The Buzz Log What’s hot on Yahoo! Buzz™ (and why)...

Until the last moment, no one was sure whether Ted Kennedy, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor three months ago, would show up at the Democratic National Convention. But show up he did, taking the stage and delivering a whip-'em-into-a-frenzy speech in support of Barack Obama. Judging by Yahoo! Search and Buzz, he also stole the limelight from the evening's anchor speaker, Michelle Obama.

Just the sight of the white-haired political patriarch drove delegates to their feet—and searchers to the Web. Demand for "ted kennedy" (+989%) and "edward kennedy" (+728%) soared. Lookups for his brain tumor, his biography, his speech, and his long-ago scandal leapt. Both his ex-wife, Joan Kennedy, and his current spouse, Victoria Reggie Kennedy, drew attention. Michelle Obama's turn at the podium also sparked queries ("michelle obama biography" rose 538%), but not nearly as many.

In Yahoo! Buzz, the pattern continued. A Politico columnist's take on Mrs. Obama's speech rose to the top of the charts, only to be followed by multiple articles basking in the Kennedy glow. Time.com gave the "ailing political lion" an A+ for his rousing oratory, while the Washington Post traced the history of the Massachusetts senator's involvement at DNC gatherings.

The East Coast democrat's niece, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, introduced him and enjoyed a significant boost in buzz. And, as always with this American political clan, the ghosts of family past were never far from people's thoughts. From the moment the first Kennedy stepped up to the microphone, queries began to stir for John F. Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, and Joe Kennedy. Interest in "kennedy family tree," "robert kennedy voice," and "john f. kennedy assassination" also picked up.

The Obama campaign clearly hopes to trade on the Kennedy light, whether it helps them—or just leaves them in the shadows—remains to be seen.