Ted Kennedy

Hug it out!

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As the Presidential election draws closer and closer, we tend to focus our attention on the daily horse race between the candidates and lose sight of one key question recently raised in the Washington Post: What can our elected officials actually do for us?

As a union leader, I hear that question from my members quite often.  For us, that question becomes even more specific: What can elected officials do to help working families and union members?  With the recent news of Senator Ted Kennedy’s illness, I thought is was worth reminding ourselves of exactly what a passionate and dedicated elected official really can do and why it is so important that we stay engaged in the political arena and work to elect strong and uncompromising advocates of workers’ rights.

With Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) undergoing surgery today and spending the week in recovery, his Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee colleagues Barbara Mikulski and Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) will help shepherd bills on mental health parity and higher education.

"Senator Kennedy turned to them because he didn't want his absence to slow progress just as these bills are nearing completion,” a Kennedy aide told The Hill last week.

More movement in Governor Jon Corzine’s office:  Lilo Stainton, the former Gannett statehouse reporter who has served as Corzine’s press secretary since last June, is leaving for another state post.  She’ll be the Communications Director for the Meadowlands Commission.  Stainton took over for Anthony Coley (now Senator Ted Kennedy’s press secretary) when Coley moved up to Communications Director following the departure (under not-so-great terms) of Ivette Mendez.  When Coley left earlier this year, Corzine (after taking some time to mull his options) hired a reporter who covered him for the Star-Ledger, Deborah Howlett.

Among the many gifts received by Sen. Ted Kennedy this week were some bagels and cream cheese from his friend and ally Sen. Barbara Mikulski.

It was a touching moment when West Virginia icon Robert Byrd broke down in tears on the Senate floor, lamenting the diagnosis of his friend, Sen. Ted Kennedy.

But relations were not so close a few decades ago, when Byrd managed to oust the Massachusetts Senator from his Senate leadership position in the Democratic Caucus in 1971, in part because of Kennedy losing a Maryland ally.

With major business pending before it, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee that Ted Kennedy chairs will need someone to take the reins during his medical absence.

But because it is customary that a senator  chair no more than one committee at a time, The Politico reports that the chairmanship may very well fall to fourth-in-line member, Sen. Barbara Mikulski.

A conference committee on an overhaul of the Higher Education Act is currently postponed, while a bill on electronic medical records is nearing completion.

The second and third majority members of the committee, Senators Chris Dodd and Tom Harkin, chair the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee and Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, respectively.

Following news Tuesday that U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, U.S. Rep. and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mark Udall released the following statement:

“My prayers go out to Senator Kennedy and his family.  He has devoted his public life to championing the hopes and needs of America’s working families. His many accomplishments are well known, but I am particularly affected by this news because his family and mine have enjoyed a warm relationship throughout the years. 

“Senator Kennedy is a natural leader who has always reached across the aisle to bring Democrats and Republicans together to do what is best for our country.  To echo what many have said today:  Edward Kennedy is one of the most effective Senators to ever serve in Congress.  I am confident he will be back at his post soon and I look forward to working with him again as a friend and colleague.”

Days after Senator Ted Kennedy suffered a seizure, doctors at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston have diagnosed the 76 year-old Democrat with a malignant brain tumor. New Hampshire's political community is expressing its support for the stricken senator.

Democrats and Republicans alike are send their best wishes to Kennedy and his family.

Sen. Ben Cardin has issued a statement on Sen. Edward Kennedy's diagnosis of a malignant brain tumor, announced earlier this morning.

I join the nation in sending my well wishes to my colleague, Senator Ted Kennedy. He and his family are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

Senator Kennedy is a national leader, patriot and the definition of a public servant. He and his family have endured tremendous loss and hardship over the years, but I have no doubt that he will fight this battle with his usual grace, good humor and courage.