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The Point

'Win One for Teddy' on Health Care

Our Editors Pick the Best of What's Hot on the Web

AOL News
posted: 6 HOURS 52 MINUTES AGO
comments: 1635
filed under: National News
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(Aug. 27) -- Ted Kennedy called health care reform "the cause of my life." Now that his life is over, how far will reform supporters go in using his death to win the battle in Congress?
Politics Daily's Jill Lawrence says it's possible the senator's memory will inspire lawmakers to pass a bill, but exactly how that would happen is not clear. What is clear is that Kennedy's influence will be felt in the debate.
Not only is there a proposal to name the health bill for Kennedy, there's a "win one for Teddy" movement taking shape.
Many commentators have noted that while Kennedy was admired by all for his skill in engineering compromises, the Senate's liberal "lion" was ferocious in fighting for what he believed was important. As the Boston Globe puts it, "the question is whether Kennedy’s death paradoxically might shift power farther to the left."
On the right, Townhall.com's Carol Platt Liebau calls the "what would Teddy do?" approach "an interesting tactic." She says if Americans are asked to support health reform because Kennedy did, opponents will call attention to his stands on other hot-button issues -- "from immigration to judiciary to abortion to spending to foreign policy."
A Remarkable Life Remembered
With the health care debate on hold until the president and Congress return from summer vacation, the media is focusing on Ted Kennedy's life and death. Remembrances of all kinds are available online. Here's a sampling:
Time magazine tells his life story in photos and Kennedy's own words. Life digs into its archive to highlight rarely seen pictures of the senator and his family. The Washington Post has an interactive timeline of the major events in his life. CBS offers an extensive package of text, photos and video called 'The Last Brother."
Ted Kennedy loved to laugh and loved to sing. This video from CNN's Jeanne Moos recalls his sense of humor. And Utah Republican Orrin Hatch -- one of the "singing senators" -- has posted this video on YouTube paying tribute in song to his longtime colleague and friend.
Palin Posts Again
There's a brief mention of Kennedy's passing on Sarah Palin's Facebook page. She offers her sympathy to his family and says Kennedy "believed in our country and fought passionately for his convictions."
Palin is also using her Facebook page to rally support for Glenn Beck -- the Fox News host whose program is the target of an advertising boycott because he called President Obama a racist. Palin, who had more than 800,000 followers on Facebook, is urging everyone to watch Beck's show.
Since stepping down early as governor of Alaska, Palin has used the Web instead of public appearances to stay in the spotlight. The Alaska Family Council had billed her as the featured speaker at an event in Anchorage Wednesday night. But her spokeswoman said Palin knew nothing about it and would not attend. It's the fourth time an expected Palin speech has fallen through in recent months, according to The Anchorage Daily News.
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2009-08-27 10:55:30
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TMTEE4FOUR

06:34 PMAug 27 2009

TLComm2 06:29 PMAug 27 2009 TMTEE4FOUR I DISCOUNT NUTTERS ON BOTH SIDES. UNFORTUNATELY, THE LEFTIST NUTTERS ARE NOW IN CHARGE OF THE WHITE HOUSE AND BOTH BRANCHES OF THE LEGISLATURE. THEY ARE THUS FAR MORE OF CONCERN TO ME AT PRESENT THAN A MAN SILENTLY EXERCISING HIS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO DISSENT.************That is strange because I distinctly remember people with T shirts that said down with bush or bush in a circle with a line through it were actually arrested when they were outside of his townhalls or campaign stops. I can give you a link if you like. But now, because some of you crazies think Obama wants to take away your guns we should allow a person that participates in extremist organizations and feeds himself with hate speech, to carry a semi automatic weapon around in a crowd of people outside of a venue where the President will be speaking. Now that is pure rightwing bullshit logic for you.

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(0)

Lderieux

06:34 PMAug 27 2009

Abh1171 06:33 PMAug 27 2009 Lderieux 06:28 PMAug 27 2009 You know what, we could argue Nazi, Fascist, socialist, communist, Marxist all day. You guys throw these terms out meant to scare people, when none of it is based in reality as far as our American government is set up. I simply gave you the definition, taken from the dictionary. You make of it what you will. We are Americans, part capitalist, part socialist.@@@@ and that is what it really boils down to Lderieux. GOOD POSTs==@@== Thanks! Have a great evening!

