May 20, 2008
Posted: May 20th, 2008 01:40 PM ET

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(CNN) - Senate Democrats and Republicans were in their weekly closed policy lunches in the Capitol when the news broke about Sen. Ted Kennedy. Majority Leader Reid announced the news to his Democratic colleagues. The wind was taken out of the room, said one senator. There was “stunned silence,” said another.

Capitol police officers and Senate staffers gathered around TVs just off the Senate floor and watched the breaking news on CNN.

Kennedy friend Sen. John Kerry, D-Massachusetts, arrived late and entered a back door to the lunch. He looked drained. He declined to comment about the news except to nod yes when asked if he had spoken to Kennedy’s family.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Iillinois another close friend, spoke quietly on his cell phone just outside the lunch. He looked emotional when he hung up and told a reporter, "I can’t say anything,” as he returned to the lunch.

Sen. Kent Conrad, D-North Dakota, predicted if anyone could overcome the illness Kennedy would. “Look what he’s been through in his life,“ Conrad said.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg D-New Jersey, said “Ted Kennedy makes the Senate the place that it is and has for so many years.”

Filed under: Ted Kennedy


Independant   May 20th, 2008 6:22 pm ET

Can't wait for the day when he kicks it. Drunk.

yvonne kelly   May 20th, 2008 5:57 pm ET

senator kennedy i pray that god will heal you in accordance to his will. with him all things are possible

Nouri Akli   May 20th, 2008 4:48 pm ET

Mr. Ted Kennedy ROCKS! He has and will still work tirelessly for the people in this country. He is a good guy among snakes.

LLC   May 20th, 2008 4:45 pm ET

God's Sped. I will always wished you didn;t endorse Obama but I do understand why. I never knew life in politics without you but after John Jr terrible death,,,the Family had you to rely on. Thank-you

???   May 20th, 2008 4:26 pm ET

I don't care who you are or what your political beliefs are, cancer is very scary and this man and anyone with this atrocious disease needs our help.

Mike Smith   May 20th, 2008 4:11 pm ET

Shame on elements of the GOP that made Kennedy into a bogeyman. Get used to it America, liberal is not a bad word. I hope these people are feeling guilty.

hrao   May 20th, 2008 4:07 pm ET

May be there is some cure that is available for this type of cancer. Good luck

Stephen from TN   May 20th, 2008 4:06 pm ET

God bless you Teddy....We will continue your fight.

A CANUCK   May 20th, 2008 3:59 pm ET

Ted Kennedy is tough and has his faith and family to give him support . Our thoughts and prayers are also with him.

Oregon   May 20th, 2008 3:55 pm ET

I am deeply saddened by this news, but am confident in Ted's courage & strength to pull through. This man has been an absolutely remarkable public servant to our country...he deserves our utmost respect and appreciation for his tireless fight for all of us over the years!

Get well soon, Senator...this country needs your leadership now more than ever.

George Ebong   May 20th, 2008 3:51 pm ET

Get well soon Senator Ted Kennedy. We will be praying for you. I am not an American but I have learned a lot from you. God bless you.

William Courtland North43ºWest93º   May 20th, 2008 3:50 pm ET

Cancer doesn't just happen; it has an environmental cause(s) which results in the specific cellular mutation or disorganization.

To cure Cancer: society must investigate and mark these causes then prevent them from entering the biosphere in the future.

In the case of many cancers found throughout the body I blame the the catalyst used for mental inception. We can not remove the cause unless we can find it, and cancers can stem from many locations; one benefit of public health care would be a public data bank for patient history and thus greater probability of root cause diagnosis. A constitutional amendment is required to enact federal healthcare.

As for cancers themselves: the cause remarks upon the type, and the type will respond differently to different treatments.

America's best doctors should be volunteering to aide of the recovery of the Senator.

junebug   May 20th, 2008 3:44 pm ET

Wishing you well Teddy.

VJmem   May 20th, 2008 3:39 pm ET

May the family have the faith and strength needed to endure this process. God be with you.

God Bless!   May 20th, 2008 3:37 pm ET

Having had the HONOR to have shaken the hands of both your brothers JOHN (Fort Brag, N.C.) and ROBERT (N.Y.C.) I extend my hand to you in prayer that you´ll soon recover. All the best to you and family.

Go Obama 08/12   May 20th, 2008 3:37 pm ET

Ted Kennedy Family and extended family .
It is with Hope ,Yes We Can ,you have been a fighter for us all these years now with all our thoughts and prayers we will have you back in the Senate soon.

