DOWNLOADS: (1288)

PLAYS: (1761)

Embed

I've received some exclusive video of the late, great Sen. Ted Kennedy right before his passing, discussing his family, life and career in politics. This interview was recorded in conjunction with the release of his new book: "True Compass".

You can also buy it here.

Via email:

Click here to read an excerpt from True Compass that details the months leading up to Senator Kennedy's speech to the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

As usual, he is impressive. He says he's never shied away from being called a liberal because that's what he was. Now that's an example to follow.

DOWNLOADS: (1217)

PLAYS: (2518)

Embed

Rest in peace, Senator Ted.

When I was seventeen, I was a volunteer for Kennedy '80 in Erie, Pennsylvania, and I know I'm not the only blogger who cut her political teeth on that campaign. May all of us remember the good times and continue to fight the good fight.

A reminder from Senator Kennedy's US Senate website, that those wishing to leave condolences for Senator Kennedy's family can do so at TedKennedy.org.

Open thread below...

Download | play Download | play (h/t Heather)

ABC:

Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., said today he will undergo surgery this morning at Duke University Medical Center in Durham N.C., as part of his treatment for a cancerous brain tumor.

Kennedy, 76, was diagnosed last month with a malignant glioma, an often lethal type of brain tumor.[..]

After consulting with his doctors and his wife, Vicki, Kennedy "decided the best course of action for my brain tumor is targeted surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation," he said.[..]

When his treatment ends, Kennedy said, "I look forward to returning to the United States Senate and to doing everything I can to help elect Barack Obama as our next president."

UPDATE: NY Times:

"I am pleased to report that Senator Kennedy's surgery was successful and accomplished our goals," Dr. Allan Friedman, chief of the division of neurosurgery in the surgical department at Duke in Durham, N.C., said in a statement about 2 p.m.

Dr. Friedman said after the procedure that Mr. Kennedy should "experience no permanent neurological affects from the surgery."

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Mark Madden, who made his reputation with bold, outlandish attacks on famous people, has been permanently removed from the air by ESPN.

His dismissal, which came down from ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Conn., came five days after he made a scurrilous remark about U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy on his 1250 ESPN talk show, which ran from 3 to 7 p.m. weekdays.

"I'm very disappointed to hear that Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts is near death because of a brain tumor. I always hoped Senator Kennedy would live long enough to be assassinated.

"I wonder if he got a card from the Kopechnes." Read on...

It took five days to make this call? That's pretty sick, but at least they took this buffoon off the air.

AP:

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy say he has a malignant brain tumor.

Doctors for the Massachusetts Democrat say tests conducted after Kennedy suffered a seizure this weekend show a tumor in his left parietal lobe. His treatment will be decided after more tests but the usual course includes combinations of radiation and chemotherapy.

The 76-year-old senator has been hospitalized in Boston since Saturday, when he was airlifted from Cape Cod after a seizure at his home.

His wife and children have been with him each day but have made no public statements.

His doctors said in a statement released to The Associated Press that he has had no further seizures, is in good spirits and is resting comfortably.

Update: Senator Kennedy's staff has set up a space on the Senator's website where you may wish him well.

CNN:

Sen. Edward Kennedy was rushed to Cape Cod Hospital in Massachusetts Saturday morning, a well-informed, prominent Democratic source in that state told CNN.

The source said the 76-year-old senator had "symptoms of a stroke."

Kennedy was taken to the hospital around 8 or 9 a.m. from the Kennedy family compound in Hyannis, according to the source. The source said the senator would be transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

That hospital said it had no information on Kennedy.

Kennedy has represented Massachusetts in the Senate since 1962. He is one of only six senators in U.S. history to serve more than 40 years. He is known as a liberal champion of social issues such as health care, family leave, and the minimum wage. Read on...

Please send your prayers and thoughts to Senator Kennedy and his family. We'll bring you more updates as they become available.

UPDATE: It now appears that doctors believe Senator Kennedy had a seizure, not a stroke as was previously suspected.

One of the tactics Sean Hannity uses to sandbag his democratic guests is to read a quote and make believe somebody else said it. Then when the guest answers, Hannity says that John Kerry said it. When Russert reads his graphic, he usually ends with who said it before asking for a reaction. Not this morning. Tim Russert did that today to Senator Kennedy to try and trip him up over the vote on Iraq. I can't remember Timmy acting like Sean Hannity before.