Kennedy carried from Obama luncheon; will illness open door for Caroline?

January 20, 1:37 PMPolitical Issues ExaminerJudah Freed

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Sen. Ted Kennedy at the Obama inauguration.

Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass) today was taken on a stretcher from an inauguration luncheon for President Barack Obama, held in Statuary Hall in the capitol building. Taken away in an ambulance, Kennedy minutes ago was reported as tired but in stable condition.

Television news reporters anchors are saying Kennedy apparently suffered a mild seizure, perhaps connected with his brain cancer. Kennedy was escorted out of the chambers by Theresa Heinz Kerry, wife of Senator John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic  presidential candidate.

Kerry himself went out to the ambulance and later told reporters that Kennedy was conscious and in good spirits.

Aging Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) also was escorted from the chamber, reportedly overcome by emotion for his oldest friend in the Senate.

After the two Senators departed, Obama spoke to the assembly of legislators and Supreme Court justices , saying that Kennedy "was there when the voting rights act passed, 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's 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."

By way of speculation, if Ted Kennedy's health causes him to curtail his Senate duties, or even resign from the Senate, the pressure will increase for New York Governor David Paterson to name Caroline Kennedy as the U.S. Senator replacing Hillary Clinton. Caroline Kennedy is the the daughter of assassinated president John F. Kennedy and the niece of Ted Kennedy.

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