swamppolitics.com

Kennedy undergoing tests after seizure

May 17, 2008 1:05 PM PDT

by James Oliphant

Sen. Edward Kennedy remains in a Boston hospital Saturday afternoon undergoing tests after suffering what family members say was a seizure.

Initial press reports had Kennedy, 76, experiencing "stroke-like" symptoms, leading to speculation on cable news channels and elsewhere that the legendary Democratic lawmaker could be incapacitated in some manner, jeopardizing his ability to campaign for handpicked ally Sen. Barack Obama.

But early Saturday afternoon, the Kennedy family released a statement saying that Kennedy had instead suffered a seizure at the family compound in Hyannisport, Mass. early this morning. He was immediately rushed to a hospital in Cape Cod, and then airlifted to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

CNN and other media outlets quoted sources as saying family members were "guardedly optimistic" about a full recovery. Kennedy was reported to have been conscious and alert at the hospital.

Kennedy had surgery at Mass General in October to clear a blockage in his cartoid artery in his neck.

Obama, at a campaign stop in Oregon, was asked about Kennedy. "I know a lot of you are interested in the situation with Senator Kennedy. I have been in contact with the family. Obviously they are in our thoughts and prayers," he said. "But you know as I have said many times before Senator Kennedy is a giant in American political history. He has done more for the healthcare of others than just about anybody in history. So we are going to be rooting for him. And I insist on being optimistic about how it is going to turn out ."

Kennedy endorsed Obama at a jubilant rally at American University in Washington in January, branding the young candidate with the imprimatur of the Democratic establishment.

Both Obama's rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Sen. Hillary Clinton, and the presumptive Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain quickly released statements wishing Kennedy well. McCain, in particular, spoke of his respect for a man who has long been the subject of derision and riidcule among conservatives.

In their statement, members of the Kennedy family said it was unlikely much new information would be provided about Kennedy's condition for the next 48 hours.

Kennedy has represented Massachusetts in the Senate since 1962 and is the second longest serving senator behind Sen. Robert Byrd. He ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1980.

No full-court press for Clinton in OR

May 17, 2008 12:23 PM PDT

By Jim Tankersley

ROSEBURG, Ore. - For a few fleeting days, it looked like Oregon was in for its highest-stakes political weekend in 40 years, since Sens. Eugene McCarthy and Robert Kennedy fought out the final hours of the state's 1968 Democratic presidential primary.

But there will be no head-to-head combat before Tuesday's voting deadline in Oregon's vote-by-mail primary. After dropping in for a day of made-for-TV campaigning, Clinton scrapped her Saturday plans here and headed for Kentucky, which also votes Tuesday. That leaves Barack Obama alone in this state all weekend, starting today with a rally in the Southern Oregon town of Roseburg, and continuing tomorrow in Portland and rodeo hub Pendleton.

Say what you will about Clinton's schedule, but know this: Some of her allies say privately it's not close to the full-court press she would need to upset Obama in Oregon.

Polls show Obama leading here and Clinton leading in Kentucky. At this point in the nominating process - with victory among pledged delegates in sight and a steady stream of superdelegates flowing his way - Obama seems more than happy to take that split. He barely campaigned in Kentucky this month.

Clinton, on the other hand, could really use a surprise victory to keep her nomination hopes alive. On paper, Oregon would seem to offer the best opportunity among the remaining states. It's large enough to get national attention, it appears to lean toward Obama and its demographics include a lot of traditionally fertile ground for Clinton, including a disproportionately female Democratic electorate.

Swamp rewind: Kennedy chooses Obama

May 17, 2008 12:00 PM PDT

With Sen. Edward Kennedy's health dominating the news today, we thought we would take you back to last Jan. 28, when Kennedy's endorsement of Barack Obama was a landmark event in the senator's presidential campaign:

by Mike Dorning

WASHINGTON--At the site of one of John F. Kennedy's most famous speeches, Sen. Edward Kennedy endorsed Barack Obama as a worthy heir to the martyred president and one who could restore the sense of national possibility of Camelot.

"Even in the darkest hours, I know what America can achieve. I've seen it. I've lived it--and with Barack Obama, we can do it again," Kennedy said.

