Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), 76, was rushed to the hospital earlier this morning. He was at the Kennedy compound in Hyannisport and was taken to Cape Cod Hospital.
CNN's John King reported that Kennedy was being transported to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. According to a Democratic source, Kennedy is feared to be suffering stroke-like symptoms.
Kennedy is the second most senior member of the Senate, having served since 1962. I'll update with more information later. Let's keep this liberal lion of the Senate in our thoughts.
StevenR broke the story on DKOS this morning in an excellent diary that is also being updated.
This story continues to develop and I will also keep updating as I can throughout the day.
UPDATE 4: The Boston Globe is now reporting that doctors believe that Senator Kennedy suffered a seizure.
http://www.boston.com/...
Doctors believe that Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts suffered a seizure at his home in Hyannis Port this morning, then a second seizure as he was being transported by helicopter from Cape Cod Hospital to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, according to an official briefed on the situation.
His condition was unclear early this afternoon, as a special police security detail gathered at Mass. General. Kennedy family members were called this morning and told to rush to Boston, according to sources.
Senator John Kerry has arrived at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Awaiting a statement from the hospital spokesperson...
UPDATE 3: The Boston Globe is reporting that Kennedy has suffered a stroke and that family members have been summoned to the hospital.
CNN continues to report "stroke-like symptoms", emphasizing that is all they know at this point.
CNN is also reporting that the Obama campaign has released a statement expressing that their thoughts and concerns are with Senator Kennedy and his family and that Senator Obama will make another statement later today.
Chronology according to CNN phone interview with local fire officials:
8:19 Fire officials respond to a 911 call with 2 paramedics, 2 EMTs and police support to address known as Kennedy compound. They cannot divulge name or specific treatment information. They do say that treatment was given at the scene.
8:43 Ambulance left house
8:50 Aarrive at Cape Cod Hospital
AP reporting that a Kennedy spokesperson confirms that Senator Kennedy is under evaluation at Massachusetts General.
CNN is now reporting that Senator Kennedy himself called a family member today to say he would be unable to make a planned lunch date. They are trying to confirm where in the timeline this occurred, but it is certainly an encouraging report.
UPDATE 2: CNN's Dan Lothian is confirming that he is now receiving treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital. Anchor T.J. Holmes is asking about the transfer and Lothian responded that Massachusetts General is one of the best hospitals in the country and would be very well equipped to handle any serious medical conditions and/or a very prominent patient.
John King reminds us that Senator Kennedy has surgery last October to treat a blocked carotid artery, and that many were amazed at the speed of his recovery and his subsequent vigor.
UPDATE: The Cape Cod Times is reporting that Senator Kennedy was transported by MedFlight helicopter from Cape Cod Hospital after spending about an hour in the emergency room, according to hospital officials. John King's sources reported that Kennedy was not on any public patient list, but that it would not be surprising to keep the name of a prominent patient confidential.
http://www.capecodonline.com/...
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.
Kennedy, 76, was placed on a stretcher and wheeled out to the MedFlight helicopter around 10:15 a.m. where it took off from Barnstable Municipal Airport.
CANDIDATE REACTIONS:
I know a lot of you are interested in the situation with Senator
Kennedy. I have been in contact with the family. Obviously they are in
our thoughts and prayers. They I am sure will be releasing some sort of
a statement when they have a better assessment of what the situation is.
But you know as I have said many times before Senator Kennedy is a giant
in American political history. He has done more for the healthcare of
others than just about anybody in history. So we are going to be
rooting for him. And I insist on being optimistic about how it is going
to turn out.
Barack Obama, speaking in Eugene, OR
"My thoughts and prayers are with Ted Kennedy and his family today. We all wish him well and a quick recovery."
Statement from Hillary Clinton
"I was very sorry to hear that Senator Kennedy has taken ill, and like millions of Americans, Cindy and I anxiously await word of his 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. I consider it a great privilege to call him my friend. Cindy and I are praying for our friend, his wife, Vicki and the Kennedy family."
Statement from John McCain