Obama fills in for Kennedy at Wesleyan

Posted: Thursday, May 22, 2008 3:47 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray
Obama will fill in for Ted Kennedy in giving Sunday's commencement address at Wesleyan University, his campaign says.

“Ted and I talked about me filling in for him at Wesleyan University earlier this week," Obama said in a statement. "Considering what he's done for me and for our country, there's nothing I wouldn't do for him. So I'm looking forward to standing in his place on Sunday even though I know I won't be able to fill his shoes."

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Comments

Awesome.

Obama '08

Jay, The Batcave (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 3:51 PM)

Gracious words from a gracious man. Since Kennedy seems to think of him as bearer of the flame, it makes sense that he would speak for Kennedy. (Besides, if he'd asked Hillary, she'd just have talked about herself and how picked on she was..)

Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 3:52 PM)

What a treat!

Ralph in Chicago (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 3:52 PM)

Awesom.

What an honor for Senator Obama. Talk about passing the torch.

Senator Kennedy, you are the slam!!

donna (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 3:52 PM)

OMG, is this Wesleyan in Middletown, CT. I am 20 minutes from there...ahhhhhhh!!! Don't know anyone graduating. I forsee lots of traffic though.

(bless them both!)

Lisa, New Britain, CT Lisas for Obama :) (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 3:53 PM)

Go President Barack Obama.

Debbie,Ewing,NJ (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 3:54 PM)

I Love that man! He has so much class.

Obama 08

Honey, Los Angeles Ca (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 3:54 PM)

If superdelegates let the Clinton's steal this, America will have lost a treasure necessary for our time. Swift courage and integrity are required to halt this incremental evil.

Dave, CA (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 3:54 PM)

Obama is such a nice guy

Britt CA (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 3:55 PM)

The torch has been passed.
God bless America.

Keep us safe from the Griffins and Wolfsons, the Roves, the Bushes, the Clintons.

"The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has never put it out."

Mark Thieme (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 3:56 PM)

Wesleyan could not have lost either way. Senator Kennedy's class of orators is of the tiniest demographic. Do him proud Barack.

aleese (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 3:56 PM)

The students at Wesleyan will get a great speech from Ted's perfect substitute. Just another example of the class act that Barack Obama is!

Go Obama 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 3:56 PM)

FIRST READ should change its name to LAST READ since it averages 1 update every 2 hours and is usually 1 hour to 1 day behind all current political news.

McCain just rejected Hagee's endorsement! What took him so long? Will MSNBC run a 1 hour special called "Hagee and McCain" and why the Maverick spent an entire year trying to associate himself with this guy after calling guys like him and Falwell "agents of intolerance"?

Mister Anderson (The Matrix) (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 3:58 PM)

Clinton Supporters Plan To 'Swarm' DNC Meeting

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/22/clinton-supporters-plan-t_n_103100.html

Terry, IN (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 3:59 PM)

Hillary Clinton Alma Mater

Tennessee for Obama (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 3:59 PM)

Man I like both of those guys Ted Kennedy is a real class act , and Obama is a real class act. Get well soon Ted still praying for you. Praying for Obama too with all of the devilment coming from the Clinton Camp and from McBush and company. I am praying for all of us.

Brian M. De. (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:00 PM)

I wonder if Queen Hillary will ask the supers to overturn Kennedy's decision?

Obama/Selebius in 2008. Integrity matters and the Clintons have none.

Sick of corruption, sick of the Clintons (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:00 PM)

Lucky graduates at Wesleyan University. No disrespect intended to Ted.

Ian (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:02 PM)

This is who I WANT for my president.....

How can we not want someone with so much grace and compassion?

He is a cut above all the rest....

YOU WILL NOT STILL THIS ELECTION HELLARY.....
it is not your time!!!

Not this time, not this moment...
It is Obama's time!

Come on people let's come together and do whatever it takes to make sure the DNC follows their own rules they put in place so the kind of crap Hellary is trying to play can never happen.....
WHO'S WITH ME?????

Jeanie

Jeanie in oregon (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:02 PM)

Praying for you, Teddy.

Ro (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:02 PM)

What an honor. I look forward to seeing his address.

Cara in MN (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:02 PM)

Awesome gesture Obama!

http://www.politivine.com

Cory (SC) (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:02 PM)

Just one more example of Senator Kennedy passing the torch.

The back pages of the Boston Herald are full of great stories about the Celtics and Red Sox.

The front pages are an entirely different matter.

What I want more than anything is to have Ted Kennedy give a speech at the Convention this August.

He has had a remarkable career as a legislator and there is much he can pass on to a new generation.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:03 PM)

What can I say... its nice to be at the right place and at the right time.

Smithers (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:04 PM)

Wow...a gracious leader...who'd a thunk it?

BTW - Even though Mr. Kennedy endorsed Mr. Obama, don't you think that if Clinton was THE nominee (as I recall, she carried MA, right?) he would have asked her?

Hmmmm....

L - MI (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:04 PM)

Let Obama not speak about politics to this graduating class. May it be about plans for the future and what the students can contribute. Dream lofty goals and plan for great things, but know there are mundane objects in your path that must be dealt with.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:04 PM)

Great choice Senator Kennedy for a replacement.... Obama will make us all proud I'm sure....

James Tn (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:04 PM)

thank you ted . this situation really sucks!

we are praying for you .

ki houston (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:06 PM)

Devil's advocate:
What if Mr. Ted Kennedy is faking a cancer just to generate publicity and hype for BO? All Americans have a soft spot in their hearts to fall for this.

Assiz Fawad, SA (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:06 PM)

and the pay back starts.He has quite a list of old time congress people to pay back. If he is allowed to hi jack this election it will be a sad day in America but it wont last cause he wont win in Nov.Arragance isnt the needed point for White House and thats all he has. He will read a mesmerizing speech written for him as usual and he will do another grammy moment and his people will swoon the country will be amazed. Reading a grammy moment isnt what determins presidency either. Sorry Obama good try and you can fool some people sometime not all people all time.I am glad there is a large amount of older ones like me that remember others tried your style and what happened to them. You and your wife have told us how good you are at low Chicago politics and yes I have seen you play away at it but our country is to important to give to someone we dont know.

Hillary08 (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:08 PM)

Uh huh...one liberal passing the torch to another liberal to give a commencement address at a college packed full of liberal staff and students..oh yeah that is the America the obamamites know...uh huh

Rick, NC (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:08 PM)

Nice!!!! God bless Sen. Ted Kennedy and his family.

BTW-- has anyone read the article on the Young Democrats of America? Apperently on of Hillary's big
time supporters offered them 1 million to endorse
Hillary. They declined the offer.

Obama '08

Kim M--AZ (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:08 PM)

This is a Leader and a great man.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:09 PM)

nothing I wouldnt do hummmmmmmmm

no Obama (Sent Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:10 PM)

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