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May 22, 2008

Update: Obama to fill in for Sen. Kennedy at graduation

BOSTON -- U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy won't be able to deliver a commencement address to Wesleyan University graduates after being diagnosed with brain cancer, so Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama will do so for him.

Obama offered to stand in for him, and Kennedy had accepted. Late this afternoon, the university's Office of Public Affairs confirmed that Obama is scheduled to give the address Sunday.

Kennedy, 76, had hoped to speak at the ceremony in Middletown, Conn., where his stepdaughter will be among the graduates. The commencement exercises also coincide with 25th reunion festivities for one of his sons, Edward Kennedy Jr.

Obama said he and Kennedy had talked earlier in the week about Obama doing the speech.

"Considering what he's done for me and for our country, there's nothing I wouldn't do for him," Obama said in a statement. "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."

The scion of the Kennedy political clan, his son, Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., and niece Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy, have endorsed Obama for president.

Kennedy was diagnosed this week with a malignant brain tumor, which was discovered after he had a seizure at his home last Saturday. He was released Wednesday from Massachusetts General Hospital and has been recovering from his biopsy at the Kennedy family compound on Cape Cod.

Kennedy's spokeswoman, Stephanie Cutter, said Kennedy accepted Obama's offer to help "knowing it would be an historic opportunity for the school and all those attending," including his stepdaughter, Caroline Raclin, and his son.

"He's enormously grateful to Senator Obama and the support he's received from all of his colleagues this last week," Cutter said.

-- The Associated Press and projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 4:20 PM | Permalink

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