Ted Kennedy Hospitalized For Seizure

Mass. Senator Falls Ill At Hyannisport; Spokesperson Says It Does Not Appear 76-Year-Old Suffered Stroke

(CBS/AP)  Sen. Edward M. Kennedy's primary care physician says the senator is "not in any immediate danger" after suffering a seizure at his Cape Cod home Saturday.

Dr. Larry Ronan says preliminary tests showed the 76-year-old Massachusetts Democrat has not suffered a stroke. Ronan says Kennedy was resting comfortably and would undergo further evaluation to determine the cause of the seizure.

Kennedy was airlifted to a hospital Saturday after suffering a seizure at his home, and did not appear to have had a stroke as initially suspected, his spokeswoman said.

Kennedy, a liberal Democratic icon and the lone surviving son in a famed political family, was undergoing tests at Massachusetts General Hospital to determine the cause of the seizure, spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter said.

"Senator Kennedy is resting comfortably, and it is unlikely we will know anything more for the next 48 hours," she said. Kennedy's wife, Victoria, was with him at the hospital, Cutter said.

Hyannis Fire Lt. Bill Rex told the AP a 911 call came in from the Kennedy compound at 8:19 a.m. Kennedy was first rushed to Cape Cod Hospital, and after being in the emergency room for two hours he was airlifted to Massachusetts General Hospital, according to the Cape Cod Times.

Kennedy was first elected in 1962 to finish the final two years of the Senate term of his brother, Senator John F. Kennedy.

Kennedy, who is the second most senior member of the Senate, has since been re-elected to seven full terms, representing Massachusetts for 43 years. His last win was in 2006.

In October, Kennedy had surgery to repair a nearly complete blockage in a major neck artery. The discovery was made during a routine examination of a decades-old back injury.

The hour-ong procedure on his left carotid artery - a main supplier of blood to the face and brain - was performed at Massachusetts General. This type of operation is performed on more han 180,000 people a year to prevent a stroke.

The doctor who operated on Kennedy said at the time that surgery is reserved for those with more than 70 percent blockage, and Kennedy had "a very high-grade blockage."

Kennedy is the lone surviving son in a famed political family. His eldest brother, Joseph, was killed in a World War II airplane crash. President John Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 and his brother Robert was assassinated in 1968 while campaigning for the presidency.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, beginning a tour of hospitals in Eugene, Ore., told reporters that he had been in touch with the senator's family. "Ted Kennedy is a giant in American political history. He's done more for health care than just about anybody in history. We are going to be rooting for him. I insist on being optimistic about how it's going to turn out."

Kennedy gave Obama's presidential campaign a big boost this year with his endorsement and has campaigned actively for the Illinois senator.

Obama's rival for the Democratic nomination, New York. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, also issued a statement.

"My thoughts and prayers are with Ted Kennedy and his family today," she said. "We all wish him well and a quick recovery."

Arizona Sen. John McCain, the likely Republican presidential nominee, said he awaited word on Kennedy's condition. "Senator Kennedy's role in the U.S. Senate cannot be overstated. He is a legendary lawmaker, and I have the highest respect for him. When we have worked together, he has been a skillful, fair and generous partner."

Kennedy was preparing to host the annual Best Buddies Challenge event on Saturday afternoon, a fundraiser for the Best Buddies organization founded by Anthony Kennedy Shriver that helps people with intellectual disabilities.

Hundreds are expected to participate in the event, which started with a 100-mile bicycle ride from the Kennedy Library in Boston to Hyannisport, and closes out with a concert at the Kennedy compound.

A man walking by Massachusetts General was startled by the news when he asked about the reason for the large media presence.

"Ted? Is he all right? Jeez, I'm taken aback. I just saw him on television yesterday," said Jerry Leonard, 76, a retired bartender.

"He's a Kennedy. His name is synonymous with this area. I'm a Bostonian, too, and he's done a lot for us around here and for the senior citizens in particular. I don't know him but I feel a connection."