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Whalerdave

06:34 PMAug 27 2009

to mommaleecyYes there is forgiveness in his religion, but only if you confess your sins to a preist who's favorite verse in the bible is Mark 10:13-14 (Suffer the little children...)

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PiscesBaby36

06:34 PMAug 27 2009

lDERIEUX... sUBSTITUTE LEFT FOR RIGHT and the definition of Nazi sounds exactly like Obama may very well be.. I was in Cuba in 1959.. My Dad was one of the last American business men to leave Cuba in 1960... I can tell you that what Obama is doing now and his demeanor and rhetoric is very very similar to the early Castro.. My Dad even bought me a Fidel Doll... it had a little beard and wore a military uniform... Seen any Obama bobble heads lately.????

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HarmsJK

06:33 PMAug 27 2009

The whole country is not against healthcare for all, just the stupids who watch FoxNews and think patriotism is all about killing people and not taking care of our own.

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(2)

Abh1171

06:33 PMAug 27 2009

Lderieux 06:28 PMAug 27 2009 You know what, we could argue Nazi, Fascist, socialist, communist, Marxist all day. You guys throw these terms out meant to scare people, when none of it is based in reality as far as our American government is set up. I simply gave you the definition, taken from the dictionary. You make of it what you will. We are Americans, part capitalist, part socialist.@@@@ and that is what it really boils down to Lderieux. GOOD POSTs

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(3)

Islandnthescreen

06:32 PMAug 27 2009

Lercel4 06:29 PMAug 27 2009 Islandnthescreen 06:24 PMAug 27 2009 Don't worry Teddy, we're gonna get that healthcare bill passed for you AND Hillary. It's almost as good as done already.YAA LETS PASS IT BECAUSE ONE PERSON DIED AND A WHOLE COUNTRY IS AGAINST IT....................**************************What country do you live in?

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(4)

TLComm2

06:31 PMAug 27 2009

Lercel4 06:29 PMAug 27 2009 Islandnthescreen 06:24 PMAug 27 2009 Don't worry Teddy, we're gonna get that healthcare bill passed for you AND Hillary. It's almost as good as done already.YAA LETS PASS IT BECAUSE ONE PERSON DIED AND A WHOLE COUNTRY IS AGAINST IT....................Dont make the mistake in believing they care about public opinion. They assume that when they have TOTALITARIAN CONTROL, they can either buy the votes, have dead people vote, or just make up fantasy counts like STALIN. "Votes do not matter, all that matters is who is counting the votes" is a typical LEFTIST belief.

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(6)

Abh1171

06:30 PMAug 27 2009

TO FINISHSomeone who believed in civil rights for people (No way wanted to punish the Pres for abolishing slavery), someone who embraced change (No way, wanted to maintain the status quo relative to the south), someone who was clearly supportive of the US government against the secessionist south (I think that would define a leftist during that period). OK...have to go work calls. appreciate the dialogue TLCOMM2

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(1)

TLComm2

06:29 PMAug 27 2009

TMTEE4FOUR You are freakin kidding me?___ I haven't heard that sermon and so will not respond until I verify FACTS. Did you hear Reverend Wright and his racist crap - I have. How do you like OBAMA sitting thru that for DECADES*******The sermon is on the link I gave you and after the whole reverend wright thing I was sure you rightwingers would want to see what this armed black man has been listening to, but I guess because he hates obama you will find everything okay with him.___________ I DISCOUNT NUTTERS ON BOTH SIDES. UNFORTUNATELY, THE LEFTIST NUTTERS ARE NOW IN CHARGE OF THE WHITE HOUSE AND BOTH BRANCHES OF THE LEGISLATURE. THEY ARE THUS FAR MORE OF CONCERN TO ME AT PRESENT THAN A MAN SILENTLY EXERCISING HIS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO DISSENT.

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(5)

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(Aug. 27) -- Ted Kennedy called health care reform \\the cause of my life\\. Now that his life is over, how far will reform supporters go in using his death to win the battle in Congress?