Lost in Thursday's "Today" coverage of Senator Ted Kennedy's letter requesting a succession plan, should the Massachusetts senator be unable to serve due to health reasons, was how nakedly partisan the act was. While NBC's Matt Lauer noted, at the top of the show, that Kennedy sent a "poignant letter to lawmakers," asking for a succession plan, he nor any other NBC correspondent, mentioned that Kennedy was asking for a change in a rule the state Democrats put in place to prevent a then-Republican Governor Mitt Romney from appointing a replacement for Democratic Senator John Kerry, if Kerry had won the presidential election in 2004. Now that Democratic Governor Deval Patrick is in charge, Kennedy is asking the rule be changed back to ensure an extra Democratic vote for a health care bill.
NBC's Anne Thompson missed the partisan ramifications as she depicted a missing Kennedy vote as only a loss to the people of Massachusetts in her piece:
"What he does not say in the letter is that, clearly, on his mind is the issue of health care. It has been the issue of Senator Kennedy's career and should an issue, and should a vote come in the Senate on health care reform, and Senator Kennedy was not able to cast that vote and no special election should be held, Massachusetts would only have one vote on that issue."
The following teaser and segment were aired on the August 20, edition of the "Today" show:
MATT LAUER: And letter from the senator. In a nod to his failing health, Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy sends a poignant letter to lawmakers in his home state and he's asking for a succession plan today, Thursday, August 20th, 2009.
...
ANN CURRY: Now to Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy looking to the future as he battles cancer. NBC News has learned that he has now sent a letter to Massachusetts lawmakers asking for a succession plan to be put in place. NBC's Anne Thompson is near the Kennedy compound on Cape Cod this morning. Ann, good morning.
ANNE THOMPSON: Good morning, Ann. That letter to Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and leaders of the State House and Senate was sent by Senator Kennedy at his home in Hyannisport. It is here where has spent most of his time here since being diagnosed with malignant brain cancer or malignant tumor in May of 2008. Now in the letter the Senator asks that the state amend its succession law if a senator, in the state, resigns or passes away. Under that current law you would, the, there would be a special election that would occur five months after a resignation or a death. Senator Kennedy is asking that the law be amended to allow the governor to appoint someone to hold that Senate seat until a special election is held, and in the letter he writes to Governor Patrick, and the state leaders, "I am now writing to you about an issue that concerns me deeply. The continuity of representation for Massachusetts should a Senate vacancy occur."
What he does not say in the letter is that, clearly, on his mind is the issue of health care. It has been the issue of Senator Kennedy's career and should an issue, and should a vote come in the Senate on health care reform, and Senator Kennedy was not able to cast that vote and no special election should be held, Massachusetts would only have one vote on that issue.
At the end of the letter, Senator Kennedy talks about his service to the people of Massachusetts and what it has meant to be a senator to him. He does not reference his illness but he says, "Serving the people of Massachusetts in the United States Senate has been, and still is, the greatest honor of my public life." Aides close to the senator say that this letter does not mean that any change in his health is imminent, it is just something that has been on his mind. Anne?
CURRY: Still, it obviously says that, you know, at a time when he's got so much to deal with that he's, he's actually also still thinking about the future for Massachusetts and for this country. Anne Thompson, thank you so much for your reporting.
—Geoffrey Dickens is the senior news analyst at the Media Research Center.
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A kennedy speaks
August 20, 2009 - 10:01 ET by Delsaand the media goes to it's knees.
Yea Kennedy is thinking about the future for Mass and the country?
B***S***
Even as the SOB faces his maker, he continues his attempt to screw Americans.
What a guy!
He can only pray God loves him.
He don't
August 20, 2009 - 10:36 ET by boomerconDelsa, I don't believe for an instant that God loves Teddy, and I think he knows it, which is why he's continuing his wicked ways.
He won't ever again be allowed in the vicinity of Mary Jo, so Ted knows he's going straight to hell, and his time before God will be just long enough to review his sins.
Come to think of it, that could take quite a while.
