Text: Sen. Kennedy on the Future of the Democratic Party (drunk to the point vomiting alert)

Washington Post ^ | January 12, 2005 | Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Chappaquiddick)

[RWR8189]

Following is the full text of Sen. Edward Kennedy's (D-Mass.) speech at the National Press Club on the future of the Democratic party.

KENNEDY: Thank you, Sheila Cherry, for that gracious introduction and thank you to the Press Club for inviting me here today.

I'm honored to be joined on the dais by two outstanding young persons who represent a new generation of leadership for the Democratic party and our country. Grant Woodard is a junior at Grinnel College in Iowa, president of the College Democrats of America. He brilliantly organized students for John Kerry in the Iowa caucuses a year ago. And last fall he led a national effort to mobilize student voters. So I appreciate his presence.

And Andrew Gillum is the youngest person ever elected to the city commission in Tallahassee. He was elected while still a student at Florida A M and now, two years later, the commission has chosen him as mayor pro tem of the city.

Andrew served last fall as the Florida director of the Get Out The Vote campaign for People for the American Way. I'm pleased he's joined with us here today.

(APPLAUSE)

[RWR8189]

[phoenix0468]

I would say he looks like Jabba the Hut, but I don't want to insult Jabba. Plus, Jabba just chained his women to himself, not drive off a bridge with them. HEHE.

[popdonnelly]

The Democrats' political chances would probably improve if they stopped using Ted as a spokesman.

[wartman]

Here in Chicago, a weekend host (Teri O'Brien) on WLS radio had a great one liner during the election, after Kerry made his "we're all in the same boat" remark..

"John Kerry said we're all in the same boat. I guess I'd rather be in John Kerry's boat than in Ted Kennedy's car"

I had to pull over to the side of the road I was laughing so hard. Yet so true.

[Aussie Dasher]

"All people are created equal"

"All" - except the 40 million ripped to pieces in abotuaries since Roe V.Wade.

Lard Ass is still just a simple lying SOB!

[billorites]

"I would say he looks like Jabba the Hut, but I don't want to insult Jabba."

Maybe Pizza the Hut?

[phoenix0468]

Getting warmer, but I still puke everytime I see TK, and that picture is just gross.

[dts32041]

So what do you think about JJ juniors thinking about going up against the daley crime machine and running for mayor?You think it will upset their daddy's?

[postaldave]

sorry i missed the broadcast, i was really drunk and don't know where i parked my car.

[Radix]

The Kennedys as well the Fords, the Carnegies, the Rockefellers, and a host of other clans are immune from the tax policies which they helped implement. Many of those others related by blood and marriage are involved in the media. Their hypocrisy is astonishing!

They receive the very large portion of their income from Foundations which are not subject to death taxes that most productive Americans are subject to. They clearly have a vested interest in taxing people in every manner possible.

Simple? Yes, I am!

[billorites]

"The Democrats' political chances would probably improve if they stopped using Ted as a spokesman."

I'd be fibbing if I claimed to have never been "fall down drunk."

I don't think that I ever was so inebriated that I didn't know enough to decline any opportunity for public speaking.

[wartman]

Jesse Junior obviously wants the job; the post of Chicago mayor is the one office every Democratic Chicago Pol wants -- ahead of U.S. Senate or Governor, which seems ridiculous on the face, but here in this area, it's a big deal.

I don't think he'll run for mayor, Daley is far too popular, even against Jesse Jr. However, anything is possible considering Jesse doesn't have much upward mobility in the House except for leadership of the Black Congressional Caucus. He's too Liberal to be elected to the Senate, and too contreversial to be elected to a leadership post in the general Democratic House membership.

[petercooper]

Brit Hume played this little snippet on his show tonight. Uncle Ted actually said 'Osama Bin Laden' not just Osama Bin. It was hilarious.

MODERATOR: This person asks, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois was elected with over 80 percent of the vote, and over a million of those voters were also President Bush voters. What did Senator Obama do that Senator Kerry and other Democrats not do?

And do you think the Democrats need to move toward the center to recapture the majority position?

And finally, If a Democrat wins the next presidential election, what are the most difficult problems he or she will face in 2008?

KENNEDY: There you go. Why don't we just ask Osama bin -- Osama Obama -- Obama what -- since he won by such a big amount. Seriously, Senator Obama is really unique and special.

[taxesareforever]

Ted: "Does anyone here realize that I love to hear myself talk?"

Yeah, almost as much as we realize that you know how to do the breaststroke.

[kalee]

He looks pregnant.

[Johnnyboy2000]

I'm watching Chris Matthews and was hoping that there was a drinkin' Ted thread. I't surprising tha he could get the bottle of Johnny Walker out of his mouth long enough to speak.

[dts32041]

I think I heard it mentioned on Don and Roma, but not sure since it was just a blurb, Tony Snow on XM, no longer listen to LS, except 3 hours a day.

[Fenris6]

Some idiot when on Fox's Sean Hannity show and claimed that Kennedy had "paid the price" for Chappaquidick because he sacrificed the Presidency. What lovely logic - I'll try that if I am ever convicted of a DUI homicide:

"Your honor, there should be no punishment as this horrible incident has destroyed my plans to become President"

Its the Values Stupid. The idiot liberals *still* don't get it..

[thombo]

Now that'a a beer belly! I'll remember teddy for trashing the Kennedy name, and leading the democratic party into irrelevance.

[weshess]

Terd Kennedy proof that sh*t floats, just ask Mary Jo.