Obama talks about Kennedy

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, the likely Democratic nominee for president, spoke on MSNBC today about his friendship with Sen. Edward Kennedy.

He spoke with anchor Andrea Mitchell. Here is a transcript of some of that interview:

MITCHELL: This has been a very difficult day for all of the friends, family, obviously, for Ted Kennedy. Your reaction now to the diagnosis, which is not a good diagnosis?

OBAMA: It's heartbreaking, Andrea. And as you know, Ted Kennedy is not only a giant of the Senate, but he's a great friend to all of us. And he couldn't be a better friend of mine and a better supporter. And I just talked to him two days ago after the initial seizure. He and Vicki were in a hospital room. They were laughing. We were hopeful at that time. Obviously, this is grim news.

And the one thing I know about Ted Kennedy, though, he's a fighter. He's been fighting for over 40 years in the Senate on behalf of people in need. He's going to fight hard to battle this illness. And our job is to support him, support Vicki and the family, and to make sure that he knows we're there for him and that we love him, and that our thoughts and prayers are with him.

MITCHELL: Senator, if you could share with us what it was like for you to come into the United States Senate and to meet Ted Kennedy. You knew him as a campaigner and as a politician from Illinois, but when you came in, how did he mentor you and reach out to you and teach you the ropes?

OBAMA: Well, you know, Ted Kennedy is a master of the Senate. He has been there so many years. In fact, I think it's fair to say that I might not be in the Senate had it not been for him because of the battles that he fought for voting rights and civil rights early in his career and then later on in his career. And so, you know, I immediately asked to meet with him. And not only did he understand how legislation passed, not only did he understand all the people in the Senate and give me advice on those fronts, but he also just turned out to be a wonderful person.

He is funny, he is engaging. It's the reason why he's popular among Republicans, as well as Democrats, even though they've been battling him all these years and oftentimes he's gotten the better of them. And, you know, what it reminded me of is that this is a very personal business. Being in the Senate is built on relationships. And nobody has more relationships or deeper relationships than Ted Kennedy, and that's because he is somebody who, for all his legend, is a wonderfully approachable and gracious and generous person.

MITCHELL: When you spoke with him, two days ago, you say his spirits were up. We know now this is a brain tumor, and it's a fast-acting tumor, it's not one that is of a more benign characteristic. But his speech was fine? He seemed up to you?

OBAMA: He sounded great. I mean, he sounded like the Ted Kennedy we all know and love. In fact, he was joking about how, you know, I had been dragging him out on the campaign trail and the old lion needed to catch his breath a little bit. And he was funny, and he was laughing. And I didn't get any sense that his capacities had been diminished. And so, I mean, obviously, we're all distressed now in terms of what has happened, the diagnosis. But I do know that he is going to fight.

And I also know that he's got one of the most wonderful wives in the world. Vicki is just one of the nicest, kindest people you'd ever want. She will be - she will be fighting by his side every step of the way. And I want to make sure that all of rest of us are there as well.

MITCHELL: You know, when you speak of Vicki Reggie Kennedy, one of the great moments in this campaign, as an observer of politics, was when your wife, Michelle, was in California and Maria Shriver came on stage, and Ted Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy - and there was so much energy. But it really - it came from everybody, but Ted Kennedy, the oldest in the group at 76, was the most energetic. I mean, his campaigning for you, Senator, has been extraordinary.

OBAMA: You know, when he gets on the stage, you know - and he's got that bad back from an airplane crash, and, you know, all kinds of ailments - but when he gets on that stage, it's magic.
And that voice comes out from deep inside him, and he starts winding up. And you know, you can feel history coursing through him. And I think the reason is because not only has he fought so many battles, not only is he so passionate about the issues, but he loves people.