Obama was surrounded by a tableau of Kennedys on the platform, including Caroline Kennedy, the former president's only live child, and Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.), the Massachusetts senator's son, both of whom also spoke on behalf of Kennedy.

"I stand here with a great deal of humility," Obama said when he rose to speak after the three Kennedys. "I know what your support means. I know the cherished place the Kennedy name holds in the hearts of the American people."

Senator Kennedy's endorsement rested heavily on the themes of national possibility and generational change that propelled John F. Kennedy's presidential campaign and also Obama's bid for the presidency.

"If we do not turn aside, if we dare to set our course for the shores of hope, we together will go beyond the divisions of the past and find our place to build the America of the future. My friends, I ask you to join in this historic journey -- to have the courage to choose change," Kennedy said.

"It is time again for a new generation of leadership," Kennedy continued. "It is time now for Barack Obama."

Kennedy cast doubts the Hillary Clinton and her husband former President Bill Clinton have raised about Obama's readiness for the White House as similar to ones raised by Harry Truman about Kennedy during his campaign.

"There was another time, when another young candidate was running for President and challenging America to cross a New Frontier. He faced public criticism from the preceding Democratic President, who was widely respected in the party," Kennedy said.

"Harry Truman said we needed 'someone with greater experience'--and added: 'May I urge you to be patient.'" Kennedy continued. "And John Kennedy replied: 'The world is changing. The old ways will not do...It is time for a new generation of leadership.'"

Though Kennedy included praise for Hillary and Bill Clinton in his endorsement speech, he took some barely concealed swipes at the way they have conducted the presidential campaign.

Kennedy said Obama would "turn the page on the old politics of misrepresentation and distortion" and "close the book on the old politics of race against race, gender against gender, ethnic group against ethnic group, and straight against gay."

The Massachusetts senator recently contacted both Clintons to express his displeasure at criticism of Obama he considered to be over the line and Clinton campaign tactics that he felt were racially divisive.

Without naming Bill Clinton, Kennedy also rebutted charges that Obama's claims of consistent opposition to the war in Iraq were a "fairy tale."

"We know the true record of Barack Obama. There is the courage he showed when so many others were silent or simply went along. From the beginning, he opposed the war in Iraq," Kennedy said. "And let no one deny that truth."

American University was the site of one of President Kennedy's most famous speeches, his 1963 "Strategy of Peace" commencement address in which called for a nuclear test ban treaty and an easing of Cold War tensions with the Soviet Union.

Update: Kennedy suffered 'seizure'

May 17, 2008 11:43 AM PDT

by James Oliphant

The Senate office of Sen. Edward Kennedy has just released a statement saying the Democratic patriarch suffered a "seizure" this morning at Hyannisport, Mass. and is currently undergoing tests in Boston.

Here is the full statement:

It appears that Senator Kennedy experienced a seizure this morning. He is undergoing a battery of tests at Massachusetts General Hospital to determine the cause of the seizure. Senator Kennedy is resting comfortably, and it is unlikely we will know anything more for the next 48 hours.

CNN's Ed Henry is citing sources that say the family is optimistic about a "full recovery" for Kennedy.

Hillary Clinton on Ted Kennedy

May 17, 2008 11:39 AM PDT

by James Oliphant

Sen. Hillary Clinton just released this statement:

"My thoughts and prayers are with Sen. Ted Kennedy and his family today. We all wish him well and a quick recovery."

John McCain on Ted Kennedy

May 17, 2008 11:18 AM PDT

by James Oliphant

Sen. John McCain just released this statement:

I was very sorry to hear that Senator Kennedy has taken ill, and like millions of Americans, Cindy and I anxiously await word of his condition. Senator Kennedy's role in the U.S. Senate cannot be overstated. He is a legendary lawmaker, and I have the highest respect for him. When we have worked together, he has been a skillful, fair and generous partner. I consider it a great privilege to call him my friend. Cindy and I are praying for our friend, his wife, Vicki and the Kennedy family.

CNN is also reporting that Sen. John Kerry has just arrived at Massachusetts General.

