The political impact of Kennedy's seizure: Obama, Clinton and McCain

As most probably know by now, Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Ted Kennedy was rushed to the hospital earlier today after suffering what was described as a seizure.

Recent tabloid photos of the 76-year-old well-respected, liberal lion showed him to be grossly overweight, so that can't help his condition as doctors diagnose what's wrong.

But The Ticket isn't a medical blog. It's a politics blog. So what's the political effect? First, his illness and a presumed recovery will keep Kennedy sidelined from the campaign trail on Obama's behalf, although other than publicity that hasn't seemed to prove all that helpful anyway.

Despite the slim Democratic majority in the Senate, probably not much effect there. Even if a replacement senator had to be named by the governor, he's a Democrat too. So the party seat balance won't change.

Inside the Senate, Kennedy is well-respected as a hardworking, effective legislator, who can deal with all sides, as he did, for instance, with President Bush on compromise education legislation.

Outside the Senate, the influence of the veteran senator, who overcame the Chappaquiddick scandal, seems to have waned as a vote generator. Despite lingering affection for his famous Democratic family name and....

...much-ballyhooed endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama this winter, Kennedy (and his state's other Democratic senator, John Kerry)  were unable to deliver Massachusetts to their candidate in primary balloting.

New York Sen. Hillary Clinton captured the state's popular vote rather handily, another example of what she claims is her big-state success among party voters that would make her more electable than Obama in November.

Despite Kennedy's oft-cited influence among Latino voters and his well-publicized campaigning among them in California, Obama also lost the popular vote there, again to Clinton.

But because of the arcane Democratic delegate allocation process, Obama still picked up 166 of the state's 370 delegates with Clinton capturing 204. Under the Republicans' winner-take-all delegate selection process, as Clinton has so frequently and uselessly pointed out, she would have wrapped up her party's nomination with that lopsided win over Obama in West Virginia the other day.

(Also, under the Republican Party's traditional system of primogeniture, she would probably have inherited the presidential nomination as next most senior in line, much as her team apparently thought she would among Democrats before the upstart Illinois freshman launched his unexpected grassfire rebellion in the winter of 2007.)

"The Democrats have developed a delegate allocation system that is so fair, it's unfair," says Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics.

In politics, though, what's often most important is what is not said.

We tip our hat to colleague Dan Morain for underlining something very revealing in the statements of sympathy issued today by all three major presidential candidates:

Obama, who had Kennedy's endorsement; even Republican Sen. John McCain, who's now the presumptive nominee and leader of the opposite party but has worked across the aisle with Kennedy for years in the Senate and doesn't mind underlining that; and then Clinton, who has worked with Kennedy too, but lost the anticipated Kennedy endorsement in what must have been a bitter disappointment to herself and her husband.

See if you notice anything in the three senators' statements, printed here in their entirety. And let us know in the Comments section below what you detect.

Sen. Obama:

"I know a lot of you are interested in the situation with Sen. Kennedy. I have been in contact with the family. Obviously they are in our thoughts and prayers. They, I am sure, will be releasing some sort of statement when they have a better assessment of what the situation is.

"You know, as I have said many times before, Ted Kennedy is a giant in American political history. He has done more for the healthcare of others than just about anybody in history and so we are going to be rooting for him and I insist on being optimistic about how it's going to turn out."

Sen. McCain:

"I was very sorry to hear that Sen. Kennedy has taken ill, and like millions of Americans, Cindy and I anxiously await word of his condition.

"Sen. 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. I consider it a great privilege to call him my friend.

"Cindy and I are praying for our friend, his wife, Vicki, and the Kennedy family."

Sen. Clinton:

“My thoughts and prayers are with Sen. Ted Kennedy and his family today.  We all wish him well and a quick recovery.”

-- Andrew Malcolm

Photo Credit: AFP/Getty Images/AP

Comments

[Joe Bob Halley]

Nothing from Bill Clinton.

[Average Female Voter]

Ted Kennedy lost my respect when he chose the inexperienced unseasoned Obama over the first viable credentialed female presidential candidate in US history. Women will never forget how the Democratic Party pulled the plug on their dream!

[David Gregorio]

we are so sad, about this bad notice, bu I think he will be strong and his recovery, God bless him , we will put him in our prayers. Ted Kennedy is in our minds, the most respected personality in North America as a Senator and hard working man for our society and our values and principles. God Bless Sen. Ted Kennedy.......!

[N.E. BodybutHillary]

I wish Senator Kennedy a fast recovery.

