Projo Politics Blog

Some excitement is beginning to build around one of the secondary suspense stories of the Democratic National Convention -- the possibility that the ailing patriarch of a storied political family, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, will make an appearance in Denver.

It's been a live question in political circles all summer -- especially since the Massachusetts Democrat made a surprise appearance last month for an important Senate vote.

Aside from that to the Capitol, Kennedy has generally been out of the public eye since his diagnosis last spring with brain cancer, which put him on a difficult path of medical treatments.

Kennedy, who endorsed Barack Obama's presidential candidacy at an important moment early in the primary season, has by all accounts maintained his high spirits and pushed hard to return to work.

"It would be quite thrilling for all of us if he were there,'' House Speaker Pelosi, D-Cal., told reporters Saturday. She said she had spoken with Kennedy by telephone two or three weeks ago. ``He sounded like somebody who wanted to be at this convention.''

U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, D-R.I., and his cousin Caroline Kennedy made no definitive statements yesterday about the possibility of an appearance by Senator Kennedy.

"My father has been such a major figure in our party for so long that a lot of people take him for granted,'' Patrick Kennedy said in an email exchange this weekend. "But when you step back and look at the full range of his contributions, it's staggering. I think that even people who have been a part of our party for a long time are going to be blown away when they really look at all that he's accomplished."

The younger Kennedy touched on a theme that will be sounded tomorrow night in the most emotional terms. "It is interesting to see how things have come full circle,'' he said. "Senator Obama's campaign, which draws on so many of the themes that have been championed by my father for 46 years, is an affirmation of everything he has fought for over the years."

Caroline Kennedy told NBC's Tom Brokaw on "Meet the Press" this morning that she has seen her uncle often since he underwent treatment for cancer . "He's just amazing,'' she said. "He's really doing incredibly well,'' talking politics with all comers, maintaining his sense of humor and doing interviews for the 8-minute video tribute to be shown tomorrow..

In the end, Patrick Kennedy said several weeks ago, his father's decision will be as much medical as political because his doctor's are closely monitoring the possibility that his cancer treatments have left him susceptible to other illnesses.

Clearly, though, a Kennedy appearance would kick off Obama's nominating convention on an emotional high note.

 Tags  Caroline Kennedy Democratic Convention Patrick J. Kennedy Sen. Ted Kennedy tribute

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