Wow: Ted Kennedy’s cancer in remission; Update: False?
posted at 4:30 pm on May 19, 2009 by Allahpundit
Remarkable given that tumors of this sort are usually terminal and that, per some early prognoses, he had only two or three years left. Remember, too, he had a seizure on Inauguration Day. And now he’s coming back to lead the health-care push?
The next generation of Kennedys are pretty much all idiots and of course Caroline’s Senate bid flamed out spectacularly, so I guess he figured the only way to keep the dynasty going at this point was to beat cancer.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Tuesday that he spoke with Kennedy’s wife, Vicki, in the past few days and was told the 77-year-old lawmaker is “doing fine.”
Reid said Kennedy’s cancer is in remission and added that while the lawmaker is going through another regiment of treatment, the procedure “is not unusual.”
“This is something we expected,” he said…
Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), one of Kennedy’s closest friends in the Senate, also said that Kennedy would return to wield the gavel on healthcare reform during the first week in June.
I haven’t seen anything about his current prognosis so it’s unclear whether doctors think he’s beaten it or whether it’s just sufficiently at bay for the moment to let him return to work. I’ll update if I stumble across any information about that.
Update: Contain your surprise upon learning that Harry Reid was talking out of his ass. I should have known better; passing along a statement from Reid without checking it is like passing along stuff from Wikipedia. Mea culpa.
The Nevada Democrat reported that one of them, Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., was absent because he was receiving a new round of treatment for his brain cancer. Asked if the cancer was in remission, Reid replied, “As far as I know, it is, yes.”
Kennedy’s office refused to confirm Reid’s comments or make any statement in response, the public silence a classic Washington disavowal…
Even the post-gaffe handling of Reid’s remarks was awkward. Spokesman Jim Manley, who previously worked for Kennedy for years, swept through the press gallery to clean up after his boss. He retracted Reid’s assessment of Kennedy’s condition. He clarified Reid’s comments about the Guantanamo Bay prison.
Manley’s job was no fun at that moment, a reporter observed.
“Not so much,” he said.
Blowback
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Fair warning: If I see any death wishes here, you’re banned. Take it to HuffPo or dKos.
Allahpundit on May 19, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Fantastic. He’ll be alive long enough to destroy the health care system that saved his life.
alflauren on May 19, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Obama’s speech at Notre Dame must have saved this paragon of Catholicism! w00t!
Abby Adams on May 19, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Good for him.
I don’t mean this in a bad way but he should retire to enjoy his final years with his family. Washington DC will do just fine without him.
sonofdy on May 19, 2009 at 4:33 PM
No, with all that scotch ole teddy’s been drinking,,, it’s just pickled!!
Delta Wild Man on May 19, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Wonderful news and God Bless the Liberal Lion.
Back to making fun of him…………. :) :) :)
ocbrat on May 19, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Some fresh air and a short drive around Chappaquidick will do him wonders!
daesleeper on May 19, 2009 at 4:34 PM
I’m delighted for him and the whole Kennedy family. Now the GOP should make him the poster child for opposing Obamacare, because this outcome is unlikely at best under socialized medicine. Canadians come *here* for that kind of treatment.
Laura on May 19, 2009 at 4:34 PM
It’s always good to see anyone beat cancer, and Kennedy is no exception.
Here’s hoping he doesn’t screw up the health care system for when I reach cancer-age.
marc@hubsandspokes on May 19, 2009 at 4:35 PM
I guess when your family is a bunch of dumb, spoiled socialites it’s a powerful motivator to keep the family legacy going. Good for him either way.
BadgerHawk on May 19, 2009 at 4:35 PM
As bad as he may be in the Senate, he’s probably better than the prospective successors. Glad to see he’s recovering.
amerpundit on May 19, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Good for him
But please don’t take superb healthcare from the rest of us.
blatantblue on May 19, 2009 at 4:35 PM
I hope it’s in total remission, and does not return.
Daggett on May 19, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Is that a reaction to something from the headlines thread? I didn’t read the comments in this one, but I recall previous threads were pretty much just wishing him good luck in his battle.