TEDDY: MEDIA POISONING AHEAD
August 20, 2009 - 14:01 ET by reelman46TEDDY: MEDIA ANAL POISONING AHEAD
Probably
in 2009 one of the worst moral midgets of my generation will die. He
never worked a day in a real private job and thus became a lifelong pig
at the gov-meant trough of power. He was born with millions in his
trust fund yet claimed to completely understand poverty.
This man was a known serial offender on many fronts. He left a woman
to drown inside a car (he was driving) in less than 5 feet of water.
She was trapped in the car while he made CYA calls before calling the
police. His family power made sure there was no normal sequence of
investigation or an autopsy. He was a well known skirt chaser and
boozer. He claimed to be a catholic yet always voted for
abortion…decade after decade. He pushed eco-wacko stuff but fought
windmills near where he stayed. He paid for another student to take his
test in college.
He pushed secular socialism at every turn with vicious distorted rants (not reason or logic-based) against those that disagreed.
He trashed America with the usual democrat guilt trips, victim worship
and demon fears. For this he will be lionized as some sort of hero.
His brother JFK was a known serial adulterer who also went back on his word so Castro got Cuba.
Another Kennedy kin died flying at night when he was not certifed to do so.
The secular socialist clan of Kennedys paved the way for democrat
moral midgets like the Klintons to succeed because the fawning liberal
media gave them a pass year after year. The skeptical “media anal
exams” have become reserved for any conservative or Republican.
Hence, here we are in a cultural Oz.
Now Teddy wants the state law changed for political reasons to
quickly get a successor on his throne. As usual, the voters are never
to be trusted, even in Kookatushetts. His very name was arrogance…at
least until Obama came along. Records are made to be broken they say.
Imagine for a minute if the above post described any non-liberal
member of congress…imagine. This too is yet another indication of the
state of our political culture and the network media. Expect hours of
TV worship for Teddy. What does that tell you about American media
values?
Is it any wonder more and more thinking people realize “Liberalism is a mental disorder”?
Doug Schexnayder, Ph.D. (theconservativecrawfish)
Can't come soon enough!
August 20, 2009 - 15:43 ET by Secret ConservativeTeddy Kennedy's demise can't come soon enough! Too bad it didn't happen the same week that Michael Jackson died. Can you imagine the media having to decide between canonizing Teddy and whitewashing Michael?
CURRY: Still, it obviously
August 20, 2009 - 10:08 ET by motherbeltCURRY: Still, it obviously says that, you know, at a time when he's got
so much to deal with that he's, he's actually also still thinking about
the future for Massachusetts and for this country
Oh, gag me!!
It just proves the even facing his own mortality, he is a political animal to the last.
Sorry, that's probably cruel, but I'm only surprised that he's not actually naming who he would like to "succeed" him. (Caroline or nephew Joe, ya think???)
Spare me the arrogance of liberals!
MB: Curry left the following out of Kennedy's letter:
August 20, 2009 - 10:27 ET by SickofLibs"Erra, of cawse whoevah shall take my crown, erra, I mean seat, should be of, erra, the royal, uh, bloodline. Erra, that reminds me... Nurse, it's past time for my mawning schoona of Crown Royal."
Probably Nephew Joe
August 20, 2009 - 11:14 ET by Galvanic"Serving the people of Massachusetts in the United States Senate has been, and still is, the greatest honor of my public life." - Ted Kennedy
Other than driving off a bridge and killing Mary Jo Kopechne, it's the only thing he's done in his life.
If Joe Kennedy Jr. still meets residency requirements, I'd expect him to be the 'temporary' successor to Uncle Ted.
Teddy ain't thinking about Massachusetts or the country. He's thinking about keeping Kennedys at high levels of government.
Motherbelt
August 20, 2009 - 15:44 ET by Secret ConservativeRight On! Caroline couldn't get appointed in New York (where she actually LIVES) so she might as well be the next Senator from Taxachusetts. It will P.O. Cousin Joe, but who really cares as long as the last name is correct.
Hypocrisy
August 20, 2009 - 10:10 ET by mioilmanLiberals of all stripes have a limitless supply.
