Obama to stand in for Sen. Kennedy at Wesleyan

[Life Long Dem]

May 23, 1:13 AM EDT

Obama to stand in for Sen. Kennedy at Wesleyan

By GLEN JOHNSON
Associated Press Writer

BOSTON (AP) -- Barack Obama has agreed to deliver the commencement address at Wesleyan University in place of Sen. Edward Kennedy, who pulled out Thursday after finding out he had brain cancer.

Kennedy, 76, had planned to address the graduates - including stepdaughter Caroline Raclin - Sunday in Middletown, Conn. The commencement exercises coincide with 25th reunion festivities for his son, Edward Kennedy Jr., who graduated from the school in 1983.

The Massachusetts Democrat decided against making the trip after suffering a seizure last Saturday and undergoing a brain biopsy on Monday. A malignant brain tumor was diagnosed on Tuesday.

As he did immediately after returning home, Kennedy went sailing Thursday. He spoke briefly to reporters at his home in Hyannis Port, saying that he felt "very well" and that the hospital workers had been "just spectacular."

"We received an incredible amount of wonderful notes and letters from friends and colleagues in the Senate, as well as people here in Massachusetts," he said.

The senator said the outpouring of support he received, which included honks and waves from drivers on his way home and hand-lettered signs in his neighborhood, have been "very uplifting, very touching. And I'm grateful for all that."

Obama, who leads in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, said he and Kennedy had talked earlier in the week about the Illinois senator delivering the commencement speech. Kennedy has endorsed Obama in his race against fellow Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton and has campaigned for Obama.

"Considering what he's done for me and for our country, there's nothing I wouldn't do for him," Obama said in a statement. "So I'm looking forward to standing in his place on Sunday, even though I know I won't be able to fill his shoes."

Spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter said Kennedy accepted Obama's offer to help "knowing it would be an historic opportunity for the school and all those attending. ... He's enormously grateful to Sen. Obama and the support he's received from all of his colleagues this last week."

Kennedy will not attend the graduation ceremonies, remaining at his family compound on Cape Cod. He returned to Hyannis Port on Wednesday after being released from Massachusetts General Hospital.

Congress is on a Memorial Day recess next week, although it is unclear when Kennedy will return to Capitol Hill. His doctors are weighing chemotherapy and radiation regimens, but no further announcement is expected from them before midweek.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/K/KENNEDY_OBAMA?SITE=CAANG&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[Bicoastal]

1. Cue a bunch of people arguing Obama is taking advantage of tragedy...

...while conveniently missing the fact that it was apparently Ted's decision.

[demokatgurrl]

4. Oh you can COUNT on that! n/t

[Bicoastal]

10. See #6--well, that didn't take long.

[Hippo_Tron]

15. Technically that may be the case, but it was Kennedy's call so it's hard to call it exploiting

Ted knows that more likely than not he only has a short time left on this earth and in that time there's nothing more that he'd rather see than Obama elected president. For someone who has championed civil rights for his entire career I'm sure he would love for his last accomplishment to be playing a major role in electing the first black president.

Obama will get some great press from this event and the Republicans will accuse him of exploiting tragedy for political gain like they always do.

[polichick]

2. Another symbolic passing of the torch...

I'm sure the students will be pleased.

[FrenchieCat]

3. Excellent! I'm sure that Obama is only doing this because Teddie asked.

As it is not the only thing that he could be doing.

[democracy1st]

8. That picture right there speaks volumes, Teddy has that Kennedy mystique doesn't he

[FrenchieCat]

13. Yes he does, and it has been confirmed by Teddie, Caroline, and Ethel.....

And they would know. :)

[NotThisTime]

5. I'm sorry my old Senator cannot attend his children's graduation & activities, glad Obama could help

I'm from Boston & recently moved, I for one am glad that Senator Obama could help Senator Kennedy when he now needs it. I'm extraordinarily sad he will miss his Step Daughter's graduation and his son's activities there :(

[goclark]

7. I am too ``` they seem like they are really close

For some reason it seems like they think of each other like brothers.

They just bond.

[Mike L]

6. Vulture standing over a meal. em

[NotThisTime]

9. You are disgusting after everything Kennedy has done for Democratic causes

He was my senator for 38 years until I recently moved, how about you? Do you have someone else you'd prefer give the speech?

[Mike L]

12. My comment is about Obama, not Kennedy.

HRC would be more appropriate to give the speech, or a dozen other Democrats.

P.S. You are disgusting because you support Obama. You have given this election to the Repubs.

[Bicoastal]

17. Disgusting because she doesn't support your candidate? In a fucking democracy?

Because YOU know what Ted Kennedy wants, not Ted Kennedy himself.

Man oh man, someone needs to sick their head in a bucket of ice water.

[ericgtr]

11. Hillary could've done it too but the graduates are under 80 and they feared none would show

[FrenchieCat]

14. Vulture standing over thread.......

As though he has any business believing that saying anything means something when it means nothing.

[Mike L]

16. You'll see in November. em

[Hippo_Tron]

18. Ted Kennedy more than likely has very little time left on this earth

And he is going to use it to do everything he can to make sure that Barack Obama is elected President of the United States. If you have a problem with that then I suggest you get the fuck out of the Democratic Party and go support McWar. I don't usually say that to Obama haters but you're basically trashing a dying man who has dedicated his who has dedicated his entire life to public service and does more good for this country every month than most people will do in an entire lifetime.