DNC Plans Tribute to Teddy

Obama asks Oscar winner to perform closing night

(NEWSER) - Bruce Springsteen may be scheduled to close the Democratic convention, but Barack Obama has asked Jennifer Hudson to perform the national anthem, People reports. "His reps called and said we'd love for you to sing the anthem on Thursday," the Oscar winner’s rep told People. "She's thrilled and excited. It's a tremendous honor." More»

Watch for Clinton supporters, Jesse Jackson

(NEWSER) - Here's what to watch at the Democratic National Convention tonight, Politico reports:

1. Ted Kennedy, still recovering from surgery, "is definitely speaking tonight," one Dem said, and plans a memorable torch-passing to Barack Obama.
2. Michelle Obama will try to sell herself as a strong but inoffensive first lady; whether America buys it may determine how she is used on the trail.

Thousands of letters promised his demise

(NEWSER) - After the death of his brothers, Ted Kennedy lived in constant fear that he’d be assassinated as well—and with good reason. The FBI has just released 2,352 pages from its files on Kennedy, and they’re dominated by death threats, both from anonymous enemies and groups like the Ku Klux Klan or the Minutemen, MSNBC reports. Many are written in the same hand, and postmarked from Boston. “They’re going to shoot my ass off the way they shot off Bobby’s,” Kennedy once remarked. More»

Mass. veteran is 17th to decide against re-election bid

(NEWSER) - Joining 16 of his fellow House Democrats, Massachusetts Rep. William Delahunt says he will not seek re-election this fall. “It’s got nothing to do with politics,” Delahunt, 68, tells the Boston Globe . “It’s time.” And while Delahunt had to be talked into seeking re-election in 2008 by his friend, the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, the Globe notes that his district voted most lopsidedly for Republican Scott Brown in the January election to fill Kennedy’s seat. More»

Joseph Kennedy II says he'd rather work for 'social justice' in private sector

(NEWSER) - Joe Kennedy II will not run for his late uncle’s US Senate seat, the Boston Herald reports. In a post on the website of his charity Citizens Energy, the former congressman says he prefers to pursue social justice through the private sector rather than electoral politics. The announcement means the so-called “Kennedy seat” is likely up for grabs, with Ted Kennedy’s widow, Vicki—who has not expressed interest—the only other possible successor within the family. More»