Feel like an extended member though never met you I am 78 years.

ronald bernard   May 20th, 2008 3:37 pm ET

he is a fighter and im sure will be with us for a long time may the entire countries paryer and will wishes be there to help give him the strenght to deal with this and may the godes above watch ever him and give aid and comfort to him and his wife and family

time to put a candel in the window to watch over him in this his hour of need god bless him

Ted   May 20th, 2008 3:35 pm ET

Senator Ted Kennedy, just like his beloved brothers and family, is highly respected and admired around the world. Our prayers and thoughts are with you, Senator. May God provide you with quick recovery. We want to see you back in the Senate chambers very soon.

Damian Salter   May 20th, 2008 3:34 pm ET

Sad news.. but he's not dead.
He's an old boy, 'Stunned silence' , is a little melodramatic.

I wish him well.

Conniel   May 20th, 2008 3:34 pm ET

S. Kennedy wis a great leader and a great person who's done more for this county than many politicians. My prayers go out to him and his family.

randy   May 20th, 2008 3:30 pm ET

Your the best senator.

BHO   May 20th, 2008 3:28 pm ET

I hope Kenneday will come back!

Lorna, NY   May 20th, 2008 3:27 pm ET

My heart is broken...

PRinNJ   May 20th, 2008 3:24 pm ET

Whether you agree or disagree with his politics and stands, Senator Kennedy has shown integrity and strength over the years. He is truly a lion of the senate. May God be with him and his family.

Ric   May 20th, 2008 3:24 pm ET

GOOD FOR HIM!!

stop the madness   May 20th, 2008 3:24 pm ET

PRAY AND HAVE FAITH!!!!!

AND BY GOD I WISH THE MEDIA WOULD STOP ACTING LIKE HE IS ALREADY DEAD OR DYING!! YOU ALL GO TOO FAR IN YOUR REPORTING OF THIS, IT'S AS IF YOUR TALKING ABOUT HIM IN PAST TENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!

PRAY AND BELIEVE!!!!

SENATOR KENNEDY & FAMILY WE LOVE YOU!!!

KIKI   May 20th, 2008 3:24 pm ET

who cares, next.

Aaron   May 20th, 2008 3:22 pm ET

Few people in the history of our government have done as much to help the less fortunate in our nation as Sen. Kennedy. God speed to a full recovery.

Gillian   May 20th, 2008 3:22 pm ET

I am sorry that Mr. Kennedy is facing yet another tough time in his life. Our thoughts are with you, sir.

Ostriches burying our heads in the sand   May 20th, 2008 3:20 pm ET

My best wishes are with Sen. Kennedy and his family in this difficult hour...May he get better soon!

Allan   May 20th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

America is holding you close in her thoughts and prayers.

taylor richmond virginia   May 20th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

You have done alot of great things for alot of people in this country. stay strong.

Marilyn   May 20th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

Ted Kennedy is the very definition of what a "public servant" should be. Thank you Senator Kennedy for your years of service to this country and may God be with you.

bridgette   May 20th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

Let's pray for him and his family. He has had a great life. He was blessed out of his brothers to live a full and long life. Even from some of his nephews. So we should be rejoicing. Everyone will have a homegoing and he has had a wonderful life. I pray for his family to have strength.

Randy M   May 20th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

God be with you and your family Mr. Kennedy. Whether you like his politics or not, he has been a faithful servant of our nation. Get well soon.

Aaron   May 20th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

Senator Kennedy has been in the senate for as long as I and my mother have been alive, and we are all wishing him a complete recovery from this tumor. You can make it, Senator! We believe in you!

Colleen, Madison, WI   May 20th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

Very few people born to privelege have cared so much for the many who were not. Mr. Senator, I wish you the best – as you have given to your country.

Kentucky   May 20th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

Today is a very sad day for many Americans. Senator Kennedy has been on the battle field for the homeless, children, and all of those that could not /cannot battle the system. Get well soon the people of this country needs you.

matilda Johnson   May 20th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

I am sadden by this news. I wish him well.

Danielle for Obama   May 20th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

hang on senator!
We need you!

Toronto Observer   May 20th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

Ted Kennedy has faced challenges in life that would have crushed many, and through it all he has displayed the greatest face of what makes us human: to learn from our mistakes, rise above our personal tragedies, and place the welfare of others above our own. A true leader who throughout his years of public service, has remained the conscience of U.S. Government – oft stating the truth that no one else wants to hear and challenging many to find the courage to listen. Although he has already written an amazing legacy and lived a truly enlightened life, his presence remains necessary as the country moves toward what may well be a golden age. He remains in our prayers.

Jagdish , Vancouver,Canada   May 20th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

he is a fighter and a survivor...he will do both.

Mary   May 20th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

May God hear all of our prayers for strength for Senator Kennedy and his family during this struggle. May God cure him and reward him with many more years.

God Bless you, Senator Kennedy and your family as well.