[Clyde]

You refer to Kennedy as "well respected". How can anyone be "well respected" when he, while married, after a party (and probably drunk) ran off a bridge and killed his woman companion (not his wife), then saved himself before attempting to find her body? Is this a man to be respected? He should have gone to jail as almost all citizens who committed this crime went to jail. He did leave the place of the accident and it was not reported for some time.

[Linda Kindron]

DID YOU LISTEN TO THE SAME COMMENTS i DID ON THE NEWS. fIRST sEN. oBAMA SAID "SHE" HAS BEEN A BIG PART ETC.
AND HILLARY CLINTON DID NOT JUST SAY THE ONE LINE YOU PRINTED. SHE SAID THAT SEN.KENNEDY HAS WORKED ALSO FOR EVERYONE TO HAVE PROPER HEALTH CARE AND THAT YES SHE HAD HIM IN HER THOUGHTS AND FOR PEOPLE TO KEEP HIM IN THEIR'S. HOW DID YOU NOT CATCH SEN. OBAMA SAYING "SHE" MORE THAN ONCE???
AS FOR SEN. MCCAIN i COULD CARE LESS WHAT HE HAS TO SAY.

[Mr. Unite Us]

Ted Kennedy,

My prayers go out to you and yours

Get well soon.

Cbarles B.

[Chris]

Hillary kept her comments short but that's understandable considering Kennedy took some really low shots at her a couple of days ago.

[Barack Obama]

Exactly what happens to Senator Kennedy's Super Delegate vote if he were to pass on? Just wondering.

[Diana]

I noticed that Barack Obama was the only one who contacted the Kennedy family.

I never had any respect for him or for the Kennedy Clan beginning with the patriarch Joseph Kennedy. He was a crook. JFK stole the presidential election from Nixon, and Nixon for the good of the country stepped aside, and did not contest the election results. The Kennedy Clan has always claimed to be Roman Catholic but have never practiced it due to their adulterous behavior, supporting abortion, divorcing from their spouses without getting annulments, and taking holy communion when they're not supposed to. Senator Kennedy and his extended family do not share my values and principles. Their influence with the Latino comunity was in the 1960's and 1970's. Since 1992 to the present, The Clintons are the ones who now have that influence with most of the Latino community. But, I still wish him well. May God be with him and his family.

Clyde / 08:15 p.m. I agree with everthing you wrote.

[ecaitlin]

Hillary praised Ted Kennedy warmly for his work on behalf of health care issues.

How come you left that out?

[Jim Jones]

I don't know how somebody can be so callous to be thinking about Ted's endorsement of anybody at a time like this. It's not the end of the world for female canidates!!!! Kathleen Sebeleius of Kansas? Arizona's Janet Napolitano?? Hello, don't be blinded by gender. Hillary has lost. She waged a good campaign, but it's over.

[crat3]

Great to see Kennedy sidelined; hope he stays sidelined.

[kevin]

When Kennedy backed the young Obama over the more (Washington) experienced Clinton........he gained my deep respect.
Once again, he anticipated the real mood of America.
Rather than doing what was expedient; and endorsing the safe, the same old, same old, he endorsed change, and he did what was right: right for his country, and right for the world.
In my view, Kennedy is a giant.

[concerned]

This shocked me please everyone look it up...i wouldnt have believed it hadn't i read it for myself...remeber Obama seemingly innocent misshap about 57 states here is what he was talking about shocking really...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organization_of_the_Islamic_Conference (57 islamic states) Please it's not something anyone made up it's fact

[John]

Ted Kennedy, hmm so many things to say.
but i'll just say this.
July 18, 1969 he killed a person. Drunk or not.
I don't give a damn, but I do hope justice is finnaly served
for this drunkard.

He was never great like Joseph Jr., JFK, or Bobby.
Just the drunk black sheep of the family.

good die young the wicked get just deserts

[dave]

obama seemed rather quick to banish kennedy to the oblivion of history; where he said kennedy had done more than most for others' healthcare (more than for his own?). he insists on being optimistic about the outcome, too...the outcome of whatever; but is his command of fate sufficient to bring the real change - not only more change to believe in, however grand or small?
change that values liberty more than hope, and integrity more than empty phrases? RON PAUL stands for constitutional and tangible change. to stop forever
hoping for - start being change.

[Richard]

I hope the murdering, lying liberal buffoon from MA. drops dead. Few things are as uplifting as hearing of the demise of America's enemies.

