August 25, 2008
Posted: August 25th, 2008 07:15 PM ET

From
Sen. Kennedy campaigned for Sen. Obama in February and is eager to do so again.
Sen. Kennedy campaigned for Sen. Obama in February and is eager to do so again.

DENVER, Colorado (CNN) – Despite battling a brain tumor, Sen. Edward Kennedy’s wife told supporters Monday that he is itching to get back on the campaign trail in an effort to help Barack Obama win the presidency.

“Ted is eager to get back on the campaign trail, to elect Barack Obama as President, build a stronger Democratic majority in the Senate, and put America back on track,” Victoria Reggie Kennedy said in an email hours before he was set to attend the Democratic convention.

A tribute video will air tonight celebrating the 76-year-old Democrat’s life. His niece, Caroline Kennedy, will introduce the video.

It is not clear if Kennedy will speak or even take the stage.

UPDATE: The Democratic National Committee has released excerpts from Caroline Kennedy's planned tribute to her uncle. "In our family, he’ll always be known as Uncle Teddy," Kennedy's niece will say. "More than any senator of his generation, or perhaps any generation, Teddy has made life better for people in this country and around the world. For 46 years, he has been so much more than just a Senator for the people of Massachusetts, he’s been a Senator for all who believe in a dream that’s never died."

Filed under: Barack Obama • Ted Kennedy


linnet mohabeer   August 25th, 2008 11:03 pm ET

Michelle's speech was heartfelt and she also looked very pretty. She has a first lady look. great speech indeed. The message was clearly sent.

linnet mohabeer   August 25th, 2008 11:01 pm ET

Michelle's speech was heartfelt and she also looked very pretty. She senthas a first lady look. great speech indeed. The message was clearly

Wisest one of All   August 25th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

Wrong Naddy. America loving Cindy McCain would make a better first lady than America hating piece of trash Michelle Nobama. Proven fact!

Farrell, Houston, Tx   August 25th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

LET'S WIN THIS ONE FOR TEDDY.

FayTx   August 25th, 2008 10:07 pm ET

Jim Warner He's an embarrasment to my party. Go home Ted, retire and enjoy what time you have left.....Jim you are such a kind person
PEACE!!
May GOD continue to Bless you and your Family Senator Kennedy !!!
GOD Bless America!!!

EqualBranchesofGovernment   August 25th, 2008 9:47 pm ET

Go Teddy.....Thanks for making the trip to Denver with your illness. That speech was amazing!!

deborah kent   August 25th, 2008 9:31 pm ET

he who is without sin cast the first stone ,senator kenndy is not perfect
he made a big mistake early on in his career he also spent a life time
trying to pay for it i think we do need him as the elder statesman
to pull the party togetherwe need his wisdom at this time and we need ly to hear him listen and to do what he says we do not
want to lose this election because of division because of hillary supports are still sore if tthe shoe were on the other foot i am sure
would be supporting hillary whole heartdly

NADDY   August 25th, 2008 9:30 pm ET

Cindy McCain, the delicate hot house orchid who was born with a silver spoon in her mouth...can you imagine her as first lady?
God help us all.

Gayle   August 25th, 2008 9:24 pm ET

History will remember the Kennedy name....Bush who?
GOD BLESS TED.
OBAMA IN 2008!

TXBad1 Never for Obama (X-Dem)   August 25th, 2008 9:16 pm ET

Kennedy, wow what an endorsement, Just what Obama needs that will really help Him, But in what who knows ! McCain all the way 2008 and Hillary in 2012

anonymous   August 25th, 2008 9:10 pm ET

God Bless Senator Kennedy and the entire Kenndey Klan.

Independant Thinker   August 25th, 2008 9:07 pm ET

Ted needs to take care of himself and leave Obama to fight for himself, or the stress of the campaign trail will do him in.

vw   August 25th, 2008 9:02 pm ET

So sad to know the legacy of a nominee need to strengten by anailing elder. It will be a disaster in American's history.

JWC   August 25th, 2008 8:54 pm ET

Because your high moral standards are clearly going to help Obama Kennedy. Keep shooting yourself in the foot Barack...