[borris007-2009]

Wish him well, hopefully a speedy recovery.

[fiesco-2009]

A giant among pigmies. Great man ! Hopefully he will recover !

[sgtrds-e4]

One of the true lions of the Senate! Hope he makes a full and speedy recovery!

[olydem58]

Mike302 your a sad exsample of a human you should burn in hell like him or not he served our country for years and deservers our respect and prayers. MIKE YOU ARE A REASON OUR COUNTRY IS THE WAY IT IS YOU ARE CLASSLESS

[mythoughtsr]

like him or not he served our country for years and deservers our respect and prayers Posted by olydem58

He doesn''t deserve ANYTHING from me. He murdered that woman and never stood up to the punishment he deserved. He''s a coward and he will NEVER have respect from me.

[sgtrds-e4]

Mythoughtsr

Scum.

[txgrouch2004]

Lord, Your will be done. Amen.

[andrew_693]

Ted Kennedy is one of the few politicians I''ll ever respect. One of the few that stood up to the corruption of the republicon party and wanted the troops back, instead of betraying his country for oil.

[haoli25]

What''s that.....is that Mary Jo Kopechne snickering somewhere?

[nonayabiness]

He''s not a 76 year old senator because he needs the money. He''s not been re-elected and served in public office for so many years because of continually poor policy. The entire Kennedy clan has served America tremendously well. Forget the bobbles, everyone has them, avoidable or not.

I wish him well and hope he will recover and enjoy a nice several years of retirement.

[sgtrds-e4]

Mythoughtsr

Scum.

[liselle3]

Its amazing how many people are perfect and without sin. I can only hope to aspire to the level of sainthood some of the folks in this forum have attained wishing Kennedy rots in hell. Please tell us how you do it?

[downsteamjim]

To NonayaBusiness: How did the clan get their money? Why was the senior Kennedy booted out of England? Many of the Kennedy''s served America. Ted was not one of them.

[zykracosmos]

It amazes me the depths to which rightwingers will stoop. This guy Micheal''s comments (below) reinforce the fact that this country has too many idiots to ever come together in harmony anymore. Kennedy has spent the major part of his career fighting for health care for all of us, along with being a guardian for education, the environment, and other causes that affect us all. The only enemies he should have out there are the board of directors for prescription drug companies and the rape-and-pillage multi-national corporations which have ruined this country with outsourced jobs to foreigners, price gouging ($4 gas), monopolistic business practices, and control of our foreign policies (grabbing Iraq''s oil in the wake of 9/11). Michael confirms what Europeans have thought for years- that America is full is ignorant self-absorbed biased greedy fools, and the it will be a constant battle to keep these idiots from ever imposing a disasterous regime like Bush/Cheney on us again.

[haoli25]

Just heard it on the radio, his title is now former-senator.

[downsteamjim]

To liselle: If a mere mortal did what Teddy did, they would have done hard time. But Ted cried I am sorry and I am a Kennedy so let''s bury the broad and get a fresh bottle.

[liselle3]

To downsteamjim
I am not condoning what Kennedy did, what I dislike is the terrible burn in hell comments... there is absolutely no reason for that. Not one of us can claim to be perfect.

[roach9703]

Ted Kennedy is a good public servant who never let his personal weaknesses, unlike the Clintons, cloud his duties to the American People.
The Kennedy clan is a story about how the failure to address personal issues can greatly impede potential
May the future generations of this clan observe this.

[lorinkundert]

One less Communist to worry about in our Government.

[leighg1]

"Ted Kennedy is one of the few politicians I''''ll ever respect. One of the few that stood up to the corruption of the republicon party and wanted the troops back, instead of betraying his country for oil." Andrew well said!

Ted, please have a speedy recovery!!!

[leighg1]

YES, A FULL AND SPEEDY RECOVERY!

[mydogdylan6]

All these sin-less angels casting stones should look forward to the day they get to be judged.

