Sen. Ted Kennedy rushed to hospital, later says, 'I'm OK'

An otherwise triumphant day was marred when word came that Sen. Ted Kennedy, an early and crucial supporter of President Obama, had to be taken from the post-inaugural Obama luncheon by ambulance to a hospital.

Kennedy, 76, has a brain tumor and has suffered seizures in the past.

Senators say that he was having convulsions and that paramedics were called at 2:35 p.m. EST.

This prompted Obama to address those in attendance.

"I know while I was out of the room, concern was expressed about Teddy," Obama said.

"So I would be lying to you if I did not say that right now part of me is with him. I think that is true for all of us. It is a joyous time but also a sobering time. And my prayers are with him and his family and Vicki."

Sen. Christopher Dodd said that he spoke to Kennedy, who claimed to be upset at being taken to the hospital. "He said, 'I'm OK,' or words to that effect," Dodd said. "It's not a medical conclusion, but when he bellows, he's usually in pretty good shape."

-- Michael Muskal

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Comments

[Alec F Buckley]

Perhaps this will reduce some of the ultra-left-wing political trash legislation coming out of Massachusetts, and perhaps the people of Massachusetts will have to have their Kennedy elbow voting arm replaced?

[Linda Durham]

Senator Edward Kennedy has served this nation for almost 50 years. The Legislation he has sponsored has not been " left wing political trash legislation" as you call it, but more often then not bi-partisan legislation that is designed to improve the American way of life.

this includes: legislation to protect workers from losing overtime benefits, the Civil Rights Commission Act Amendments (of 1978), the Civil Rights for Institutionalized Persons Act,the Job Training Partnership Act,legislation requiring polling stations to provide physical accessibility for physically disabled and elderly people on federal election days,the Employment Opportunities for Disabled Americans Act,the Fair Housing Act Amendments to extend the law to include people with disabilities and families with children, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, which strengthened existing protections and remedies available under federal civil rights laws, including the provision of remedies for intentional discrimination and harrassment in the workplace, the Americans with Disabilities Act , the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA),the Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education Act, the bipartisan Bioterrorism Preparedness Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA),and the Family Opportunity Act. Senator Kennedy has also worked diligently to ensure that all Americans work at a fair rate and has over the years supported legislation to increase the minimum wage. now do we really want to reduce the legislation coming out of Massachusetts? some how I think not. You and everyone else should be thankful a man like Ted Kennedy has decided to serve this country.

[Peter White]

Nobody's arms were more tired than the ultra-right wing white supremist constituents of Strom Thurmon. Let's face it any representatives that will give voice to radical voters who would otherwise be dismissed as loonies has a job for life.

[Noneyabiness]

I don't normallly blog, but afer reading the above comment, I was moved to wonder how anyone wouldn't respect the many years of service Mr. Kennedy has given even if you are supportive of a different political party. As I listened to the news pundits yesterday (multiple stations), the common theme was that Mr. Kennedy was a very good statesman with friends on both sides of the aisle (ie Oren Hatch - R - Utah) who always stood up for the people who have less. And, no, I'm not a biased Democrat from Massachusetts.

[Donna Mitchell]

Anyone who has a brain tumor and does not step down from office has to be the most self-serving egotistical moron around. My mother had a brain tumaor and though she was able to go through the motions of life for two years she was paranoid and combative, something the doctors said she could not help. One wonders what kind of leadership the country is getting at Kennedy's hands. He is not just a Massachusetts senator ,he is a US senator.I lived in Massachusetts years ago and the citizens worship of the Kenendy's would no doubt explain this and how he was able to remain in office after Chappaquidick.