to Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., directly just in case he was watching on C-SPAN 2 from Massachusetts General.
"If Ted happens to be watching on C-SPAN, I want him to know that all of his brothers and sisters in the Senate are thinking, cheering, and praying for him," said Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
Said Sen. Pete Domenici, R-NM, haltingly, "I came here to say some words to my good friend, Senator Kennedy, and his family. We heard the early news and then we heard the late news which -- in which you've described as being a little bit more ill than we thought. and i just want to say now and to your family that as a fellow Senator from the other side of the aisle, I wish for you the best and hope that the Good Lord intends for you to get well so you can come back and accomplish some more things and so you and I can have some more arguments and so you and I can have red faces when you argue and I argue, and my wife calls up and says, 'You're both arguing so much that your faces are so red, nobody will listen to you.'
"That happened once and I did communicate to Senator Kennedy that my wife told me I was getting too red in the face because I was yelling, and I asked her, 'What about Senator Kennedy?' And she said, 'Well, that's not your business, but he's yelling too much too.'
"So I told him that and he had a big laugh. and I wanted to say to him that this great, big bill that we're working on -- parity for the mentally ill by the insurance companies of America, about a six-year project of his and mine -- the House sent us back the bill today, Senator Kennedy, believe it or not.
"After all these days we've been wishing that we'd get something, they sent us that bill today. They didn't send us exactly our bill, so who knows how much longer we'll have to work at it, but this one big bipartisan bill that you started helping me with when I was in the majority, we haven't got it there yet but we will. It's been a pleasure working with you on that and many other things.
"But most of all, I came to the floor knowing that it's not easy to get ahold of you -- and I don't intend to try to bother anybody -- but at least in the Senate, we are free to speak and so I'm speaking how I feel, that I hope you get well and I hope the dear Lord blesses you.
"And to your wonderful wife, who I've known not as well as I know you but what a nice lady she is. On behalf of Nancy and I, we say to her, we hope everything goes the very best it can and you're in the best of care and that's what you should have, and we hope you get well."
- jpt
May 20, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (13)
In March of 1961, my father brought me to a breakfast in Boston on a Sunday morning because you were scheduled to speak. I skipped Sunday School that morning so I could meet you and hear what you had to say. I was totally mesmerized by your charisma.
I felt then as I do now how committed you are to your family. You have weathered many storms, each one making your resolve even stronger.
You have been a brick through thick and thin, and never wavered. This latest crisis is just another hurdle for you to conquer. With your faith and God's will, you will be returning to the Senate. May God bless you and your family.
Sincerely,
Ann
Providence, RI
Posted by: Ann | May 23, 2008 7:43:12 PM
We wish you, Senator Kennedy, stand firm, fight, success and win this battle. We all want to see you recover and continue enjoy this marvelous gift that called life. We are all with you. You shall get over it.
"We love you Senator Kennedy! Thank you for continuing to be a guiding light! We are praying for you and your wonderful family."
Except his father that was Nazi (that supported the annihilation of the Jews during ww2 and supported it by active acts). We expect from Senator Kennedy to please forgiveness and pardon for his father.
We expect from Senator Kennedy to please forgiveness and pardon for his involvement in the drowning of Mary Jo Kopechne.
Posted by: Nicolas de Cabo | May 21, 2008 3:21:40 PM
His accomplishments on behalf of people who look like him and who don't speaks for itself. He and his family were willing to be inclusive at a point in time when it was not popular to do so.
I think his legacy is strong.
I appreciate Pete Dominici's words. I hope the country can get back to a time when parisans can disagree without hating the other person's guts. I have heard Pete Dominici argue many divisive points, but he earns my respect with that statement.
If Ted Kennedy could do it for more than 30 years, surely the rest of us can.
Posted by: Genna | May 21, 2008 9:32:53 AM
Sen Domenici's words moved me to tears . . . I think sometimes we all forget that at the end of the day - politicians are people just like us.
I wish Ted Kennedy and his family well.
Posted by: Nobodys fool | May 21, 2008 9:24:57 AM
It seems so hard for so many people to comprehend that the ones who have great talents, who leave the biggest footprints, who rise to the heights, often in the darkest times, are usually complex people with deep flaws and a history of mistakes, errors and wrongs. But the judgement of peers who know them best, and frequently of history which is not the same as nostalgia, is that the good greatly outweighs the bad. Here in Massachusetts, most citizens know that Ted Kennedy is a great senator. In Washington he is marveled at for his unequaled skill at getting legislation passed that no one in their right mind would think possible, especially given how polarized our politics has become. But in Massachusetts, he is better known for his attention to his constituents, his focus on the issues that matter most to us, and his easy, genial presence in our cities, towns and suburbs. Whether it's dedicating a new exhibit at the Whaling Museum in New Bedford, or helping a new consortium of adult education programs get off to a well publicized start, he is a model of how to fulfill the duties of US Senator. I hope he can beat this, but if he can't I am certain that he will continue to spend the majority of his time focused on the well being of others.
Posted by: Irene | May 20, 2008 11:57:30 PM
Sir:
My most sincere wishes for the best possible outcome. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Posted by: Mike from CT | May 20, 2008 9:45:39 PM
Amazing how extra-marital sex is always worse than war-mongering - no matter how many people get killed in the latter!
Posted by: Adrian Millet | May 20, 2008 9:31:28 PM
May God bless you, Kennedy. The entire nation is praying for you.
Posted by: TK | May 20, 2008 7:49:44 PM
Sen. Kennedy,
You have alwasy turned wrong into right. But like Bev said I myself have no health insurance. So May God bless you that you get back to work soon and set this law right, theres alot of people out there that don't have the insurance they need to get any testing done like myself.
Your in my prayers and thoughts. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
Posted by: Maryanne Chmielewski | May 20, 2008 7:30:05 PM
Yea when one of their own holding office gets sick they all want to kiss and make some laws to help a moron like Kennedy who he and his whole family have done everything from being tied with the mafia, booze running, screwing every women then could and even causing the death of at least 1 women.
His brother made it possible for holding the highest office and having sex with anyone but their own wifes and the excuse then for billyboy clinton to do the same thing
Interesting how those in office made sure the common taypayer dies because he cannot afford medical care and now they all are crying over a guy who wants millions of mexicans to break our laws and reward them with our jobs and our country.
Kennedy should retire and let a real American who supports the people take his place.
Posted by: JR | May 20, 2008 7:18:05 PM
Very touching words by Sen. Domenici. Hoping Sen. Kennedy recovers and has an easier road ahead.
Posted by: countallthevotes | May 20, 2008 7:10:15 PM
Ok, that speech by Byrd was just a little TOO creepy... I don't know what was behind that, and I don't want to find out either...
Posted by: blog | May 20, 2008 7:05:43 PM
Praying for your recovery. Thank you for what you have done for the people of this country. Thank you for trying to get national health care--you'd better hurry up and get back to the senate so we can see that everyone in this country gets it.
Posted by: Bev | May 20, 2008 7:03:06 PM
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