JK to speak at Kennedy wake Friday evening

[MBS]

from the NYT:

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/26/kennedy-funeral-arrangements-set/

The official tributes and funeral services for Senator Edward M. Kennedy will begin on Thursday morning, when his body is carried by motorcade from the family compound in Hyannis Port to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston.

There, his body will lie in repose beginning in the afternoon and evening for public viewing, and again on Friday. On Friday evening, a formal wake will be held at the library, with Vice President Joseph R. Biden and Senators John Kerry and John McCain among the notable featured speakers.

On Saturday, a funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica. President Obama will speak at the mass. Afterward, Senator Kennedy’s body will be carried by plane to Virginia, where a burial ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery will take place in the afternoon. The times have not yet been officially released.

[Inuca]

1. Apologies for the pettiness

but I wish McCain stayed home.

[MBS]

2. I didn't get it , either

Orrin Hatch, I could understand, as he was a friend. But McCain? Weird.

I would assume that Dodd would also speak, since he was also such a close friend???? Maybe he'll speak at the actual funeral.

[Inuca]

3. We do not really know

in what shape Dodd is :-(. There is alink on the main Discuss page to a video of his today. I can't watch it since I am at work, but there were comments in the thread about him ot looking too good.

[MBS]

4. hmm-- good point : (

Here's the youtube link to dodd's short press conference
Dodd video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42RwBKv8bAE

[karynnj]

5. It does say "among the notable featured speakers"

Dodd doesn't look that bad seeing that he had surgery about 2 weeks ago and this is hard - the You tube that comes up beneath it of the reaction when he was diagnosed also shows a really distraught Dodd.

[MBS]

6. that's my take on him, too

. . .grieving, keenly, but OK

[MonteLukast]

7. I know it would be rough on him...

But how about Robert Byrd?

His friendship with Teddy is well-established.

[wisteria]

8. I agree, he doesn't look bad at all. He does look like he lost a few pounds that its. n/t

[wisteria]

9. I agree with you. He should stay away. He can't even really honor Senator Kennedy

by supporting his lifes work-health care. It seems he is only there for the PR.

[jillan]

10. Guess I'm petty too - I totally agree.

I was really pissed off when he was on This Week with George on Sunday and he invoked Teddy's name into the conversation as
to why we can't healthcare reform passed. It really hit a nerve with me.