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Kennedy Suffers Seizure, Rushed to Hospital
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ShareMay 17, 2008 12:39 PM
ABC News' Rick Klein, Rich Esposito, David Schoetz and Ed O'Keefe report: Sen. Ted Kennedy suffered a seizure while at the Kennedy family compound this weekend in Hyannisport, Mass.
Here is the statement from Kennedy's Senate office:
"It appears that Senator Kennedy experienced a seizure (Saturday) morning. He is undergoing a battery of tests at Massachusetts General Hospital to determine the cause of the seizure. Senator Kennedy is resting comfortably, and it is unlikely we will know anything more for the next 48 hours."
Kennedy, D-Mass., who has served in the Senate since 1962, was taken by ambulance to a Cape Cod hospital Saturday morning and was later flown to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston by helicopter. The Kennedy family is headed to Boston to be with the Senator. Ethel Kennedy, who was campaigning for Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., in South Dakota, has left the trail and also is headed to Boston.
"We got a 911 call at 8:19 a.m. this morning for a request for an ambulance," Lt. Bill Rex, a spokesperson for Hyannisport Fire & Rescue, confirmed to ABC News. "We transfered one male to Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis."
Lt. Rex also confirmed that an ambulance later was used to transport Kennedy to an airlift from Barnstable Municipal Airport for an emergency flight to Boston.
The Cape Cod Times first reported the medical emergency and has posted a photo of the Senator being take to a MediFlight on a stretcher.
A Democratic Senate source tells ABC News, "The situation is serious. We just don't know how serious."
The Kennedy family was set to host the annual Best Buddies Challenge event Saturday evening at the Kennedy family compound.
Sen. Obama, who received the endorsement of the Senator and Caroline Kennedy prior to the critical Super Tuesday contests in February, told reporters he has "been in contact with the [Kennedy] family." He said, "They are in our thoughts and prayers ... as I have said many times before, Ted Kennedy is a giant in American political history, he has done more for health care of others than just about anybody in history and so we are going to be rooting for him and I insist on being optimistic about how it's going to turn out."
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the presumptive Republican nominee, also released a statement on Kennedy, saying, "I was very sorry to hear that Sen. Kennedy has taken ill, and like millions of Americans, Cindy and I anxiously await word of his condition. Sen. Kennedy's role in the U.S. Senate cannot be overstated. He is a legendary lawmaker, and I have the highest respect for him."
Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., campaigning in Loretto, Ky., said, "We had word this morning that my good friend and a great champion of working people, Ted Kennedy, was rushed to the hospital with symptoms of a stroke, and our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family because he has been a champion for health care. Nobody has fought harder to make sure everybody gets good health care and I know that we all join together wishing him well."
ABC News' Eloise Harper, Bret Hovell, George Stephanopoulos and Sunlen Miller contributed to this report.
May 17, 2008 in Veepstakes | Permalink | User Comments (74)
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No need to worry, Its probably just a hang over. Geesh is everything news?
Posted by: TH | May 17, 2008 12:55:37 PM
Hopes and prayers to the Kennedy family. Even though I disagree with him politically, I can admire the work he has done. Imagine having a brother killed in war, two brothers assasinated, a sister killed in a plane crash, another sister cruelly lobotomized and yet still having the conviction to carry on. Hopefully this courage will see him through this crisis.
Posted by: JimJ | May 17, 2008 1:01:17 PM
Get well soon, Senator!
Posted by: jenny | May 17, 2008 1:02:13 PM
Noted for tying up anything that might help the American people, he was best known for his antics at Chappaquidick and having his relatives die. That last is hardly a claim to fame. If his name wasn't Kennedy he would have been out of politics in a blink.
Posted by: Ollie | May 17, 2008 1:04:31 PM
My thoughts and prayers are with Senator Kennedy as all American's should be, whether or not you agree with the politics. May he see a speedy recovery and many more years of good health!
Posted by: jennyfromCA | May 17, 2008 1:04:48 PM
Time of reckoning.