I''m sure God will agree with them.

Best wishes Ted.

[haoli25]

Cape radio said he croaked. I don''t think there is a ''speedy recovery'' from a dirt nap.

[downsteamjim]

Maybe this will allow the construction of windmills in this area.

[glock4me]

I consider myself to be very conservative and strongly disagree with Sen. Kennedy on many issues, however, my thoughts and prayers go out for the old man and his family.

Maybe I''ll get off of this computer and take a walk today, possibly preventing a stroke in my rapidly-approaching old age.

[neoconrcrazy]

I guess I%u2019ll get Chappaquiddick out of the way.

Posted by vbnvbnvbn


you''re kinda slow dude - most of us got it out of the way 30 years ago....but maybe you re-live your worst day(s), every day...sad eh?

[obamaslady]

Have anyone of you worthless s*its ever done as much for your country as Ted Kennedy? You are probably those people who love to run your mouths about all things, but have never accomplished anything of import or done anything to help anyone but yourselves! You may not like his personal story when young and I doubt you would have done anything different coming from his background of wealth, but it seems to me that he deserves respect because he has tried to help Americans in every way possible through his work in the Senate - look at his voting record. So for all you who wish him worse than ill, I will say a prayer for you and yours that you have a very cancerous and debilitating disease which allows your mind to function without the benefit of being about to speak, that your children will continually disappoint, and that you continue to wallow in self styled ignorance and poverty until your dying days. Apparently you are as ignorant as your thoughts. Try to do something with your lives rather than just talk like the IMBICILES and FOOLS you apparently are!

[taylor2124]

Because I(and the majority of Americans) are optimists, I%u2019ve decided to go the extra mile today and offer the Kennedy family a free inscription for Ted%u2019s tombstone, so that they won%u2019t have to wrack their brains the next few days what to write on this drunk%u2019s slab. So here goes:
TED KENNEDY
1932---2008
1932%u2014born to elitist family
1952---expelled from Harvard for cheating
1960%u2014watches brother become President. It was the last time a Kennedy would ever accomplish anything
1964---almost successfully dies in a plane crash. Too bad, we were so close !
1969---drunk driver, but never serves prison timeof
1969---murders a young woman in his car, but never serves time(again)
1980%u2014runs for President against a total buffoon and loser Jimmy Carter, yet he still loses. Losing to Carter is like losing to Pee-Wee Herman and Pam Anderson combined.
1988%u2014Endorses Dukakis for President. Dukakis gets his clock cleaned. The Kennedy kiss of death lives on.
2000%u2014Endorses Al Gore. Gore loses. More Ted%u2019s kiss of death.
2004%u2014Endorses John Kerry. Kerry gets wiped off face of map. More K.O.D.
1948----2008 drank like a fish for 60 years
2003%u2014attacks his own country on the War on Terrorism
2008---Kennedy dies. Good riddance to a drunkard, a murderer, and a traitor.

[facts6]

Its the arrogance. JFK and RFK were smooth. Tedster is a lout.

[neoconrcrazy]

2008---Kennedy dies. Good riddance to a drunkard, a murderer, and a traitor.


Posted by taylor2124


dude, this article is about Ted Kennedy, not bush. But I wish is wasn''t!

[neoconrcrazy]

Posted by vbnvbnvbn

seem to have a problem here dude - was she your sister or something?

[ringading3]

Mary Jo Kopecknick is waiting for you!

[taylor2124]

neoconRcrazy , YOU are the one with the problem. Apparenlty you(like all libs) assume that simply because 39 years have passed that the murder of that woman means nothing. Last time I checked, she was still dead and buried in the cemetary. So, the day she rises and walks away, I and others will stop harping on Ted for drunkenly killing her.

[rlenham-2009]

My immediate thought was maybe, soon, we will be rid of him but then compassion overtook me. If he would just retire and go into seclusion I would be happy.

