NYT: Kennedy’s Absent Voice on Health Bill Resonates

[Uzybone]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/17/us/politics/17kennedy.html?hp

"WASHINGTON — As a divided Senate tangles over health care legislation, there is bipartisan consensus on one point: Ted Kennedy could make a big difference, if only he were here.
“He would lend a gravitas to the issue that we’re kind of missing right now,” said Senator Tom Harkin, Democrat of Iowa and a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee."

snip

"Colleagues and public officials have also been wary of appearing to be planning for life after Mr. Kennedy — a particularly verboten topic in Massachusetts, where several Democratic members of Congress and possibly members of the Kennedy family could vie for the first Senate seat to come open in that state since John Kerry, the junior senator, was elected in 1984.

Mr. Kennedy’s office says the senator is in touch with his staff and monitoring the progress of health care legislation by phone and C-Span. “He’s doing well, continuing to balance his treatment with his work,” said Mr. Kennedy’s spokeswoman, Melissa Wagoner.

But conversations with friends and colleagues about Mr. Kennedy’s condition now typically include a weary acceptance of the inevitable: that his cancer — whose survival time for people similarly afflicted is typically measured in months, not years, from diagnosis — is taking a mounting toll."

snip

"Aside from Mr. Obama’s determination to deliver comprehensive health care legislation, Mr. Kennedy’s precarious health has created an unspoken urgency.

“We are conscious that it would be appropriate that he should be chairman of this committee when the bill is passed,” said Senator Jack Reed, Democrat of Rhode Island and a member of the health committee."

I hope we get Healthcare reform done soon.

[babylonsister]

1. I'm happy that Sen. Dodd is doing Kennedy's bidding and

troubled that Orrin Hatch isn't. I remember reading that they were such good friends, and had similar concerns.

I do worry about the Liberal Lion's health. He was supposed to be there and he isn't. Not good. Same with Byrd.

[Divine Discontent]

2. yes. and on this we can agree - this country and her people as a majority owe a tremendous debt to

the honorable Senator from Massachusetts.

A very powerful list ---

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3314636

[Uzybone]

5. I'd rec than thread if I still could

great list indeed.

[Divine Discontent]

6. well in your own way, you rec'd it for Teddy just by looking at that impressive list

he is one of a kind, Kerry's also great, the rest of the senate has a few I really respect, like Boxer & Feingold and the new guy from Ohio. The Missouri lady seems pretty good, and hopefully Al will be good too!

[Divine Discontent]

3. speaking of Ted...

this video from Sen. Byrd will always touch many of us ---
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x135671

[Fearless]

4. I don't know...

It may be a good idea for him to appear to step back a bit. News reports have him phoning in his presence. Maybe something behind the scenes is most necessary at this point. Soon, when the bills for the House and Senate are solidified completely and a vote is approaching, I have a feeling we'll need all the strength he has left to get this passed. And a most fitting swan song it would be too.