Sen. Ted Kennedy suffers possible seizure at luncheon

Sen. Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy suffered a possible seizure while attending the luncheon for President Barack H. Obama. I ask that you keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy was stricken Tuesday at an inauguration luncheon for President Barack Obama and wheeled away on a stretcher.

A Capitol police officer stood up at the luncheon and said medical attention was needed.

Kennedy collapsed and was wheeled out from the Capitol luncheon following the inauguration of the 44th president. Kennedy reportedly suffered convulsions.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, a close friend of Kennedy’s, said the senator had a seizure that was “very upsetting” to onlookers.

Kennedy, 76, remained conscious and was able to say a few words, Hatch told MSNBC.

Prayers were spoken, and Obama went over to provide comfort, Hatch said, before Senate colleagues took Kennedy to the ambulance.

The Massachusetts Democrat was hospitalized in May after suffering a seizure. He was later diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.

Obama acknowledged Kennedy during his luncheon remarks, saying that his prayers are with the senator and his family.

Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., also left the luncheon after feeling discomfort. Byrd is the longest-serving senator in history.

Here's an update from Senator John Kerry via MSNBC:

Sen. John Kerry went to the hospital to see Sen. Ted Kennedy. Kerry said Kennedy will spend the night there to rest but is doing well.

"His Irish is up. He's in good shape, laughing and joking, anxious to get back to work," Kerry said, describing Kennedy's mood.

Kerry added that Kennedy expects to be back in the Senate and views this as a momentary interruption.

He also said that the kind of seizure Kennedy experienced today "goes with the territory" of the brain cancer he is battling.