BadgerHawk on May 19, 2009 at 4:36 PM
Good news and a miracle any way you look at it.
carbon_footprint on May 19, 2009 at 4:36 PM
I’ll drink to that….a lot….and often….
///Tedster
sven10077 on May 19, 2009 at 4:37 PM
You know that old freak has to stay around just long enough to ruin our healthcare system. You know his procedures would have been denied under his plan, right?
marklmail on May 19, 2009 at 4:37 PM
It’s probably more a reaction to any time a thread like this comes up. Some yahoo has to be stupid and spoil things by wishing death or saying something similar.
This is a human being we’re talk about. Respect life through all stages (even the Kennedys). ;-)
Abby Adams on May 19, 2009 at 4:39 PM
I’m sorry. Just when the so called “Kennedy Curse” finally hit the most deserving Kennedy!
kens on May 19, 2009 at 4:39 PM
I recovered from a tumor that should have crippled me at 9 years old, so I know this is no joking matter
sonofdy on May 19, 2009 at 4:39 PM
That sucks…
NRA Lifer on May 19, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Good for him. I’ll send him a LiveStrong bracelet if he doesn’t have one all ready.
darkpixel on May 19, 2009 at 4:39 PM
He probably thought what I thought. I could just see the oncoming death wishes a mile away.
ThePrez on May 19, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Good for him. I hope he uses this opportunity to retire, he’s been at it a long time…I wish him long life…but I also wish he gets defeated next time around…
StoutRepublican on May 19, 2009 at 4:42 PM
He shouldn’t push his luck – he should retire now to enjoy his last years on Earth without worrying about all the stressful things in Washington.
And I honestly believe that it’s his willpower and desire to push his healthcare scam onto the American people that is keeping him alive. The human mind is a strange thing a times.
Anna on May 19, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Fight on, Senator Kennedy! I hope it stays in remission.
Weebork on May 19, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Dang.
THAT’S RIGHT I SAID IT!
rollthedice on May 19, 2009 at 4:42 PM
I’m going to say this now:
If he uses his brain cancer fight to gin up sympathy and further his socialized medicine scheme, it will be entirely fair game to point out that his ass would have been kicked to the curb in such a scheme.
CDeb on May 19, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Glad to hear it. Cancer is a monster.
America is leading the world in developing new cures. There is a reason for that. If the Democrats get their way, this will no longer be true. Their half-baked ideas are going to carry a huge opportunity cost.
I hope Ted Kennedy’s brush with death opens his eyes to the importance of medical progress, but unfortunately, I don’t think it will.
sandberg on May 19, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Did you happen to read the first comment?
amerpundit on May 19, 2009 at 4:43 PM
I hear Arlen Specter is claiming credit.
Doughboy on May 19, 2009 at 4:43 PM
Why can’t he just retire already? He’s had a nice, full career undermining our country…time for a break.
AUINSC on May 19, 2009 at 4:43 PM
as I said in the other thread,
“I just want to make sure all Americans can get the care I just had.
//Tedster”
of course his plan does nothing of the sort.
sven10077 on May 19, 2009 at 4:43 PM
From the headlines thread:
Looks like it’s time to say goodbye to some folks.
orange on May 19, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Eh. I hate Teddy, but I don’t wish him ill. Good for him.
Sugar Land on May 19, 2009 at 4:45 PM
He will be back to work to finish ruining the health care system that saved him.
echosyst on May 19, 2009 at 4:45 PM
I thought it wasn’t considered ‘in remission’ until 5 years without incident?
Still, I continue to disagree with most of his policies and wish him all the best.
MaxPower on May 19, 2009 at 4:45 PM
When I see negative comments like “kens”, I tend to think troll…maybe I’m naive, and I know that there are pretty sh***y conservatives out there…I just like to think that we’re above that. I make sure that the Repubs I associate with are above that, and leave the crappy behavior to the left. We don’t wish death on political enemies, we just hope they don’t succeed.