Pat H,Atlanta   August 25th, 2008 8:54 pm ET

Let me add THANK YOU Senator Kennedy and GOD BLESS YOU. please know we appreciate all you and your family have done for our nation, and because of your efforts. We can enjoy such a historic occasion.

Diane Dagenais Turbide   August 25th, 2008 8:52 pm ET

Hi Jack,

this will be a very emotional moment in history. It is the recognition that young and old can work together for a better dream, for a better vision, for a better America at home and abroad. It is Sincerely felt the authenticity of such uniting force at work! God Bless you!

Wisest one of All   August 25th, 2008 8:50 pm ET

Sorry Alvin. Cindy would destroy Michelle Nobama just by not being ashamed of the U.S. Proven fact!

Madge D.   August 25th, 2008 8:47 pm ET

Thank you, Senator Kennedy, for your dedicated service to our country and the world. You have truly been blessed to be a blessing to so many of us. God bless you for having the courage to be a strong resounding voice for the rights of those who without your help would have never been heard. You and your family are much loved by a very grateful nation.

Lucy   August 25th, 2008 8:45 pm ET

This is a wonderful country we live in, we are all blessed to be living here. The sad part is we have McCain and Obama running for President and I can't find it in my heart to vote for either one of them. They both scare me.

Jim Warner   August 25th, 2008 8:42 pm ET

He's an embarrasment to my party. Go home Ted, retire and enjoy what time you have left.

I LOVE AMERICA / OBAMA/CLITON/BIDEN ALLAINCE -FROM RENO   August 25th, 2008 8:35 pm ET

ALL I CAN SAY IS GOOD BLESS YOU TED KEEP DOING THE GOOD WORK AND STANDING FOR THE LESS PRIVILAGE. AND ALSO WISH YOU A GREAT HEALTH.

OBAMA/BIDEN 08
CLINTON WILL HELP OBAMA CHAMPION THE HEALTH FOR ALL AMERICANS

Billie Delawie   August 25th, 2008 8:35 pm ET

Does anybody know when the video/tribute to Kennedy is scheduled? I think it's tonight, Monday–but can't find a time listed.

Sherry, Atlanta   August 25th, 2008 8:32 pm ET

GOD BLESS YOU, SENATOR KENNEDY.

AND THANKS FOR EVERYTHING. YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!

OBAMA/BIDEN '08-'12

Omeili   August 25th, 2008 8:31 pm ET

Senator Kennedy is just like a father to Obama, it will be helpfull to Obama and the Democrats if come out to campaign. As long as it does not affect his health let him do what ever it takes to see Obama win for the sake of American People and the World.

May God bless him and help him come out of this illness.

Nia Hussein- Phoenix, AZ   August 25th, 2008 8:31 pm ET

Get in there and smack some of these delegates around Ed. they are acting like kids and need to be put on time out

alvin   August 25th, 2008 8:29 pm ET

When are we going to have a debate between the candidates` spouses? Michelle Obama versus Cindy McCain.

Michelle(Havard educated lawyer) will floor Cindy. This will be fun to watch. You all know that.

Humberto   August 25th, 2008 8:26 pm ET

Hope Kennedy's doing well, but I am still voting McCain primarily due to his economic policies, Obama's dont make sense... I voted for Hillary, but I think I still would of decided to change my vote to McCain had she been the nominee. Her or Obama's asperations are of no importance to me as a voter.

Democrat for McCain

rachae   August 25th, 2008 8:21 pm ET

I am really glad that he is doing better and feels up to supporting Obama. I really appreciate all he and his family has done.

rachae   August 25th, 2008 8:20 pm ET

I am really glad that he is doing better and feels up to supporting Obama. I really appreciate all he and his family has done.

Donna from Colorado Springs   August 25th, 2008 8:20 pm ET

God bless Teddy Kennedy and I hope he can recover from this terrible illness. We love you Senator Kennedy!

Mika, OK   August 25th, 2008 8:15 pm ET

Thank you and God Bless You Mr. Kennedy.

ANGIE   August 25th, 2008 8:15 pm ET

God bless you mr kennedy i knew you wouldnt miss this for barack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we know you want him to be president!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Patrick   August 25th, 2008 8:13 pm ET

Bring out the violins....Great Strategy...this will give the Dem's a bump. Go Obama!

