Wow: Ted Kennedy’s cancer in remission; Update: False?
posted at 4:30 pm on May 19, 2009 by Allahpundit
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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.
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moral–> mortal
Turtler on May 19, 2009 at 5:28 PM
Well, good for Teddy.
Presumably, Mary Jo Kopechne’s condition is unchanged.
rogersnowden on May 19, 2009 at 5:31 PM
Still much better than the typical 1-year survival rate for small-cell lung cancer.
Del Dolemonte on May 19, 2009 at 5:33 PM
If someone has already said this..I appologize. Dont wanna pull a maureen dowd…
BUT..
I think that someone should fly his two ton booty somewhere like canada (preferably flown by another Kennedy).. so that he can get the type of care he so desperately wants to impose on us.
Or is that the same as wishing him a death wish?
Hmmm not sure on that one.
:)
Handel on May 19, 2009 at 5:36 PM
Get well teddy and hopefully this event will turn you around so that you grow some morals and values.
In short..not be a Kennedy any more.
Handel on May 19, 2009 at 5:37 PM
Not lucky in the least; he took advantage of a healthcare system he wants to deny to us mere proles.
hindmost on May 19, 2009 at 5:38 PM
Mary Jo Kopechne was unavailable for comment…………
Seven Percent Solution on May 19, 2009 at 5:38 PM
I haven’t read all the comments, so this may have been said. I am glad to hear that he is in remission and I wish him the best.
But I also think he should plan to relax, enjoy life, and RETIRE.
photom on May 19, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Excellent suggestion, but let’s hurry up and get Teddy on that wait list now so he can get his chemo before 2016.
I am always glad to see someone beat cancer, even if his last name is Kennedy. I read Bob Novak’s articles that included information on how helpful Sen. and Mrs. Kennedy were when Bob was diagnosed, and it made me glad they were willing to help.
Laura in Maryland on May 19, 2009 at 5:46 PM
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s wife and Robert Bork also had no comment.
Dire Straits on May 19, 2009 at 5:46 PM
I am as happy for Teddy’s remission in direct proportion to how happy Teddy would be if Roe were reversed tomorrow.
marybel on May 19, 2009 at 5:48 PM
omnipotent on May 19, 2009 at 5:52 PM
Does anyone know Robert Novack’s condition might be? Although it is awful that these gentlemen got this disease but good in that they are wealthy enough to receive treatment most would not. And the experiment will help others. I wonder if Sen. Kennedy is aware that if we get the universal health he so desires for the nation that his age would preclude him from receiving treatment. Everyone’s going to get equal treatment, right?/
Cindy Munford on May 19, 2009 at 5:56 PM
“Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said …”
Since when has anything from Harry Reid’s mouth been accurate!?
kregg on May 19, 2009 at 5:58 PM
My uncle died a very quick and ugly death from prostate cancer.
You don’t want that.
ladyingray on May 19, 2009 at 6:01 PM
Tony Snow
Dick Cheney
Ronald Reagan
Nancy Reagan
et al were not treated with kid gloves by the left or the media when they were in poor health.
This man (Tedward Kennedy) is guilty of manslaughter and much more.
I will not honor this man now or ever.
omnipotent on May 19, 2009 at 6:04 PM
No Cindy @5:56 pm,
Everyone will not receive equal treatment. As an example, do you think government employees have to worry about the solvency of social security? NOooooo. Federal employees don’t pay into social security, not even a nickel, instead, they pay into a wholly different fund, which is actually solvent. Best kept secret in the federal system.
While you and I are living like paupers, federal employees will be better off and enjoy better medical care…regardless what Obama says on his eternal campaign stump.
marybel on May 19, 2009 at 6:05 PM
Sorry about your uncle
I mean I dont want it, but I’d rather that type of cancer over brain cancer, just in terms of my chances. the way I see it, I’m going to get cancer anyway (family history everywherez!!) — I want a brain cancer least.
It was a dumb comment for me to make – I didn’t mean to open anyone’s old wounds
blatantblue on May 19, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Good for him, I wouldn’t wish cancer on my worst enemy.
That being said, it is good to see that Medicaid came through for Teddy with all the right treatments and no expenses barred as usual…right?