This isn’t free speech. This isn’t your home. This is a business, and our actions and comments reflect on the site and it’s proprietors in general. Ban him.
StoutRepublican on May 19, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Bad mood today. Sorry.
rollthedice on May 19, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Prayers answered.
SheofTwoMinds on May 19, 2009 at 4:46 PM
Laura on May 19, 2009 at 4:34 PM
I’ve seen this argument a lot. I don’t get it.
Under any type of nationalized/socialized medical system, the Party officials won’t have to want or need for top of the line care. Like everything else, they will be exempt from their own system.
Granted, under such a system your everyday American is screwed…
catmman on May 19, 2009 at 4:46 PM
It strikes me as odd that he beats cancer and will come back to ensure that other citizens his age will not be able to.
This is some awesome irony.
ORconservative on May 19, 2009 at 4:46 PM
Only the good die young.
Okay that was mean. But it is true too.
Mr. Joe on May 19, 2009 at 4:47 PM
That is tremendous news. Life-rocking events have a tendency to make one re-examine one’s priorities and views. Here’s hoping that Teddy’s battle helps him see the good and beautiful things in our nation, rather than championing initiatives predicated by a dour, broken view of American exceptionalism. Either way, may God bless him in the twilight of his life.
Flyover Country on May 19, 2009 at 4:47 PM
Clarification: One aspect of prayers answered; we’ll see about the other aspect. Like, has his perspective improved.
SheofTwoMinds on May 19, 2009 at 4:48 PM
As a fellow cancer survivor, I wish the Senator all the best. And I wish he’d take it in retirement. It would be entirely fair to ask whether the treatment he is getting would be more available, or less so, under whatever healthcare rationing plan he introduces.
raybury on May 19, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Does this mean we won’t have to have the “Ted Kennedy Universal Health Care Program?” Please?
Babino on May 19, 2009 at 4:48 PM
I wonder if the old SOB can still hold his breath underwater, or swim?
byteshredder on May 19, 2009 at 4:49 PM
I’ll wait to hear a prognosis from Ted’s oncologist before I believe he’s had a miraculous recovery.
I don’t put a lot of faith in Dr. Reid or Dr. Kerry. Anything they say has to be for political purposes only. That you can count on.
fogw on May 19, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Good news for The Swimmer™. I don’t like him, but I don’t wish brain cancer on anyone,
NoFanofLibs on May 19, 2009 at 4:49 PM
There is a decided difference between wishing Ted death today, and looking forward to his meeting his maker at “a point undisclosed”….
I almost wish I could be there when the Kennedy Klan’s version of Fredo has to answer for his life.
sven10077 on May 19, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Good for him, as much as I disagree with his policies.
Ted Kennedy falls into the same category as my 92-year-old mother, who smoked until she went into a nursing home that doesn’t allow it: either too mean to die or living proof that only the good die young. The only way to be :)
michaelo on May 19, 2009 at 4:50 PM
I’m looking forward to getting cancer in 30-40 or so years when our healthcare system has long since been nationalized, and somehow I’m deemed unfit for treatment because I’m white, male, handsome, and have had sex with lots of women throughout my life.
Okay, maybe just the white and male part.
blatantblue on May 19, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Good for him and his family. Cancer is an evil the world needs to be rid of.
He’s still wrong on policy, but I welcome the news that he is doing well health-wise.
juanito on May 19, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Kennedy and Kerry close friends??? Uh I don’t think so not what I have heard over the years. Kennedy and Chris Dodd for sure are thick.
Jdripper on May 19, 2009 at 4:51 PM
WOOT! Good for Teddy! Can someone now fix his heart & soul?..please.
christene on May 19, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Chris and Tester like team sports….
Kerry doesn’t until cloning gets perfected.
sven10077 on May 19, 2009 at 4:52 PM
Wow: Ted Kennedy’s cancer in remission
Sadly, he was mauled by a wild pack of dogs on his way to the capitol. Vicious bands of dogs now control most major cities in North America. So sad…
chicagojedi on May 19, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Although I made a silly joke about his brain cancer starving itself into remission, I only joked at all because it’s such good news about his remission. I certainly didn’t make any such jokes when he was first diagnosed and things looked bad for him, nor would I make jokes if the remission goes badly and it returns.