MikeH   August 25th, 2008 8:12 pm ET

Good article. Time has been rough on Ted, but then Ted has had some vices.... He is a good speaker and his heart is in the right place.

Now if this story had been written by Chris Welch, an obvious CNNRepublican operative wrirting for The Ticker, it would have probably attacked Ted in some way..

Cynthia   August 25th, 2008 8:11 pm ET

I hope that Senator Kennedy will be able to make an appearance but if not we all know that he will be there in spirit. May God bless you, Senator Kennedy.

Earl   August 25th, 2008 8:04 pm ET

A TRUE WARRIOR..

jeanette from Charlotte   August 25th, 2008 8:02 pm ET

God bless Ted Kennedy. Maybe now we'll hear something about Senator Obama.
I'll tell you what CNN needs to do... stop spending all the convention time talking about the Clintons!
This IS Obamas convention and we're not hearing anything about him at all!

Jody from california   August 25th, 2008 8:01 pm ET

Mr. Kennedy, all I can say to you is thank you, thank you, and if anyone
can win this battle your in its YOU!!!!! G O D Bless you!

Independent-Latina-for-OBAMA   August 25th, 2008 8:00 pm ET

GOD BLESS YOU, TEDDY KENNEDY AND YOUR FAMILY.......... YOU ARE THE TRUE SERVANTS OF OUR NATION!

AND TO SEN. OBAMA & SEN. BIDEN........ AS DON QUIXOTE SAYS

"ONWARD TO GLORY!"

Republicans for Obama   August 25th, 2008 7:55 pm ET

Support his political positions or not, but you have to admire and respect the man.

Truth   August 25th, 2008 7:55 pm ET

I want to see the Obama kids grow up in the White House like John John and Caroline did.

Judy   August 25th, 2008 7:54 pm ET

That's pathetic.

Nancy in CT   August 25th, 2008 7:53 pm ET

Senator Kennedy ~ I am glad you are feeling well enough to attend the convention (although I think it would have taken wild horses to keep you away), and I pray that you will be the voice of unity in this extremely critical election!

May God bless you in your journey and your treatment!

AKRON, OHIO OBOMA SUPPORTER   August 25th, 2008 7:52 pm ET

LOVE YOU TED

Jack   August 25th, 2008 7:52 pm ET

May God continue to help you Ted. You and I continue to fight our battle together.

Peter (CA)   August 25th, 2008 7:51 pm ET

Though there have been rough spots, Sen. Kennedy has been a true champion of the average American for so long. I wish him nothing but the best.

A Woman In California For Obama   August 25th, 2008 7:47 pm ET

Say what you want about the Kennedy's but man are the tough. They can take a licking and keep on ticking.

Go Ted! He probably doesn't want to sit around all day feeling sorry for himself.

Willy   August 25th, 2008 7:45 pm ET

Have a drink or 3 Teddy.

Marie   August 25th, 2008 7:44 pm ET

Ted Kennedy and the entire Kennedy family.......American Treasures. God Bless them all!

Ex-Republican for Obama   August 25th, 2008 7:43 pm ET

The Kennedy's truely are the greatest family to ever serve our country. What they have sacrificed in order to give us what we enjoy today, is nothing short of saintly. Not only do I thank you Mr. Kennedy, but I thank the entire legacy of your great family.

To every Mr. and/or Ms. Kennedy, thank you!

TexasWoman4Change!   August 25th, 2008 7:40 pm ET

Our prayers are with you! Keep up the good work! Continue to fight the good fight of faith. You are the champion for so many who were unable to champion their own cause. We love and thank God for you!
We are praying for you!

NORA, FLORIDA   August 25th, 2008 7:40 pm ET

CMON Kennedy. Bring the Seasoning that this convention needs to show that the DEMS will have it together!!!!

KATHLEEN   August 25th, 2008 7:38 pm ET

Senator Kennedy, you are to be commended for choosing to
attend the convention. You are my hero. You and your family has
served our country well. I love the Kennedys.
I hope you get well because the world is a better place because
you are here with us.
Obama-Biden ALL THE WAY!!!!

CM   August 25th, 2008 7:37 pm ET

Atta boy Teddy!!! Don't risk too much though.

Show those PUMAS and other closet Repubs some real courage!

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