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Nation Reacts to Kennedy Brain Tumor News

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May 20, 2008 2:16 PM

ABC News' Bret Hovell and Z. Bryon Wolf Report: Politicians on both sides of the aisle reacted with sadness and determined optimism to the news that Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.

Fighting back tears, Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., described by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., as Kennedy's closest friend in the Senate, insisted, "We're confident he's going to be back."

Watch VIDEO HERE of Sens. Reid, Dodd and Kerry reacting to the Kennedy news.

Sen. Robert C. Byrd, a West Virginia Democrat and the most senior member of the Senate, openly wept while speaking from his desk on the Senate floor.

"I want to take a moment to say how distraught and terribly shaken I am over the news of my dear friend, my dear, dear friend, dear friend, Ted Kennedy," Byrd said as he began to cry. "My thoughts and my humble prayers are with Sen. Kenney, my dear friend Ted, with his wife Vicki, and with the members of the Kennedy family. I hope and pray that in an all-caring omnipotent god will watch over Ted and keep Ted here for us and for America. Ted, Ted, my dear friend, I love you and I miss you and Erma, Erma, Erma, my darling wife Erma, I want to say, thank god for you Ted, thank god for you."

Watch VIDEO HERE of Sen. Byrd's emotional address.

In an interview with ABC News' Jake Tapper for "World News With Charles Gibson", Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., who has received Kennedy's endorsement for president, said, "It's heartbreaking. Ted Kennedy is not only a giant of the Senate, but he's a good friend. You couldn't have a better supporter than Ted Kennedy."

Obama talked with Vicki Kennedy, the senator's wife, Saturday and said he was more optimistic after that converstion.

"The news came in today and it's a lot worse, but he's a fighter. He's been fighting on behalf of working families all his life . . . It's a testament to how beloved he is that you are seeing well wishes from across the aisle from everyone in political life and Massachusetts."

Watch a portion of Jake Tapper's interview with Obama HERE.

In a statement released to the press, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., who is preparing for an election night rally in Kentucky, said, "Ted Kennedy's courage and resolve are unmatched, and they have made him one of the greatest legislators in Senate history. Our thoughts are with him and Vicki and we are praying for a quick and full recovery."

Mrs. Kennedy called Reid Tuesday afternoon with the news. Reid in turn told the Democratic members of the Senate at their weekly luncheon.

Fighting back tears at a press conference following the luncheon, Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., described by Reid as Kennedy's closest friend in the Senate, said, "We're confident he's going to be back."

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., called his colleague from Massachusetts "one unbelieveable fighter", saying when he visited Kennedy over the weekend the Senator, who endorsed Kerry's bid for the White House in 2004, was in a "fighting mood".

"Having served as governor," former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., who ran against Kennedy for his Senate seat in 1994, said, "I learned very quickly that if you wanted to get something done, whether it was getting health insurance to all our citizens or fighting to keep our military bases open, the go-to person for me was Ted Kennedy. Although the news on his health is discouraging, this is a man who is a fighter and has overcome the odds time and time again. Don't count him out."

In a statement released to the press, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said, "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Senator Kennedy and his family. We hope and pray his doctors will be able to effectively treat his condition and that he will experience a full recovery. I have described Ted Kennedy as the last lion in the Senate, and I have held that view because he remains the single most effective member of the Senate."

McCain, a cancer survivor, has worked with Kennedy on several legislative measures during their time together in the Senate. Kennedy has endorsed McCain's potential general election rival, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

On the other side of Capitol Hill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said simply, "Senator Kennedy has been a fighter all of his life."

Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., the dean of the Massachusetts House delegation. said in a paper statement to the press, "Ted Kennedy is the greatest Senator in American history and a tireless fighter for America's families. I know that he will take on this latest challenge with the same fighting spirit, strength and courage he has always shown. My thoughts and prayers are with  him, his wife, Vicki, and his family. I look forward to seeing him fully recover and working with him for many, many more years to come."

May 20, 2008 in Bush, George W., Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom, Thompson, Fred, Veepstakes | Permalink | User Comments (67)

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Kennedy has been a fighter. Hillary is also a fighter, and a better one. Best wishes to Kennedy, and best of best to Hillary!
Keep on the good fight!

Posted by: Amy | May 20, 2008 2:36:09 PM

I am very sorry to read the news. My thoughts and prayers go out for an effectve treatment as well.

