Senator Ted Kennedy, the chair of the Immigration Subcommittee and the head of America's royal family of politics, had major brain surgery today aimed at removing as much of a malignant brain tumor as much as possible. Kennedy is hoping to be back at work soon.
In the mean time, Senator Robert Byrd, the 90 year old senior Senator from West Virginia, is in the hospital after his caregiver noticed he was suffering from a high fever. The Democrat is one of the Senate's toughest critics of immigration, both legal and illegal.
"Well, He has been in the senate for close to 30 years and he is now sick and he expresses a wish that his wife become the party nominee if he were to die. Are you kidding me? Is this some sort of an estate?"
Firstly, Senator Kennedy's office has denied that he ever made the comments pertaining to his wife. Furthermore, Kennedy himself made the following statement:
"To all those praying for my return to good health, I offer my heartfelt thanks. And to any who'd rather have a different result, I say, don't get your hopes up just yet!"
So, with his characteristic sense of humor he has addressed his ill wishers.
Secondly, we live in a democracy and Senator Kennedy is allowed to express his opinion and endorse anyone of his choosing. It is up to the voters of Massachusetts to decide whether to vote for Senator Kennedy, his wife or anyone else. I might note that he endorsed President Obama (sic) and the winner of the Massachusetts primary was Clinton.
"why not let some one in the party move forward?"
In a democracy it is for the voters when someone is too old.
"He is no better than FAIR when it comes to legal immigration"
It seems that you can't distinguish your friends from your enemies!
Posted by: USC | June 03, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Its true that Kennedy initially held EB hostage to the illegal problems.
Now when there are 3 bills on the house and Lofgren would love to move forward, Kennedy is sick at the right time. Forget Immigration bills after July 4th I would say. With him in hospital, I guess all deals are dead :(
Posted by: AD | June 03, 2008 at 11:56 AM
As far as EB immigration is concerned Kennedy is a restrictionist. He is no better than FAIR when it comes to legal immigration
Posted by: EB | June 03, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Teddy Kennedy is NOT running for president.
rant
That said, Teddy went on to say that the nation needs youngsters and people like Barack Obama to move forward. Well, He has been in the senate for close to 30 years and he is now sick and he expresses a wish that his wife become the party nominee if he were to die. Are you kidding me? Is this some sort of an estate?
I am not questioning Byrd and Kennedy's work in senate. But clinging to those chairs when health is challenging you constantly is just a shame and IMO is almost nullifying the good they did. Esp with Byrd, every 2 or 3 months we hear that he fell in the bathroom, this that. why not let some one in the party move forward?
End of rant
Posted by: AD | June 03, 2008 at 08:16 AM
In a passionate editorial today, the NYT condemns the modern day "know nothings" and specifically singles out one individual for high praise:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/03/opinion/03tue1.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
"There are few national figures standing firm against restrictionism. Senator Edward Kennedy has bravely done so for four decades, but his Senate colleagues who are running for president seem by comparison to be in hiding. John McCain supported sensible reform, but whenever he mentions it, his party starts braying and he leaves the room. Hillary Rodham Clinton has lost her voice on this issue more than once. Barack Obama, gliding above the ugliness, might someday test his vision of a new politics against restrictionist hatred, but he has not yet done so."
Posted by: USC | June 02, 2008 at 10:16 PM