Obama ‘Heartbroken’ Over Kennedy’s Passing
EmailABC News’ Yunji de Nies and Karen Travers report:
President Obama said in a statement that he and first lady Michelle Obama were “heartbroken” to learn of the death of Sen. Ted Kennedy, whom they called “our dear friend.”
“An important chapter in our history has come to an end,” the president said. “Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States Senator of our time.”
Visit ABC News' special section on Ted Kennedy.
Mr. Obama was awoken at 2am with news of Kennedy's passing. He called the late-Senator's wife, Vicki at 2:25 to express his condolences.
Mr. Obama is expected to give a statement this morning, but he has no plans to travel today. The First Family is vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard off the coast of Massachusetts this week and as of now there are no changes to their plans.
In his statement, Mr. Obama spoke of the guidance and support he received from Kennedy since his days in the Senate.
“I valued his wise counsel in the Senate, where, regardless of the swirl of events, he always had time for a new colleague. I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the Presidency. And even as he waged a valiant struggle with a mortal illness, I've profited as President from his encouragement and wisdom,” he said.
When Kennedy and his niece Caroline endorsed Mr. Obama in last year’s Democratic primary over then-Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, it changed the dynamic of the campaign. Kennedy compared Obama to his brother, President John F. Kennedy.
“He has lit a spark of hope amid the fierce urgency of now,” Kennedy said of the senator from Illinois. “I believe that a wave of change is moving across America. If we do not turn aside, if we dare to set our course for the shores of hope, we together will go beyond the divisions of the past and find our place to build the America of the future.”
Kennedy gave a passionate speech at last year’s Democratic National Convention in Denver and pledged to be at work when the Obama Administration began on Inauguration Day.
Kennedy returned to Washington in January to see Mr. Obama sworn in as president and suffered a seizure at a luncheon in the Capitol that afternoon.
Kennedy's last visit with the president was in April when Mr. Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act at the SEED School in Washington. Kennedy and Obama spent time together in the Oval Office that day.
Kennedy and Mr. Obama were also together for the senator's birthday celebration earlier this year.
The two spoke on June 2 about health care and on July 10 after Mr. Obama gave the Pope a letter from Kennedy.
On August 12, the president awarded Kennedy a Presidential Medal of Freedom, but Kennedy did not attend the ceremony at the White House.
The Obamas have a connection to Kennedy beyond politics. Sen. Kennedy recently gave the Obama girls, Malia and Sasha, their highly-anticipated presidential pet, Bo, a Portuguese water dog just like Kennedy’s own dogs.
The President has ordered the flag at the White House and the flags throughout the federal government to half mast, spokesman Bill Burton said. The flags are also at half staff all around Oak Bluffs, where the Obamas are vacationing.
– Yunji de Nies and Karen Travers
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Mr. President………. I feel devastated too. Ted Kennedy was a true American Servant……selflessness and a true patriot. I will miss having him fight for the “down-trodden” and the powerless people in this country. I wish him and his family peace. THANKS TEDDY FOR ALL YOU DID.
Posted by: tychisum | August 26, 2009, 8:01 am 8:01 am
My condolences to the family of Ted Kennedy.
Now to Obama – another opportunity to be in front of the camera.
Posted by: MJ | August 26, 2009, 8:16 am 8:16 am
Rest in peace Sen. Kennedy. The world is a better place because of you. Thank you!
MJ | Aug 26, 2009 8:16:02 AM — How foul you are! They were friends, should the President not say anything? Not make a statement about a great senator, man and friend to him? If he didn’t you’d most likely be the first to slight him for that!
Posted by: Try the truth | August 26, 2009, 8:31 am 8:31 am
Jack | Aug 26, 2009 8:31 – He was a recovered Alcoholic. He devoted his life to public service. Helped millions of people. What took place decades ago was awful, but for you to judge a mans life on that one incident is pretty arrogant. I don’t believe God himself judges us that way!
Posted by: Try the truth | August 26, 2009, 8:37 am 8:37 am
Now right back to the golf course.
Posted by: drjohn | August 26, 2009, 8:39 am 8:39 am
to the left Bush is a drunk, to the left Kennedy is a recovered alcoholic. Where is the logic?
Posted by: notanobamafan | August 26, 2009, 8:54 am 8:54 am
“selflessness and a true patriot. I will miss having him fight for the “down-trodden” and the powerless people in this country.”
Give me a break. This guy was out to stick us with a horrible socialist medical system and when you get down to brass tacks, was in this for reasons other than your misty-eyed and overly romantic view of a liberal who believed in principles that were far away from the centrist views of this country.