Ted Kennedy rushed to hospital

May 17, 2008 10:21 AM PDT

Sen. Edward Kennedy being transported from a hospital in Cape Cod, Mass. to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Steve Heaslip/Cape Cod Times

by James Oliphant

Sen. Edward Kennedy, the 76-year-old legendary patriarch of the Democratic Party, was rushed to a Boston hospital Saturday, with media reports saying that he was suffering from stroke-like symptoms.

Kennedy fell ill this morning at the family's compound in Hyannisport, Mass., CNN reports, showing signs of a stroke. Emergency medics were called and he was taken to a hospital in Cape Cod and then airlifted to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Here is a statement just released from Kennedy's Senate office:

"Senator Kennedy went to Cape Cod Hospital this morning after feeling ill at his home. After discussion with his doctors in Boston, Senator Kennedy was sent to Massachusetts General Hospital for further examination. He is currently under evaluation, and information will be released as it becomes available."

Kennedy had preventive surgery at Mass General in October to unclog a partially blocked carotid artery in his neck.

The blockage was discovered during a routine check of Kennedy's back and spine, doctors said. A blocked carotid artery can lead to a stroke and death, they said.

His office has released a brief statement confirming that Kennedy is under observation at Mass General. The statement made reference to Kennedy consulting with his doctors, suggesting that he was coherent.

And CNN's Ed Henry is reporting that Kennedy himself made a phone call at 10:30 this morning after his hospitalization to a family member.

Kennedy made news earlier this year by endorsing Sen. Barack Obama for president in his contest against Sen. Hillary Clinton. Obama released a statement while campaigning in Eugene, Ore. "My thoughts and prayers are with Teddy," Obama said. "He is one of my favorite people."

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.

Barack Obama: an Iowa victory lap?

May 17, 2008 9:59 AM PDT

by John McCormick

Sen. Barack Obama will mark a major milestone in his presidential bid Tuesday evening by holding a rally in Iowa, the state that started him on his way toward his likely Democratic nomination.

His campaign said today that he will hold an outdoor election night rally in Des Moines, as returns from primaries in Kentucky and Oregon come in.

Obama is expected to mark the collection of the majority of elected delegates that evening, although his campaign has stressed that he does not plan to claim victory in the nomination fight with Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Iowa has been a battleground state in recent presidential elections and Obama's strategists believe he can win the state, something Sen. John Kerry was unable to do in his 2004 campaign against President Bush.

Clinton: Don't listen to the pundits

May 17, 2008 8:32 AM PDT

by James Oliphant

Take that, Little Russ!

Hillary Clinton has a new ad up in Oregon that blasts the punditocracy in Washington for being obsessed with "who's up and who's down."

Her campaign is avoiding what President Bush would call "the filter" and taking her message straight to the people. This approach avoids distracting talk about irrelevant things like "delegate counts."

In other words, the candidate who once ran on the power of the brand and her ability deliver continuity from the 1990s is now the anti-establishment outsider, throwing the media now in with the pointy-head economists and their ilk.

Bush: Oil-drill foes 'scream' for Saudi aid

May 17, 2008 8:10 AM PDT

by Mark Silva

SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt - A rebuffed President Bush complained today that "those who are screaming the loudest'' about Saudi Arabia stepping up oil production are the same people opposing his efforts to expand domestic oil drilling.

People equals Democrats in this equation, and expansion equals ANWR.

The president, who failed this week to convince Saudi leaders to significantly boost oil production to help alleviate pressure on prices, said today that Americans will have to step up to the oil drilling platform as well.

The United States cannot keep blaming others for failing to provide enough petroleum, the president said, while the U.S. itself is unwilling to explore new oil fields. In particular, Bush wants to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling - which environmentalists and Democratic leaders adamantly oppose.

"Our problem in America gets solved when we aggressively go for domestic exploration,'' Bush told reporters here today. "Our problem in America gets solved if we expand our refining capacity, promote nuclear energy, and continue our strategy for the advancement of alternative energies, as well as conservation.

"And one of the interesting things about American politics these days is those who are screaming the loudest for increased production from Saudi Arabia are the very same people who are fighting the fiercest against domestic exploration, against the development of nuclear power, and against expanding refining capacity,'' he said.

"We've got to do more at home,'' the president said. "And we need a Congress who will be responsive to those requests.''

What the 'Huck' was he thinking?

