[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/05/22/art.obama.ap.jpg caption="Obama will deliver Wesleyan's commencement address."](CNN) - Barack Obama will take Sen. Ted Kennedy's place in delivering the commencement address at Wesleyan University this Sunday.
According to Kennedy's Senate Office, Obama offered to take the Massachusetts senator's place earlier this week after Kennedy was diagnosed with brain cancer.
"Senator Kennedy accepted knowing it would be an historic opportunity for the school and all those attending, including his daughter Caroline Raclin who is graduating and his son Ted Jr. who is attending his reunion," Kennedy's office said in a statement. "He's enormously grateful to Senator Obama and the support he's received from all of his colleagues this last week.”
WHAT A DISGRACE. TO USE SOMEONES ILLNESS TO GET FREE ADVERTISING. BARACK OBAMA WILL DO ANYTHING TO GET ELECTED.
Way to go Barack!!!!!
Obama '08 – '12
and you want this person as president. Using Mr. Kennedy's illness to campaign. This person would not go to his white mothers bedside as she lay dying. I will do what ever I can to help keep this person out of the white house.
A fine way for Obama to Honour Ted Kennedy and to highlight to critical role of education and public service in fulfilling the American Dream.
Mike
Yes there will be another Kennedy Yes there will be anothe King yes there will be another Mother Teresa , Yes there will be another Obama, will the next one be YOUR son or Your daughter character matters..................
I would have loved to have had Obama as my commencement speaker!!! Lucky those who are graduating from Wesleyan this year!!
Go Obama!!
Bravo Obama! Kennedy we're pulling for you!!!!
IndyVoter
EVERYONE NEEDS A FRIEND LIKE OBAMA. I AM 82 YEARS YOUNG AND I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF PRESIDENTS COME AND GO BUT I HAVE NEVER FELT SO STRONGLY ABOUT A CANDIDATE IN ANY ELECTION. HE IS A VERY VERY OUTSTANDING YOUNG MAN.
God Bless you all. That is some nice what Sen.Obama is doing, this is what America needs in a President. God Bless you all and family.
Good for Obama. He is our next president.
Barack – An admirable act to do this despite your hectic Schedule.
Bill Clinton would have asked for a MILLION for such a speech. And you are doing it FREE as a show of appreciation to Kennedy
My admiration for you has DOUBLED just now.
An offer to helpo a friend meet a commitment and he is slammed as disgraceful and self serving!
Guess the followers of Hillary have grown so used to her distortions of reality that they see an attack in every thing done. Too bad for them they have lost their humanity in the quest to annoint their leader.
Mr. Obama thank you for offering to help a friend, I am sure he, and the school appreciate it.
God Bless, Senator Kennedy. Thanks Senator Obama for being a good friend!! Great character.
WHAT A DISGRACE. TO USE SOMEONES ILLNESS TO GET FREE ADVERTISING. BARACK OBAMA WILL DO ANYTHING TO GET ELECTED.
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Senator Kennedy is GRATEFUL to Obama for this kind gesture and support, actually. Seriously, READ before you WRITE. You're obviously a misinformed citizen.
Has he ever heard of waiting to be asked. Maybe Wesleyan did not want him. He is so arrogant. Pushing himself into people's faces. What a jerk.
I wonder if ted asked Mary Jo Koepeckne what she thinks?
Thank you Senator Ted Kennedy, your support for Senator Barack Obama has reaffirmed my steadfast support for him also.
My prayers are with you and your family!!
God Bless!
WE ARE SO PROUD OF SEN.OBAMA, TRULY SON OF
AMERICA, THAT SOMETIMES WE SIT HERE WITH TEARS
IN OUR EYE. GOOD GOING SON. WE LOVE YOU.
God Bless America, Obama & Ted Kennedy!
Barack Obama reminds people of the John f. Kennedy alot. I think its a big sign that he is ready to be commander in chief of our great country ! If this is Gods willing, nothing will stop barack!
God bless barack obama our next president!
What an opportunist.
Clinton is campaigning on counting every single vote. But also that every Democratic delegate should be focused on who can win in November.
Obama is campaign on disenfranchising voters so he can win, regardless of whether he's got the strongest case for November, which he does not.
Judgment to lead, even when its hard!!!
Hillary went to Wellesley, not Wesleyan (there seems to be some confusion in the comments).
I cried. This must be very touching for Barack Obama. The best way to be a friend is to let someone be a friend.
Why Obama? Why not Robert Kennedy, Jr.?
Poor choice.