I hope his view of medical insurance reform is never achieved. And please… please stop with the “American Royalty” comparisons. The “royalty” thing is just so completely into the view of we citizens as commoners and the Kennedys as the elites that it isn’t to be believed. The guy put his pants on one day at a time and was not “above us” or an “all seeing omnipotent powerhouse”. Got it?
Posted by: Jon | August 26, 2009, 9:27 am 9:27 am
notanobamafan— I guess the same way President Obama who admitted using pot when younger became a “crack head” to the right and Bush you used cocaine totally abstained in your minds! FYI – you do know it was widely talked about in Republican circles that Bush fell off the wagon in the WH? Either way, both Kennedy and Bush worked and one continues to do so, to stay sober. I give them credit!
Posted by: Try the truth | August 26, 2009, 9:31 am 9:31 am
Thanks Teddy for all you have done to help the lives of all Americans. My heart goes out to you and your family.I know President Obama will continue to do what he can to finally pass true Health Insurance reform.The Bible says that we should help those in need.not comdemn them. I think the GOP is picking and choosing what parts of the bible they like,and forgoting what they don’t>
Posted by: Ken Praeger | August 26, 2009, 9:31 am 9:31 am
RIP Senator Kennedy you will be missed! President Obama And Sen Kennedy were friends you right wingers. what he is suppose to say nothing? you call yourselves Christians may god have mercy on you and your hate!
Posted by: Angie in Pa | August 26, 2009, 9:35 am 9:35 am
Angie, no one is jumping up and down that Sen. Kennedy is dead.
Posted by: BH | August 26, 2009, 9:42 am 9:42 am
BH
I am talking about your their Hate of the President just read fashionsta post like I said the Right call themselves Christians well you wouldnt know with the Hate they spew about the President!
Posted by: Angie in Pa | August 26, 2009, 9:49 am 9:49 am
Why are the people on the Right so hateful, mean, and nasty? Cant they have a debate normally wheather it be about Healthcare,Economy etc why are some of these people so filled with nasty and hate?
Posted by: Angie in Pa | August 26, 2009, 9:52 am 9:52 am
Why are the people on the Right so hateful, mean, and nasty?
Why are the people on the Left so whiney and unstable?
Like spoiled, angry children, Lefties rebel against the normal responsibilities of adulthood and demand that a parental government meet their needs from cradle to grave.
Posted by: Slight of Hand | August 26, 2009, 9:55 am 9:55 am
-You call the people on the right “Christians”. Why do you do that? I’m an atheist like my President.-
I’m a pagan myself. You should look into it. We have the best festivals. However, we could use a new “look.” The whole black robe and candle thing thing is played out. Any suggestions?
Posted by: Cernunnos | August 26, 2009, 10:05 am 10:05 am
“The whole black robe and candle thing thing is played out. Any suggestions?”
I’d prefer the “Mother Nature” look myself. Flowers in the hair flowing white gauzy robe, at least for Spring and Summer.
Posted by: Fashionista | August 26, 2009, 10:12 am 10:12 am
I am saddened by the death of this great man who worked so tirelessly to make this country and the world a better place. No one is saying that he was perfect, but who is? And I think it’s very sad that people are using this as a forum to perpetuate the division between liberal and conservatives. Show this man some respect, and allow those who knew him and loved him to grieve, and not be admonished for doing so.
Posted by: Rose | August 26, 2009, 10:23 am 10:23 am
I personally did not care for the man since that drive over the bridge,and money talks.He did some good and bad things in life.May God be his judge,and grant him eternal rest. Now Obama shut up its done.
Posted by: Joeray | August 26, 2009, 10:43 am 10:43 am
‘I’d prefer the “Mother Nature” look myself. Flowers in the hair flowing white gauzy robe, at least for Spring and Summer.’
That’s probably work for the chicks, but the whole gauzy robe thing doesn’t really appeal to me. Babes usually don’t dig guys in gauzy robes either.
Posted by: Cernunnos | August 26, 2009, 10:45 am 10:45 am
Thanks Teddy for all you have done to help the lives of all Americans. My heart goes out to you and your family.I know President Obama will continue to do what he can to finally pass true Health Insurance reform.
Posted by: Ken Praeger | Aug 26, 2009 9:31:49 AM
Nice post, Ken. He wasn’t perfect but he will be missed and he has done many wonderful things in his lifetime. My condolences to the Kennedy family, and all those who loved him.
Posted by: Alyson | August 26, 2009, 10:46 am 10:46 am
Babes usually don’t dig guys in gauzy robes either.
