by Jesse Hamilton
On Sunday, Sen. Barack Obama is stopping in Middletown, Conn., to give a commencement address at Wesleyan University.
Sen. Edward Kennedy had been scheduled to make the speech prior to his hospitalization and diagnosis with a malignant brain tumor. So, Obama is stepping in for the ailing fellow senator.
Obama said in a statement today: "Ted and I talked about me filling in for him at Wesleyan University earlier this week. Considering what he's done for me and for our country, there's nothing I wouldn't do for him. 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."
This comes during a bit of a gap in his primary schedule. After the contests in Oregon and Kentucky earlier this week, the Democrats await only three more primaries -- June 1 in Puerto Rico and June 3 in Montana and South Dakota. Obama's slight but undeniable delegate-count dominance has given these remaining votes less vitality.
Kennedy, an important supporter of Obama's campaign, planned to spend the weekend recuperating back home on Cape Cod.
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Comments
He couldn't have made a better choice, Senator Obama will show the nation, if not that state and college, why he will be the Democratic nominee for President. Senator Kennedy, we wish you well and a speedy recovery.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | May 22, 2008 5:38 PM
One empty suit standing in for another.
Posted by: MJ | May 22, 2008 6:18 PM
Conn should be ok for him since he won there. The insurance capitol loves him because he will not really do anything to get universal health care at the expense of their profits. He is in the insurance industry's pocket. Why else did he win there.
Posted by: ricksramblings | May 22, 2008 6:27 PM
Obama got TROUNCED by Hillary in Massachusetts after endorsements by Kennedy and Kerry.
So, they're going for some video of ultra 1% of U.S. income earners cheering for their boy.
Great.
Posted by: Must Dems LOSE in the fall again? | May 22, 2008 6:41 PM
One lib instead of another reading from the book of Saul Alinsky. Yawn.
Posted by: Terry | May 22, 2008 7:47 PM
Terry,
And your Party offers/proposes what?
Posted by: Doug "Hussein" Zook | May 22, 2008 9:27 PM
I bet Mary Jo Kopechne's family is relieved...thank God for Obama.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | May 22, 2008 10:42 PM
So What?! Who cares about
BHO's finding another person's misfortune spun around for his own political gain. BHO is not an honorable candidate for president.
Posted by: ann | May 22, 2008 11:00 PM
"Ted and I" ---would that be the same 'Ted' that cost "Jimmy" the white house for a second term?
People this corrupt should not be president.
Many of us would have stayed home had Kennedy made it to the ticket in 80.
Obama and Kennedy. Whatta team.
Notice how RFK Jr and the smart, hard working Kennedies haven't endorsed Obama.
Posted by: Mrs. Robinson | May 22, 2008 11:48 PM
Ted Kennedy's decades of service include the legacy of his endorsement of Obama.
The torch is passing from one hand to another, from one inspiring public figure to another.
Yet, Sen. Kennedy, your work here is not done. In the years ahead our nation needs you for the struggles still ahead.
Our thoughts are with you and you family.
Posted by: mark lane | May 23, 2008 5:50 AM
The "great" Americans" sound off. Empty suit????????
Paulo.....who needs to say anything about the great thinker Paulo.....Terry...didn't get the memo on just shouting liberal......Mrs Robinson....stick to young men.....Ann..?????? He was asked. The natives are restless today.
Posted by: bill "Hussein" r. | May 23, 2008 6:32 AM
Paulo:
Nice post - and Johnny D. calls LIBERALS the worst of the worst???
As for the Kopechne's. what about the families of the more than 4,000 of our soldiers that your boy Bush has gotten killed in Iraq?? Do they feel better to know that W. gave up golf as a sacrifice to match theirs??
Posted by: BobHusseininAtlanta | May 23, 2008 8:54 AM
Obama is a genuinely class act. This is a generous act.
Anyone who would call either of these extremely capable men "empty suits" only documents the lack of his own perception.
Posted by: John Chuckman, Toronto, Canada | May 23, 2008 9:04 AM
Hmmm, according to the Times, Obama called kennedy and OFFERED -- TWICE -- to fill in.
Talk about being an opportunist. It's not kennedy asking for help, it's obama looking for political gain.
What a hypocrite.
Posted by: Beth | May 23, 2008 1:18 PM
Bill "barack Hussein" R,
I was always taught, if it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, its a duck!
Doug - Capitalism and freedom!!! Two words you won't hear from Mr. Alinsky.
Mrs Robinson - I guess Teddy did something useful after all.
Once again, glad to hear from John "Big Oil" Chuckman.
Posted by: Terry | May 23, 2008 8:51 PM