What? He doesn’t have to participate in the people’s health program? Nevermind….
Mo_mac on May 19, 2009 at 6:10 PM
OOOOKaaaay.
MikeA on May 19, 2009 at 6:12 PM
That’s not true anymore. My husband retired from DOD/civilian and although it he didn’t pay into SS they changed it a while a go. Federal employees pay into SS but they also have 401K’s available that I think are better then average.
Cindy Munford on May 19, 2009 at 6:13 PM
That is good for him and his family, but I would caution that remission doesn’t mean cure. You can be in remission for a month…or ten years.
PattyJ on May 19, 2009 at 6:14 PM
That’s pretty badass your hubby worked at DoD
blatantblue on May 19, 2009 at 6:14 PM
Not honoring him it totally understandable but don’t be the left. They suck.
Cindy Munford on May 19, 2009 at 6:15 PM
Does this mean we won’t have the Spash Kennedy Memorial Health Care Act? The fuckers have already run several businesses into the ground. Health and education are next.
GarandFan on May 19, 2009 at 6:15 PM
I’m certain Mary Jo’s stem cells played a hugh part in advancing the science that is keeping this US Royalty Wannabe alive.
2Tru2Tru on May 19, 2009 at 6:16 PM
I am sure it is not anywhere near as exciting as it sounds. He went into an apprentice program right out of high school with a break to go into the Army, then back. We have been pretty lucky.
Cindy Munford on May 19, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Shame that Mary Jo did not get such a good break.
Dingbat63 on May 19, 2009 at 6:17 PM
That’s awesome
I think it sounds pretty cool
blatantblue on May 19, 2009 at 6:18 PM
Allah,
What’s the over/under on programs making teabag jokes on MSNBC and CNN? 4? 5?
“This change, my friends, is being delivered in a teabag. And that’s a wonderful thing.”
I don’t think they’ll be able to resist that one.
PaisleyCow on May 19, 2009 at 6:22 PM
Whoops, wrong thread sorry. So many HotAir tabs open…
PaisleyCow on May 19, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Now just imagine if had he lived in Communist Cuba where political elite have to use the same medical care as us peasants…oh wait.
Scranton on May 19, 2009 at 6:25 PM
Apprenticeships are great things and are a thing of the past. He was a Crew Chief on Hueys in VN. That’s why I relate to Hawkdriver, plus he’s very very nice.
Cindy Munford on May 19, 2009 at 6:26 PM
Everyone’s nice here! Even some of the trolls have their moments
blatantblue on May 19, 2009 at 6:29 PM
That’s true, I like pretty much everybody. Did anything exciting happen while I was gone?
Cindy Munford on May 19, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Nah — same old stuff. AP came out and revealed that he is indeed a cat, but other than that, nothing really new.
Where’d you go — or will you have to kill us if you tell
blatantblue on May 19, 2009 at 6:32 PM
Apparently, cancer cells can’t tolerate him either…
Wyznowski on May 19, 2009 at 6:34 PM
But not for a push to anything like the kind of health care he got.
MB4 on May 19, 2009 at 6:36 PM
Unless they are lying they would say much closer to the later.
MB4 on May 19, 2009 at 6:38 PM
You and me both.
tbear44 on May 19, 2009 at 6:39 PM
The surgery was palliative, not curative.
MB4 on May 19, 2009 at 6:39 PM
A cat, huh? Shocker. I went to Virginia to celebrate four family things. I saw Star Trek. I liked it.
Cindy Munford on May 19, 2009 at 6:44 PM
I laughed.
Cindy Munford on May 19, 2009 at 6:44 PM
Good thing he has that fabulous Congressional Healthcare. The best docs in America are available just for him. Some people are more equal than others…God Speed Senator. You do indeed lead a charmed life.
JAM on May 19, 2009 at 6:46 PM
Thats right, I remember
anni
hubbys bday
mommys day
daughters bday
why I remember, I do not know.
hope you had fun and enjoyed yourself, and remember at least part of your trip, IF YOU KNOW WHAT IM SAYIN
blatantblue on May 19, 2009 at 6:48 PM
No comment from Mary Jo Kopechne.
bill30097 on May 19, 2009 at 6:50 PM
Cindy…what did he apprentice in? I work for DoD as a civilian aircraft mechanic, I got hired just after they went from CSRS to FERS. I agree, the Thrift Savings Plan is really a pretty good deal.
uncivilized on May 19, 2009 at 6:53 PM
Would his cancer be in remission if he had the type of healthcare he wants for the rest of the USA?
