Kennedy Collapses At Luncheon



(image via turner)

According to BREAKINGNEWS Tweet: "PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA CONFIRMS SENATOR TED KENNEDY HAS COLLAPSED AT THE INAUGURAL LUNCHEON."

We are also hearing it could be Senator Byrd of West Virginia, who is also in poor health.

Patrick Ruffini Tweets: "overheard on police radio 'transport of VIP who is very ill'"

Kennedy, the Senior Senator from Massachusetts and an early Obama supporter was diagnosed with a malignant glioma, or brain tumor last May. Although only 25 to 30 percent of patients survive more than two or three years after diagnosis, Kennedy, it was said, wanted to get through an overhaul of health care under President Obama as his final legacy in the Senate.

UPDATE: Apparently both Kennedy and Byrd needed medical attention. Byrd's required medical attention and soon afterwards Kennedy had a seizure and was taken away, according to George Stephanopoulos, in convulsions. From ABCNews:

"Kennedy was at a table with Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., Vice President Mondale and Mrs. Mondale, and others. While at the table, Kennedy began having seizures that lasted for several minutes. As they were carrying Kennedy out of the room, he was still seizing. President Barack Obama went out of the room with him, but he is back in the luncheon room now.

"We are also told that Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., the oldest member of the Senate, was so upset and distraught from what he had witnessed, that he needed to be taken out. Byrd was conscious when he was taken from the room. The two have been friends for a very, very long time.

"Obama just spoke to the luncheon about Kennedy, appearing extremely sober:

'First of all, I know that while I was out of the room, concern was expressed about Teddy," Obama said. "He was there when the Voting Rights Act passed. And, along with John Lewis, was a warrior for justice. And so I would be lying to you if I did not say that right now a part of me is with him. And I think that is true for all of us. This is a joyous time, but it's also a sobering time. And my prayers are with him and his family and Vicki.'"