# Kennedy promises to still be in the Senate next January?! **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 26, 2008, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-promises-to-still-be-in-the-senate-next-january/461311 "2008-08-26T15:19:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hawkeyeop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@Hawkeyeop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hawkeyeop)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-promises-to-still-be-in-the-senate-next-january/461311/21 "2008-08-26T17:17:41Z")
If nothing else, it gives gives Kennedy a reason to keep him fighting his disease. To keep his promise. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-promises-to-still-be-in-the-senate-next-january/461311/22 "2008-08-26T17:21:39Z")
For Christ’s sake, **BG** , what the hell do you want the guy to say: _Well, I’ll be dead in a few months, so we better get cracking on making sure a Democrat succeeds me in the Senate!!_ Give the guy a break, and let him go with dignity. There isn’t going to be a Republican Senator from MA. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-promises-to-still-be-in-the-senate-next-january/461311/23 "2008-08-26T17:26:58Z")
As a resident of MA, I’m frightened by the thought of which vile statehouse hack will wind up taking Ted’s seat. Let him stay in harness as long as he wants. And I know it’s a long shot, but I’m hoping the following will occur: When Ted leaves the Senate, and a special election occurs, Mitt Romney runs and wins his seat. Given that the only reason that the law requiring a special election was passed was to prevent Mitt from appointing a Republican to take Kerry’s seat if he was elected president in 2004, this would be the ultimate in irony. ---
**Author:** ![jk1245](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/49beb7/32.png) [@jk1245](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jk1245)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-promises-to-still-be-in-the-senate-next-january/461311/24 "2008-08-26T17:37:36Z")
The conventions are pep rallies anyway. Kennedy saying he’ll still be in the Senate is equivalent to the football captain saying that they’ll beat Crosstown Rival High at the big game, even though that may be unlikely. ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-promises-to-still-be-in-the-senate-next-january/461311/25 "2008-08-26T17:50:17Z")
It may have been a pep rally, but most of us are hoping for it anyway. _And_ that he’ll hang on long enough for health care to be passed. His condition may be just what it takes for the Congress to finally get off its collective ass and pass that bill before he dies, so that he can share in it before he dies. You’d think the well-being of all the American citizens would be enough, but sometimes the personal touch is just the extra kick that’s needed. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-promises-to-still-be-in-the-senate-next-january/461311/26 "2008-08-26T18:04:32Z")
[QUOTE=Oy!] It may have been a pep rally, but most of us are hoping for it anyway. _And_ that he’ll hang on long enough for health care to be passed. His condition may be just what it takes for the Congress to finally get off its collective ass and pass that bill before he dies, so that he can share in it before he dies. You’d think the well-being of all the American citizens would be enough, but sometimes the personal touch is just the extra kick that’s needed. [/QUOTE] Kennedy (and every senator and representative (except for Sherrod Brown, who declines to receive)) already receives single-payer healthcare, possibly the best publicly-paid healthcare in the country. He’s not one of the people waiting desperately for universal single-payer to be passed. With that as a given, that doesn’t mean that Kennedy isn’t passionate about making sure that the kind of healthcare that he and his colleagues get is made available to the public. It’s been one of his pet projects for over 30 years. ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-promises-to-still-be-in-the-senate-next-january/461311/27 "2008-08-26T18:15:58Z")
[QUOTE=jayjay] Kennedy (and every senator and representative (except for Sherrod Brown, who declines to receive)) already receives single-payer healthcare, possibly the best publicly-paid healthcare in the country. He’s not one of the people waiting desperately for universal single-payer to be passed. With that as a given, that doesn’t mean that Kennedy isn’t passionate about making sure that the kind of healthcare that he and his colleagues get is made available to the public. It’s been one of his pet projects for over 30 years. [/QUOTE] I didn’t mean share in its benefits. I meant share in the pleasure of its passage, _because_ it’s been his pet project for so long. Yes, I may think John Kerry is two people, but I’m not quite that stupid. 😃 Well, maybe I am. But I wasn’t this time. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-promises-to-still-be-in-the-senate-next-january/461311/28 "2008-08-26T18:17:03Z")
[QUOTE=Oy!] I didn’t mean share in its benefits. I meant share in the pleasure of its passage, _because_ it’s been his pet project for so long. Yes, I may think John Kerry is two people, but I’m not quite that stupid. 😃 Well, maybe I am. But I wasn’t this time. [/QUOTE] Okay…misunderstanding on my part! Sorry! ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-promises-to-still-be-in-the-senate-next-january/461311/29 "2008-08-26T18:18:13Z")