May 17, 2008 6:38 AM PDT

By Rick Pearson

LOUISVILLE--During his bid for the presidency, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee was known to be quick with a quip, using his background as a motivational speaker to make audiences laugh.

But a few hours after he appeared before the National Rifle Association's annual meeting yesterday, the Baptist minister and former Republican presidential contender was forced to apologize for an off-the-cuff comment that backfired.

Huckabee was among a number of prominent Republicans who used the NRA's "Celebration of American Values" at the Kentucky Exposition Center to argue that Democrats would take away gun-owner rights.

During his speech, a crashing sound was heard from off-stage.

"That was Barack Obama," Huckabee said. "He just tripped off a chair. He's getting ready to speak and somebody aimed a gun at him and he--he dove for the floor."

Even before a friendly audience, Huckabee's line fell flat and, later, he issued an apology. "I made an offhand remark that was in no way intended to offend or disparage Sen. Obama," Huckabee said. "I apologize that my comments were offensive, that was never my intention."

Red Sea, blue and yellow tropical fish

May 17, 2008 6:00 AM PDT

by Mark Silva, notes and photos

SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt -- The Red Sea is really aquamarine.

And salty as can be.

Electric-blue and yellow tropical fish shimmer across the live coral reef that lines the beach at Sharm el Sheikh.

Children squeal at the fish crossing a slippery, submerged walkway that leads to the deep water, clear to the bottom, with a hue that defies description. Aquamarine, Tourquoise. All of the above. This walk leads to boats beyond the coral, also a jump-off for snorkelers in the deep.

Tourists from Italy and Greece have come here this weekend.

But so have the president of the United States, the presidents of Egypt, Afghanistan and the Palestine Authority, the prime minister of Pakistan, deputies from Iraq, the King of Jordan and others, which attracts another sort of boat in the off-shore waters.

And don't worry about me -- I'm on the case.

Bush in the 'city of peace,' still possible?

May 17, 2008 5:00 AM PDT

by Mark Silva

SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt - The banner headline in the Arab News this morning says it all: "Palestinians Have the Right to Exist as Well: Saud.''

This indeed was the intended message of Prince Saud al-Faisal, foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, as he assembled foreign reporters last night in a sweltering little conference room of the foreign ministry in Riyadh.

The minister appeared almost whimsical in acknowledging that everyone in the room was more interested in talking about the price of oil than what was on his mind - he was there, he said, along with the oil minister, "to answer any questions you may have about oil."

But it was clear what the prince wanted to talk about.

"All of us realize the special relationship that exists between the United States and Israel and its political dimensions,'' Saud said. "However, it is also important to confirm legitimate historical and political rights of the Palestinian people according to international law which have been hijacked by Israeli occupational forces....

"We believe that the right to the existence of one nation does not eliminate the right to the existence of another nation,'' Saud said, near the close of this remarkable week in which the Israelis had celebrated the 60th anniversary of their nation but Palestinians had marked the Nakba, or "catastrophe,'' their own loss of a homeland on the day that Israel declared its independence in 1948.

So that's where we are today, both figuratively and physically: Settling in to the so-called "city of peace,'' the sun-baked Red Sea resort at the base of the Sinai Peninsula that has played host to peace summits in the past and will host a parade of Middle East and Asian leaders this weekend focused on a broad array of political crises in their own homelands, but also facing a visiting and soon-retiring American president who wants to talk about a settlement between the Israelis and Palestinians.

President Bush will sit down to lunch here with Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak, Bush will meet with Hamid Karzai, president of Afghanistan, and he will meet and dine with Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestine Authority and one of the two principal leaders hoping to forge the outlines of a new Palestine state with the Israelis by the end of Bush's presidency. Bush had met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on the first leg of this five-day journey, in Israel.

The end-of-term goal of achieving the contours of a Palestinian state has appeared all but impossible in the context of events unfolding in the region this week. Yet leaders - Bush among them - still hold out hope of the possibility. Bush, in a sprint-like series of meetings at a seaside resort hotel here, also will meet with the prime minister of Pakistan, Iraqi leaders and King Abdullah II of Jordan here on Sunday.