Posted by: Robin | May 17, 2008 1:07:19 PM
Let me start by saying, I wish the best in health to Sen. Kennedy. He has served America for decades. However, I feel he is partially responsible for the demise of the Democratic party. Abortion and gay rights have put the party in direct conflict with the church and with families. Gun control issues have put the party in conflict with every family that goes to sleep at night knowing if someone breaks in, they will have no defense. National security issues have put the party in conflict with all military families and their supporters. Education issues, as put forward by the Democratic party, are hollow. We all known our once proud educational system is completely broken and the party is on the wrong side of many of the issues. Our Democratic party has stood shoulder to shoulder with the Unions, but they are gone and yet the party still has the same mentality. As a Democratic, I'm looking at our candidate, Sen. Obama. To me, he looks and sounds like the younger image of Sen. Kennedy. If this is correct, we are doomed again until we get on the right side of the issues.
Enough said.
Posted by: Roger King | May 17, 2008 1:07:52 PM
Best wishes to Senator Kennedy, and I hope you get better soon!
Posted by: FilmMD | May 17, 2008 1:08:49 PM
Roger King -
The "demise of the Democratic party?" Have you SEEN the polls? There is a party crashing and burning, but it ain't the Democrats.
Posted by: jock59801 | May 17, 2008 1:11:41 PM
I don't wish this man any harm or pain but the way the media's going on about him, you'd think he's a King. That is kind of wierd. He's so far left in his politics it's not funny, it's destructive to society. He can never make up for what happened. He's the only person that's allowed to bring his dogs into the capitol. Why does he not follow the rules like he asks of the people whom he disagrees with. I just don't respect this man.
Posted by: Christie | May 17, 2008 1:13:51 PM
Teddy was dreaming of Mary Jo.
Posted by: Larry | May 17, 2008 1:13:53 PM
Probably having a coronary screaming at Bush again. What a hateful man.
Posted by: Bill | May 17, 2008 1:14:39 PM
How cold-hearted are some of you people? The man has suffered an apparent stroke, who knows how serious it could be, and you feel it the appropriate time and forum to attack this man? My goodness, what has become of this nation of ours?
Posted by: Eric - Swansea, MA | May 17, 2008 1:16:15 PM
It is a testament to the bitterness and indecency in our political process, and apparently America in general, that people would make an extra effort to applaud the suffering of others and wish additional harm upon them. Because you disagree with them?
I despise George W. Bush down to my toenails and I think he has done serious long-term harm to our nation, but I still would not wish pain and suffering on him. Is this what we have come to?
Posted by: jock59801 | May 17, 2008 1:17:13 PM
Senator Kennedy has worked for many, many years for the disenfranchised, He is truly an American Hero. I will pray for all of you sick, disgusting people that have made these inhumane remarks. This Man has worked tirelessly since 1962 to hold to the ideals of democracy.Perhaps before you wag your filthy fingers you should inspect your own closets! Who amongst you is free of sin!? My Family's prayers are with the Senator at this time.
Posted by: sharon sennett | May 17, 2008 1:17:45 PM
Ted Kennedy and his family will always have a special place in our hearts. We are pulling for you senator. YES YOU CAN!
Posted by: Johnny B. Good | May 17, 2008 1:18:56 PM
Ted Kennedy and his family will always have a special place in our hearts. We are pulling for you senator. YES YOU CAN!
Posted by: Johnny B. Good | May 17, 2008 1:18:59 PM
Don't pray for me, Sharon. I don't want a witch pushing pins in me..OUCH!
Posted by: pray for some sense | May 17, 2008 1:19:44 PM
Robin: The church is not this Country!!! The Catholic People have to learn respect for those of Us that are not Catholic... This Country is made of all types of People... so learn to respect the rest of Us!!!
Posted by: Larry | May 17, 2008 1:19:47 PM
Get well soon, Senator Kennedy. I hope Hillary Clinton will get around to wishing you well, too. I'm glad Obama and McCain found the time to do so.
Posted by: Happy | May 17, 2008 1:21:46 PM
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