Hmmmmmmmmm
Kevin43 on May 19, 2009 at 6:54 PM
I’ve never had a bad vacation.
I don’t know if I do but I remember it all. It was all fun, saw lots of friends and ate out a bunch. What could go wrong?
Cindy Munford on May 19, 2009 at 6:54 PM
Oh i just meant i hope you didnt booze SO MUCH
blatantblue on May 19, 2009 at 6:57 PM
Posted this in the quickies above, but see that it’s moved down here. Repeat: Remission does not mean cure. Can return at any time or show up elsewhere–not to be nasty about it, it usually does.
jeanie on May 19, 2009 at 7:14 PM
Aircraft Electrician, then he went into Logistics (white color). He went in so long ago that he has the old retirement and he put money into the Thrift Savings Plan. Probably not as much as he would have liked but three kids don’t leave a lot of wiggle room but we have been really blessed.
Cindy Munford on May 19, 2009 at 7:16 PM
At the risk of totally blowing my credibility as a “cool” older person, I must admit that I have never acquired a taste for alcohol. I am not against it, just not my thing. When I make an a$$ out of myself I want to be aware and have no excuse.
Cindy Munford on May 19, 2009 at 7:19 PM
Could be a ‘lil snarky and say, “Well only the good die young,” but that might be rude.
Oops, did I say that out loud?
Branch Rickey on May 19, 2009 at 7:20 PM
Ain’t it the truth, jeanie? Last time I checked, according to my sweet ole granny, “ain’t none of us gettin’ out of this life alive, right?”
marybel on May 19, 2009 at 7:25 PM
Still, I’d be interested in what measures were taken. They had to have been extreme by any measure. Or, is this simply because he’s wanted back in harness to push the health care stuff through? (Bad, bad jeanie for thinking that!)
jeanie on May 19, 2009 at 7:32 PM
Good, I am glad that he’s in remission.
Key West Reader on May 19, 2009 at 7:46 PM
Which side of Reid is the mouth and which is the as$hole? I can’t tell the difference with that guy.
Spiritk9 on May 19, 2009 at 7:47 PM
This is an aggressive cancer. You can throw the kitchen sink at it, and it ends up coming back at you.
- Dr. Rolf Freter (oncologist)
MB4 on May 19, 2009 at 7:49 PM
Check the update: Not. So. Fast.
Reid misspoke. Kennedy may not be in “remission” after all.
I’m speechless.
marybel on May 19, 2009 at 7:52 PM
Oh hell.. I just read the update.
If Reid pronounced him healed and then Ted is not so much..?
What a bummer, Harry Reid! Imagine the pain! The pain! that you caused his constituents! His family! His supporters!
To think that the last Beloved Kennedy to serve in Public Office is pronoucned ‘just fine’ by YOU? And then to find out that what you said was a lie? Shame on you.
Resign with Pelosi. It is what you should do as a ‘righteous politician’.
Key West Reader on May 19, 2009 at 7:53 PM
“misspoke” being democrat for “pulled data from his arse”…
sven10077 on May 19, 2009 at 7:53 PM
Who’d think the Dems would be missing Pelosi as their mouthpiece already?
Jim Treacher on May 19, 2009 at 7:58 PM
Despite the fact that I abhor his politics I’m glad to hear he might be doing well. No one deserves an illness like that.
What I would like to add is some further information on the argument above about him receiving nationalised health care. The UK is often held up as an example. Well, here’s a quote from a British oncologist-
In Sweden, 60.3 percent of men and 61.7 percent of women survive a cancer diagnosis. In Britain the figure ranges between 40.2 to 48.1 percent for men and 48 to 54.1 percent for women. We are stuck with Soviet-quality care, in spite of the government massively increasing health spending since 2000 to bring the United Kingdom into line with other European countries.