In all seriousness, I’m happy for him and his family that he seems to be improving, and hope that he can enjoy his retirement in peace.
DrAllecon on May 19, 2009 at 4:53 PM
On someone like Kennedy, I would never wish physical harm.
I prefer his health be good, and his reputation die a painful, irreversible death, as his bills and votes cause this country so many ills.
MadisonConservative on May 19, 2009 at 4:53 PM
This is indeed good news. I am sure he is thankful for an opportunity to be with his family and loved ones. I’m happy for him and his family.
Dash on May 19, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Good for him and I hope the remission lasts. His survival is probably due to state-of-the-art care. I fear he will forget this important fact and encourage the government to subject us to a program that would provide at best, mediocre care. That would be shameful of him.
sherry on May 19, 2009 at 4:55 PM
If only his liberal insanity would go into remission, too, before he destroys the healthcare system…
Kensington on May 19, 2009 at 4:55 PM
At this point, what’s one more shameful act on his part?
Kensington on May 19, 2009 at 4:56 PM
How about a mandatory retirement age of 72 for Congressmen and Senators. Right now, death or jail seems to be the only way to get rid of them.
huckleberryfriend on May 19, 2009 at 4:56 PM
I can’t understand a man who benefits from great private healthcare pushing to make it suck for everyone else.
Don’t get me wrong I’m glad he’s better
but come on!!!!!
blatantblue on May 19, 2009 at 4:56 PM
I detest the guy’s politics, but good for him.
JammieWearingFool on May 19, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Most senators like Teddy Kennedy on a pe sonal level, even those who disagree with his legislative work.
Right_of_Attila on May 19, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Errrrrra I, errrrra, will now continue down the poth of denying my errrrrra life-saving treatment to errrra the commonahs.
marklmail on May 19, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Well, I can safely say that I disagree with his politics 100%, but I’m very happy for him and his family that he’s feeling better.
Oink on May 19, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Not a death wish (as someone who has had close family with cancer )I wouldnt wish cancer on anyone..so don’t git yer pannies in a bunch.
…But I know this type of cancer and I’m pretty sure that its worse than what is being told.
Handel on May 19, 2009 at 4:58 PM
I am not a fan of the man. But glad to hear he is feeling better. Hopefully he stays strong and steps down as he should have already done. Good Luck Ted
Tremmy on May 19, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Hiccup!
Oink on May 19, 2009 at 4:59 PM
I thought AP went commando.
That’s at least what strangelet claims.
O_0
blatantblue on May 19, 2009 at 4:59 PM
It’s ironic that if the full-blown Kennedy/Obama/Clinton health plan was in effect and there were no exceptions for special treatment to be given to the Liberal Illuminati, then Ted would have been dead by now, dying in line on the waiting list for specialized brain cancer treatment.
But will this fact somehow get thru his booze-addled senses and affect how he feels about a forced national health care plan? I doubt it.
CatchAll on May 19, 2009 at 4:59 PM
I wish him long life and loss of influence.
As a Christian I’ll reject Psalm 109:8a.
Christian Conservative on May 19, 2009 at 4:59 PM
The Lord works in mysterious ways.
Brat on May 19, 2009 at 4:59 PM
I’m sure he’ll be in the Senate long after I’m gone.
AbaddonsReign on May 19, 2009 at 5:00 PM
I have pretty crappy health insurance, and a couple of chronic diseases. But I have never been denied anything I really needed. I am grateful for the mighty American health care system, and the doctors who have been able to help me. I’m really afraid that if Teddy and Obama get their way, only rich b*stards like them will get full access to health care, and the rest of us will be consigned to rationing.
