Dodd says 'strong, vibrant' Kennedy wants to return to Senate
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/06/09/art.senkennedy.0609.gi.jpg caption="Senate Democrats are missing the knowledge and passion of their veteran colleague."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) - The Lion of the Senate looks ready to roar again, a colleague says.
Sen. Christopher Dodd told a news conference Tuesday that he dined on Sunday night with Democratic colleague Sen. Edward Kennedy, who is battling brain cancer and has been away from the chamber for months.
"He was strong; he was vibrant," Dodd said of Kennedy, who led the drafting of an initial comprehensive health care reform bill despite his illness. "I very much hope Sen. Kennedy will be back."
Dodd has assumed Senate command of the health care issue in Kennedy's absence, and he said Tuesday that Senate Democrats are missing the knowledge and passion of their veteran colleague.
"He wants to come back and be a part of this, obviously," said Dodd, a close personal friend of Kennedy. Still, Kennedy insists that Congress should act on health care now, whether or not he can be there, according to Dodd.
"He is absolutely adamant that we go forward," Dodd said.
From CNN Politics
- Biden to announce new rules for airlines and travel sites to be more transparent about additional fees
- Want To Travel Practically Free? Get This Card
- DeSantis privately elevates election deniers while publicly staying mum on 2020
- Liz Cheney just gave us a hint about her future political plans
- Biden to host French President Macron at White House for first state dinner
- Supreme Court releases details of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's investiture
Ted needs to retire, focus on his health and meet his grandchildren. Time to give someone else a chance to serve. Is there no one else in Massachusetts qualified to serve in the Senate? I guess Massachusetts voters aren't as smart as I thought if they keep nostaligically re-electing him just to maintain the dynasty.
I'm not much of Kennedy fan but am glad to see he's recovering.
Maybe he is back to accuse Supreme Court nominees of being racists, like he did to (now) Justice Alito when he called him a racist so many times that Mrs. Alito ran from the chamber in tears.
Whatever, this is the problem that keeps this country down. Old farts that just need to hand of the position to someone who will do a better job. Go away Ted.
I have compassion for his illness, but what employer would allow a person to keep their job after missing so much work? He should retire. The Dems won't lose anything because Mass is certain to replace him with another Dem
I am no fan of Ted Kennedy's politics having lived in his state for most of my life. But I wish the Lion well – my father passed from the same form of cancer. Keep fighting!
To Senator Kennedy – Prayers are for you, your family, your loved ones, and your illness that you may continue to do those things you want to do. The Lord is watching over you. He knows what is best for each of us. God Bless You!
I am always amazed that everyone is ready to forgive and forget that Ted Kennedy killed someone and never had to pay for it.
The country no longer belongs to the people. It belongs to the politicians and their "parties." Want to know how business is handled in Washington? Look at Dodd's last-minute midnight coup to include CEO bonuses in the stimulus package. It's not about what the people want. Our elected officials do not represent the will of the people, but instead they represent their own, their party's, and lobbyist interests. This healthcare plan will go through, not because it's for the good of the people, but because that's what Obama and the Democrats want. This will be Kennedy's legacy. As a 20-year healthcare veteran, I shudder at the thought!
huh ? Give Dodd, a co-architect of the credit crisis, the keys to dads new custom heath care ride?
What happy news! Go get 'em, Ted. All the best to you.
Hmmmm…let's see…health care reform is a lifelong pet prject dear to Kennedy's heart. I guess he feels remorse for leaving Mary Jo Kopechne to drown. I can't believe the people of Massachusetts are dumb enough to have let this murderer represent them for all these years. He sure must be laughing at them.
Mary Jo wants to come back to life. TERM LIMITS
Lion!? Give me a break!!
Kennedy is obviously the Hyena of the Senate.
Easily identified by his tendency to steal and scavenge graves for tax dollars. His uncanny ability to devour and digest every part of a carcass, including bone, surely represents the Hyeana well. Not to mention his association with gluttony, uncleanliness and cowardice.
We need health care but it has to be something that will not break the bank.
Should he not be in jail.
With all due respect to Senator Kennedy, isn't this the same Chris Dodd who claimed Fannie, Freddie and the food-stamp mortgage business was "strong and vibrant?"
Senator Kennedy has been a life long supporter of middle class America.
We all wish him good health and a continuation of his fight for a good health plan.
I wonder what Mary Jo koepchne thinks?
Ted's a keeper...
...Let's ALL hope he comes back...
...he's needed...
I feel bad for him but I'm not sure he can do the job. Congress has many challenges ahead of it. It may be time for Ted to step down and let someone else represent Mass.
Here is yet another reason for term limits. Ted Kennedy is well past retirement age and should step down. His health has deteriorated to the point to where he shouldn't be working any more. Time for him to retire and allow somone who can be there for the job to do it.
How stupid can Dodd be? Or should we ask? Kennedy is dying of a brain tumor. Another Democratic spin. Kennedy is a very sick man.
Give it up Ted...Go sailing or take a long drive across a short bridge with your latest bimbo. It is time for all the Kennedy's to crawl back under their rocks and disappear.
Time to retire Sen. Kennedy!