Senator Robert Byrd Breaks Down During Ted Kennedy Tribute "Thank God for you, Ted"

[oldpol]

Source: NECN

31 min 9 sec ago
Byrd breaks down during Kennedy tribute



(NECN: Washington, DC) - One of the truly emotional reactions to the news that Sen Edward Kennedy has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor came from his long-time colleague, Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia. Byrd and Kennedy were rivals for many years, but have grown closer as the two rose to be the elder statesmen of the U.S. Senate.

Senator Byrd described himself as "distraught and terribly shaken" but the news of Kennedy's medical condition. "My thoughts, and my humble prayers are with Senator Kennedy, my dear friend Ted, with his wife Vicki, and with the members of the Kennedy family. I hope and pray that an all-caring, omnipotent God will watch over Ted, and keep Ted here for us and for America," Byrd began.

But he broke down, saying, "Ted, I love you, and I miss you, and Erma, my darling wife (who died in 2006), would want to say, 'Thank God for you, Ted. Thank God for you.' " http://www.necn.com/Boston/Politics/Byrd-breaks-down-du...


Read more: http://www.necn.com/Boston/Politics/Byrd-breaks-down-du...

[JNelson6563]

1. I saw that. It was moving.

[oldpol]

3. hes' risen a lot over the past few years with his refusal to go along with the Iraq War

and he already was an expert on the constitution

[clear eye]

25. and for being the best opposition to Roberts Alito & Mukasey

[NMDemDist2]

2. tragic

it's a sad day for many of us.

God Bless them both, they are national treasures (Byrd and Kennedy)

[ShortnFiery]

27. Yes, may God Bless Robert Byrd and Ted Kennedy. They truly are national treasures ...

Statesmen who prize fairness and humanity. I wish their younger colleagues would follow their noble example.

[Barack_America]

4. God Bless our Dem leaders who pour their hearts and souls into their service.

This just breaks my heart.

[eleny]

5. Thank you, Sen Byrd

This is terrible news.

[mzmolly]

6. I agree, "Thank God for you, Ted."

I wish I hadn't just applied my mascara. UGH.

[ronnykmarshall]

7. That ripped me.

[yellerpup]

8. Gotta love those old boys.

Both of them. K&R

[snappyturtle]

9. I agree. They are two of only a handful of statesmen. K&R n/t

[SunDrop23]

10. One warrior saluting another...God bless em both!

[ToughLuck]

11. OK ,that about did it for me, Senator Byrd, you have me in tears...God Bless you for your

good heart. We love you Senator Kennedy!!

[Raine]

12. I can't stand to look at the picture

it breaks my heart.

[DogPoundPup]

13. Mr. Byrd...Be Strong...Hang In There

We love you~

[Sequoia]

14. That's sad.

I hope Senator Kennedy pulls through this. I hate that some are happy about this.

[MissDeeds]

15. Heartbreaking

Senator Byrd's outpouring of love and concern for his friend and colleague is gut-wrenching. Both men have fought for this country for most of their lives. They are each in my thoughts and prayers today.

[tabasco]

16. Two giants of our democracy.

I hope for a successful recovery for Senator Kennedy.

[Gormy Cuss]

17. It was painful to watch that.

Byrd has a deep and abiding affection for Teddy. The two have gone through so much together in their professional lives and it's clear that they are also good, long time friends.

[David Zephyr]

18. Very touching.

Thank you, oldpol, for posting this.

[mdmc]

19. Thank You Sen. Byrd

[Radio_Lady]

20. So sad. Byrd was clearly emotionally distraught, as was I.

[Petrushka]

21. Senator Byrd is obviously still mourning his wife . . . especially difficult at this time

of year because their wedding anniversary date is coming up next week.

[KoKo]

22. Senator Kennedy joined with Sen. Byrd in Debates to try to stop Iraq Invasion...

They stood on that Senate floor in speech after speech that many of us here on DU at that time listened to for hours.

They are the last of the great Men who could do soaring oratory and who really cared about our Constitution.

[opihimoimoi]

23. True Warriors and Heros to the Dem party....I Salute you both

[clear eye]

24. Thank You, Ted Kennedy, and Good-bye

In 2005-2006 I watched some of the debate on Bush's Supreme Court nominees on CSPAN. I gained a lot respect for Ted Kennedy as time after time he voiced the most cogent arguments against their confirmation. He kept fighting against the odds, trying to limit the damage Bush could do to the people of this country. What a loss. Progressive Dems like ourselves I don't think realized how much we'd come to rely on this Senate soldier to say what we wanted said, and how we've come to love him as our champion. Will there be another as incisive and forceful to step up in our defense?

[lonestarnot]

26. Ahhhh.

[Scout]

28. where are the critics of his tears?

gosh, when Hillary Clinton teared up with emotion, she got raked over the coals....

(I don't think there is anything wrong with either persons tears myself, just wondering...)