Kennedy Returns To Senate Floor To Usher In Medicare Vote: UPDATED with VIDEO
By Nicole Belle Tuesday Jul 08, 2008 4:40pm
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Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) returned to the Senate Wednesday to break a stalemate on critical stalled Medicare legislation, making his first appearance on the Hill since he was diagnosed with brain cancer two months ago
CNN reported earlier that the return was in doubt because his family was concerned the travel would be too strenuous.
Senate Republicans have been stalling legislation that would reverse a cut in doctors' Medicare fees by reducing payments to insurance companies. Earlier, in an unusual move, House Republicans defied their leadership and supported the Democratic measure.
In addition to Kennedy's vote, several Republican Senators switched their votes and the legislation moved past a procedural hurdle, 69-23. Sen. John McCain skipped the vote.
Both HuffPo and ThinkProgress have video of the event (so will we shortly). It was an electrifying moment to watch Kennedy walk across the floor:
Today, the Senate chamber erupted into loud cheers when Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) returned to cast his vote on long-stalled Medicare legislation. Senators gave Kennedy, who has been battling a brain tumor, a long standing ovation. As he registered his vote, Kennedy said in a loud voice, “Aye,” and made a thumbs-up gesture.
And God love Pete Stark:
Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) puts out a statement ripping McCain: "Senator Kennedy managed to make it back from treatment for cancer, but Senator McCain couldn't be bothered. Senator McCain, who wants to be our next President, has skipped this vote three times now. Clearly, he'd rather hide than face up to the insurance industry. You can do that when you're in the U.S. Senate, maybe voters should leave him there."
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I think it is a real shame that John McCain made a sick, dying man with brain cancer come down to Washington to cast the deciding vote because John McCain was to scared to stand up to the insurance lobby and for elderly Americans.
Really makes you question the mans character and I hope the MSM is all over that (the biggest) angle of this story.
What an incredible record of accomplishments.
And John McCain is getting a pass from WaPo. see http://cabdrollery.blogspot.com
McCain has rich wife. He don't need no stinkin' Medicare.
Does John McCain not realize he already has a day job?
What do you think the MSM reaction would be if the opposite were the case, that Obama skipped votes on the G.I. bill, on FISA, on Medicare? I guess we are done with the "present" attacks for this campaign because McCain doesn't even show up to vote present!
where's your FISA post?
JimboSlice @ 5:
He forgets things sometimes.
Liberal AND Proud @ 4:
Actually, he get 100% disability from the government every month.
He makes over $70K in disability on top of his salary as a Senator.
BTW, house members get subsidized free medical care.
Funny how socialized medicine is so bad, that only the top echelons of government employees (the supreme court, the president/cabinet, and the members of the houses) get to "suffer it." Great lads that they are, saving us common folk from the perils of free medical health care.
Meanwhile, this fuck voted proactive against increasing veterans benefits. There has to be a special ring in hell for this level of fuckery..
Obama is a traitor.
WakeUpAmerica! @ 9:
Site monitor?
Wow! Edward Kennedy is the most resilient in his family! He seems to have survived so much a lot like the Jews.
Johnny2Bad @ 10:
The site monitor can change Obama's vote?
Screw Medicare. I think everyone should have the same socialized health care that Senator Kennedy and his friends in the Congress have.
Well Jesse Jackass is on CNN apologizing for something he said again.
WakeUpAmerica! @ 6:
Try here
or here
Since we're already OT I'd like to point out that C&L professes to be a Media watchdog site, not a Political watchdog site, so all of you who are CONSTANTLY griping about the lack of FISA threads might want to actually go Look for them on a Political Watchdog Blog!, or maybe blog about it yourself (check out here if you're interested and not just pushing a talkingpoints agenda), then come back and see what the media has been up to when your done. I'd also like to point out I'm speaking for myself, not C&L, John Amato or any of the bloggers associated with C&L...I'm just someone who reads and sometimes posts comments here.
Now, to get back to the topic...
Welcome back Senator Kennedy, you were missed!
Ted Kennedy is a lion of the Senate and a far better man then most.
McCain? Not so much.
I wonder how Obama voted. Maybe i don't want to know. Let's see. Corporations against. People for. .... Oh... um... he must have voted against it.
Sorry about my above post...I'm just getting really tired of every other post being "Why are there no FISA threads!!!"
I'll go afk until the irritation subsides.
*Stands up, turns away from desk and starts clapping in honor of Senator Kennedy's return and subsequent vote*
Since John McCain doesn't feel its necessary to actual do his job, to show up and vote, to be at committee hearings, etc. does he still feel the need to pick up his paycheck, to collect his benefits, and to get the free health care he wants to deprive Americans of?
