Kennedy to make “11th hour” surprise visit to Denver?

Politico reports that key early Obama booster Sen. Edward Kennedy could make a surprise visit to Denver on Monday night if his health permits. Kennedy, undergoing treatment for a brain tumor diagnosed in May, is the subject of a video tribute on the opening night of the Democratic National Convention.

“Things are day to day,” said the Kennedy source said, saying Democrats shouldn’t count on his presence. His spokeswoman, Melissa Wagoner, called an appearance “extremely unlikely.”

But another two people familiar with the plans said Kennedy was likely to appear, with one saying he has a “better than 50 percent” chance of making it to the convention.

The senator’s son, Rhode Island Congressman Patrick Kennedy, told the AP: “If anything, it’d be an 11th-hour call. If he’s up to it in the 11th hour and can get the green light from doctors, he might be able to pull it off.”

The Boston Globe sounds a more confident note, reporting Kennedy has already written a speech and intends to make the flight.

“He is definitely planning to be here,” said the Kennedy family confidant. “The whole Kennedy family will be in a special section. It should be quite moment.”

The tribute to Kennedy is scheduled between speeches by Jesse Jackson and Michelle Obama. The Atlantic’s Marc Ambinder says convention or ganizers are building room into the evening line-up to make room for a surprise appearance.

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