And then this-
Recent research by Sweden’s Karolinska Institute shows that Britain uses far fewer innovative cancer drugs than its European neighbors. Compared to France, Britain only uses a tenth of the drugs marketed in the last two years.
This is what nationalised health care means- not just rationed care, but sub-standard care because of cost-cutting measures. Here is what the head of the misnamed group NICE (which approves drugs for NHS use) had to say about cancer patients-
“[The NHS] has to be fair to all patients, “not just the patients with macular degeneration or breast cancer or renal cancer. If we spend a lot of money on a few patients, we have less money to spend on everyone else.”
Jay Mac on May 19, 2009 at 7:59 PM
Everyone expected the worst.
We all, well, many of us prayed for the best.
I hope it’s true. I hope he’s doing well.
This has nothing AT ALL to do with politics and it very well should not.
bridgetown on May 19, 2009 at 8:04 PM
Tony Snow, John McCain, Reagan, etc etc….
yeah it shouldn’t
sven10077 on May 19, 2009 at 8:07 PM
When I first heard of Ted’s cancer I thought of this clip. I also cheered out loud. I’m in favor of justice … even if it’s delayed.
This latest news is disappointing. That may make me seem like a bastard, but I’m pro death penalty & I believe that Ted Kennedy got away with a serious crime.
Stickeehands on May 19, 2009 at 8:12 PM
You betcha, and me and my whole extended family included agree. Period. Got away with pure and simple allowing that young woman to die, at least maslaughter, it not outright MURDER, but this is not uncommon with that particular family.
marybel on May 19, 2009 at 8:24 PM
Hey every family’s gotta have a hobby…
sven10077 on May 19, 2009 at 8:27 PM
That was pre- update before it was found out that Reid is a moron.
I don’t know who this “HANDEL” is, but he’s obviously a genius!
(smarter than allah anyway!
Hmm maybe he should get a prize or sompin!)
>:D
Handel on May 19, 2009 at 8:36 PM
how soon does numbnuts senator sphincter blame the republicans for failing to heal kennedy?
UNREPENTANT CONSERVATIVE CAPITOLIST on May 19, 2009 at 9:02 PM
Re the Update: of course you don’t have brain cancer, then don’t have brain cancer. Harry Reid said it for political gain, period.
Marcus on May 19, 2009 at 9:07 PM
You left out MY President, Charlton Heston. The left treated him despicably.
MikeA on May 19, 2009 at 9:14 PM
If Harry Reid said it, he said it for political gain. That is who he is.
MikeA on May 19, 2009 at 9:15 PM
My faith has been restored. Evil CAN be killed.
HornetSting on May 19, 2009 at 9:16 PM
I don’t know if anyone brought this up but if indeed it is true, and even if it’s false, he would not have been afforded the health care he is now receiving if he messes with the way it is doled out presently. Of course he has millions in trust funds and estates to go and get whatever and wherever he wants to in terms of health care. Perhaps he can go to Cuba for the club dead program.
larvcom on May 19, 2009 at 9:25 PM
Seven Percent Solution on May 19, 2009 at 9:42 PM
If Kennedy’s cancer were actually in remission, the Democrats wouldn’t say so. They want to use Ted and his story to shove ObamaCare through.
ddrintn on May 19, 2009 at 10:01 PM
This is the differentiator. Miss california had death threats. Gov Palin did, Rush did again last week which our president howled about. Conservatives for the most part would drag an opponent out of a fire and take a risk to protect an adversary.
I Suspect most of us wouldn’t think about it at all.
I am told that Israel Hospitals are gung ho is saving lives of Muslim kids taken in after a suicide bomb malfunction. The New Testament says wishing death on someone is sin.
seven on May 19, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Hey, if I have malignant brain cancer and ObamaCare means I get flown immediately to Duke on someone else’s dime, sign me up for ObamaCare. When it comes out to explaining that ObamaCare would mean getting my affairs immediately in order and quietly taking a seat in the corner, I expect only Rush Limbaugh to have the fortitude to point this out to the public, probably with much venom and bile aimed at him for doing so.
Marcus on May 19, 2009 at 10:10 PM
We are all programed to expire. Life is short. I am not going to wish illness on anyone ………. even Ted Kennedy. But I do remember the left’s rejoicing over the death of Lee Atwater of brain cancer at a very young age.