Out of town on business I was exposed to the NBC morning shows at the common breakfast bar.
Anyone who watches that drivel on a daily basis is without compass. The blind leading the blind.
When oh when are productive American citizens going to organize to demand more from the corporations that work daily to promote ignorance thru television.
Yesterday's Today show had a feature explaining that if you take your gold and put it in the mail the amount of money you receive back will be lower than it should be.
Sounded just like the stimulus to me. God save us.
Mother
August 20, 2009 - 10:13 ET by Delsa"gag me" is PERFECT and exactly what happened to me when I read that!
You are not cruel. You are spot on!
GMTA, Delsa! I saw your
August 20, 2009 - 10:17 ET by motherbeltGMTA, Delsa!
I saw your comment when I posted mine.
Same Old Routine
August 20, 2009 - 10:44 ET by UtherpendOnce again a Kennedy wants to bypass the rules the common people are saddled with and basically write his own. Where are the Republicans to oppose this side stepping of the rules the Dems themselves put into place? Who cares if Teddy isn't long on this planet, he has been given a free ride his whole life, the trip needs to come to a halt here.
"For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security."
How long has he been sick?
August 20, 2009 - 11:00 ET by JeffC...How many votes has he missed due to his illness? If he was man enough (and we have ample proof that he isn't), he would have resigned and have gotten a replacement long ago.
Jeff, he's painfully
August 20, 2009 - 11:07 ET by motherbeltJeff, he's painfully aware of how much his country needs him, and therefore, must serve as well as he can, until alas, he can do so no longer, because none can fill his shoes. And even then no one knows better than he who should replace him.
No one seriously thinks Governor Patrick is actually going to make the choice, do they?
<Chris Matthews imitation> HA!!
I'm from New York. How can
August 20, 2009 - 12:41 ET by MillerTimeWarpI'm from New York. How can anyone care about Mass when we have a blind, inept governor "running things" ?
The "blind" doesn't
August 20, 2009 - 16:26 ET by motherbeltThe "blind" doesn't matter.
The "inept" is critical.
blindness WAS an issue
August 21, 2009 - 07:45 ET by MillerTimeWarpWhen Spitzer left NY, Patterson's blindness was highlighted as one of the many "hurdles" this African American had to overcome. And he's such a funny guy. Lets not bother to worry that he has no experience or even an ounce of common sense.
Kennedy Law
August 20, 2009 - 11:05 ET by nadadhimmiThe best thing Ted Kennedy could do to ensure the survival of the dy-nasty is to repeal the law of gravity. This arrogant family has, and has always expected to be, treated as divine beings. But with the drunken skiing and the airplane incidents, they have proven to be just as subject to the laws of physics as the "little people". I demand that congress and senate repeal the law of gravity now! Protect our divine family from the ravages of natural law, a discriminatory law put in effect by God Almighty without even consulting the Kennedy's. REPEAL THE LAW OF GRAVITY, NOW!!, and replace it with an equitable, Progressive new law:" The Kennedy Family Worship and Special Protection Act ". DO IT NOW.
I wonder . .
August 20, 2009 - 11:38 ET by 1611LilacLady. . . what speech writer wroter this poignant letter? I guess we can add a new meaning for poignant.
Political poignant letter, statement: last attempt to manipulate when death is imminent.
Isaiah 5:20a Woe unto them who call evil good, and good evil. . . KJV
So...who will inherit the position?
August 20, 2009 - 11:40 ET by Red JeepCarolyn, Joe, or the current Mrs. Ted Kennedy? Didn't know we had royalty in this country.
Why Now?
August 20, 2009 - 11:59 ET by slickwillie2001Funny this would come up now. A couple of months ago there was a burst of 'oh my God he's dying' articles and pre-obituaries and a succession scramble. They we heard Teddie had taken a turn for the better, was looking healthier than he has in years, and was somewhat out of danger. Why this talk now? Are we really supposed to believe he is not expected to last the next five months? Or is this maybe just another search for sympathy for the failing Obamacare program? A desperate search for some kind of legacy for the old drunk?
