Biden reacts to Kennedy’s diagnosis: ‘If anyone has the grit and determination to beat it,’ it’s him.
Filed Under: Congress
By on May 20th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Biden reacts to Kennedy’s diagnosis: ‘If anyone has the grit and determination to beat it,’ it’s him.
In an interview with ThinkProgress moments ago, Sen. Joseph Biden (D-DE) — who has gone through two life-threatening brain aneurysms — reacted to the news that Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. “If anyone has the grit and determination to beat it, it is — and I do think attitude matters in very serious circumstances — it’s Ted Kennedy,” Biden said. He added that Kennedy has “more energy, more passion, more commitment, more knowledge than anybody I’ve worked with in the Senate in the last 35 years.” Watch it:
UPDATE: In a tearful, touching moment on the Senate floor, Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) described his love for his “dear friend”:
UpdateSen. John McCain (R-AZ) released this statement: "I have described Ted Kennedy as the last lion in the Senate, and I have held that view because he remains the single most effective member of the Senate."
UpdateSen. Barack Obama (D-IL) said: “Ted Kennedy is a giant in American political history -- he has done more for the health care 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 its going to turn out."
UpdateSen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family, because he has been a champion for health care. Nobody has fought harder to make sure everybody got good health care. And I know that we all join together in wishing him well."
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64 Responses to “Biden reacts to Kennedy’s diagnosis: ‘If anyone has the grit and determination to beat it,’ it’s him.”
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Let’s hope so, Joe.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:06 pmMy best thoughts go out to Senator Kennedy and his family.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:12 pmHis contributions to American government won’t be forgotten.
Joe, you f***ing rock on brother! You DA MAN!
I admit, Biden is my personal choice for Obama’s VP.
Or Sec of State.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:13 pmLet’s hope he’s still got more contributions to make. I’m betting he does.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:14 pmA quick trip over to Freeperville has revealed:
1. One reich-winger concerned that “OUR” [tax payers] money is going to be used to treat him
2. Another reich-wing lamented, “I won’t reveal my complete thoughts on the matter. But if I did they would feature the frequent use of the word “hell”.
3. Lot’s of reich-wingers screeching for his retirement
4. Another compassionate reich-winger stated, “he overstayed his welcome by several decades.”
5. Here is my favorite, “Liberalism is a form of brain cancer. Most Liberals live with it for years and never improve.”
6. “Kennedy has done irreversible damage to this country with his Marixst policies and damaging statements about our military”
7. “Senator Kennedy is an evil, wicked man who is fortunate to have been given this opportunity for repentance before he dies.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.freerepublic.com/ focus/ f-news/ 2018722/ posts?q=1&;page=1
May 20th, 2008 at 3:15 pmDr. Hussein Matt Says:
A quick trip over to Freeperville has revealed:
1. One reich-winger concerned that “OUR” [tax payers] money is going to be used to treat him
Is one to infer from this statement that only repuke senators and reps should get the freebee government socialized health insurance?
May 20th, 2008 at 3:22 pmThey are morons.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:22 pmI was diagnosed with a brain tumor 4 years ago, exactly the same way: I suffered several seizures. It’s terrifying. Fortunately, my tumor was a benign meningioma and was discovered very early. It was surgically removed and I recovered completely.
May God bless you, Senator Kennedy - I will keep you and your family in my warmest thoughts and prayers.
~A
May 20th, 2008 at 3:24 pmExit Stage Left Says:
——————————————————————————–
Dr. Hussein Matt Says:
A quick trip over to Freeperville has revealed:
1. One reich-winger concerned that “OUR” [tax payers] money is going to be used to treat him
Is one to infer from this statement that only repuke senators and reps should get the freebee government socialized health insurance?
Of course ESL, that’s the way it works. Government provided health care, which means SOCIALISM (oh no!) to rightwingers, is just like everything else. Repeat after me:
It’s Okay If You Are A Republican!
May 20th, 2008 at 3:24 pmDr. Hussein Matt:
I went over there to strafe the wingnuts (sorry, I fight cheapshots with cheaper shots, it’s all they comprehend), and found the thread locked with this explanation:
Some of you are a disgrace to this forum, and life is too short to waste cleaning up your messes.
Freepers has some people with class and dignity, apparently.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:25 pmMcCain just said “He’s a great senator, blah, blah, blah …
May 20th, 2008 at 3:29 pmand we’ll miss him because of that.” I guess McCrazy thinks the guy is dead. What a jackass.
