by Frank James, Janet Hook and Peter Nicholas and updated
Sen. Edward Kennedy, who is battling a malignant brain cancer, collapsed at the congressional lunch for President Obama currently underway in the U.S. Capitol.
Obama confirmed that it was the 76-year old Kennedy of Massachusetts took ill at the event and acknowledged at the start of his brief remarks that while it was a joyous day "a part of me is with" Kennedy.
Kennedy apparently had a seizure related to the tumor.
"Sen. Edward Kennedy experienced a seizure today while attending a luncheon for President Barack Obama in the U.S. Capitol,'' Dr. Edward Aulisi, chairman of neurosurgery at the Washington Hospital Center said this evening.
"After testing, we believe the incident was brought on by simple fatigue,'' Aulisi said. "Sen. Kennedy is awake, talking with family and friends, and feeling well. He will remain at the Washington Hospital Center overnight for observation, and will be released in the morning."
Meanwhile, there was initially concern that the 91-year old Sen. Robert Byrd, (D-W.V.) who was sitting at Kennedy's table also experienced some type of health problem at the lunch.
But according to Byrd's office, the senator, a long-time friend of Kennedy's was determined to be upset by Kennedy's convulsions, which lasted perhaps three minutes. For that reason, a security detail removed Byrd from the room.
U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, coming out of the luncheon, said he thought Kennedy suffered a stroke toward the end of the meal. But most reports are that Kennedy had a seizure.
Blunt said that Kennedy was taken from the room in a wheelchair. But there appeared to be confusion on that score too since others reported he was removed on a stretcher.
Blunt also said he did not believe Obama, who was sitting at a different end of the room, noticed the episode.
But in an interview Sen. Jay Rockefeller, a W. Virginia Democrat, said Obama indeed noticed Kennedy's plight and went over to his table after which the lights went down in the room, Rockefeller said. Rockefeller assumed the lights were dimmed in order to reduce the heat in the room.
Sen. John Kerry, the junior senator from Massachusetts, also went to Kennedy's aid as did Kerry's wife Teresa according to reports.
Blunt said he was sitting near Kennedy when it happened but was uncertain whether Kennedy lost consciousness.
Sen. Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican, and a close friend of Kennedy's, said of the moment to CNN: "It was scary." But he added that as Kennedy was being wheeled out of the room he flashed an "Irish smile" which led Hatch to believe that Kennedy would be fine.
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn) said after the luncheon that he was with Kennedy when he was put in the ambulance and that Kennedy was conscious at the time.
Dodd said Kennedy protested being taken to the hospital.
"He said, 'I'm OK,' or words to that effect,'' Dodd said. "It's not a medical conclusion but when he bellows he's usually in pretty good shape.''
President Obama was aware of waht happened and mentioned the incident when he later spoke to the guests.
Former Vice President Walter Mondale, who was sitting at Kennedy's table, said Kennedy had seemed in good spirits before the episode. He was telling "old war stories,'' Mondale said.
Kennedy was wheeled from the room with his legs elevated.
Comments
Another opportunity for the wingnuts to show their class........come on boys...don't let me down.
Posted by: bill r. | January 20, 2009 3:03 PM
Ohh my. I hope he's ok. I'm glad he was able to be there and see the inauguration. He seemed very determined not to miss it despite his health.
Posted by: Lisa P | January 20, 2009 3:10 PM
Were peanut butter crackers on the menu?
Posted by: CDC | January 20, 2009 3:24 PM
Good luck, Teddy.
Posted by: Flo | January 20, 2009 3:29 PM
My Prayers are with Kennedy and Byrd.
Posted by: Donna | January 20, 2009 3:35 PM
Hey Bill, That a classy thing to say. You are looking like the wing nut now. cmon, grow up,
Posted by: rj | January 20, 2009 3:37 PM
I didn't vote for President Obama, but I am proud today as an American. I wish Senators Kennedy and Byrd the best - they are in America's thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: zippa kim | January 20, 2009 3:38 PM
When it comes to someone's health there is no room for hateful comments. I hope the two Senators will get the proper care they need and perhaps be able to attend the festivities later in the evening.
Posted by: vla | January 20, 2009 3:51 PM
Hey Bill, That a classy thing to say. You are looking like the wing nut now. cmon, grow up,
Posted by: rj | January 20, 2009 3:37 PM
Three years ago when I started posting on the Swamp, I felt the same way. i was looking for a spirited debate on the issues. What I found was nothing but mean spirited name calling. I guess slowly but surely...it takes its toll. For 3 years we debated the Iraq war. For 3 years I was called unpatriotic, a coward, a traitor, and unamerican even though I served this country in Nam. They claimed they were the "great" Americans. On this day....they have proved totally the opposite. Forgive my disgust.