JimboSlice @ 19:
Good point. If I stop showing up to my job for a year and a half because I am interviewing for another job I would get fired. I don't even think I would have the audacity to hope that I would still be getting a paycheck!
I was watching C-Span2 live when he arrived.
I thought a riot broke out because it was very loud.
They love this guy and he deserves it.
He is a fighter.
"And God love Pete Stark"
You are aware he's an atheist? :)
WakeUpAmerica! @ 6:
Right here:
http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/7/9/16487/96720#commenttop
Well at least there's SOME good news today.
I am a big fan of Kennedy, and I'm glad he could make it to cast his vote, but it really irritates me that this is going to completely overshadow the fact that our Senate legalized wiretapping and gave immunity to telecom companies on the SAME DAY.
You know that our "Librul Media" news shows are going to lead with Kennedy and his "triumphant return" because the pictures are more compelling, and we'll be lucky if they cover the disgusting actions of the Senate AT ALL. Of course, if they do mention the vote, they won't mention that McCain didn't bother to show up, or that this FISA bill is allowing the president to BREAK THE LAW.
WakeUpAmerica! @ 9:
yeah and if you turn him over to his other side!same thing
Obama/Stark '08
Ted Kennedy is a profile in courage.
come the election this year in november
mcfuckhead's voting record will be ZERO.
he has not shown up for any votes in
the senate......and he's not like bush?
he evidently has other business than
the business for the people who elected him.
WHAT A F#CKING BASTARD NEOCON!!!
Just think how electrifying it would have been if Barry-O had strode purposefully into the Senate to lead the 42 non-gutless phuques in the Dim party in a filibuster against the FISA/Cop-out bill?
Man, you could almost mebbe have voted for somebody with that kind of courage...
Man, too bad barry-O put expediency over the constitution...I'm gonna remember that one...
swampfox @ 26:
Good call, swamper - join forces with the repug trolls and undermine all things liberal. You might as well head over to freeperville now and save everyone the bother.
Why isn't the msm questioning why McShame wasn't present to vote on Medicare and on FISA and anything else for that matter. He hasn't voted for some time. He should be asked over and over and over how he would have voted on Medicare; how he would have voted on FISA. Make him accountable.
But the msm can't be bothered with criticizing McShame, they are too busy digging up dirt on Obama. You can bet that if Obama had not shown up to vote on FISA the msm would have gone crazy. No matter what Obama does msm (and some posters) are burying him. Exactly what Bushco wants. Make a huge rift in the Democratic party. Encourage the infighting. I was disappointed too in Obama's vote on FISA but we can't afford to desert now. Too much is at stake.
Kennedy Returns To Senate Floor...
He's been drinking again already?
Thanks Senator Kennedy, you are an inspiration to us all. I guess McSame is just toooooo busy taking naps and all to show up. When was the last time he was in the Senate Chamber?
According to WaPo:
John McCain has missed 374 votes (61.8%) during the current Congress
I move that 61.8% of his pay be taken away.
I see him voting once on 4/8/2008 and before that on 3/14/2008, disgusting.
The Dude @ 8:
And on top of that, McCain was taking credit for increasing veterans' benefits in one of the town hall meetings. What guts?
This may have been the only bright light today in the Senate. Welcome back Teddy!!!
I grew up in the Kennedy era, reaching my teens as JFK was elected. Watching this last surviving member of the Kennedy children walking slowly across the Senate floor literally brought tears to my eyes.
My only wish is that Teddy will be healthy enough to witness and cheer the inauguration of Barack Obama.
Good health and good luck with the therapy.
You really can go either way on the "this presidential candidate couldnt be bothered to show up for this vote", because although mccain clearly has missed more votes than his counterparts, both obama and clinton missed many votes, clinton missing more than obama if i remember correctly.
very happy that sen kennedy is doing better.
To Wes Says:
McCain has missed a higher percentage of votes than any other member of congress. Obama and Clinton have shown up for almost all important votes despite running for President. Mccain has not appeared once since April. Lame! Fire him!
He is probably somewhat relieved knowing he won't go the way his brothers did.
You can do that when you’re in the U.S. Senate, maybe voters should leave him there.”
WHY? If he can't show up to do the job he was appointed to do, what makes you think he should stay on the job? f he can't show up to do what he's supposed to do (which is merely to say "yea" or "nay"), what makes him think and what makes the American public think he can be President?
Given McSame's perennial absenteeism from his Senatorial duties and record of missing important votes, makes me wonder, if elected President, whether he'll ever be available to sign legislation passed by Congress.
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