By GottaLaff
Earlier today
UPDATE: Sen. Byrd was NOT sick. He was upset, and left, but was not sick.
Please note: I changed the blog title to reflect the update.
Keith Olbermann is reporting the incident did not involve any of the principles (President Obama and Vice President Biden and their families).
Hopefully, there is nothing too dire going on here, and Keith is saying the tone of the event is still light. Fingers crossed.
UPDATE: Sen. Ted Kennedy had to be removed from the luncheon. He was taken on a stretcher, but his condition is unknown.
UPDATE: Senator Byrd was stricken too. Byrd had trouble eating, was conscious, a minor event. Kennedy had convulsions.
UPDATE: At dessert, Byrd was pale, in pain or discomfort of some kind. Meds came in immediately and escorted him out, walked out. About a minute later, Kennedy began to convulse. Meds were called in immediately.
The people at the luncheon stood in silence.
His wheelchair was reclined back, and he was taken out of the room on a gurney.
UPDATE: Orrin Hatch said it was a seizure, that it was very upsetting to those around him. Kennedy appeared to be in pain, but was conscious. His impression was that Kennedy could communicate a little, and prayers were spoken by various dignitaries.
Obama offered comfort.
UPDATE: Kennedy was eating, taken out of the room. He was doing much better before he got into the ambulance, so some optimism here!
UPDATE: Sen. Dodd said Kennedy had a seizure BUT SEEMED FINE as he was put into the ambulance. He'll be fine.
Sen. Byrd's office says Byrd is fine, was not hospitalized, was in discomfort and it is nothing serious.
UPDATE from hospital: Kennedy is awake, alert, Obama has called him.
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