Bush had taken these talks to Saudi Arabia as well, where Saud, the foreign minister, was asked by reporters if he can envision peace between the Palestinians and Israelis by the end of Bush's administration.

"That I could visualize peace happening during this administration is a very simple answer - yes,'' the Saudi prince said with little show of either emotion or expectation. "And I hope that it happens.''

Guns, no butter, on the campaign trail

May 17, 2008 4:30 AM PDT

by Scott Martelle

It's almost like they had Friday planned out as "Second Amendment Day" on the campaign trail.

Barack Obama started the day in Watertown, S.D., where he wrangled with John McCain and President Bush over foreign policy and appeasement.

But he also talked about guns -- just hours before McCain was to address the National Rifle Association convention in Louisville, Ky. And the focus made it clear that McCain hopes, if Obama is the Democratic nominee, to exploit Obama's electoral weakness with white, working-class men.

Our colleague Nicholas Riccardi was with Obama and reports that the Illinois senator staked out his turf early today -- seemingly anticipating both McCain and the Republican National Committee, which launched a Web ad today on Obama and guns. Said Obama:

"There are a lot of Republicans who are mainly Republicans because they're worried the Democrats are going to take away their guns. In Chicago, we've had a lot of deaths as a consequence of illegal guns and gang shootings. In a lot of the country you've got a lot of illegal guns falling into the hands of criminals and gangbangers and people with mental problems. I want to restrict their access to guns. But I will never take away the rights of lawful gun owners to hunt, to sport-shooting, to protect their family."

Then came McCain. Our colleague Noam Levey was with him. Levey reports McCain mocked Obama before the gun enthusiasts:

"It seems every election, politicians who support restrictions on the Second Amendment dress up in camouflage and pose with guns to demonstrate they care about hunters, even though few gun owners fall for such obvious political theater. After Sen. Obama made his unfortunate comment -- an inaccurate and wrong comment -- that Pennsylvanians 'cling to guns and religion' out of bitterness, Sen. Clinton quickly affirmed her support for the Second Amendment. That drew Senator Obama's derision. 'She's running around talking about how this is an insult to sportsmen, how she values the Second Amendment,' he said. 'Like she's on the duck blind every Sunday, packin' a six-shooter!' Someone should tell Sen. Obama that ducks are usually hunted with shotguns."

Which brings us to the RNC and its new web ad -- see it above.

Scott Martelle writes for Top of the Ticket, the L.A. Times' political blog.

Clinton: Tea is no energy policy

May 16, 2008 4:01 PM PDT

by Jim Tankersley

JUNCTION CITY, Ore. - Hillary Clinton didn't mention Barack Obama in her stop in this small town north of Eugene today. Or John McCain. But she leveled an array of attacks at President Bush, including a mocking of his energy policy that she blamed for economy-stifling gas prices.

Clinton popped into a half-finished new subdivision here to talk housing concerns and high gas prices with a half-dozen voters around a dining-room table. The event carried a sort of parallel universe feel: While Obama and McCain verbally sparred elsewhere over direct talks with hostile governments, Clinton acted the part of a presidential nominee - with Bush as her opponent.

Clinton criticized Bush on education, economics and timber harvesting. She said his energy policy amounted to "begging" Saudi Arabia to increase oil production and pledged to fight the "monopoly" of OPEC.

"I think it's very important that we do something more dramatic than go and have tea with the Saudis," she said, referencing Bush's meetings in that country on Friday.

Clinton promised to probe OPEC and oil traders, Teddy Roosevelt-style, for possible antitrust violations and market manipulation. She asked participants about how gas prices, nearing $4 a gallon here, hurt their businesses, public services and everyday lives. The owner of the home she sat in, retiree Marvin Mehlbrech, said high prices at the pump had curbing his family's traveling: "We kind of just hang out around here," he said.

Mehlbrech's wife Sandy urged Clinton to keep traveling the campaign trail, which is scheduled to take her to Portland for a television forum tonight and onto Kentucky tomorrow. "Please stay in," she said.

Clinton responded by nodding her head. "I feel it every day," she said, adding that she was leading among the Democratic popular vote. That figure only works if you include the disputed tallies from Florida and from Michigan, where Obama wasn't on the ballot, and discard some caucus states where the popular vote was not recorded.