Briefly mentioning the health care reform efforts, the President said the Senate – once again – is engaged in another important battle, “the cause of Ted Kennedy’s life” and lamented that Kennedy is missing the final stage of reform.
“He has been so sorely missed in this debate – especially now that we’re closer than we’ve ever been to passing real health reform.”
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The Presidents said the Senate so often these days have been more polarized and conformational, working against what Kennedy loved the Senate to be: a place of community and comrade where Senators worked collectively.
“Still I know that many of us, from both parties, share Ted’s sentiment that something vital about the Senate has been lost. What once was a more personal and collegial place has become more polarized and more confrontational. Gone sometimes it that deeper understanding in one another, that there are great battles to be won and great battles to be waged, but not against the person on the other side of the aisle. But rather to be waged on behalf of the country.”
more:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/10/obama-kennedy-sorely-missed-in-health-care-debate.html