Senator Ted Kennedy Stricken During President Obama's Luncheon

Just before 3 p.m. eastern time on Tuesday, one of the greatest senators of our time, Edward Kennedy, was taken from the luncheon after the inauguration of President Barack Obama. I saw him earlier at the inauguration and he looked terrific. I would never peg him as being a man who has a terminal brain tumor. Dressed in a hat and bright blue scarf he was laughing and looked strong.

We wouldn't have known if President Obama hadn't said that his thoughts are with "him and his wife Vickie." So mentioning his wife it was easy for the press to know who was being referred to.

In Denver, he was taken to the hospital during the Democratic National Convention, and it turned out that the incident was "just" a man in poor health who had a long trip. Chris Matthews was reporting at the time and was praising Ted Kennedy.

He mentioned that Senator Kennedy is a loyal uncle and a father figure who was always there for his family and who would come to the aid of whomever needs him. He was taken out on a gurney.

Keith Olbermann reported that both Kennedy and Senator Byrd were stricken during the luncheon. Senator Kennedy was having convulsions. Senator Byrd was having trouble eating but it seems to be a minor event for Senator Byrd which happened earlier during the luncheon. It was reported that the ambulances had not been heard leaving.

Olbermann continued that the day of celebration has been tempered. Whatever you think of the Kennedy's and I know that many really don't like them perhaps it is because I am from Boston or perhaps it is because I salute their community service when they could sit on their laurels of a lot of money and do nothing.

Howard Fineman from Newsweek Magazine reported by phone during MSNBC's broadcast. He was briefed that as dessert was being served, Senator Byrd became ill and was in discomfort. He is in his 90s and very frail. Medical personnel escorted him out. Just moments later Senator Kennedy had convulsions and medical staff came in. He was in a wheelchair at the time which reclined into a medical type of gurney. It was said that the people in the room stood in silence during this time.

It's being reported on MSNBC that Chris Mathews was doing a panel at New York University when he and others learned about Kennedy's first attacks. Later on Kennedy was in great spirits and many of us saw him boating at his home on Cape Cod. He was looking forward to this day. Kennedy, a long time friend of the Clintons came out and supported Barack Obama for the Presidency of the United States.

Congressman John Lewis said that Kennedy was eating lunch and there were problems. He seemed to be doing much better by the time he got into the ambulance.

When Kennedy was stricken President Obama was quickly escorted out of the hall.

Source:msnbc