LISA BÜL/The Patriot Ledger

We all heard some very grim news yesterday when we heard Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. We are told he will require chemotherapy & radiation. No prognostication has been made as it’s obviously early in the diagnosis. We’ve not heard if it’s in-operable…or if it’s operable – will they operate…there’s a choice to be made if that’s the case. The liberal lion has been larger than life in America as he has devoted his life to America and for America.

I have a personal memory that I’d like to share with you. The first was back in June 2000 when my wife, Kathy, and I were in Washington we managed to get seats in the senate chamber. We witnessed Ted Kennedy in his full-throated best railing against injustice and vowing to fight for the little guy…for the common man. It was extraordinary to witness in person what we’d seen so many times on television. He went on without notes for 15-20 minutes, he was passionate, he was eloquent. We were both spellbound. I’d love to tell you the entire senate was gripped in rapt attention as he spoke, but the truth is, there wasn’t anybody there. He was speaking to an empty chamber. There were just a few pages and senate aides bustling about scampering back & forth and ignoring the spectacle that was occurring right in front of them. But he was speaking to me, and he was speaking to Kathy, and he was speaking to you and to all Americans because he knew his speech was being played live in every senate office and throughout the country on C-Span. He had a point to make, a cause to defend, people to look out for, and he was doing it as he always did, with knowledge, with meaning, with truth, with eloquence and with passion.

I believe I’ve told you that there is a book coming out next month called Why I’m a Democrat. It’s a compilation of the reasons that 50 of us from all walks of life are democrats. Tony Bennett, Norah Ephron, Craig from Craig’s List, Melissa Ethridge are just a few. I’m the only radio talk show host that has a chapter in the book. The reason i mention this is because the real reason I’m a democrat, as I state in the book, is because of the Kennedy brothers and how they touched me as an individual. He and his brothers were heroes of mine.

So, Senator Kennedy, may you continue to fight your newest battle with the bravery, passion and courage you’ve fought all of our battles on our behalf for so long. I’m passing on my theme song to you tonight, senator. Keep fighting and don’t back down.