Posted by: Cernunnos | Aug 26, 2009 10:45:10 AM
**
maybe not robes, but the gauzy shirts work if they’re also rock stars.
Just sayin’ :)
Posted by: Alyson | August 26, 2009, 10:48 am 10:48 am
“WE CANNOT have a fair prosperity in isolation from a fair society. So I will continue to stand for a national health insurance. We must—we must not surrender—we must not surrender to the relentless medical inflation that can bankrupt almost anyone and that may soon break the budgets of government at every level. Let us insist on real controls over what doctors and hospitals can charge, and let us resolve that the state of a family’s health shall never depend on the size of a family’s wealth.”
—Senator Edward Kennedy, concession speech, 1980 Democratic Convention
***
RIP.
Posted by: Alyson | August 26, 2009, 10:53 am 10:53 am
My sympathies to his family, friends, and all those who cared for him.
Posted by: MayBee | August 26, 2009, 10:58 am 10:58 am
Posted by: Alyson | Aug 26, 2009 10:53:32 AM
Spoken like a true tribune of the people from his compound in Hyannis! Good old Ted, always in the trenches with the common folk…
Posted by: Somme | August 26, 2009, 10:58 am 10:58 am
Let us insist on real controls over what doctors and hospitals can charge,
========
I have not heard President Obama repeat that.
Posted by: MayBee | August 26, 2009, 11:20 am 11:20 am
1932-2009 Senator Edward M. Kennedy Our Hero & Aristocrat Community Warrior!
This I pray for you, Our American Friends, The Kennedy Family Members
That you let go of the sadness of the past, yet always remember the good moments.
That you learn to accept life as it is, even with its problems and disappointments! For life is meant to be enjoyed and, at times, endured, but never taken for granted and I pray that you will be aware at all times that YOU are one special person, among all special persons.
May Peace Be With Your Family Always
American Poor People of every nationality has lost another Community Warrior!
Ted Kennedy, A Politician Who Strongly Supported Barack H. Obama for our First African-American (Documented) President to The United States of America, when African American Politicians would not cast their VOTE for A Black Man!
Ted Kennedy, fault tireless hard battles with passion and concern for the under service population throughout the WORLD
Ted Kennedy, stick to his task, though the pace seems slow~Health Care for Poor People
Ted Kennedy, always reaching out to others less fortunate, focusing on issues for the Poor People and was the VOICE for those who was not able to speak for themselves
Ted Kennedy, a Bold Man of Great Character, a Nobleman always displaying Good Manners
I pray for the Kennedy Family Members to stay strong. Rest if you must, but never quit ~ keep his dream alive, Health Care for Poor People
Posted by: Drevelyn Matilda Minor | August 26, 2009, 11:22 am 11:22 am
“Let us insist on real controls over what doctors and hospitals can charge”
No. This is not the role of our government. Teddy you’re wrong.
Posted by: Gipper | August 26, 2009, 11:33 am 11:33 am
“Senator Kennedy and his family espouse economic justice; promote tax and spend policies and entitlement liberalism, but practice the time-honored and perfectly legitimate game of defending both self-interest and lineal-inheritance.
“The only part of this fact that we must vigorously criticize is Senator Kennedy’s hypocritical posture as champion of the ‘little guy’ juxtaposed next to the reality of his and his family’s tax-evading trusts and other tax shelter schemes.
“His conduct here truly is a case of ‘do as I say, not as I do’ liberal hypocrisy.” ~ The Autonomist
Posted by: TeddyBare | August 26, 2009, 11:38 am 11:38 am
“His conduct here truly is a case of ‘do as I say, not as I do’ liberal hypocrisy.”
Maybe those windmills will finally get built. Save the planet, but NIMBY!
Posted by: Carbon Credit | August 26, 2009, 11:40 am 11:40 am
RIP Mary Jo Kopechne
I find it insane that not only did he stay out of prison, but somehow, people still elected this guy afterwords? Shame!
Posted by: Obama, the Second Coming | August 26, 2009, 11:42 am 11:42 am
Obama will miss Kennedy because he used his influence to get him elected! Kennedy did some good but wasn’t the greatest thing that happened to our nation! He was another one that stayed too long and wanted all the power he could get! He changed laws to influence elections in his home state. He should have retired long ago, just as many others should.
Posted by: Neva | August 26, 2009, 12:14 pm 12:14 pm
I’m sure that, egalitarian man of the people that he was, he would not have wanted to be buried in Arlington Cemetery while decorated veterans are being denied that honor because of lack of space.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | August 26, 2009, 12:24 pm 12:24 pm
god is abc now the kennedy family network. Abc is slowly taking over for nbc for the most liberal tv news in the country.
