Kennedy: 'Dream lives on' with Obama campaign

DENVER -- Sen. Edward Kennedy made an emotional appearance here Monday before the Democratic National Convention, saying "nothing is going to keep me" from urging delegates "to change America, to restore its future, to rise to our best ideals and to elect Barack Obama president of the United States."

Democrats gave the Massachusetts senator, 76 and under treatment for brain cancer, a long standing ovation after he walked gingerly to the podium to make the unscheduled address. They interrupted his appearance with chants of "Teddy! Teddy!" and cheered throughout the speech.

"So many of you have been with me in the happiest days and the hardest days. Together we have known success and seen setback, victory and defeat. But we have never lost our belief that we are called to a better country and a newer world," Kennedy said.

He called on Democrats to push for universal health care "as a fundamental right and not a privilege," and pledged "that I will be there next January on the floor of the United States Senate."

"There is a new wave of change all around us, and if we set our compass true, we will reach our destination — not merely victory for our party but renewal for our nation," Kennedy said. "The work begins anew. The hope rises again, and the dream lives on."

Convention officials didn't confirm until Monday that Kennedy would attend the tribute set for him on the convention's first night, and he was not on the schedule of speakers. His son, Rep. Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island, said the senator did not decide until Monday to give the speech.

"So many people were calling and asking for him," Patrick Kennedy said."It was incredibly emotional."

The tribute was a highlight of the convention's first night, which will end with an address from Obama's wife, Michelle. She will portray a personal picture of her husband in her address, according to excerpts of her speech released by the Obama campaign.

"In the end, after all that's happened these past 19 months, the Barack Obama I know today is the same man I fell in love with 19 years ago," Michelle Obama, 44, will say, according to the excerpts.