Ohio's 'Senator No' Metzenbaum Dead at 90

(NEWSER) - He wasn't always the most articulate person in one-on-one conversations, but Ted Kennedy gave powerful speeches, writes Gail Russell Chaddock in the Christian Science Monitor. Three that resonate:

• His 1980 concession: “For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." Sure, the words came from a speechwriter, but only Kennedy's delivery made it work, says one historian. “You had to listen to it to fully get the impact.”

Senator-elect stresses loyalty to state, downplays Dem. supermajority

(NEWSER) - Al Franken said he was “thrilled and honored by the faith Minnesotans placed in me” after the state Supreme Court declared him the winner of the Senate recount, CNN reports. "I'm so excited to finally be able to get to work " said Franken, who added that he got a "very gracious" phone call from Norm Coleman. In his news conference, Franken struck a cordial tone, saying he would stand on principle when necessary but would be willing to "compromise" for the good of constituents. More»

Indicted Republican senator 'disgraced himself and his office'

(NEWSER) - Newly indicted Ted Stevens should resign as soon as possible, write the editors of the National Review. The Alaskan senator, who is accused of seven counts of making false statements, legally “deserves the benefit of the doubt—but not from an ethical standpoint,” they note. “The facts that have emerged over the course of the federal investigation into his personal finances are damning enough on their own.” More»

Explanation could come today as senator remains in Boston hospital

(NEWSER) - Sen. Ted Kennedy remains in a Boston hospital today, four days after a seizure whose cause remains undiagnosed, the Herald reports. Results of medical tests done on the 76-year-old Democrat are expected today; Kennedy is likely to stay at Massachusetts General for a few more days before returning to his Cape Cod home, a family spokeswoman said. More»

Ex-Ohio senator fondly recalled as truth-teller, dreamer

(NEWSER) - Hundreds of relatives, friends, and fellow politicians gathered outside Cleveland yesterday for the funeral of Howard Metzenbaum, recalling the ex-senator as a fighter for the little guy and a self-made millionaire who never forgot his modest roots, the Plain Dealer reports. "No one . . . was a better ally or a fiercer champion," Al Gore said of Metzenbaum, whom Dennis Kucinich recalled as "one of the greatest senators of the 20th century." More»