[Sharan]

First, Senator Kennedy did NOT "overcome Chappaquidick." It was the reason he lost the respect of millions of Americans and the Presidential nomination in '80. I sympathize with his family, however. As to the comments of the 3 major presidential candidates -- that's fits right in with her true personality - not what the kind of person she SAYS she is, but the kind of person her ACTIONS say she is.

[Jkan]

Ted Kennedy lost my respect when he chose the inexperienced unseasoned Obama over the first viable credentialed female presidential candidate in US history. Women will never forget how the Democratic Party pulled the plug on their dream!

American public will NEVER forget how Ted ganged up with the Press, Pelosi, Dean, etc and prematurely went public endorsing a VAGUE candidate!!

Ted Kennedy is a JOKE.

[lOLA]

In typical form, Obama took the sad event to knowck Hillary by giving Ted Kennedy the credit for fighiting for health care more than anybody. Weird to use the word, "insist" that Ted Kennedy be "optimistic" about a good outcome! Seems cynical and mocking to me.

John McCain made apoint to praise their working together so subtly makes himself look bypartisan.

But, these comments don't fully reflect what commentators are doign with this, they use alot of past tense as if implying that TEd Kennedy is or will be dead!! Very striking how there is this sense of Kennedy "was". Obama comes accross as cynical, when you analyse of the peculiar words he uses.

[MDuecker]

Sen. Kenndy has done more to hurt this Country than anyone I can possibly think of since his father. To think that somebody with simply a "name" can be voted in so many years and have so much influence upon our Country, without wisdom, is beyond me. I wish nothing other than this poor soul to never again grace us with his, "pompous" presence, in any social capacity.

[CD]

I am a democrat but I notice that McCain is the only one that includes his wife (Cindy) in his message which i believe is the proper way of doing so. for a married couple.

[Charles]

Well, McCain didn't wish him a recovery.
Does that mean that he doesn't want him to recover?

[Nick]

"I noticed that Barack Obama was the only one who contacted the Kennedy family."

Fallacious. Barack Obama was the only one who publicized his contact with the family. The status of Clinton and McCain's communication with the family is actually unknown from this data.

[mary mansour]

I am an Obama voter but in all fairness to Hillary Clinton, I heard her yesterday and she referred to the work Kennedy had done in the Senate. That being said, I am an admirer of Ted Kennedy. Chappaquiddick was a long time ago and he has done much good in the Senate for the American people. .

[Grant]

First, the people here celebrating Kennedy's misfortune because he backed Obama or because they have a grudge against the far left in the political arena are contemptible. Let me just get that out of the way right off.

Second, if we're going to go the route of coldly calculating the effect this will have on the presidential race this is rather clearly a problem for McCain more than anyone else. Prominent politician in his mid 70s experiences sudden and very public dramatic turn for the worse in his health. The the last thing McCain needs on anyone's mind is that that's not something that is really terribly unexpected when dealing with people in this age bracket.

[Paul Ronn]

Something unintelligible about the Constitution. Something not in any way to germane to the topic at hand. Crazy ranting. And the finish: VoTe RoN PauL!

[4late]

Maybe Barack Obama is like John Kennedy as his family knew him. Barack Obama is nothing like the John Kennedy the voters knew. John Kennedy was not afraid of a real fight. John Kennedy spoke to and inspired the working class democrats. What is the democratic party if it no longer hears the voice of the working middle class? They (the DNC and upper level dem leaders) should let us know that there is a new democratic party that does not need the long time dems who have been there forever. It is about change, moving on, a new Washington without any Washington insiders except of course, Kennedy, Kerry, Edwards, and all the rest. Most of Hillary supporters are proud liberals who have been pushed aside by the party.

[Beverly Hill]

I hope he has a speedy recovery.
I am not a Kennedy fan, but I do not wish anyone harm.

Yes, Hillary did wish him a quick recovery. Obama spoke of him in the past tense, and she did not.

I will a say a prayer for him, but I will also say a prayer for the U.S.

I pray that the American people will actually see the light and the fact that Hillary is the best, qualified candidate and the only one that can beat McCain. The polls say it.
This is all of America speaking, and not just a few states.

The states that have not voted or have just recently, should be thanking Hillary that they finally have their vote count.

All of America should be standing up for Florida and Michigan to have the right for their votes to count.

They just tried to get an earlier primary so their votes would count like Idaho or New Hampshire. Being at the end, means most of the time, you get little attention.

The people voted in confidence that their votes counted and should not be punished. Maybe, they should just punish the ones who were in charge. Quit picking always on the general public.