A single mod who is too lazy to moderate.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:30 pmAll,
I am rather new to the whole left-wing / right-wing message forums available on the Net. I have found some of the comments directed at each other to be terrible and that includes ANY republican who makes light of this. And Shayne, don’t use this as an opportunity to call McCain a Jack—. Do you all know that Bush called Ted Kennedy’s wife and asked how his “friend” was doing? I sometimes sense - here and on far-right boards - that there is almost a concensus that the other side is totally incapable of anything redeeming. It’s simply not true.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:38 pmIndy,
You’ve got a bad example there in GW, he has lost all credibility as a human being.
With regards to McCain, I doubt he was being malicious and he and Kennedy have in fact been friends for a long time (ie in the SENATE where they both WORK). Agreed that this is not a thread to use to attack McCain. The only reason I’m attacking Bush is someone brought him up.
Anyway, leave McCain alone with regards to Kennedy, they’re friends, I’m sure John is very concerned for Teddy, let it GO. There are plenty of other things to attack McCain for, this isn’t one of them, and other places to do it, this isn’t one of them.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:43 pmIsh! I get the creepers from freepers. (1st & last time visit.)
Good health is the most important thing we have. Here’s hoping Sen. Kennedy can fully recover.
Thanks, Sen. Biden, for saying what I was thinking so well…
May 20th, 2008 at 3:45 pmYou mean like this?
–> “Liberalism is a form of brain cancer. Most Liberals live with it for years and never improve.”
May 20th, 2008 at 3:46 pmFrom Freeperville
Oh, and on that topic, one final note, from what I’ve seen most of the posts at freeperville are despicable, EVEN the ones that purport to be supportive of him. Every single one says something about him retiring, or about how he needs to find God and heal his soul before it’s too late, or that “Sounds like someone is trying to tell him (kennedy) something, hope he listens before it’s too late” and all that garbage.
The very fact that the sitemonitors over there have just given up monitoring people’s posts on the subject (due to the sheer VOLUME of vitriol) says a lot more about their readership and less about the sitemonitor being lazy, don’t you think?
Sigh, anyway, again, Teddy I salute you and hope you get better soon!
May 20th, 2008 at 3:48 pmLiberal Traitor, You are correct with your defense of John McCain here. And Dr. Hussein Matt, yes quotes such as “Liberalism is a form of brain cancer. Most Liberals live with it for years and never improve,” in the context of the Ted Kennedy’s diagnosis is lacking all class and is just downright shameful.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:49 pmMy intention was not to attack McCain because this isn’t about him. But referring to somebody ill like they were already deceased is in very poor taste even if you’re not a politician.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:53 pmBipartisan bad news for the country. Good Luck, Senator Kennedy. Yours is a life well lived; and not finished.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:55 pmShayne,
Agreed, but as with many things from McCain lately, I’m perfectly satisfied to chalk it up to a senior moment.
But really, he and Kennedy have known each other, worked together, and been friends (even if only professionally) for I don’t know, probably decades by now. I highly doubt McCain’s poor taste comment was intentionally in poor taste.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:55 pmIn addition, I guess being a lifelong Catholic isn’t Christian enough for the Evangelicals since they believe Kennedy hasn’t already found Christ.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:56 pmliberal traitor, I hardly think the fact that it was accidental will make the comment any easier to hear by the Kennedy family. If he was my father and somebody referred to him like he was already gone I’d be devastated.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:57 pmI am sorry - where is the original quote. I did not see it in the article.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:58 pmOh and liberal traitor and indyjones if you don’t like what I have to say, well you’ll just have to live with it, won’t you.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:58 pmIn Freeperworld, one cannot be for Universal Health Care and Social Justice for all (those two things are NOT mutually exclusive) while also believing in Jesus, because as well all know Jesus was a big fan of letting the poor and disadvantaged rot and eat cake…or…wait…that’s totally incorrect…what was the point I was trying to make again?
