Obama: Kennedy a 'Kind and Tender Hero'

(NEWSER) - All four living former presidents will attend Ted Kennedy’s invitation-only funeral, the Boston Herald reports. President Obama will also be there, breaking off his Martha’s Vineyard vacation to deliver a eulogy. Gordon Brown also plans to attend, as will Irish PM Brian Cowen. “Sen. Kennedy is being honored as though he were a former sitting president,” observed one political scientist. More»

(AP) - Ted Kennedy received a final tribute today befitting his huge profile on the American political scene. President Obama, three former presidents, dozens of congressmen past and present, and celebrities ranging from Jack Nicholson to Tony Bennett attended the funeral at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica in Boston. Placido Domingo and Yo-Yo Ma performed during the two-hour service, which also featured younger Kennedys paying tribute to their late patriarch. (To see images, click on Slideshow, at left.) More»

President works into night on speech for Boston funeral

(NEWSER) - President Obama is still working on the eulogy he’ll deliver at Ted Kennedy’s funeral tomorrow in Boston, an aide tells Politico tonight. Though Obama will offer “a personal take on the senator as legislator, mentor, colleague, friend and family member,” the aide says, it’s “more about his impact on the country.” More»

43rd president will represent family at service

(NEWSER) - George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush won't attend Ted Kennedy's funeral tomorrow, the AP reports. All of the living presidents had been expected at the senator's service in Boston, but the 85-year-old Bush changed his mind after learning his son would be among the mourners, a rep says. Bush 41 will "amply and well represent" the family, the spokesman says. More»

(NEWSER) - With a tropical storm bearing down on the Northeast, President Obama and Michelle Obama will leave Martha's Vineyard tomorrow, a day ahead of schedule, to ensure he arrives in Boston in time to deliver a eulogy at Ted Kennedy's funeral Saturday. If possible, they'll return to the Vineyard afterward; if they can't, they'll travel directly to Washington, Politico reports. More»