Kennedy Continues To Fight Cancer

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Ted Kennedy

(AP)

This story was updated on Wednesday, 11:45 AM ET with comments from Sen. Reid's office clarifying that the senator misspoke about Kennedy's health.

A Democratic leader misspoke on Tuesday about the health of Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), who is suffering from brain cancer.

The Hill newspaper reported that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Kennedy's cancer is in remission and that the Massachusetts Democrat will return to the Senate after the Memorial Day recess.

Reid told reporters that Kennedy is "doing fine" and that, as far as he knew, the cancer was in remission.

Reid's office, however, said the senator misspoke, and released the following statement: "Senator Reid will leave the diagnosing to doctors. But he does look forward to the prospect of Senator Kennedy's return to the Senate as soon as he is able."

Kennedy, 77, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in May 2008. The senior Democrat, who is a major champion of health care reform, has spent much of the past year recovering in Florida and Massachusetts.

Once he returns, Kennedy is expected to take up his gavel as chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. According to the Hill, Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.), a friend of Kennedy's, and Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), a member of the HELP Committee, said they expect Kennedy to take up work on health care next month.

Kennedy has worked behind the scenes on health care legislation while Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) has led the debate over health care reform in the Senate Finance Committee.

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by FarLeftRx May 20, 2009 10:54 AM EDT: Did Kennedy take his 12 weeks of unpaid FMLA leave and then go on state disability like he's voted/mandated for the rest of us to do? Or did he simply cash his taxpayer-funded salary for his undone Senate duties and go merrily about planning more taxes and mandates for us average chumps who don't breathe in the same exalted atmosphere as he and his cronies?; Reply to this comment


by MeToo7 May 20, 2009 10:38 AM EDT: How wonderful, in this economy, to be a multimillionaire in an elected position where you don't have to go to work for a year but still get paid! A person with less of an ego would have given up his seat so his state would be represented and receive the services they were paying for.; Reply to this comment


by kitterykid May 20, 2009 10:03 AM EDT: Panhab=ndlerpete: Term limits are an abismal failure!
We get new people and they are really not able to get any reforms through. By the time they get enough senority, they are through their last term. No one has accomplished more for the American People then Ted Kennedy. He has been a God send to America.; Reply to this comment


by panhandlpete May 20, 2009 8:28 AM EDT: Is his cancer in remission due to the health care he received and the NAME/Position he holds? Maybe or maybe not, but you can bet your fortune that both played a big part. If he works for that level of healthcare for us all, then my thanks to him and his efforts.

I have to agree with term limits for members of Congress, just as the President has two terms, so should they. It only promotes the wealthy to lead the country, and making a lifetime career of it puts their interest ahead of those they represent for as soon as they get elected to office, all votes are considered along the lines for re-election..........of course, once in a while the Supreme Court steps in and puts a fluke in office.......go figure.

In a country of 350+ million people, there definitely should be more than a thousand or so qualified people to hold political office.....don't you think? The age factor should take the back seat to skill and intellect and should not be mandatory, but a man of 77 should be stepping aside to allow room for the younger generation to fulfill obligations.

Suppose all the retiring baby boomers were tp start a new career in politics, and even if they served only two terms, they would still be out before they were 77.

Best wishes to Kennedy for many more good years, but not in the Senate.; Reply to this comment


by despido May 20, 2009 8:02 AM EDT: Oh JOY! The 6th grade drop out has to chip in here! LOL To be guilty of MURDER in THIS nation since BEFORE the Constitution was written, one must be found that way by a JURY NOT by a small minded member of the fringe. Go back to school!!
Posted by skyk-2009 at 4:23 AM

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The term 'murderer' has nothing to do with the court system. You're are referring to the term 'convicted murderer'. If not for Ted Kennedy's social stature and obvious financial influence, he would have been charged with negligent homicide. A fair trial would have found him guilty - but that never happened. He may not be a "convicted murderer", but a murderer just the same.; Reply to this comment


by joanne462 May 20, 2009 7:38 AM EDT: God Bless Ted Kennedy.; Reply to this comment


by joanne462 May 20, 2009 7:36 AM EDT: God Bless Ted Kennedy, hope he has many more years.; Reply to this comment


by despido May 20, 2009 5:43 AM EDT: Kennedy IS in the DRIVERS seat!!! ....
Posted by Professor2U at 8:44 PM

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Surprised anyone would choose that particular comparison.; Reply to this comment


by jenkins501 May 20, 2009 4:58 AM EDT: Please I was referring to his health and nothing more and nothing less. Beware of Karma.................; Reply to this comment


by despido May 20, 2009 4:34 AM EDT: "Report: Kennedy's Cancer In Remission"

And his drinking?

"Maybe Kennedy can further that "No Child Left Behind" program he sponsored. Great idea Teddy!!! "

Perhaps it was named in memory of MaryJo.; Reply to this comment