Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Reaction: Kennedys, Obama

President Obama and the Kennedy family have released the following statements:

Statement from the Kennedy family:

“Edward M. Kennedy – the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply – died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port. We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever.

We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice, fairness and opportunity for all. He loved this country and devoted his life to serving it. He always believed that our best days were still ahead, but it’s hard to imagine any of them without him.”


This from the White House:

Office of the Press Secretary
___________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release August 26, 2009
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON THE PASSING OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY
Blue Heron Farm
Chilmark, Massachusetts

9:57 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: I wanted to say a few words this morning about the passing of an extraordinary leader, Senator Edward Kennedy.

Over the past several years, I've had the honor to call Teddy a colleague, a counselor, and a friend. And even though we have known this day was coming for some time now, we awaited it with no small amount of dread.

Since Teddy's diagnosis last year, we've seen the courage with which he battled his illness. And while these months have no doubt been difficult for him, they've also let him hear from people in every corner of our nation and from around the world just how much he meant to all of us. His fight has given us the opportunity we were denied when his brothers John and Robert were taken from us: the blessing of time to say thank you -- and goodbye.

The outpouring of love, gratitude, and fond memories to which we've all borne witness is a testament to the way this singular figure in American history touched so many lives. His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives -- in seniors who know new dignity, in families that know new opportunity, in children who know education's promise, and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just -- including myself.

The Kennedy name is synonymous with the Democratic Party. And at times, Ted was the target of partisan campaign attacks. But in the United States Senate, I can think of no one who engendered greater respect or affection from members of both sides of the aisle. His seriousness of purpose was perpetually matched by humility, warmth, and good cheer. He could passionately battle others and do so peerlessly on the Senate floor for the causes that he held dear, and yet still maintain warm friendships across party lines.

And that's one reason he became not only one of the greatest senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy.

His extraordinary life on this earth has come to an end. And the extraordinary good that he did lives on. For his family, he was a guardian. For America, he was the defender of a dream.

I spoke earlier this morning to Senator Kennedy's beloved wife, Vicki, who was to the end such a wonderful source of encouragement and strength. Our thoughts and prayers are with her, his children Kara, Edward, and Patrick; his stepchildren Curran and Caroline; the entire Kennedy family; decades' worth of his staff; the people of Massachusetts; and all Americans who, like us, loved Ted Kennedy.
END 10:00 A.M. EDT

- Doug Miller

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

why do liberals exalt him?

Abuse of wealth and power for yrs...no more no less.

Mary Jo was a victim, one of many.

Anonymous said...

Kennedy was nothing but a power hungry, woman killer. His power has finally died off.. As far as Obama,Someone needs to Piss on him!

Anonymous said...

One must wonder why Teddy the playboy didnt come clean with the Mary Jo Kopechne car accident drowning off the one lane Chappaquidick bridge. Obv it was water under the bridge.

Anonymous said...

Thank goodness this IDIOT is finally out of public office!

Anonymous said...

Just because he was a Kennedy does not say a thing. He lived with knowing he killed Mary Jo and paid his way out of it. He was a dumb playboy and should never have been in government. Says something about his state. Have any of the Kennedy men been anything but playboys?? Look at the record from Dad down...always a woman on the side. How did Dad get his money??? He even had women on the side...Like father...like son.

the teleprompter said...

that was a very moving eulogy given by the teleprompter.

lucifer said...

well...looks like satan has a new employee.