PDT; Austin, Texas   May 20th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

We love you Senator and all you do for our country. My heart goes out to you and your lovely family.

May God Bless and Comfort you; in Jesus name I Pray, AMEN.

Nelson   May 20th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

Senator Kennedy...May God bless you and provide you and your family with the strength and faith to get through this.

Sifa   May 20th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

God bless you Senator Kennedy and I pray God to give you a full recovery. This country needs your leadership now than ever.

Joe, Boston   May 20th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

He would not have won his re-election bid anyway. After the way he treated Hillary Clinton he turned a lot of MA residents off big time. I wish him the best but glad that we will finally have new blood in the Senate from this state.

Cindy Miller   May 20th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

God bless you and your family as you deal with this health crisis. Stay prayerful...

petra   May 20th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

Senator this wont be the end of the world,, for you,,,God will see you through ,,we keep our fingers crossed here in europe and we pray for you,,,,God will answer us,,,you are blessed,,

Misty   May 20th, 2008 3:02 pm ET

You can beat this. We all know you can and will. We have made progress in cancer research.

WFK   May 20th, 2008 3:00 pm ET

My thoughts and prayers are with the Senator and his family. He has been at the center of American Life since my birth in 1950. May God be good to him and to his family. And may God continue to bless America.

Gregory H. Brooklyn New York   May 20th, 2008 2:59 pm ET

Senator Kennedy, God answers prayers, and someone in Brooklyn, New York is praying for you. Don't worry, you'll see President Barack Obama.

Ross   May 20th, 2008 2:59 pm ET

I have watched Sen. Kennedy's courageous fights in the Senate from my home in Kentucky for my entire life. He is a source of inspiration to people around the world, but particularly to this liberal in a red state who learned from Sen. Kennedy to get up a fight even in the face of long odds. He's in my prayers.

Latin Momma for Obama   May 20th, 2008 2:56 pm ET

Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family,

Low   May 20th, 2008 2:55 pm ET

May God Bless Seantor Kennedy and his family. Our thought s and prayers are wirh you.

Adam   May 20th, 2008 2:54 pm ET

Best wishes to the Kennedy family and a speedy recovery to the the Senator.

Lyonel.   May 20th, 2008 2:53 pm ET

My thoughts and prayers go to the Kennedy family in this tought time.

jonathan with cancer   May 20th, 2008 2:52 pm ET

cnn
I want to know how this man got treated at the hospital so fast ...It took my doctors 4 months to find out that i had a brain tumor ....I wanna know why the america political system has better health care than me ...Iam sorry the man might have a tumor .....but iam still upset on the prefrencail treatments of politions ..I wonder that he might phone call after phone of bill collectors

WeLuvObama   May 20th, 2008 2:50 pm ET

Stay strong Senator. We are praying that God gives you a speedy recover. If anyone can beat this thing, you can!.

Kiah   May 20th, 2008 2:49 pm ET

This news is extremely troublesome and I am praying he makes a speedy recovery.

Frank, San Diego   May 20th, 2008 2:48 pm ET

Hang in there, Senator. America needs you, perhaps now more than at any other time in your life.

Bukky   May 20th, 2008 2:47 pm ET

It's amazing the level of emotion that people are feeling about this... I hope he pulls through

AL   May 20th, 2008 2:47 pm ET

I am from way out west and lean too the right in just about everything politically. Even I wish Ted Kennedy the very best of comfort and a full recovery if possible. A very intelligent man and an institution !

James   May 20th, 2008 2:47 pm ET

I hope he gets better. I will put him in my prayers.

Kimberly from Dallas   May 20th, 2008 2:45 pm ET

Sen. Ted Kennedy I am praying for you! You are an amazing public servant and a caring man! God is watching over you and your family!

God bless you.

Remi N.(Atlanta)   May 20th, 2008 2:42 pm ET

All prayers for Senator Ted. Kennedy. God is in control, He will be fine in Jesus Name.

I Pray he gets better   May 20th, 2008 2:41 pm ET

He has served his country for a long time, my prayers are with the family.

Amateur   May 20th, 2008 2:41 pm ET

A great American. No matter your political leaning it's hard not to have but the utmost respect for this GREAT CHAMPION. He will pull through this. My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends

mmartin arkansaw   May 20th, 2008 2:41 pm ET

WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU!

Greg in DC   May 20th, 2008 2:40 pm ET

My heart goes out to the Kennedy family. I wish Senator Kennedy a speedy recovery. He is such an icon in Washington's political surroundings.

Brigitta   May 20th, 2008 2:39 pm ET

I am stunned and heart-broken. My thoughts and prayers are with Senator Kennedy and the Kennedy family. I am just saddened to the deepest core of my heart right now. I love Senator Kennedy, he is a man of great honor. My best wishes and deepest reguard to him and the Kennedy family.

