DENVER, Colorado (AFP) — The Democratic Convention was abuzz with speculation here Sunday that cancer-stricken liberal icon Senator Edward Kennedy may make an emotional appearance at the party extravaganza.
Kennedy, who is battling brain cancer, is to receive an opening day tribute that will see him address delegates in an eight-minute video presentation.
The ailing 76-year-old Massachusetts senator's condition had been expected to keep him away from Denver. But speculation of what would be a tear-jerking appearance by the Democratic legend was building on Sunday.
Chicago Sun Times columnist Michael Sneed quoted an anonymous source as saying that Kennedy could appear if his health allowed.
"The plan is still to bring Senator Kennedy in for a short period of time. It would be an in-and-out appearance," the source was quoted as saying.
"Things could change -- but that's the hoped-for plan."
Politico.com website quoted Kennedy's spokeswoman as saying an appearance was "extremely unlikely." However Politico said two people familiar with the plans said he was likely to appear, with one rating his chances as "better than 50 percent."
Prominent Boston political consultant Michael Goldman told the Boston Herald that a Kennedy appearance was a tantalizing, but unlikely, possibility.
Goldman said the sheer theater of introducing Kennedy onto the stage after playing his video message would electrify the convention.
"Imagine what would happen at the instant that video fades to black, the lights in the hall come up and who is standing there center stage but Ted himself, the living heart and soul of this party," Goldman said.
"Even if he didn't say a word, the place would go absolutely nuts."
Kennedy, who ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination himself in 1980, endorsed presumptive party nominee Barack Obama during the primary campaign, introducing a frosty note into his relationship with Hillary Clinton.
Kennedy is the last surviving brother of assassinated US president John F. Kennedy, who was shot in 1963, and Robert Kennedy, killed while campaigning in 1968. His eldest brother Joseph died in a plane crash during World War II.
An unapologetic liberal who recalls a bygone era of roaring political rhetoric, Kennedy has nevertheless reached out to work with Republicans.
He is a champion of causes such as health care, education and immigration reform, and has been a fierce critic of President George W. Bush.
Kennedy, whose eighth Senate term expires in 2012, was once seen as the heir apparent of his political dynasty, and seemed destined for the White House.
But that dream was derailed by the death of a young woman in his car in 1969 after it went off a bridge near Chappaquiddick island off the US east coast.
His 1980 presidential run against incumbent Jimmy Carter ended in failure but was notable for a rousing address to the convention where he famously vowed: "The dream shall never die."
Kennedy was diagnosed with a brain tumor in May. Doctors have not publicly offered a prognosis but the US National Cancer Institute has said the outlook for patients with his condition is poor, with average life expectancy depending on the stage of the tumor, from a few months to up to five years.
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