Obama, if he was for ALL of the American people, should be demanding their votes count, but he is only about winning, at whatever cost. Can American not see that?

What does it take?
Hillary is one of the most productive members of Congress-ranking always in the top 5 -that's a hard worker
Obama-lower 65%-that's failing in my book
Hillary-first with a Healthcare plan and at 100%
Obama-came out later (2 weeks) , similar but lett 11 million people out

Have you ever noticed that Hillary comes up with something first and Obama comes later (about 2 to 3 weeks later) and tries to act like he was first?
Check the "View" program-even Whoopi admitted to that and that is why she voted for Hillary. Hillary came up first with the "green color worker."

Hillary actually did something for the children-healthcare, education. Obama-zero
Obama did not even vote for much of anything in Illinois either. He never had an opponent but the one time he did he lost.

Hillary had laws passed for Vet benefits.
Obama was on the committee for the Walter Reed Hospital that had mold, rats, and all he could say was that he had not been there and wasn't aware even though his VA constiutents had contacted him of the conditions.

What am I suppose to tell my students that I have told "don't do drugs' and then they found out that Obama used cocaine, even up to a couple of years ago? Oh, you too can be a Presidential nominee and do drugs!

Why would Hamas be endorising Obama? It is because they don't fear him. They seem him as an ally.

Please America and the people who have not voted yet, see the light and the truth. As a delegate, I am going to fight with her to the end.

Hillary is not perfect, but she has had to work for her education-get a college loan. She and her daughter went to public schools. She came from a middle class family.
Obama always went to private schools and his children do, too. He does not even understand our public education system. He did not have to work to go to college or pay a loan back.

At least, you know Hillary is proud to be an American.
At least, you know Bill is proud to be an American.
Michale Obama has let you know she is not. Besides listending and reading her recent comments, please read her papers in college that are full of anti-race and hate.
They sound very similar to Wright's sermons.
Obama was attracted to her and Wright. There is a reason for that.

Do your research---check out all three and I know you will realize that she is the best choice.

[Shon P. Connors]

All I have to say is that our thoughts and prayers should be with Mr. Kennedy during this difficult time. His past is just that, the past, he needs to know that now more than ever we support him. God Bless you Mr. Kennedy.

Shon P. Connors

[Jen]

It's been amazing to me the press that Obama has gotten. Yikes. I can't believe that someone with no experience who happens to speak well public is being considered.. is the amerian public that stupid? it appears that way..

[Marion]

To compare the ages of Kennedy and McCain are then not take into account the physical condition of the two is unfair. McCain is obviously in relatively good health where Kennedy is a known alcohol abuser and is obviously grossly overweight. You tell me who looks like a stroke or heart attack waiting to happen...

[Buford T Voter]

After this author's misrepresentation of what H Clinton said I feel Andrew Malcolm should be forced to acknowledge who he favors of the two Dem candidates. Even the pictures show a smiling Kennedy with the other two and a terse facial expression with H Clinton. The editors and Andrew Malcolm might as well have been writing for Obama's campaign with this P.O.S., research free, diatribe. Nader For Prez!

(If you'd been watching as closely as you claim, you'd see that Sen. Clinton only spoke to reporters and elaborated her terse press release much later.)

[Buford T Voter]

"(If you'd been watching as closely as you claim, you'd see that Sen. Clinton only spoke to reporters and elaborated her terse press release much later.)"

"Much later"? Really? In time for this article? You let me know, you don't have the time you posted this blog and I don't have a Press Release to Blog Post calculator. Here in Africa we don't have the easiest time figuring out when stuff happens in country, just an easy time reading slanted essays. Go Nader!

[Justice]

Hope he gets well.

But that is the kindest thing I can say about him. Inspite of how badly he spoke of Hillary, she has the decency to wish him well, and to point out some of his accomplishments.

I think his endorsement of Obama was a bad omen in and of itself. He's particularly to blame for the way Obama and the good 'ol boys club in the Democratic party have treated Hillary. His ill health will play a big part in Obama's campaign, because he's pretty much the mentor for Obama.

Ted Kennedy is a reflection of the Democratic party's old Washington politics... so I don't see why Obama keeps criticizing everyone else. He too is a product of this politics, and anyone who thinks he's a change for the better is deluded.

This too may be an omen for things to come for Obama.

[SurfGranny]

Ted was probably just tipsy again. I think this is just a subtle way of making a statement that McCain is too old for the job of President. There was no sign of stroke or heart attack. He was probably just celebrating "spring break" a little late...like the time he joined his nephew for spring break in Florida at the Kennedy home there and the younger man got into trouble with the "lady of the night" he picked up and brought her home to Uncle Ted.

