Kennedy diagnosed with malignant brain tumor - Capitol Hill- msnbc.com

He's been a hard-working Senator ... the fact that he is seen is liberal isn't necessarily a negative ... to be liberal is to fight for the poor, the disenfranchised, the forgotten ... he's done that with vigor, competence, and consistency. I pray for his recovery and ask that the media treat him and his family with great respect at this time.

Whether you agree with Ted Kennedy's politics or not, he has been a powerful political force for years. Lightning rod or leader, Kennedy's influence on the American political scene has been staggering. Should he not win this newest battle facing him, his passing would mark the end of an amazing era in American politics and history.

I wish him and his family well with that awful diagnosis.

With respect to his politics, I have never been in favor of large government spending programs and higher taxes that hold back the nation's economy.

Ted Kennedy has been a living example of how wealthy politicians are immune to criminal justice. He has constantly been a reminder that we cannot trust politicians to do what is right for the American working class. The Kennedy family fortune was based on illegal booze-running, so why do we expect a difference in character today. He is a true politician in every sense.

I would say Senator Kennedy's impact has been as the statesmen/voice of 20th-century liberalism. (I did not say "liberalism" is a bad thing). He cut his political teeth at a time when civil and voting rights were what characterized those on the left, and he (along with others) expanded this idea to many other areas (abortion, homosexuality, the poor, education, to name a few). Interestingly enough, this political ideology was not "White House" driven, due to JFK's assassination and LBJ's preoccupation with the Vietnam War, and so it found it's place to develop and grow in Congress, and particularly the Senate under people like Kennedy's watchful eye.

This movement seems to be losing ground as more and more Democrats move to the middle, and so Senator Kennedy's time may seem by some to have passed. Then, we see him do something like endorse Barak Obama for president and realize that while, we in America, don't always agree or follow the same path as our foreparents, we continue to hold them in high regard long after whatever we define as "mainstream" has shifted away from them.

Lets see: an alcoholic, a drunken womanizer ,and a coward (remember he left Mary Jo Kopechne to drown). Great legacy!

Back when the classical definition of liberalism meant individual freedom, both Democrat and Republican (the party of Lincoln and Everett Dirksen) supported civil rights. It was not the exclusive perview of the left. Both liberal AND classical conservative activists supported the civil rights movement. There were also elements of both political parties who were solidly against (Dixiecrats and reactionary social conservatives) the movement. President Kennedy was, at first, ambivalent about the issue, as it did not serve the purpose of uniting the nation around the Soviet threat, then real at the time. In time, however, he signed on enthusiastically and became at least a moderate advocate on the subject. Strong advocacy came as a result after Lyndon Johnson became President. His innate commitment to civil rights, as a result of Johnson's pre-political occupation as a teacher, was far more in tune with the old line Roosevelt progressives. These days, not too many people are aware of this.

He's had a major impact, both good and bad. He's done good things and bad things.

That being said, let me add my wishes for either a complete recovery or, if he indeed is terminal, that the rest of his life be lived comfortably and in peace.

Theodore Roosevelt could have been speaking about Ted Kennedy when he said:

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly…who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who have never known neither victory nor defeat."

Teddy Kennedy has been "the man in the arena" in the US Senate for close to 50 years. He has known and championed "the great enthusiasms, the great devotions" and he has spent himself on countless worthy causes. "His place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who have never known neither victory nor defeat." He has known both, and born both with an uncommon grace and dignity. The Nation has been well served by this son of Massachusetts.

I have always been proud to call him my Senator. Now I hope and pray that his indomitable spirit will see him to yet another victory.

Springfield, MA

I can still remember the day president Kennedy was assassinated and Bobby Kennedy was cut down. Even after those tragedies, Senator Kennedy continued his political career despite the adversities that might have confronted him. He is an American icon. I pray that he faces this latest struggle with the courage and tenacity that he has always demonstrated in his career. God Bless Mr. Kennedy

I truly thank you Senator Kennedy for your pointing the way to a new era for those whose well being you have tried to protect and promote as you had a quite timely endorsement, perhaps to be seen all the more so, now, of the man who is positioned to become our next great President of the United States.

I grew up during the Kennedy era. I will always remember him walking with Jackie at President Kennedy's funeral. He picked up the pieces of a tragically broken family and held them together in times of terrible grief and injustice.

He has been a tremendous asset to American Government and to the American People.

My heart goes out to him and his family. God Bless Teddy Kennedy.

I truly thank you Senator Kennedy for your pointing the way to a new era for those whose well being you have tried to protect and promote as you had a quite timely endorsement, perhaps to be seen all the more so, now, of the man who is positioned to become our next great President of the United States.

Although I live clear out here in Oregon, Teddy Kennedy has always represented to me the hope, compassion and optimism of the Kennedy clan. Although he is not perfect, he has been the one to keep the light of political idealism burning, in the Senate, and in our country. For one man, he has done so much good in the world. He has always been fierce, determined and unwavering in his championing of those who can't champion themsleves. I wept when I heard his diagnosis.

Godspeed to the great and irreplaceable Teddy the Lionhearted!

Despite what has happened I must first confess first that I absolutely dispise this man as a politician. He has brought the most extreme, divisive, radical agenga that we Americans have ever witnessed. I believe that history will not judge him kindly as a result.

However, I must also as a Christian look at Mr. Kennedy and realize that he is a man, created in God's image just like the rest of us. Christ died for his sins the same way He died for mine, and there is forgiveness for Mr. Kennedy if he truly repents and seeks such redemption (i.e. repents of his support for abortion). I will be praying for his true conversion as the day goes on; I will also pray for his family during this very difficult time.

An American Icon. Best wishes and quick recovery Ted. We all need you. God Bless.

Despite what has happened I must confess first that I absolutely abhor this man as a politican. He has put forth some of the most vile, divisive, and extreme agendas that our nation has ever seen. I believe that history will not judge him kindly as a result.

However, as a Christian, I must also recognize that Mr. Kennedy is a man who like all of us is created in God's image. Christ died for him the same way he died for you and me. It is my fervent hope that Mr. Kennedy ponder this and truly repent (i.e. for his support of abortion among other things) and receive the wonderful forgiveness that God offers to us through his Son. I will also keep his family in my prayers during this very difficult time.

My prayers go out to him and his family. Whatever might be the outcome, no human deserves much pain and suffering.

God Bless Mr. Kennedy. I wish him courage and comfort as he confronts this formidable diagnosis.

I truly hope and pray for a speedy recovery for Senator Kennedy. He has been the voice of the people during his time on the Senate floor. As the last of the Kennedy brothers, he indeed has had a heavy load to bear throughout these past 40 years since Bobby was cut down in L.A. The Kennedy family has given their all to and for this country as few families have done before or since. Whether or not you agree with the Senator's politics, he must be given his just due for a life of dedication to the principals that his fellow New England's, John Adams, Samuel Adams and the rest fought and bleed for the cause of freedom some 225 years ago. May God bless Senator Kennedy and his family in this, his time of hope. For Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. Here's to a speedy and full recovery for the Senior Senator from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

To the Honorable Senator Kennedy and his family: You and your family have given so much to public service and I want to thank you so very much. Even though I live her in Southern Ohio the Senator has always had an impact on me and my families lives by fighting for wages, healthcare, workers rights, student loans, and many other commitments to the poor, equal rights, and civil rights. I cannot thank you enough. Me and my whole family have strongly admired and supported the Kennedy family. I will pray for your fast recovery and also pray with my rosary everyday for you to get well.

Long Live Teddy the younger brother of the Kennedy Liberty Men!