Posted by: annie | May 20, 2008 2:41:26 PM

lol what

hillary will lose... if she somehow wins in some crazy backroom deal... she will lose the GE because the democrats would disown her, and that 90% of the black vote would say.... sorry lady you lost im writing in obamas name


LOL idiot


ps i love you kennedy i hope we get ot keep you around for awhile

Posted by: bhrandon | May 20, 2008 2:42:05 PM

Amy...the only thing HRC knows is ego, selfish thoughts and getting her own way. I have NEVER seen the Kennedys act that way. They have always worked for the downtrodden. Don't even try to compare the two...

Posted by: newthought | May 20, 2008 2:45:19 PM

In the name of human decency can we please make this about the welfare of a great public servant and his family.

a prayer for you Ted

Posted by: jAYjAY | May 20, 2008 2:52:02 PM

Senator Kennedy is the best we have. I hope he fully recovers. It would be impossible to fill his shoes. We need more like him.

Posted by: Faramarz Rabii | May 20, 2008 2:54:23 PM

Best wishes to you Ted.

Now maybe you will retire and we can get some fresh, less left-wing blood in the senate.

Posted by: Nick | May 20, 2008 3:06:13 PM

if these fat-cats spent more time legislating for investment in medical research, and treatment, we could improve quality of life and life expectancy. instead we are comparable to cuba in terms of life expectancy and infant mortality rates, what a shame. i thought the very same thing when reagan passed away from what could be treatable diseases.
hillary's focus has always been healthcare-but this has become a shameful election that is more about egos, sexism, and old vendettas. so expect more of the same.

Posted by: sonia trevino | May 20, 2008 3:06:23 PM

cindyct,

You mean how you Obama supporters are constantly judging the Clintons and McCain??????

Posted by: geevill | May 20, 2008 3:14:11 PM

I am a cancer survivor too of three cancers and it saddens me that Senator Kennedy has this cancer. My mother and mother-in-law passed away from malignant brain cancers. I do trust the he will know we are all concerned for him.

Posted by: Judy T Lloyd | May 20, 2008 3:14:25 PM

geevil...I don't judge Hillary...I Have said many times I will vote for the nominee..whether OB or HRC..it doesn't matter. Unlike Hillary supporters who would rather have 4 more years of Bush...out of a stupid vendetta.

Posted by: cindyct | May 20, 2008 3:17:08 PM

Sometime or another we will all need some compassion. Pay it forward. My prayers are with the Kennedy family.

Posted by: MaryB | May 20, 2008 3:20:33 PM

Maryb...my sediments exactly!! thanks for stating them so eliquently.

Posted by: cindyct | May 20, 2008 3:24:45 PM

It saddens me to read most of these posts. What a bunch.

Posted by: Harold | May 20, 2008 3:28:41 PM

Racism doesn't exist.

You can cry on tv about racism and blame all your failures and setbacks on racism, but it doesn't exist and America is sick of hearing about racism.

Posted by: Sick of the Whiners | May 20, 2008 3:32:55 PM

Words cannot express my deep sorrow after reading the diagnosis. A wonderful, compassionate man. His brother Jack was the first president I ever voted for in my first presidential election.

Posted by: Richard | May 20, 2008 3:35:33 PM

Us regular folk?
Fighting for the regular guy?
Jeez. Not a chance. Power is what it's about. Liberal rich guy who wanted to be king.

I don't wish illness on anyone, even a liberal.

Posted by: Nick | May 20, 2008 3:37:38 PM

Ben- That's still between him and God. Nobody else has the right to play God. Judge not, lest ye be judged- ya know? Many people here have decided that he's going to hell or that his tumor is righteous retribution. Did God confide these details to those people? Like I said: give compassion- you just might need it yourself someday.We all live in glass houses.

Posted by: Mary B | May 20, 2008 3:38:09 PM

No one is honest enough too like neither of the candidates for the presidence of our country. Along they are path on this earth we all make mistakes to critizes any good efforts to support anyone all the way. Our economy is going straight to the toilet; Neither the stronger politician will save us to be another country in Latin America.
Finally Hugo Chavez will have his way with us, too bad he will not get in touch with the rich politicians of this country. Lets find a replacement for Oil at any cost other than that American will be flying to other countries where there money be worth more than what it is in here. By the way forget about Europe your dollars are worth .....

Posted by: Ernesto | May 20, 2008 3:38:11 PM

To the Kennedy family, we are very sad about Sentor Ted Kennedy, our prayers are with you, and all my family remember their tragedies and we hope that rather that he will no longer be with us, that a miricle will happen, and that he will recover and get well. God bless you Ted. From Gloria and family.

Posted by: Gloria Correa | May 20, 2008 3:39:08 PM

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