Update: Kennedy 'Conscious, Talking, Joking'

By Tommy Christopher
May 17th 2008 6:05PM

Filed Under:eDemocrats, Breaking News, Ted Kennedy

Update: According to the latest statement from the Kennedy family, the Senator suffered a seizure.

6:06PM Update:
According to Kennedy spokesperson Stephanie Cutter, via the AP, Senator Kennedy is "conscious, talking, joking with family."

Senator Edward Kennedy
was rushed to Cape Cod Hospital this morning, suffering symptoms of a stroke. From CNN:
A well-informed Democratic source in Massachusetts said the 76-year-old senator had "symptoms of a stroke" at the Kennedy family compound in Hyannis Port.

An official with the Hyannis Fire Department said it received a 911 call from the Kennedy compound at 8:19 a.m. and transported a patient to the hospital, arriving at 8:50 a.m. The official would not be more specific.

Kennedy had surgery in October to clear his carotid artery in hopes of preventing a stroke.
This situation is still unfolding, with hospital sources saying Kennedy is "under evaluation."

Senator Kennedy is very influential in Democratic circles, and is beloved by many. All three candidates have expressed their concern, and hopes for his quick recovery. According to CNN, Senator John Kerry is at the hospital now.

Cape Cod Online was first to report the emergency, and has a photo of the airlift.

Hospital officials are scheduled to make a statement shortly. Stay tuned for updates after the jump.

There is now video available from MSNBC:



The AP is now calling the episode a "seizure."

CNN reports that Kennedy family sources say that the Senator called a family member from the hospital after he had been in the Emergency Room to say he would not be able to make it to a charity luncheon today.

CNN also reports a new statement from the Kennedy family:
Senator Kennedy experienced a seizure this morning. He is undergoing a battery of tests at Massachusetts General Hospital to determine the cause of the seizure. Senator Kennedy is resting comfortably, and it is unlikely we will know anything more for the next 48 hours.
Further reports are that, according to family friends, the family is cautiously optimistic that the Senator will make a complete recovery.

As I wait for the hospital to issue a statement, let me just say that Senator Kennedy is a revered and influential figure for liberalism, and a lightning rod for the right, but all, I am certain, are lad to hear the encouraging news coming from the Kennedy family.

Senator Barack Obama said, "Senator Kennedy is one of my favorite people. My thoughts and prayers are with him."

Since it looks like Senator Kennedy will pull through, I feel like less of an ass for noting the unfortunate juxtaposition during Hillary Clinton's remarks. I don't have video yet, but as Senator Clinton spoke fondly and hopefully of her colleague while campaigning in Kentucky, it was impossible not to notice the pyramid of "Maker's Mark" barrels directly behind her.

Here is some more recent video from the Associated Press:

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