Posted by: john | August 26, 2009, 12:29 pm 12:29 pm
Obama will miss Kennedy because he used his influence to get him elected!
I can tell you who won’t miss him…
Posted by: Sir Edmund H. | August 26, 2009, 12:36 pm 12:36 pm
Greatest Senator of our TIME! Please you have got to be kidding me… I’m sorry for the families loss, but as far as the Senate, thank God he is gone.
Posted by: dandydonmc | August 26, 2009, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm
Time for the right wing to ungraciously carp over the shortcomings of the recently departed Ted Kennedy.
The ignorance and arrogance of that is sickening.
The right wing also attacked his brother John as a commie-lover, catholic who would turn the country over to the vatican, an appeaser for people of color and every other insult imaginable including TRAITOR published in the paper the day of his death.
The same hostility was aimed at his brother Bobby.
The right wing should gain a little relativity for their arrogance, grow up, get a job, and learn a few manners.
We see the same slimey attacks being levelled at the current President.
Disgraceful and transparent conduct.
Posted by: sallyride | August 26, 2009, 12:46 pm 12:46 pm
Fascist Hyena | Aug 26, 2009 12:24:12 PM — You do know he was in the Army.
Posted by: Try the truth | August 26, 2009, 12:54 pm 12:54 pm
Time for the right wing to ungraciously carp over the shortcomings of the recently departed Ted Kennedy.
The ignorance and arrogance of that is sickening.
The right wing also attacked his brother John as a commie-lover, catholic who would turn the country over to the vatican, an appeaser for people of color and every other insult imaginable including TRAITOR published in the paper the day of his death.
The same hostility was aimed at his brother Bobby.
The right wing should gain a little relativity for their arrogance, grow up, get a job, and learn a few manners.
We see the same slimey attacks being levelled at the current President.
Disgraceful and transparent conduct.
Posted by: sallyride | Aug 26, 2009 12:46:45 PM
___________________________________
Ummmm … the BIG difference between Ted and his honorable older brothers …. they didn’t leave a pregnant woman for dead! That’s why you see all this disgrace for Ted Kennedy here! He doesn’t deserve the honor his brothers earned!
Posted by: Obama, the Second Coming | August 26, 2009, 12:55 pm 12:55 pm
maybee,
Thank you for your decency.
Posted by: Ryan C | August 26, 2009, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm
The KENNEDY Health Care Bill
WILL PASS.
Count on it.
Posted by: Omentum | August 26, 2009, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm
Another prime example that we should have term limits. It reduces the number of deaths while in office.
Posted by: LEE | August 26, 2009, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm
this is why health care reform will pass….
Mike Enzi, one of three Republicans ostensibly negotiating health care reform as part of the Senate’s “Gang of Six,” told a Wyoming town hall crowd that he had no plans to compromise with Democrats and was merely trying to extract concessions.
“It’s not where I get them to compromise, it’s what I get them to leave out,” Enzi said
Posted by: % | August 26, 2009, 1:32 pm 1:32 pm
to the cynics here;
both Kennedy and G.W. Bush came from wealthy political families…..
you only need to examine their records to see that it was Kennedy who really tried to help America
Posted by: T.S. | August 26, 2009, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm
“You do know he was in the Army.”
Yes. And I also know that he is eligible by reason of having held US elective office. Finally, I know that US veterans now are not eligible unless they retired after a full tour, or received a Purple Heart or an award of the Silver Star or higher. You could have served in Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan, been awarded a Bronze Star with “V,” and be ineligible under the current rules.
I assume Senator Kennedy would have wanted to give up his space for one of those many inelgible combat-decorated veterans.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | August 26, 2009, 1:41 pm 1:41 pm
Why don’t they just build the wind farm and name it after him?
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | August 26, 2009, 2:02 pm 2:02 pm
Why don’t they just build the wind farm and name it after him?
Not the view! Build it where the poor people live.
Posted by: Beachfront | August 26, 2009, 2:31 pm 2:31 pm
I see a Health Care Chappaquiddick. Lady Liberty does not survive.
Posted by: Reflect09 | August 26, 2009, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm
Obama appeared cold and lacking in feeling as he spoke of his “friend” Sen. Ted Kennedy’s passing today in comparison to Biden who seemed genuinely upset. Interesting.
