I have seen the senior Senator from Massachusetts speak at five Democratic Conventions, the first time in 1988 in Atlanta.  He almost always brings down the house as he calls on the nation to back his party at the polls.

Last night Sen. Ted Kennedy brought down the house again here in Denver.  But it was for a much different reason, as he fights brain cancer.

His voice was still strong for the most part.  He looked a bit wan, but the determination in his delivery was there, as he urged fellow Democrats to back Barack Obama.

Kennedy's message almost seemed to be a ceremonial one - that his work for the dreams of many Americans could now be carried forth by an Obama administration.

"This November the torch will be passed again to a new generation of Americans," said Kennedy to cheers that brought many delegates to tears in the convention hall.

And he nearly brought down the house with one more promise. 

"I pledge to you that I will be there next January on the floor of the United States Senate," for what he said should be the time to swear-in Barack Obama as President.

The surprise appearance of Kennedy and the speech of Michelle Obama last night were two strong reasons why the morning papers and newscasts won't be filled only with stories about whether Hillary and Barack are still at war.

In 1980, Teddy went further than Hillary Clinton, as Kennedy challenged then President Carter all the way to the convention - and during it as well.

Even though Carter had clinched the nomination, Kennedy refused to knuckle under, using his concession speech as more of a pledge to keep fighting for liberal causes.

He said back then, "The dream will never die."

28 years later, Kennedy re-worked that line.

"The hope rises again.  And the dream lives on."