[mona]

I hope he is not one of the 15 million not covered under Obama's health care plan?

[Doris Webster]

I have never had ANY respect for murderer, liar, cheater Ted Kennedy, regardless of his last name. And, how long has he been a senator? Aren't there any term limits that can end his leeching off the American people? I'd like to see him get a real job... Well, I'd actually like to see him serve a prison term for murder -- and pay his own room and board while in prison! Whether he gets well or dies really matters little to me; it's in God's hands, but since God has said to pray for your enemies, and I can easily see how he could be one, I will pray this: Dear Lord, please move on Ted Kennedy's heart to cause him to repent for the evil things he has done in his life, even if it may be on his deathbed. If he truly repents, I pray that you would give him restored health and a few more years to exhibit change and the fruit of his repentance. Amen.

[Lady Liberty]

I am disgusted with all the negativity, meanness, and pettiness contained within so many of these comments. Would you write the same things if you had to provide your full name? Don't you have something more positive and creative to do with your time and energy? There's a lot to accomplish to fix both our nation and the planet. Cease your bitching and get to it!

[Earl Bridgeman]

I'm actually wondering why Hillary Clinton's entire statement was not printed. Hey Andrew what gives? Just curious. I mean someone had to choose to write and print this so who said, "Hey, I know, let's leave out the rest of her statement and print it!"

(Hillary Clinton's entire statement WAS printed. Later in the day when people noticed how minimal it was, she went and talked more to TV cameras. All of these 3 statements are the initial statements in full.)

[John_Lai]

No one with any common sense will leave the country in the hands of a rookie amidst an economic crisis, a war with terrorists, and many natural disasters. There are many important decisions to make in the coming presidency and many hard decisions to make.

A president should not be a puppet on the string and it should be a leader. The president should be able to oversee things and not to overlook issues that a rookie will.

A national senators of 4 years is not qualified. Ted Kennedy has been treating presidency like play things. He doesn't care about what people in Mass. thinks. They don't respect people.

Frankly he was just a sucker who believed BO's white lies that his father was brought to this country by Kennedy Fund. How romantic! It is just a fabrication. If he succeeds, the country shall be in serious trouble at the time where strong leadership is needed and He can't deliver because BO has not been leader of congress, senate and states.

Todd Spivak of the Houston Press has documented how Obama accomplished next to nothing in his first six years in the Illinois legislature.

Then Emil Jones Jr. an African American with thirty years in the legislature made Obama a sponsor of 26 bills that became law. This is how BO portrays himself as a highly successful legislator.

This is just like giving him the ball at 1 yard line and carries him on his back.

Has Obama repaid Jones? Yes. He has provided tens of millions in earmarks for Jones' district. As to such actions,

This is how Ted gets this country into; a mud of troubles.BO is no JFK. He went to WV only once in his campaign. JFK reached out and campaign his heart out which BO just hides behind his podium giving poetic promises of change that he has never made true for people.

[Theresa]

Everyone knows that Ted Kennedy is an alcoholic. I wouldn't be surprised if his "seizure" was due to that as I know someone who had several seizures before going through treatment! He needs help!

[Me]

Are you people serious? Who cares if this man lives or dies? This guy got away with murder. He is not a man to be respected by anyone. I don't have an ounce of pitty for him or his family at all with what he is dealing with.

[evan andersen]

evan andersen

ted has been awesome on so many occassions and it is those that we shall remember. the commonwealth of ma and the US at large has to believe that he has done his best job. evan andersen wish his family well and that ted has a speedy recovery.

evan andersen

[Tim]

Finally, the past catches up with Mr. Kennedy. I would tell him to say hello to Mary Jo Kopechne, but we all know she won’t be where he is going.

[Hardeep S. Mangat]

God bless senator Kennedy with good health.

[robinia]

People, don't kick a man when he's down. It's easier to run away and let a woman drown!

To Mary Jo Kopechne's immediate family of survivors. Do you now see the silver lining?

He may be a great man to some, and yes what he's been diagnosed is simply tragic, but this is a clear scenario one calls "poetic justice". I'm sorry to be so hard, however, the Kopechnes have lived a painful nightmare, day after day after day, knowing the gentlemen who created the fatal injustice of "their" loved one has gotten away with "murder" and is now being sympathized as a saint? Well, he definitely AIN'T!