Kennedy’s cancer news stuns Senate colleagues

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Democrat, Nevada) delivered the grim news to fellow Democrats during a closed-door meeting. “All of the oxygen went out of the room,” said Senator Patty Murray (Democrat, Washington).

“I’m having a hard time remembering a day in my 34 years here that I felt this badly,” said Senator Patrick J Leahy (Democrat,Vermont). Added Senator Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, California): “My heart dropped when I heard the news.”

It was practically all anyone could talk about.

Republicans who have demonised Kennedy for decades prayed for him. No one could contemplate life in the Senate without Kennedy’s voice thundering through the chamber, bellowing support of the issues he has championed— healthcare, education, civil rights, labour and immigration.

The 76-year-old Senator was released from hospital even as the doctors were finalising the treatment he would undergo on Wednesday.

If Kennedy is forced to leave the Senate before his term is up in 2013 — a possibility given the medical fight he faces — his absence will be sharply felt. Already, on Tuesday, for example, the Senate took up a war-funding measure without one of its fiercest war critics present.

Practically, Kennedy’s absence could complicate his party’s legislative agenda. Democrats, usually joined by two independents, hold a 51-49 Senate majority. Even so, it has been difficult for Democrats to advance their initiatives because they need 60 votes to overcome filibusters and pass anything controversial.

His absence would leave Democrats without a key leader, and also without someone who can build political bridges in a partisan Senate.