SC.Charlie on May 19, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Sen. Kennedy,
I think your best chance for recovery would be in Cuba. Or at least Micheal Moore says their socialized medicine is better than anything here.
burnitup on May 19, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Relax, people, the idiots are in charge.
Daggett on May 19, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Does Harry Reid know about Karma?
Knucklehead on May 19, 2009 at 10:43 PM
Possibly the latter, but definitely not the former. He’d have to go years without recurrence before he’d be considered in remission. His is a very nasty, very hard to eradicate cancer with a habit of coming back with a vengeance. The five year survival rate is less than 5%. IIRC, the average survival is about 18 months. As for the update:
Not true. Even if they had it well on the run at this point, they’d keep hitting it as hard as Senator Anvilhead could handle. You really, really don’t want to give that one a chance to get off the mat.
Pablo on May 19, 2009 at 10:48 PM
I am relieved. Still no comment from Mary Jo Kopechne
bill30097 on May 19, 2009 at 10:56 PM
Hey Teddy, Say hi to Mary Joe.
lasertex on May 19, 2009 at 11:28 PM
There are some real assholes in this thread. A lot of you are undoubtedly destined for hell.
DaveS on May 19, 2009 at 11:43 PM
Well, that makes it ok, then… clearly, the “cool thing to do” on this thread is act like the most unhinged, disgusting animals on the left.
Congratulations, guys.
DaveS on May 19, 2009 at 11:48 PM
Here’s a Kleenex, now get the hell out!
omnipotent on May 20, 2009 at 12:04 AM
So if his cancer is in remission, why is he going through another round of chemo? They really do think we are idiots.
bloggless on May 20, 2009 at 12:09 AM
Imagine coming face to face (because they do have faces) with all the babies you facillitated to be aborted! I bet they are MAD!!!!!!!
bloggless on May 20, 2009 at 12:11 AM
Can you imagine if all the babies you helped to abort decided that you needed to be aborted from heaven. And yor anme didn’t buy you anything.
bloggless on May 20, 2009 at 12:15 AM
Actually, I think that those of you who are idiots should leave. I can’t imagine why you would presume to have any grounds to ask anyone to leave after sitting her gleeful that someone still has a tumor growing in their brain.
DaveS on May 20, 2009 at 12:20 AM
I present to you, omnipotent and other worthless piles of debris, these very, very close relatives to yourself… enjoy what you’ve become.
DaveS on May 20, 2009 at 12:27 AM
Reid is unbelievable. Maybe he just didn’t know what ‘remission’ meant. This is the guy who wants to control America’s health care. This guy is Obama’s right hand man. This is the reason I have no faith in our government.
Seriously, how can Reid be so flippant. How awful. This guy is no leader. Politician? Well he got elected. Leader, no way. These guys know how to get elected and not much else. Our government is a poor way of picking good leaders and we all suffer from it.
ThackerAgency on May 20, 2009 at 12:38 AM
Damn another sleepless night up saying prayers all night.
heshtesh on May 20, 2009 at 12:45 AM
DaveS;
OK, I’ve kept out of your little bitchfest because I haven’t seen much I’ve disagreed with, but by labeling ALL of us who are not falling on our knees praying for Ted’s health (though I must point out that does not necessarily mean we are openly cheering for his rapid death) with those idiots demands reply.
It is ironic that you choose a Reagan thread to try and make your point, when the reason most of us view Ted as being past his experation date comes from his dishonorable behavior during the Reagan administration.
To writ, Ted Kennedy openly told Soviet officials that HE WOULD SIDE WITH THEM AGAINST REAGAN SIMPLY BECAUSE OF HIS POLICIES.
Think about that for a second, given the Soviet Union’s dishonorable and often outright murderous conduct at that time.
That is treasonous and shows a disregard for life FAR beyond anything that happened to Mary Jo (which I view as sufficiently disputable to leave as is).
Think about that.
And then tell us about how we are so cold-hearted for not caring about the wellbeing of such an individual.
His friends and family (for the most part) deserve our sympathy.
But he does not.
Turtler on May 20, 2009 at 12:56 AM
Beam
daesleeper on May 20, 2009 at 1:11 AM
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