May 20th, 2008 at 3:59 pmThe radical reich-wing websites get a pass when they spew their expected and typical hateful comments, but O’Racist and the reich-wing talking heads spend every day dissecting every comment made at Kos, HuffPO, MMFA, and TP. F***ing lowlife hypocrites.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:59 pmI am sitting here with the television on and I HEARD HIM SAY IT MYSELF! And it hurt me so I can only imagine how his family would feel.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:59 pmThe freeper comments are inexcusable, but there are some commenters here at TP that need to look in the mirror and remember the comments they made about Tony Snow’s cancer. More than a few suggested that he was being eaten alive by hypocrisy and evil; not too different from suggesting that liberalism is cancer.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:00 pmAmen Dr. Matt.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:00 pmShayne,
Whoa whoa. Calm down buddy, really. I’m not attacking you personally. Go ahead and say whatever you want, I also reserve the right to disagree with you, prove you wrong when you are or may be, and expect YOU to live with THAT as well. Door swings both ways.
No more fighting, bickering, and talking about freepers if we can help it would be the best thing I think.
Pray or don’t, just have it in your heart that you want Kennedy to recover is all I ask. Leave the McCain attacks for the election cycle and let the Kennedy’s deal with McCain’s comment if it offended them.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:02 pm30. gummitch
Well said. I am now trying to remember if I made any nasty comments about Snow…
Hope not, but can’t remember. None of us is perfect.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:04 pmWhen He walked the earth, Jesus was the epitome of Universal Health Care. He was able to heal the sick by His very touch. If He walked the earth today and practiced His medicine, I’m sure the reich-wingers would be crying foul and having a hissy fit because He wasn’t letting market decide who gets well and who doesn’t.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:04 pmDr. Hussein Matt:
The hatred on the radical left and radical right are equal in my view and I have little respect for hatred of any kind. And for every O’Reilly there is a Keith Olbermann; for every Ann Coulter, a Bill Maher; for every Rush Limbaugh, an Al Franken.
I wish it would all just end and we culd go back to treating people like people and trying to find some sort of middle ground on issues that matter to us.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:04 pmThose comparisons are obtuse and completely naive. Plus, the vast majority of views and opinions held my Olbermann, Maher, and Franken are mainstream and are shared by the majority of the country. Try again….
May 20th, 2008 at 4:07 pmI really don’t want to offend you indy, but you have forced my hand.
Anyone who says that the level of hate exhibited by Bill O’Reilly is somehow similar to what Keith Olbermann does on his show is a MORON.
Anyone who compares Ann Coulter’s vitriol to Bill Maher’s admittedly over the top satire, is a MORON.
Anyone who compares Al Franken to Rush Limbaugh is a MORON.
I really didnt’ want to have to do that.
I’m afraid I’m going to have to leave this thread permanently now, because there is too much of this garbage going on, I’m now contributing to it, and we are all being very inappropriate by discussing really any of these issues here as they are irrelevant to the topic. A good man is sick, may die, hopefully will not, and we should all wish him a speedy recovery and MOVE THE F__K ON.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:08 pmI really don’t believe the republicans are against everyone having health care. Speaking for myself, personally, I would support UHC if it could be shown to be effective and if it offered the same level of benefit to everyone including those who currently make sacrifices to pay for their own health care,.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:09 pmJust saw Senator Byrd breaking down in the Senate over Senator Kennedy. Hard not to do the same here…
Very moving, and truly shows just how much he (Kennedy) means to his colleagues - and this country.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:09 pmLiberal Traitor -
You are right about only one thing - this is not the forum to discuss this.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:10 pmI saw that too lokidog, it was truly heartbreaking.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:12 pmOf course, the sticking point here is your condition of if it could be shown to be effective. How do you expect this condition to be met? Statistics from nations with health delivery structures similar to those being discussed already show this, yet these statistics are dismissed by most of those who support “for profit” health care.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:17 pmI guess, Ralph, for me, I would like a health care system that is no less effective than the one currently available to me through my insurance provider. Cost aside, I am happy with my level of health care. What would be very concerning for me is that, in implementing UHC, we compromise the quality and availability of the health care system. I am not pretending to know if it would or would not be effective.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:22 pmI hope the best for Ted Kennedy and his family.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:23 pmVery touching video and speech by Senator Byrd. My prayers go out to Senator Kennedy. Obama and Hillary are right. Mr. Kennedy did a lot for healthcare. Mr. Kennedy did a lot more in the Senate and for his state than just bear the last name of Kennedy.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:29 pmindyjones Says:
I guess, Ralph, for me, I would like a health care system that is no less effective than the one currently available to me through my insurance provider. Cost aside, I am happy with my level of health care. What would be very concerning for me is that, in implementing UHC, we compromise the quality and availability of the health care system. I am not pretending to know if it would or would not be effective.