Posted by: bill r. | January 20, 2009 3:56 PM
Funny that bill r would point fingers at us "wingnuts" when it was those on the Left who wrote very unsavory things about Tony Snow and other conservatives who were ill and died.
I am no fan of Teddy Kennedy, but the cancer is terrible. We know the brain cancer is terminal, so all one can ask for is that he has little pain and the love of family around him for whatever time he has left.
Posted by: John D | January 20, 2009 4:06 PM
I left the Swamp a few months basically because I was tired of dealing with the absolute sickest of the sick -- the Loony Left. I also was tired of posts being senselessly censored by Tribune hires who were not qualified to make such decisions. After seeing some of the comments here from the Hate-Filled Members of the Loony Left, I stand by contention that the Loony Left truly is THE WORST MANKIND HAS TO OFFER!!
Tony, I am deeply saddened by your loss and sad for your wonderful family. Just like Tim Russert, you died much too young. Tony Snow was a great patriot, a great American. Mr. Snow had more class in baby toe than any Loony Lefty could ever hope to have!
God Bless, you, Tony Snow.
Posted by: John D | July 12, 2008 4:42 PM
Posted by: bill r. | January 20, 2009 4:45 PM
Ya Bill r, lighten up. I'm no fan of Senator Kennedy's politics, his personal shortcomings where disgusting for a man in his position. However, he has promoted his ideology with a determined spirit and has served the country for decades. I served also, a captain, and times were tough and many of us were shunned, that doesn't make me bitter or cruel and you probably consider me one of the "wingnuts". Give it a break, have some compassion, the man's sick and dying, say a prayer. We can go at it on other issues.
Posted by: Bubba Porter | January 20, 2009 5:06 PM
I'm curious bill r - what is your opinion of the Bush/Cheney administration? Do you view it as a failure (and why), a success (and why) or something that we'll have to judge down the road (again, why?) I'm all for a spirited debate. We can agree to disagree without being disagreeable (think I heard that more than once this election cycle). My personal opinion is that people on the Looney Left don't cause nearly as much trouble for the rest of humanity as the High and Mighty Righties like Dick Cheney! But, I am ready to take a page from the new prez and ditch all the labeling and name calling.
Posted by: Drewman | January 20, 2009 5:08 PM
Bubba...Oh please....now you're the proverbial purveyor of commpasion?
Drewman......You want to know what I think of Bush/Cheney? They were a disaster. Please read who wrote the post you read.
Posted by: bill r. | January 20, 2009 5:30 PM
When Robert Novack was diagnosed with a brain tumor, I said, while I don't support his policies, I hope he is not suffering. When Tony Snow died, I basically said the samething.
I think there should be a difference btwn. bashing someone politically and bashing someone personally. You don't Ted Kennedy-fine, but to wish him ill health, or not even say get better is immature and crass.
Posted by: Nora | January 20, 2009 5:40 PM
I left the Swamp a few months basically because I was tired of dealing with the absolute sickest of the sick -- the Loony Left. I also was tired of posts being senselessly censored by Tribune hires who were not qualified to make such decision
Great coment- and The Tribune can't figure out why they are loosing business.
Is ashame a person has to go to a foreighn web site to get the unbiased news.
Posted by: Inky | January 20, 2009 5:47 PM
Okay guys. Look we're all tired. No one really means to say anything bad of anyone dying of cancer. Bill already explained his comment. Can't we all just get along?
Posted by: Angela | January 20, 2009 6:46 PM
Bill, Hell bud, I'll stick up for ya! Today, while the Dems were making history and celebrating, the pugs were all here spewing hate. You pugs really disgust me. Bubba, you are one of the most vile posters here, and yes, you are a wingnut for what it is worth. Bubba, Inky, and John D, you guys realize that even being in the minority 19%, you are an even much smaller sliver of that group, which are just pure haters. Enjoy your elitism.
Posted by: Xcellentform | January 20, 2009 9:31 PM
Just chiming in for clarity sake, the only porter I know comes in a pint glass with a Pendleton's side kick.
Other than that, bill r. has been on the right side of wrong for three years.
Posted by: Bubba ✔ | January 20, 2009 11:09 PM
Xcellentform and Bubba.......Thank you for you kind words and support. Maybe I jumped the gun....but have to say, after reading some of the posts from the otherside of the aisle, I just felt we were in for more vile on the Kennedy thread. There were plenty written last time he collapsed. Again...thank you!
Posted by: bill r. | January 21, 2009 10:45 AM