Triumph

Uncle Teddy's 77th Soiree

Obamas, Bill Cosby celebrate at Kennedy Center.

For two hours last night there was no talk of the recession or dire news to report, as Washington pols and Hollywood luminaries turned out for a Kennedy Center birthday fete for ailing Sen. Ted Kennedy. President Obama led a rousing round of “Happy Birthday” and Caroline Kennedy, while presenting her uncle with a John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award, gave a nod to her wayward Senate bid, saying, "I never thought I would be in a room with so many senators.” Lauren Bacall hailed Kennedy, whose birthday was February 22, as “the greatest senator,” and Bill Cosby did stand-up, while James Taylor performed for the senator, who watched it all from the balcony.