Teddy made a huge mistake in betraying the brilliant Clintons for the unqualified Obama. Teddy’s judgment was not always the best…
RIP Teddy. Thank you for a lifetime of public service. I was a Kennedy volunteer in the 1980 Kennedy Presidential campaing. It was audacious for Ted to try to take down a sitting President of his OWN party and lead to his eventual defeat to Reagan. Wow. Ted accomplished many good things but did many bad things as well. The same notarious womanizer and boozer Teddy helped bring up Title 9, ADA, and SCHIP and No Child Left Behind with Bush.
Teddy lived a life of privledge and tragedy on a scale most of us will never experience. May God forgive him his sins and Bless Him for his good works. Condolences to his family.
Posted by: T | August 26, 2009, 3:03 pm 3:03 pm
Mr. Kennedy did the best that he could for his country and commonwealth.However,that does not obscure the fact that he used fame, family and fortune to get preferential treatment to escape the cosequences of his actions.From having a student take an exam for him at Harvard to having strings pulled to avoid service in Korea his early life was full of special treatment. So be it.However, how in heaven’s name could an autopsy NOT be done in the case of Miss Kopechne? That was a medical examiner’s case if there ever was one.The thought of that woman suffocating while Mr. Kennedy was trying to figure out how to get bailed out again is unfortunately the lasting impression that I have of the man; what ever good he otherwise did is obscured by that flaw.
Posted by: Nephron | August 26, 2009, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm
“From having a student take an exam for him at Harvard to having strings pulled to avoid service in Korea his early life was full of special treatment. So be it.However, how in heaven’s name could an autopsy NOT be done in the case of Miss Kopechne?”
Tasteless comments are made by tasteless people on the death of another person.
Quit trotting out unproven nonsense. If you think you ‘know’ you are sadly mistaken – you know only what you’ve been fed.
Posted by: sallyride | August 26, 2009, 5:31 pm 5:31 pm
to the cynics here;
both Kennedy and G.W. Bush came from wealthy political families…..
you only need to examine their records to see that it was Kennedy who really tried to help America
——
You said it! Go ahead, google the Kennedy kids and see what they’re doing in terms of pubic service.
Posted by: LindaG | August 26, 2009, 6:30 pm 6:30 pm
Teddy Kennedy was an extraordinary human being that fought for the rights of the common man. I doubt there will be another just as great in our lifetime. He will be greatly missed.
Posted by: birdy | August 26, 2009, 7:09 pm 7:09 pm
Yeah, he’ll miss him… but Teddy wasn’t important enough for him to visit in the last few days.
But you can bet your sweet bippy he’ll be invoking Kennedy’s name to get his way. Even though Kennedy midwifed the HMO monster that this “reform” is supposed to destroy. People certainly have short memories and an unwillingness to educate themselves about the facts. Ah, it’s easier to slam dissenters with “you don’t want people to have health care!” Sad.
Posted by: Eyes Open | August 26, 2009, 7:33 pm 7:33 pm
sallyride,what is not correct about the autopsy?
Posted by: Nephron | August 26, 2009, 8:29 pm 8:29 pm
1932-2009 Senator Edward M. Kennedy Our Hero & Aristocrat Community Warrior!
This I pray for you, Our American Friends, The Kennedy Family Members
That you let go of the sadness of the past, yet always remember the good moments.
That you learn to accept life as it is, even with its problems and disappointments! For life is meant to be enjoyed and, at times, endured, but never taken for granted and I pray that you will be aware at all times that YOU are one special person, among all special persons.
May Peace Be With Your Family Always
American Poor People of every nationality has lost another Community Warrior!
Ted Kennedy, A Politician Who Strongly Supported Barack H. Obama for our First African-American (Documented) President to The United States of America, when African American Politicians would not cast their VOTE for A Black Man!
Ted Kennedy, always fighting tireless hard battles with passion and concern for the under service population throughout the WORLD
Ted Kennedy, stick to his task, though the pace seems slow~Health Care for Poor People
Ted Kennedy, always reaching out to others less fortunate, focusing on issues for the Poor People and was the VOICE for those who was not able to speak for themselves
Ted Kennedy, a Bold Man of Great Character, a Nobleman always displaying Good Manners
I pray for the Kennedy Family Members to stay strong. Rest if you must, but never quit ~ keep his dream alive, Health Care for Poor People
Amen.
Drevelyn Matilda Minor~ Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
Posted by: Drevelyn Matilda Minor | August 26, 2009, 9:08 pm 9:08 pm
So distraught was Obama that he briefly interrupted his golf game to make his statement.
Posted by: Golf Czar | August 27, 2009, 10:32 am 10:32 am