Ted Kennedy to Make Convention Appearance

By Pamela Mortimer

Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy, 76, is probably the most well known political figure on the Hill after President Bush. Kennedy is a liberal icon of days gone by when his brothers, Jack and Bobby, promised to change Washington forever. Senator Kennedy is expected to make an appearance at Monday’s opening of the Democratic National Convention, hoping to use some of his incredible influence to support Barack Obama.

Many are surprised that Kennedy will make an appearance after undergoing surgery for a malignant brain tumor on June 2. Other than one trip to the Hill to take part in a crucial vote, Kennedy has been recuperating at home. In light of the illness, the official convention program shows that Kennedy will make a speech via videotape since it was assumed he would be too ill to make the trip from Massachusetts.

As is Kennedy’s style, he created media frenzy when he endorsed Obama over Hillary Clinton in January. The Clintons and Kennedys have had a long standing relationship and it was assumed that the Massachusetts Senator would support Clinton. Kennedy was so taken with Obama early on in the primaries that he became an active campaigner for the Illinois Senator until he suffered a seizure that preceded the discovery of his brain cancer.

Media sources say that despite the effects of the brain cancer, Kennedy insists that he is "itching to go."

It has not been announced whether Kennedy will appear on the podium to speak for his fellow Democrat Obama.

The convention began with Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean welcoming more than 4,400 delegates assembled in Denver. Dean promised that "during our national convention, we will demonstrate to all Americans why we need Barack Obama and Joe Biden in the White House."

Obama is expected to address the delegates with a brief statement via satellite. Obama is currently in Kansas City, Missouri where he prepares to go on a campaign tour on Tuesday.

The first day of the convention has an impressive line up of speakers, including Howard Dean, Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr. of Illinois, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Also on the ticket is Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill, a first term politician who was reportedly considered as a potential Obama running mate. Analysts expect McCaskill to be a "constant presence" throughout the rest of the electoral process.

Another high profile endorsement speech will come from Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy and niece to Ted Kennedy. Caroline Kennedy has also been on board with Obama since January and co-chaired Obama's vice presidential search committee.

The results of the convention will surely be seen in the next CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll. Currently, Obama and McCain are "locked in a dead heat", each with 47% support. Democrats are hopeful that the convention will rekindle interest in people who have begun to slip away in recent weeks.