Thaindian News

Washington, Aug. 28 (ANI): US President Barack Obama and the First Lady, who are holidaying at an island of Martha’s Vineyard, will travel to Boston on Friday evening to attend Senator Edward Kennedy’s funeral.

Obama is scheduled to deliver a eulogy on Saturday morning.

The change in schedule is due to bad weather forecasts. The Obamas want to ensure they can make it off the island of Martha’s Vineyard to Boston ahead of a coming storm.

According to deputy spokesman Bill Burton, tropical Storm Danny which could reach hurricane strength this weekend might cut short the Obamas stay on Martha’s Vineyard.

They plan to return to the Island after the funeral Saturday, if the weather allows, and then leave for Washington as scheduled Sunday. If the storm prevents a return, the Obamas would head to Washington from Boston on Saturday, Politico quoted him, as saying.

While the first family spent the day biking on Martha’s Vineyard on Thursday, Obama had begun work on the eulogy.

“It is something that he obviously takes very seriously. He’s been working on it. He’s obviously got a great team of speechwriters who he works with. This is going to be a very personal statement that he makes on Saturday,” Burton said.

With speculation swirling over who will replace Kennedy, Burton said Obama would not weigh in on the debate. That “isn’t a scale he’s going to put his thumb on,” Burton said.

Obama also doesn’t think the time is right to discuss renaming a health care bill for Kennedy. And Burton suggested that Obama would steer clear of the “win one for Teddy” rallying cry to boost the bill that some supporters have adopted.

Next week, Obama will have a health care event Tuesday and then travel to Camp David on Wednesday ahead of the Labor Day weekend. (ANI)