Kennedy Goes To Bat For Dodd In Campaign Ad

ANDREW MIGA

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Edward Kennedy is going to bat in a new TV campaign ad for longtime pal Sen. Christopher Dodd, who faces a tough re-election fight in Connecticut.

The Massachusetts Democrat praises Dodd as his closest partner in the fight for health care reform in the 30-second ad that will begin airing in Connecticut on Sunday.

Kennedy makes a direct pitch to voters about a cause he's championed for decades and considers to be his life's work.

"Quality health care as a fundamental right for all Americans has been the cause of my life, and Chris Dodd has been my closest ally in this fight," Kennedy says in the ad. "Today more than ever, we have a real opportunity to bring health care reform to Connecticut and all across America, and I believe that with Chris Dodd's leadership, our families will finally have accessible, affordable health care."

Kennedy, who chairs the Senate health panel, has been battling brain cancer for more than a year. In recent weeks he has been at home in Hyannis Port, Mass.