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."

[navyvet77]

Though I do not agree with his politics, I could not think or wish ill will towards Senator Kennedy. My thoughts and prayers are with the Senator for a speedy recovery.

[libh8er]

does the vitriol and hatred expressed here in these posts stem from a concern for this young girl ... or does it stem from somewhere else?
Posted by bobnjersey at 06:53 PM : May 18, 2008

Why don''t you ask the bedwetting libs who constantly rag on about Bush''s drinking and Limbaugh''s oxy-whatever addiction.

Here''s how the game is played:

Democrats = forgive and forget.
Republicans = no excuses will suffice.

Sorry....can''t have it both ways.

[libh8er]

''Ted Kennedy Hospitalized For Seizure''

I hear that can happen when you OD on tequila! LOL

[barack_osama]

Teddy the swimmer is a folk hero to those of diminished intellectual capacity . To them he is a giant. To the rest of us he is in the same league as OJ. Which is ? Warped justice !

http://www.ytedk.com

[feddupp]

The information that was published at the time said that, AFTER the wreck into the water, this man (Edward "Ted" Kennedy) swam to the OTHER side of the water, got home and immediately called his lawyer, who was there at the time the police arrived the NEXT DAY to question him!!

Excuse me, does this sound like an "innocent" person who tried everything he could to SAVE the life of this poor girl??

Thank the Lord, he WILL have to ANSWER for his actions to the Supreme Judge someday (as will we all--it''s just that Christians'' sins are covered by the blood of Christ)!

[bobnjersey]

[Everything he has done does not excuse his killing that young girl many years ago. ]
[Posted by ranger1948 at 12:45 PM : May 18, 2008]

the human species is known to be fallible ... and apparently quite judgmental as well.

does the vitriol and hatred expressed here in these posts stem from a concern for this young girl ... or does it stem from somewhere else?

nobody''s excusing his actions ... they''re looking at the part of his life that likely speaks more so to his true nature ... than to a tragic accident and the obvious poor judgement exercised on his part.

maybe his selfless commitment to others since that time has been his own penance here on earth.

he''ll be judged for who he is and what''s he''s done when his time comes ... i''m guessing there will be understanding and compassion in that judgement ... unlike what''s coming from many of the posters here.

[txgrouch2004]

BTW, according the police SCUBA diver who retrieved Mary Jo''s corpse the next morning - the position of the body in the car, and the position she was frozen in at death, indicated that she had spent AN HOUR OR MORE breathing a trapped air pocket in the car.

If Teddy had CALLED FOR HELP, Mary Jo Kopechne could be - well - she could have survived THAT accident.

Kennedy defenders will quickly point out that THERE WAS NO AUTOPSY, so we''ll never know HOW or WHEN she died.

NEITHER DID TED KENNEDY when he WALKED AWAY from the accident. HE HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING IF SHE WAS STILL ALIVE when he abandoned her in the sumberged car.

And it was JULY, NEIL ARMSTRONG WAS ON HIS WAY TO THE MOON, the water was NOT FREEZING. It was very murky and VERY DARK, and there was a strong current, which is why Kennedy and his lawyers all tried and failed to get into the car. It took a professional diver with SCUBA gear to reach the body and pull her out.

When he did, he noted that the body was bouyant, which indicated that SHE DID NOT DROWN, she died from BREATHING ALL THE OXYGEN OUT OF THE AIR POCKET that was trapped in the car.

When the body was brought out of the water and placed on the ground, only a small trickle of water came from the mouth and nose, not the large quantity of water that normally pours out of a drowning victim. MORE EVIDENCE to suggest that she LIVED FOR AN HOUR OR MORE after the accident.

[txgrouch2004]

ubrew12 wrote
One man, at midnight, drunk, middle-aged, lost while driving to catch a ferry in the middle of nowhere, accidentally drives off a bridge, car overturned in 4 feet of freezing water, barely escapes with his life, is unable to save his passenger.

