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Nation Reacts to Kennedy Brain Tumor News
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ShareMay 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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While I wish ill will on no one and pray he does recover, it does seem people are way over the top in their praise of this man whose merits are far outweighed by his bad acts.
May God have mercy on his soul.
Posted by: Rich | May 20, 2008 3:42:37 PM
geevill,
That's because Charleton Heston had the nerve to be pro-second amendment and the liberals can't stand that. The liberal media never had a good thing to say about him that they didn't qualify with their anti-second amendment rants.
Posted by: Nick | May 20, 2008 3:46:25 PM
I am astounded by the ignorance of people. Oh wait, no I'm not.
There is a HUGE difference between having no compassion for an unrepentant, shameless, gutless drunk, who was the FREDO of his family, who lived the lavish life of a U.S. Senator (sitting on ethics commitees, no less) and someone who handled an accident badly and retreated out of public life in shame.
You wouldn't wish ill on the latter. You wouldn't necessarily wish it on the former. But when tragedy befalls the former, only a lockstep sycophant would chastize anyone who doesn't want to participate in the praying for a soul which was sold to the devil 40 years ago.
Posted by: WG | May 20, 2008 3:46:51 PM
Above all we are all human beings, whatever our opinion is of Kennedy, as humans we should show sympathy and compassion for someone who is someones father,husband, grandather who is suffering from a deadly disease. Before you cast your stones look at your glass houses. This is why I stay away from politics, which is above all things for some of you. My Prayers are with Kennedy and his family.
Sean
Posted by: Sean | May 20, 2008 3:47:07 PM
MaryB - I am not judging whether he is headed upstairs or downstairs. I am merely saying that there should be some standard of whether you can become a senator or not. If I am responsible for someones death as Ted is, I hope that people will not give me the time of day when it comes to being elected to represent them. The manner in which this woman died and Ted's behavior at the time were just wrong. These details have been published, and you can go fish for them if you would like. He was a victim of circumstances of his making, and no one can dispute that. The fact that he was elected speaks to the cess that our society has become.
Posted by: Ben Straub | May 20, 2008 3:47:33 PM
NO-BAMA
OK, genius. Who the hell said anything about racism? YOU"RE the one that's all hopped up and defensive. I don't need to defend Barack because he is WINNING..NOT LOSING, like HRC.
A CHEATER and BALD-FACED LIAR (i. e. Hilliary) has no place in the White House.
Posted by: Rhoda | May 20, 2008 3:48:36 PM
None too soon for this murdering individual. The only Kennedy to survive old age...and what a cruel joke of life.
cccross
Posted by: CC Cross | May 20, 2008 3:54:16 PM
Someone...somewhere is restoring a 1967 Oldsmobile Delmont 88 4-door. Let no other Oldsmobile ever get submerged in water. If only Ted Kennedy drove a Volkswagen...would he be President today!!
R.I.P Mary Jo...too bad your life was sacrificed in Ted Kennedy's hands.
Posted by: FlashF | May 20, 2008 3:54:37 PM
The man showed no compassion just a disregard for the life of a woman in order to save his career. He defended his rapist nephew. So whatever.
Posted by: geevill | May 20, 2008 3:54:42 PM
No, Ben, I disagree. I think the hateful, vitriolic comments posted speak most eloquently to the cesspool too much of our society has become. You may or may not be assessing his final destination, but many others are. We are what we think. Leave Ted to God. Seek grace and compassion and forgiveness.
Posted by: MaryB | May 20, 2008 4:00:03 PM
MaryB - For once I agree. I am not making mean spirited comments or passing judgment. I just don't understand how this guy got elected. I expect more integrity from my leaders. Probably why I am a Ron Paul supporter. Here are two requirements that would be nice. You can't be responsible for another's death through immoral means, and you can't be bought by special interests. Wouldn't that just be wonderful.
Posted by: Ben Straub | May 20, 2008 4:05:57 PM
Yes, Ben, it would be wonderful. But I'm afraid that eliminates just about everybody. And my point was, and is, this wasn't supposed to be a political posting. Just a place to express sympathy for the Kennedy family. Imagine if these posters were hospital visitors?? Why in the world would they be visiting someone they detest? Just don't go...
Posted by: MaryB | May 20, 2008 4:10:46 PM
That's what happens when you cross the Clintons. He isn't dead yet, so he can still switch back and save himself!
Posted by: Hil | May 20, 2008 4:20:53 PM
I ran into Senator Kennedy on a D.C. street back in the early 90's. Even though he didn't need to, he responded to my greeting and shook my hand. I don't always agree with his politics, but I believe he is a gracious and hororable man.
Posted by: Jeff Conway | May 20, 2008 4:49:56 PM
Senator Kennedy has always been a friend to those less fortunate. He is a great Senator, but more important, a great humanitarian. To those who want to dwell on his weakensses, I echo Crist: He who has not made a mistake, let him cast the first stone.
Teddy, may God Bless you and your family.
Thanks for all the inspiraiton......
Posted by: roland | May 20, 2008 4:58:21 PM
Senator Kennedy has always been a friend to those less fortunate. He is a great Senator, but more important, a great humanitarian. To those who want to dwell on his weakensses, I echo Crist: He who has not made a mistake, let him cast the first stone.
Teddy, may God Bless you and your family.
Thanks for all the inspiraiton......
Posted by: roland | May 20, 2008 4:58:26 PM
Compassion,... hmmm,... let's look at that a minute. My compassion is saved for the innocent, the downtrodden and the underdogs,... ya know, the people who actually deserve it. Ted Kennedy has not been a "great political leader",... he's been a constant monolith on the political scene of rich, elitist politicos living above the laws they themselves vote into place,... he's been a constant eye sore and a constant reminder of the low morals of our government officials and the low intellect of the voters who keep putting him in office. Here's a prediciton,... in the typical fashion of the moronic voting public,... Ted Kennedy will be re-elected even after he's dead.
Posted by: Gailen | May 20, 2008 5:24:21 PM
I remember right wingers saying they were shocked at how "hate-filled" and "mean spirited" libs were when libs made very mild negative comments about Bush. But these pious religious conservatives love gloating about someone else's malignant brain tumor.
Kennedy has saved many thousands if not millions of lives through his lifetime of humanitarian work, health care reform and support for the poor and disabled. Bush has been responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent people, for money. Weigh THAT in the balance, you MORONS!!
Posted by: anonyq | May 20, 2008 5:27:24 PM
When I first heard that Ted had a seizure, the first thought that came to mind was his " Check Alcohol" light popped on.
Posted by: tjkw | May 20, 2008 5:38:33 PM
Have some respect for kennedy name atleast. Do not discuss BO or HRC here. This is a personal issue. Its not the time to express your political views.
Posted by: Sunil Sinha | May 20, 2008 5:38:42 PM
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