[xavier352]

i hope he makes full rerecovery. good luke.
i wish him well

[neoconrcrazy]

So, the day she rises and walks away, I and others will stop harping on Ted for drunkenly killing her.

Posted by taylor2124

when she does walk away, and sees you, she''ll probably spit in your face - ''cause you don''t have a ******* clue dude -

[msay3]

taylor2124: forgot one...."2008 Kennedy endorses ...Obama." Will Obama lose too??? We''ll have to see on that one.

[downsteamjim]

Get over Mary Jo. She was just a retroactive abortion.

[flagship-usa]

Sen.Ted Kennedy is doing what he can, while functioning inside a system that is horribly corrupt. He is a strong advocate for human rights, justice and fair play. He is the last of the Tip O''neill generation. My sincerest thoughts are with him.

"John Dean summed it up when he said to Richard Nixon as recorded on the White House tapes in 1973: "If Teddy knew the bear trap he was walking into at Chappaquiddick. . . ."

[speakinup]

day of reconning is commin Teddy - and Mary-Jo will be presiding.

I don''t wish any non-terrorist dead, but as far as the Senate - this is good riddence to bad trash.

These are rather sad postings.....were any of you even alive when Chappaquiddick occurred? And you cannot acknowledge his accomplishments? And wishing the Senator dead is not a Christian or compassionate view. Wish the Kennedys well,if not Ted.

[Latrocinor]

So, the day she rises and walks away, I and others will stop harping on Ted for drunkenly killing her.

Posted by taylor2124

when she does walk away, and sees you, she''''ll probably spit in your face - ''''cause you don''''t have a ******* clue dude -

Posted by neoconRcrazy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
vv
ss
I was thinking the same thing about you. Doooood! LOL!! I guess it''s time to forget about what Charles Manson did also. LMAO! Dooood! We got Doood ranches in the West Doood. ROFLMAO! I wonder if you were even born when Chappaquiddick happened. Dooood.

[timdgrim]

Because I(and the majority of Americans) are optimists, I%u2019ve decided to go the extra mile today and offer the Kennedy family a free inscription for Ted%u2019s tombstone, so that they won%u2019t have to wrack their brains the next few days what to write on this drunk slab. Posted by taylor2124 at 01:40 PM
****************************************************
It must be computer day at the PSYCHO WARD.

[downsteamjim]

To flagship-usa: Loved your comment. After all Ted was a Kennedy. Why would he believe that he would be held criminally responsible for his actions? Thank goodness the Tips and Teds are joining the dinosaurs.

[downsteamjim]

Sirhan Sirhan, a Palestinian killed a Kennedy about 40 years ago. He is still in jail. Is that fair? Besides if Sirhan had killed any of us posting here, he would probably been out in under 10 years.

[taylor2124]

If it''s not wrong to wish bin Laden and Mugabe and Kim Jong-il dead, then it''s not wrong to wish Ted Kennedy and Jimmy Carter and Michael Moore and *** Durban and Harry Reid to go off and quickly die a natural death as well. All of the aforementioned have been almost equally destructive to this country. All are evil and useless human beings.

[justinlz]

Acutally, is not the guy killing Kennedy. He is just a scapegoat and this is why he is not allowed to go outside even if the family members of Kennedy want him out.

Many evidence saying who kill JFK is also losed.

Now it comes to the third Kennedy, who is a solid and powerful supporter of Obama. Of course, this time, they can not use the gun but high-tech way. I am sorry that Kennedy family serve the US so well, while three brothers were killed and now the the fourth is in risk.

[brianp55]

Ultra-liberal PITA. Always willing to spend other people''s money to support his grand delusions of societal equity.

[Latrocinor]

"Do we operate under a system of equal justice under law?
Or is there one system for the average citizen
and another for the high and mighty?"
- Senator Ted Kennedy, 1973 -

Posted by vbnvbnvbn
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
sd
gh

Of course there is.

[ponco seno]

This guys still alive? I thought he passed away years ago.