51 seconds ago 2009-11-10T01:29:27-08:00
For a generation, every Supreme Court confirmation hearing featured the distinctive voices of two long-time members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Joe Biden and Edward M. Kennedy.
Biden, once the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, is in Philadelphia as his wife has shoulder surgery. Of course, Biden stepped down from the panel – and the Senate itself – after that whole vice president thing came up. He has been helping the White House and Sotomayor develop strategy for a forum he knows well.
Kennedy decided to leave the Judiciary Committee in December to concentrate his energy on efforts to pass health reform legislation. He retained his chairmanship on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. The Massachusetts Democrat made the choice after concluding he had to pare down his commitments following his brain cancer diagnosis last year.
Kennedy is convalescing at his family's compound on Cape Cod. He both sailed and celebrated his wedding anniversary in recent days.
-Glen Johnson, AP reporter, Boston
