Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy Hospitalized with Stroke Like Symptoms

Senator Ted Kennedy taken from the Kennedy compound in Hyannisport, Mass to Cape Cod Hospital.

Hyannis Fire Lt. Bill Rex told the AP a 911 call came in from the Kennedy compound at 8:19 a.m. EDT

Hyannis Fire Lt. Bill Rex told the AP a 911 call came in from the Kennedy compound at 8:19 a.m. EDT A male was transported to Cape Cod Hospital and was transferred by medflight at 10:10 a.m. from Barnstable Municipal Airport to Massachusetts General Hospital.

Sen. Kennedy falls ill; taken to Boston hospital by helicopter

U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy was rushed by ambulance to Cape Cod Hospital this morning after falling ill at the Kennedy compound in Hyannisport.

Hyannis fire responded to the compound after a call was made around 8:30 a.m. It’s unclear what Kennedy’s medical condition is, but after he spent almost two hours in the emergency room a decision was made to transfer him to Mass General Hospital in Boston.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy is transported on a stretcher to a waiting Med Flight helicopter at Barnstable Municipal Airport this morning for transport to a Boston hospital.
Steve Heaslip/Cape Cod Times

76 year old Senator Ted Kennedy has been taken to Massachusetts General and hospitalized for what is being reported as stroke-like symptoms. Earlier this morning Ted Kennedy, the long time Democratic Senator from Massachusetts, was taken to a Cape Cod emergency room. After spending less than an hour in the Cape Cod emergency room, Ted Kennedy was then transferred to Mass General in Boston, MA.

The Massachusett’s senator’s medical condition is unknown, but he was experiencing stroke-like symptoms, according to published reports

Senator Ted Kennedy Rushed to Hospital Overnight, CNN Reports

The 76-year-old Kennedy is being moved to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, CNN reported, citing the unidentified person. The hospital couldn’t confirm that Kennedy was on any of the hospital’s public patient lists, CNN said.

The Cape Cod Times newspaper said Kennedy left on a medical evacuation helicopter at 10:15 a.m. local time, CNN reported.

Others blogging on the breaking news of Ted Kennedy being hospitalized.,  Sister Toldja, “Although I have a strong dislike of Kennedy, I certainly don’t wish anything bad upon him, so hopefully his ailment won’t be life-threatening”.

UPDATE I: Kennedy spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter

Kennedy spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter has confirmed that the senator is being examined at Massachusetts General. She told the AP he went to Cape Cod Hospital this morning “after feeling ill at his home.”

The Boston Globe is reporting doctors believe Kennedy suffered a seizure at his home this morning, then had a second seizure while being airlifted to Massachusetts General.

“Kennedy family members were called this morning and told to rush to Boston, according to sources,” the Globe is reporting. (Video)

UPDATE II: Ted Kennedy’s previous surgery as Mass General in 2007

BOSTON (AP) — Sen. Edward M. Kennedy underwent surgery Friday to repair a partially blocked artery in his neck, which was discovered during an examination of a decades-old back injury.

Kennedy, 75, underwent the hour long procedure on his left carotid artery — a major supplier of blood to the neck and head — at Massachusetts General Hospital, his office announced.

The operation, performed by Dr. Richard Cambria, the hospital’s chief of vascular surgery, was completed without complications, and the Massachusetts Democrat was expected to be released in several days, his Washington office said in a statement.

UPDATE III: Comments about Ted Kennedy from John McCain & Barack Obama

Arizona Sen. John McCain, the likely GOP presidential nominee, said he awaited word on Kennedy’s condition. “Senator Kennedy’s role in the U.S. Senate cannot be overstated. He is a legendary lawmaker, and I have the highest respect for him. When we have worked together, he has been a skillful, fair and generous partner.”

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, beginning a tour of hospitals in Eugene, Ore., told reporters that he had been in touch with the senator’s family. “Ted Kennedy is a giant in American political history. He’s done more for health care than just about anybody in history. We are going to be rooting for him. I insist on being optimistic about how it’s going to turn out.”

UPDATE IV: The senator’s office just reported that his condition is stable. A Kennedy associate said he suffered two seizures.

UPDATE V: WTF, What is wrong with Democrats? Strategist Bud Jackson Says Kennedy Crisis Helps Obama

Why must it always be about politics with Democrats? How about they put away their political swords for two seconds and just pray that their Patriarchal Liberal Lion heath be OK? Simply pathetic.

Democratic strategist Bud Jackson appeared as a guest on Fox News Channel early this afternoon and said today’s health crisis involving 76-year-old Sen. Ted Kennedy could benefit Democrat Barack Obama’s presidential campaign by focusing attention on the issue of age.

In recent weeks, the Obama strategy has involved raising questions — some subtle, others not so much — about the age of his Republican rival, 71-year-old John McCain. Now, regardless of whether Kennedy survives his latest health crisis, political junkies will likely agree that Kennedy has probably done more this weekend to help Obama than he did through his endorsement of Jan. 28.

UPDATE VI: Official: Sen. Kennedy hospitalized with seizure

• Ted Kennedy Hospitalized For Seizure, Mass. Senator Falls Ill At Hyannisport; Spokesperson Says It Does Not Appear 76-Year-Old Suffered Stroke
• Kennedy Suffers Seizure, Rushed to Hospital, Sources Say Kennedy Alert, Talking, Undergoing Tests
• Ted Kennedy hospitalized after seizure