Senator Edward Kennedy Honored, Speaks at DNC
Members of the Kennedy family have long been political celebrities, so it was no surprise when Caroline Kennedy took the stage on Monday night to thunderous applause.
Caroline Kennedy introduced her uncle as “Teddy” and described to eager spectators the loving qualities of Senator Edward M. Kennedy.
She spoke of the inspiration that Obama has given to her and “Uncle Teddy” as well as the hopeful feeling that was characteristic of her father John F. Kennedy’s presidency.
“I have never felt the hopeful way that (people) felt when my father was president, until Obama,” Kennedy said.
Proceeding Kennedy’s introduction speech was a brief video commemorating the senator and his achievements. It drew heavily on his beliefs in health care as a fundamental right for Americans and his love of sailing and being in nature.
There was an overwhelming standing applause as the convention welcomed the senator and he took the stage for a surprise speech. The floor audience held signs that said “Kennedy” as they chanted, “Teddy! Teddy!”
“I have come here tonight to stand with you, to change America, to restore its future, to rise to our best ideals and to elect Barack Obama President of the United States.” Senator Kennedy said in the opening of his speech.
He drew largely on the ideals of change and hope, which have been leading characteristics of the Obama campaign. In addition, he touched on the war in Iraq, the United States trip to the moon and the American dream which ‘lives on’.
Senator Kennedy personalized his speech by calling for the crowd to remember the happy and hard times.
“So many of you have been with me in the happiest days and the hardest days. Together we have known success and setbacks, victory and defeat. But we have never lost our belief that we are drawn to a better country and a newer world,” Senator Kennedy said.
Senator Kennedy’s powerful voice echoed around the arena as he pledged to be “on the floor in January” with Barack Obama.
Edward M. Kennedy has represented Massachusetts in the United States Senate for forty-three years and is a devoted Obama supporter. He is also the most Senior member in the senate, according to his Web site.
The audience and convention goers “celebrated good times” with the band as the Senator closed his speech and set the mood for excitement.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Brittany Sovine at Brittany.Sovine@colorado.edu.