Brigitta
Georgia

H-ROD   May 20th, 2008 2:39 pm ET

We wish him all the best ! and we pray that he gets better !!!!

Heather   May 20th, 2008 2:39 pm ET

I hope the seizure was any early warning sign allowing for the most successful of treatment. He has spent his life doing the peoples work and living out the duties that his brothers never had the chance perform. He carries America on his shoulders and in his heart and on his mind. He is a great American and he will fight for his good health as he has fought for others to have access to good health care.

Will   May 20th, 2008 2:38 pm ET

Best of luck, Teddy.

think people   May 20th, 2008 2:37 pm ET

My prayers goes out to the Senator and his family at this time. He has been a lion in the Senate for the people.

pam Eugene OR   May 20th, 2008 2:36 pm ET

God help him and he is in prayers. This man has done much good for our country.

geoff   May 20th, 2008 2:36 pm ET

A very tragic turn of events for one of the leading political figures of our time. Love him or hate him, this sad news prompts all good Americans to pause and offer a prayer for Sen. Kennedy and his family.

dee   May 20th, 2008 2:35 pm ET

god bless you Ted all of America is praying for you and the family

Karen in Cape Cod   May 20th, 2008 2:34 pm ET

Senator Kennedy is in my thoughts and prayers. I have not always agreed with him on issues, but GREATLY ADMIRE and RESPECT this INCREDIBLE public servant and leader! God Bless him!

HSNP   May 20th, 2008 2:33 pm ET

It's very sad. I hope he'll be alright.

Corey   May 20th, 2008 2:33 pm ET

Clearly this is not a good day. We should all take the time to pray for Senator Kennedy and his family and hope for a recovery. I have always admired him for the work he has done in the U.S. Senate for the past 46 years and he is without a doubt one of the greatest leaders of our country.

Denise   May 20th, 2008 2:33 pm ET

God bless him.

beth   May 20th, 2008 2:31 pm ET

The capitol is stunned as will the rest of the world be, when the news is all over. It is horrible news for Ted Kennedy and I hope that he and his family will get through this healthy and happy. He's a survivor in so many ways and we need him in our government in any capacity he can be. Godspeed on your recovery Uncle Teddy!

D.Kimbro OHIO   May 20th, 2008 2:31 pm ET

GOD BLESS YOU Mr. Senator. Thank you for all of your many contributions to our nation. I pray that you will have a speedy recovery and that your family will find comfort.

Tenerife   May 20th, 2008 2:31 pm ET

My warmest and sincerst wishes to Ted Kennedy and Family. Wish a positive and healthy recovery.

God Bless Ted Kennedy and family

Tenerife   May 20th, 2008 2:30 pm ET

My warmest and suncerst wishes to Ted kennedy and Family. Wish a positive and healthy recovery.

God Bless Ted Kennedy and family.

Patrick Purcell   May 20th, 2008 2:28 pm ET

Get better Sen. Kennedy, best wishes to you. You are a good man and I hope you get well.

AJ   May 20th, 2008 2:27 pm ET

Although he and I did not see eye to eye on a lot of issues, I recognize what a huge player he has been in Washington.

This is very sad news. I hope the best for him and his family, and they will be in my prayers.

Jazzy   May 20th, 2008 2:26 pm ET

Washington Democrats and Republicans: Pull yourselves together and pray for this Senator who has given so much of himself to out country. Greather is he that is in Senator Kennedy than he that is in the world. God is a healer and He will not withhold any good thing from Senator Kennedy if he puts his trust in God. My prayers and my heart is with the Kennedy family. My family loves and respects all that the Kennedy family has done to make this country a better place to live.

SEB   May 20th, 2008 2:26 pm ET

My heart and prayers go out to the Kennedy family. This is truely a sad day. Mr. Kennedy is a fixture in American politics and because of his service, this Country continues to be a global powerhouse.

Stacy Clarks   May 20th, 2008 2:26 pm ET

may GOD be with the Kennedys!!!

Ruth Crocker Garland, TX   May 20th, 2008 2:26 pm ET

My prayers are with Sen. Ted Kennedy and his whole family. This is a terrible blow to someone who has been so caring and protective of his family. Even though John and Robert were real "heroes" in their own right, it has been Ted who has endured and been like a real rock to his family and admirers. He has always displayed a lionlike leadership. Bless you, Sen. Ted Kennedy..........Ruth Crocker, Garland, TX.

Capt. Smash, Salt Lake City, Utah   May 20th, 2008 2:22 pm ET

God Bless you Ted I will pray for you and your family!

Cathy   May 20th, 2008 2:22 pm ET

All Americans, please keep the Senator and his family in your thoughts and prayers to give them the strength to overcome this tragic news.

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