Ted Kennedy makes it to Denver

DENVER -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi indicated over the weekend to The Ticket and a few others that Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, despite his bout with brain cancer, might be on hand  for the convention's video tribute to him tonight.

As our colleagues at The Swamp relate, Kennedy has made it to Denver (staying in a local hospital Sunday night). Presumably, he'll make an appearance tonight -- and perhaps speak.

One of the main plot line's this week concerns the continuing -- and uneven -- efforts to heal the breach between the Barack Obama forces and those who backed Hillary Clinton. But tonight, especially if Kennedy is able to take his turn in the spotlight, the party will unify in an outpouring of affection for him.

-- Don Frederick

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Comments

[scootmandubious]

Don, I don't think it's your intent, and, apparently polls still show about 20% of alleged Hillary supporters now supposedly favoring McCain....but, I have to ask something.

Considering that it is now apparent that a significant campaign tactic of John McCain is to create the appearance of major dissent over the Obama nomination, aren't the constant references to the 'rift' between Obama and Clinton playing exactly into the hands of those who want to make it a talking point...i.e. the GOP?

I ask that, because you refer to "healing the breach" between Obama supporters and Clinton supporters.

Interestingly, I have heard numerous quotes over the past few days from former Clinton supporters who are backing Obama. And, if 80% are saying they will not vote for McCain, why is that narrative, espoused by GOP talking heads, the only thing we are hearing from pundits and columnists, such as yourself.

I work in the media myself, so maybe I am a bit more sensitized to the fact that fairly often the media creates their own agenda...their own self-fulfilling prophecy.

I truly believe that is why McCain tried this tactic, because he knows he will have it endlessly repeated, valid or not.

When the swift-boaters slimed Kerry, so-called journalists kept repeating the charge and treated the truth as somehow morally equivalent, a he said/she said scenario. That type of coverage isn't acceptable.

If 4 out of 5 Clinton supporters at this point are not going to go for McCain, why mention the 'breach' at all?

Considering some of the earlier comments from Conservatives about how they were not going to vote for McCain, do you plan on constantly raising the spectre of their defections at the start of your GOP convention coverage?

I would be surprised to hear you say 'yes.'

And that is the problem with this sort of coverage.

[Meni]

How sweet!

[Dee]

The Kennedy courage shines as always.

[NinaK]

Senator Ted Kennedy is a true and dedicated Democrat!! I know it could not have been easy for him to travel to Denver, I hope he had a DIRECT flight, rather than having to deal with transfers. I do hope he is up to giving his speech, even if it is a very short speech. If not, then of course, we will all understand and he needs our prayers and not criticism at this point in his life.

[lescaine]

A profile in courage championing inclusive progress.