Obama mourns Kennedy, greatest senator of our time (251 hits)

CHILMARK, Mass. – A grieving President Barack Obama paid tribute to Sen. Edward M. Kennedy Wednesday, calling him a colleague, counselor and friend who etched his place in history as a "singular figure" on the American political landscape. "Even though we knew this day was coming, we awaited it with no small amout of dread," Obama said."For his family, he was a guardian. For America, he was a defender of a dream."

Wednesday morning's brief remarks by Obama, appearing tieless and coatless at a makeshift podium on the grass outside his rented compound on the island of Martha's Vineyard, were delayed several times as he and aides polished it. Obama had been awakened at his vacation home on this island off Massachusetts by a top aide just after 2 a.m. EDT and told of Kennedy's death. He spoke with the senator's widow, Victoria, around 2:25 a.m...

Vice President Joe Biden, diverged from planned remarks at an Energy Department event to talk at length — fighting tears the whole time — about his friend and colleague of many decades in the Senate. "I truly, truly am distressed by his passing," Biden said haltingly. "You know, Teddy spent a lifetime working for a fair and more just America. For 36 years, I had the privilege of going to work every day and sitting next to him and being witness to history. ... He restored my sense of idealism."

The president cited Kennedy's counsel during Obama's short time serving as a senator from Illinois. But probably Kennedy's greatest gift to Obama came during last year's presidential race. Kennedy, and his neice Caroline, shook up the Democratic establishment in January 2008 when they endorsed Obama over Democratic rival Hillary Rodham Clinton at a critical point in the campaign. Kennedy lit up the Democratic base with his comparisons between young contender Obama and former President John F. Kennedy...
{Rest in peace Senator Kennedy and my prayers go out to your loved ones.}

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090826/ap_on_... Posted By: Jen Fad
Wednesday, August 26th 2009 at 11:10AM
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