Wesleyan Wins: Obama to Stand-in for Kennedy as Commecement Speaker

After doctors diagnosed Sen. Edward (Ted) Kennedy with brain cancer this week, colleague and presidential candidate Barack Obama has agreed to fill-in at Sunday’s Wesleyan graduation cerimony as the event’s commencement speaker. 

As the Associated Press reports:

Obama said he and Kennedy had talked earlier in the week about Obama doing the speech.

“Considering what he’s done for me and for our country, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him,” Obama said in a statement. “So I’m looking forward to standing in his place on Sunday even though I know I won’t be able to fill his shoes.”

Of course, Obama will be able to fill his shoes, giving the students of Wesleyan a chance to write themselves into the historic race for the White House for which Sen. Obama is almost certainly the Democratic nominee.

Stephanie Cutter, Kennedy’s spokeswoman, noted the Massachusetts Senator agreed to have Obama take his place, “knowing it would be an historic opportunity for the school and all those attending.” Those attending include Sen. Kennedy’s stepdaughter, Caroline Raclin, and his son.