Spencer's remarks on Teddy Kennedy literally gave me goosebumps as I read them this morning:

Is there anyone in the second half of the 20th century who, more than Ted Kennedy, dedicated his or her life to liberalism? In its struggles, its failures, its excesses, its rebirths, there he was. His brothers made their family a symbol. But it was his charge, a task he never sought but bore for his entire adult life, to translate the symbol into tangible reality. Looking at Ted Kennedy tell us, in probably his last true star turn, that in Barack Obama "the dream lives on" -- a reprise, of course, of his legendary "The Dream Will Never Die" speech 28 years ago -- you wonder: Ted Kennedy devoted his life to pulling his fellow Americans out of poverty, division and injustice and into the sterling dignity of the American promise. What kind of person could oppose that mission?

He truly has been the backbone of almost every progressive move the country's taken while he's been in office. And unless your heart is made of stone (or maybe if you're a republican) you'll probably also feel a little misty while watching Caroline Kennedy's tribute to her uncle, and his rousing speech from the DNC last night. You can watch both videos here.

While we're on the subject of the DNC, Sommer's reporting from there all week for DCist. Our site was chosen as D.C.'s official blog representative at the convention. The stuff she's filed so far has been great, so stay tuned for more.