Considering how many people in this country have no coverage at all, through no fault of their own, you can figure any plan would be far more effective than what is currently available for them. I have a fantastic health plan, myself, but I’d be more than happy to wait a little longer for appointments or even pay a little more for visits and prescriptions if it meant other people weren’t going without.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:32 pmSorry for the misunderstanding Liberal Traitor but I knew indyjones was going to go south quickly and thought you were taking up for him. My bad.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:34 pmgummitch,
we should then take care of children, the disabled and the elderly and continue to able-bodied persons pay their own. That’s my opinion on it.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:37 pmShayne,
he wasn’t taking up on my side but instead the side of decency.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:37 pmindyjones Says:
gummitch,
we should then take care of children, the disabled and the elderly and continue to able-bodied persons pay their own. That’s my opinion on it.
All I get from this is that you don’t actually have to buy your own health care or you’d understand how close to impossible that is for many “able-bodied” people.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:41 pmI’m a one year plus lung cancer survivor, and some of the hardest stuff happens at this stage, when you just discover it.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:48 pmHang tough, Senator, keep the faith.
I pay a monthly premium that is subsidized by my employer. I understand that not everyone has employers that offer this.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:50 pmgummitch Says:
——————————————————————————–
The freeper comments are inexcusable, but there are some commenters here at TP that need to look in the mirror and remember the comments they made about Tony Snow’s cancer. More than a few suggested that he was being eaten alive by hypocrisy and evil; not too different from suggesting that liberalism is cancer.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:00 pm Recommend (4) | Report Abuse
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May 20th, 2008 at 4:54 pmI’ve been trying to keep my comments on this thread to a minimum, out of a respect for Senator Kennedy and a desire to keep the thread on topic, but I have to point out, indy, that you didn’t really address my comment.
To remind you, you said
I pointed out that the sticking point is the “shown to be effective” part and asked how that condition (shown to be effective) could be met. Your response was simply to restate that you wanted one that was “no less effective” than your current provider.
Fine, as far as it goes. But how do you judge that? That was my question.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:59 pmThoughts and prayers for Sen Kennedy and his family.
May 20th, 2008 at 5:02 pmI think we would need to show pre- and post- results relative to the availability of health care providers, waiting lists (across a variety of specialty areas) and quality of health care (cure rates, preventative indicators…something along this line).
May 20th, 2008 at 5:08 pmTwo words for our new poster: Concern Troll
May 20th, 2008 at 5:12 pmGod Speed Senator Kennedy…Byrd’s statements and emotions are moving
May 20th, 2008 at 5:15 pmThis is the most positive news coverage the corporate media have given Ted Kennedy in his entire career.
May 20th, 2008 at 5:24 pmI actually wonder if the tumor came from the use of cell phones…
Send your thoughts and prayers, here:
http://www.tedkennedy.com/page/-/splash/splash.html
May 20th, 2008 at 5:27 pmYeah well indyjones, I pay insurance for my employees, $215 a week per employee. And many months I’m close to broke for paying for health insurance. I can’t get the highly trained workers I need without it and with it I can barely keep going. Employer paid insurance does not help people get or keep jobs, we had to lay people off because of the health insurance because they’re on commission when it’s slow we get a break. But the insurance bills come in the same every month. National healthcare would increase the amount higher paid jobs in this country.
May 20th, 2008 at 5:37 pmI think all those details are available and have been shown here if you really wanted to see it. Instead our insurance providers spend gobs of money convincing us our healthcare would go downhill while our mortality rates are worse than any industrialized nation. The same people who hate abortion are the same people who don’t want working mothers to have a guarantee of prenatal care or a guarantee that when their children are born if they go back to work their children will have coverage.
May 20th, 2008 at 5:40 pmShayne, just think if you didn’t have to pay that $215/week for your employees. 1) Your employees would have higher salaries because you were not shelling out for health coverage, 2) the product or service you provide would be cheaper because you were not shelling out for health coverage. A society with UHC is a productive society where everyone benefits, from the workers, to the management, to the CEO, to the economy. Opposing UHC is ridiculously stupid.
May 20th, 2008 at 6:15 pmTime to forget the partisan bashing for today ‘my friends’. I just came home from work and found out about this. All the best to Ted Kennedy. It’s events like this which make me realize how precious each moment is. A lesson for us all, i suppose.
May 20th, 2008 at 6:28 pmExactly Dr. Matt, healthcare is one of the reason we can’t be competitive on the world market.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:04 pm