Another man, against all common sense and intelligence, against international opinion, enters an optional war against a non-threat and kills 4000 of our soldiers and 300,000 locals.
--------------
Typical libtard. Pile lies on top of lies and call it reason.

Hillar Clinton AND John Kerry approved of that war. Hillary made a big speech for it. BLAME THEM for the thousands of dead.

Kennedy was DRUNK??????? REALLY??????????

But, but but but he SPECIFICALLY said he was NOT DRINKING AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT!!!!!??!!!

Do you think TEDDY LIED??????????

Was he DRIVING DRUNK? If so, then that would be DRUNK DRIVING. Or are we in some Clintonian paradox where driving while drunk is NOT drunk driving? Please explain I''M CONFOOZDE.

Last I heard DRUNK DRIVING was a BAD THING. Or did the Clintons change that rule, too, and I didn''t hear.

I''m fascinated explain more, please.

BTW, you CONVEEEEENIENTLY overlooked that TEDDY PLEADED GUILTY TO LEAVING THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT.

It wasn''t the accident. It was FAILING TO CALL THE POLICE to report his dead passenger.

[neoconrcrazy]

neoconrcrazy
That doesn''''t speak very highly if the people of his state for reelecting him seven times after what he did. Maybe he could buy enough votes.

Posted by ranger1948


i think they elected him because of his dedication and his principles - that''s what usually keeps a politican in office so long -

as for what happened long ago - where you there?

[barbaraf4]

"The sheer stupidity of the neocon sockpuppets that frequent this site speak volumes. Better look for a real job, arseclowns, the gravy train stops in November." Posted by HarryDoghiny
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What is your excuse for being here?

[barbaraf4]

"Kennedy was resting comfortably and would undergo further evaluation to determine the cause of the seizure."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is probably end-stage alcoholism. Is he having nose-bleeds too?

[ranger1948]

bobnjersey
Everything he has done does not excuse his killing that young girl many years ago.

[bobnjersey]

[Another man, against all common sense and intelligence, against international opinion, enters an optional war against a non-threat and kills 4000 of our soldiers and 300,000 locals. And, to you, the FIRST guy is the bigger crook? Now, at least, I''''m beginning to realize why this country is in the sad state its in.]
[Posted by ubrew12 at 11:44 AM : May 18, 2008]

you left out the part about nearly 40 years of public service ... committed to the representation of those much less fortunate than he ... while he could have taken the easy route living in comfort on his family wealth.

he likely does more for others ... in one day ... than all of those who criticize him will contribute (to others) for their whole life ... combined.

it''s one of the key differences between a ''left thinker'' (others) ... and a ''right thinker'' (self).

[ranger1948]

neoconrcrazy
That doesn''t speak very highly if the people of his state for reelecting him seven times after what he did. Maybe he could buy enough votes.

[ranger1948]

b

[stukinirak]

How were the doctors able to tell the difference between a seizure and a missed morning "eye-opener?"

[harrydoghiny]

The sheer stupidity of the neocon sockpuppets that frequent this site speak volumes. Better look for a real job, arseclowns, the gravy train stops in November.
Obama ''08!

[ubrew12]

txgrouch2004 said: "KENNEDY IS STILL THE BIGGER CROOK."

So, let me get this straight:
One man, at midnight, drunk, middle-aged, lost while driving to catch a ferry in the middle of nowhere, accidentally drives off a bridge, car overturned in 4 feet of freezing water, barely escapes with his life, is unable to save his passenger.

Another man, against all common sense and intelligence, against international opinion, enters an optional war against a non-threat and kills 4000 of our soldiers and 300,000 locals.

And, to you, the FIRST guy is the bigger crook? Now, at least, I''m beginning to realize why this country is in the sad state its in.

[ubrew12]

txgrouch2004 said: "PLEADED GUILTY TO LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT resulting in the death of his passenger. "

She was dead before he left the scene, which BTW was in the middle of nowhere. I''m sure you would have stayed there, and would be there still...

[patriotic9]

I wish Mr. Kennedy all the best. His illness may be stress-related, as he knows what kinda irreversible catostrophy Republicans brought against the United States!