Ted Kennedy Collapsed At Obama Inaugural Luncheon

UPDATE 1/21: Ted Kennedy has been released from the hospital after suffering from a seizure a day earlier.

Kennedy's office confirmed that on Wednesday morning he left Washington Hospital Center, where he had been resting overnight for observation. A spokeswoman says he was in good spirits and doctors wanted him to get some rest.

Doctors blamed fatigue for the seizure. Kennedy has been under treatment for a brain tumor, suffered during an inaugural luncheon after hours at events celebrating the swearing-in of President Barack Obama.

UPDATE 5:36 PM: AP reports that fatigue caused Sen. Kennedy's seizure at a congressional lunch with President Obama Tuesday. He is in good shape and is expected to return home Wednesday morning.

Doctors are blaming fatigue for the seizure that Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, ill with a brain tumor, suffered during a post-inauguration luncheon for President Barack Obama. Dr. Edward Aulisi, Washington Hospital Center's neurosurgery chairman, says Kennedy is awake, talking with family and friends and feeling well.

In a statement released by Kennedy's office, Aulisi said: "After testing, we believe the incident was brought on by simple fatigue."

Kennedy will remain at the hospital overnight for observation and go home in the morning.

UPDATE: Sen. Robert Byrd's office says that, contrary to media reports, he did not have a medical emergency. He left the congressional luncheon because he was disturbed by what happened to Ted Kennedy. Early accounts suggested that Byrd had trouble eating.

Byrd "is currently in his own office... and is doing fine, though he remains very concerned about his close friend, Ted Kennedy," said a spokesman.

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Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) has collapsed after suffering a seizure at a luncheon held for President Barack Obama at the Capitol, CNN and ABC News report. Paramedics arrived on the scene, and Kennedy was taken from the luncheon on a stretcher. ABC reports that the seizures lasted several minutes and continued as Kennedy taken from the banquet hall.

A statement from the hospital where Kennedy was taken says that the senator is awake and answering questions. His son Patrick and wife Vicki are with him. President Obama has already phoned to check on his condition. Patrick Kennedy told George Stephanopoulos that his father is feeling fine.

Kennedy was at a table with fellow Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry and others, Stephanopoulos reports. President Barack Obama went out of the room with him, but he returned and spoke a few words about Kennedy.

"First of all, I know that while I was out of the room, concern was expressed about Teddy," Obama said. "He was there when the Voting Rights Act passed. And, 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 and Vicki."

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), a longtime friend of Kennedy, spoke to ABC News about the incident. "He did have what appeared to be a seizure and I went down along with Senators Dodd and Kerry and walked right along side until he got to the ambulance," Hatch said. "He was starting to do okay by the time he got wheeled into the ambulance. ... He was [conscious], he was speaking."

Sen. Chris Dodd, (D-CT) said Kennedy said "I'll be ok, I'll see you later" as he was put into the ambulance.

"The good news is he's gonna be fine," Dodd added.

Comments

[silke1]

He has done more for working americans than anyone else I can think of. He is a person of great achievement, that everyone admires. He has a great family of people and colleagues that admire him, and he is a great person. I think he is going to be fine for many more years. How many people could have accomplished so much...he is inspirational.

[SwingVoter]

I pray for this man and his health. Say what you want but his endorsement was a big boost. The timing was more than perfect. And by the way, why the gangster look?

[nomobull]

get some rest see you in a few days. i understand why you wanted to be there.

[NetProphet]

I am constantly hoping that Sen Kennedy lives to see our country finally establish a National Health Care System. He's still our best fighter!

[larry278]

The man is a fighter. He has an interest on his niece, Caroline, replacing Hillary Clinton in the US Senate & the type of Nat'l Health Care System which covers all Americans in a manner which seems just, responsive, affordable to the US gov't [perhaphs based upon the French system of funding of universal health care] & adaptable to the constant changes of the teconology used to deliver state of the art health care. Those things may keep Sen EM Kennedy alive till his goals are met. Ted, while he is a Kennedy, is different from his father & his dead brothers. If politics is the art of the possible EM Kennedy has worked to make more changes & things possible. His self inflicted incidents of adversity as a younger man taught him to compensate for his follies & to build himself as a powerful politician. A life of obsurity was not for EMK. It will be interesting to see if & how his niece becomes a US Senator.
Seeing how a Sen C Kennedy develops as a US Senator after EMK dies could be fascinating.

[Binea]

It is good to hear you are ok..time to rest now.You have helped put the country in what seems to be very good hands for the next eight years.Plea­se take it easy now, ( if you are a believer in God,even if u aren't ) read the bible,pray and spend time with your family.
2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

[iswideopen]

Dear Senator Kennedy:
Please, get better soon. GOD bless you.

[mizerello]

I am so glad to hear that Senator Kennedy is fine. It was such a shock and he has done so much for the people in this country. I took care of my parents in their later years and would suggest someone in his family should take a bit more charge of determining what kind of events he is able to attend. I understand his desire to attend the inauguration but think he should have then not attended the lunch. When my Mother became ill, she often wanted to do things that were very hard on her and, frankly, on us as her caregivers. Often, her desire to participate in something caused problems for others. I promised myself that as I age, I will try not to be selfish in making choices that suit me but may cause problems for others around me. As far as Sen. Byrd, another of the old, fighters of the Congress, I frankly think when someone reaches the grand ol' age he has reached, he should retire and allow someone else the chance to serve the people. love the old guy but think it's a bit like my Mother who was determined to drive even after she lost most of her sight!

[socialdemocracy1968]

Get well, Teddy. We still need your help in fighting the good fight on the Senate floors.

[GreatFutureForAll]

Ditto!

[NotYourAvg]

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE pray for Teddy!

[HartlessBeest]

I have a great deal of respect for Ted Kennedy, who is one of the ‘so very few’ in Washington who has contributed so much to this country and the American people. I am proud of your service. Get well soon.

[stanschurman]

Take a well deserved rest Ted.

[Pegi]

Hang in there Teddy. President Obama needs you and so do we!!!

[Outofnowhere]

ABC's coverage while his true condition was unknown was disgusting and sickening. You would have thought he was dead. Diane Sawyer, in particularly, kept going on about how it dampened the the mood of the festivities, but did so almost gleefully as if hoping the day's enjoyment would be ruined.
I was not at home when I saw this, but it reminded me why I've been boycotting their newscast since that disastrous debate. ABC stinks.

[Deparis]

The Lion is back! I wish you not but a complete recovery Teddy. The President and the country need you and there's a whole lot of work to tackle. But in the meantime a good rest is in order after yesterday's festivities. It feels good to know that you are back on your feet this morning and walking.

[ggmome]

All the strength and faith that I possess are pulling for your now Ted Kennedy. Be Well !