WasatchMan on May 19, 2009 at 5:00 PM
+1
I’m happy for him. Stories of cancer survival are always encouraging to me.
gatorboy on May 19, 2009 at 5:01 PM
You got me there. Maybe there’s hope that he has had a “come to Jesus” with himself, given the fact that he was on the stoop of death’s door.
sherry on May 19, 2009 at 5:01 PM
As a MD, I can tell you brain cancer doesn’t go into “remission”, despite what Harry Reid (!) may tell you.
Marcus on May 19, 2009 at 5:01 PM
Actualy this is fairly common with this type of Brain Cancer…
Lost my Father to it a couple of years ago, and after the initial surgery and Chemo, he seemed to be in remission for awhile…
5 Year survival rates on this type of cancer are pretty dismal however…
If he is going to get back into working politics… its an interesting “choice”.
Romeo13 on May 19, 2009 at 5:03 PM
That sucks.
Tonight I’ll be toasting to getting prostate cancer instead of brain in the future!
blatantblue on May 19, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Sorry about your dad..
blatantblue on May 19, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Nothing short of a miracle. Best of luck, Senator Kennedy.
Now………this should be the reason WHY the gubmint should stay out of health care all together. Would the senator have gotten the same results in the United Kingdom, France, Canada or Cuba? I think everyone knows the answer to that one.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 19, 2009 at 5:04 PM
“Calling Doctor Howard, Doctor Fine, Doctor Howard!”
Del Dolemonte on May 19, 2009 at 5:04 PM
You must get some Marcus Welby jokes from your older patients, no?
Del Dolemonte on May 19, 2009 at 5:05 PM
what a shame that this even needs to be said. (sigh…)
homesickamerican on May 19, 2009 at 5:06 PM
Good news for him, fortunately, it was diagnosed and treated before socialized medicine was enacted.
Vashta.Nerada on May 19, 2009 at 5:07 PM
I wish him well, cancer is a horrible road to hoe, he is one of the lucky ones!!
AprilOrit on May 19, 2009 at 5:07 PM
To put it bluntly, Senator Kennedy is in “remission” from his brain cancer like Patrick Swayze is in “remission” from his pancreatic cancer. They are both death sentences waiting to happen. And that’s the cold hard truth. 5-year survival after diagnosis rates are miniscule.
Marcus on May 19, 2009 at 5:08 PM
Or, are politicans exempt from what the rest of us have to be subjected to, against our wills?
ToddonCapeCod on May 19, 2009 at 5:08 PM
I’m happy for him and his family.
Asher on May 19, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Well it is good news, whatever the actual status is.
You have to give a lot of credit to the doctors and researchers who keep making headway in the battle against cancer. Also to the patients who don’t give up and the family members who support them.
With that in mind, maybe the senator will have a change of heart and realize that there are other options to fixing the healthcare industry, besides turning it over to the worst organization in the history of the universe (The FED).
I just can’t fathom a healthcare plan that wouldn’t help people in the same age/risk factor group as the person it was named for.
reaganaut on May 19, 2009 at 5:16 PM
At HuffPo and DKos the death threat makers are put on the rec list.
Speedwagon82 on May 19, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Here’s hoping that the radiation destroyed some of those liberals brain cells?
try again later on May 19, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Fair warning: If I see any death wishes here, you’re banned. Take it to HuffPo or dKos.
Allahpundit
I wish that the Healthcare bill dies in comittee.
percysunshine on May 19, 2009 at 5:19 PM
I think we should treat Ted Kennedy’s mortality as politely as the Dems treated McCain’s.
I’ll let that speak for itself.
Speedwagon82 on May 19, 2009 at 5:21 PM
I hate cancer. I can’t stand Teddy, but I HATE cancer. It killed my mom, and nobody should have to die of it. SO, I am glad that his cancer is in remission. He’s been suffering, trust me. And with this news, I’m sure the people of Messytwoshidts will re-elect ole Ted come 2010.
Now, with the approved well wishes out of the way (must satisfy AP’s dictates)
You KNOW that cockroaches will survive nuclear war right?
44Magnum on May 19, 2009 at 5:24 PM
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