As Spanky used to say to
August 20, 2009 - 12:09 ET by FranksamAs Spanky used to say to Alfalfa, "Many of you have taken the words right out of my mouth." The sycophants in the media, primarily located in the self-absorbed northeast quadrant of America, believe that not only should there be a seat on the Supreme Court reserved for: a Latina, an African-American (as long as he or she is really 'black'), a woman, and I suppose, soon enough, a differently-abled justice. (I'm guessing that Charles Krauthammer would not be 'disabled enough').
Certainly the Kennedy's should be part of the Senate. Just look at all the great things they have done. At least two of them had sex with Marilyn Monroe, and the Bay of Pigs went real well. JFK's war in Southeast Asia was a great success, and only one of them committted vehicular homicide, as far as we know. Who can go against a record like that?
There are some people in Texas who are talking about seccession. If Kennedy wants to talk about succession, I think we should encourage the original thirteen states to go out on their own again. At this point, I think I might be better off.
Once again, NB, you are
August 20, 2009 - 12:08 ET by jdhawkOnce again, NB, you are giving the partisan, liberal propagandists on the Today Show the benefit of the doubt. They didn't "miss" anything. They chose not to report it because the drunken, slob, murderer, Kennedy is their "lion" of the senate.
When are you guys going to call a spade a spade. It there something going here? Over and over you have given the partisan leftist media the benefit of the doubt. There could be a web site about it if any one cared to create it.
They are not journalists. They are leftist propagandists that don't care a wit about reporting the news. They are all about getting their views across and the hell with the rest of us. They don't care if it is "miss," an exaggeration, or a bold face lie,. They don't care how, when, or why conservatives are vilified - just that they are. They defend to the hilt their "side" regardless of the slight, misdeed, bungle or disaster.
Nail on the Head alert!!
August 20, 2009 - 12:19 ET by nadadhimmijdhawk, you are correct. rideon brother.
The point that nobody on the
August 20, 2009 - 12:19 ET by ninerdogThe point that nobody on the left is looking at is this Kennedy would have been sent home with an aspirin when he collapsed if we had government run health care and he was under its care. Nobody is even making this comparison or talking about it in this vain.
I've wondered what filthy,
August 20, 2009 - 12:31 ET by bigtimerI've wondered what filthy, sleazy tactics they would use to replace Teddy...they Lyin' of the Senate...who should have stepped down long ago, but the dems have no class, they do whatever the please...Czars are another example of that.
The SRM is right in bed with whatever tactic they use.
We all know it too.
Disgusting...
Obama's a Community Agitator, a walking, talking destroyer. ~ Rush Limbaugh
'the dems have no class, they do whatever the please...'
August 20, 2009 - 15:12 ET by JDWI put thorns in your feet, spread the plague in the streets
JDW
DAILY WAVE
Jobs, jobs, jobs ... Spending, spending, spending
Misses? I think the word
August 20, 2009 - 12:38 ET by fitzfongMisses? I think the word is "avoided"...kind of like what Fat Pantload Teddy did with his responsibility at Chappaquidick.
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." -George Best
August 20, 2009 - 13:27 ET by jessieHKennedy is a murderer. He should be in prison, not the senate.
ROT IN HELL
August 20, 2009 - 14:14 ET by TWOTIMETUNATed Kennedy, the murdering alcoholic should rot in purgatory. I hope he suffers a long time.
The Government is the Enemy
No
August 20, 2009 - 15:55 ET by JDWThis is Rev Wright's thought process, not ours. It is a decision which will be made out of our hands. As stated by jessie, he belongs in jail, not the senate.
JDW
DAILY WAVE
Jobs, jobs, jobs ... Spending, spending, spending
Teddy
August 20, 2009 - 21:21 ET by Jay in NHKennedys legacy to me will be twofold: he forever changed legal immigration when he passed his Immigration Act in 1965 that, in effect, discriminated against northearn europeans. And he initiated the decline, and now death of civility in political discourse with his foul, venomous, shrill, and disgusting attacks on Robert Bork. Nice going, Teddy!