No worries. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-promises-to-still-be-in-the-senate-next-january/461311/30 "2008-08-26T18:21:03Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] There isn’t going to be a Republican Senator from MA. [/QUOTE] You know, George Cabot Lodge is still alive…I’m rooting for him to take it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-promises-to-still-be-in-the-senate-next-january/461311/31 "2008-08-26T18:25:35Z")
[QUOTE=Captain Amazing] You know, George Cabot Lodge is still alive…I’m rooting for him to take it. 🙂 [/QUOTE] Who is [George Cabot Lodge](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Cabot_Lodge)? I mean the original is dead. The two original [Henry Cabot](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Cabot_Lodge)[Lodges](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Cabot_Lodge,_Jr.) are dead. So who is George Cabot Lodge? ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-promises-to-still-be-in-the-senate-next-january/461311/32 "2008-08-26T18:28:28Z")
[QUOTE=Oy!] So who is George Cabot Lodge? [/QUOTE] Why, George Cabot Lodge’s twin brother, of course! I think Kennedy could hang on that long (and be of sound mind) and sincerely hope he does. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-promises-to-still-be-in-the-senate-next-january/461311/33 "2008-08-26T18:30:03Z")
[QUOTE=Oy!] That’s ok, **BG** , John Kerry’s twin brother John has it covered. 😃 [/QUOTE] Teresa could use a hobby. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-promises-to-still-be-in-the-senate-next-january/461311/34 "2008-08-26T18:31:06Z")
[QUOTE=TWDuke] If he feels up to it, he should stay. If Obama becomes president and makes health care priority, having a senior Senator who is passionate about the topic and respected by his peers is a tremendous asset. [/QUOTE] By all means, but I still took it as hyperbole. He’s not a well man. I agree the seat is likely to remain in Democratic hands, come what may. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-promises-to-still-be-in-the-senate-next-january/461311/35 "2008-08-26T18:34:06Z")
[QUOTE=Oy!] Who is [George Cabot Lodge](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Cabot_Lodge)? I mean the original is dead. The two original [Henry Cabot](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Cabot_Lodge)[Lodges](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Cabot_Lodge,_Jr.) are dead. So who is George Cabot Lodge? [/QUOTE] Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.s’s [son](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_C._Lodge), who ran against Ted Kennedy for Senate in 1962. He then taught business at Harvard until he retired in 1997. ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-promises-to-still-be-in-the-senate-next-january/461311/36 "2008-08-26T18:34:21Z")
[QUOTE=5-4-Fighting] Why, George Cabot Lodge’s twin brother, of course! [/QUOTE] :smack: How silly of me! ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-promises-to-still-be-in-the-senate-next-january/461311/37 "2008-08-26T18:50:30Z")
[QUOTE=Captain Amazing] Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.s’s [son](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_C._Lodge), who ran against Ted Kennedy for Senate in 1962. He then taught business at Harvard until he retired in 1997. [/QUOTE] Thanks, **Captain**. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-promises-to-still-be-in-the-senate-next-january/461311/38 "2008-08-26T18:57:11Z")
there is the mind over matter factor. sen. kennedy does have a very strong will. from last night’s speech, he is way more with it than sen. byrd. and tons more with it than either sen. helms and strom before their leaving the senate. he will most probably be in the saddle when the call comes to “go home”. having him stay in the senate ma. holds onto his seats in comm.s, he can just appear for votes. ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-promises-to-still-be-in-the-senate-next-january/461311/39 "2008-08-26T19:12:13Z")
[QUOTE=rocking chair] there is the mind over matter factor. sen. kennedy does have a very strong will. from last night’s speech, he is way more with it than sen. byrd. and tons more with it than either sen. helms and strom before their leaving the senate. he will most probably be in the saddle when the call comes to “go home”. having him stay in the senate ma. holds onto his seats in comm.s, he can just appear for votes. [/QUOTE] Next time do you think you could use just a few more keystrokes, so that I can have just a little fewer brain strokes trying to figure out what you mean? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-promises-to-still-be-in-the-senate-next-january/461311/40 "2008-08-26T19:17:19Z")
[QUOTE=Oy!] It may have been a pep rally, but most of us are hoping for it anyway. … [/QUOTE] Who do you mean by “us”? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-promises-to-still-be-in-the-senate-next-january/461311.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-promises-to-still-be-in-the-senate-next-january/461311.md?page=3)