By GLEN JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer Glen Johnson, Associated Press Writer – Wed Aug 26, 6:09 pm ET
CHILMARK, Mass. – President Barack Obama marked Sen. Edward M. Kennedy's death Wednesday by declaring his fellow Democrat "one of the single most effective senators" in U.S. history, praise that was hardly a shock to the partisan senses.
But Obama's predecessor, former President George W. Bush, also offered plaudits for Kennedy, leading a group of Republicans who exhibited bipartisan affection for a political figure loved by Democrats, reviled by some in the GOP, but missed by nearly all who knew and worked with him.
Bush was typical, noting that he and the 77-year-old Kennedy worked together on immigration, mental illness and public education issues, including joining forces on the "No Child Left Behind" law still derided by Democrats and their union allies.
"In a life filled with trials," Bush said, "Ted Kennedy never gave in to self-pity or despair."
His father, former President George H.W. Bush, echoed that thought.
"While we didn't see eye to eye on many political issues through the years, I always respected his steadfast public service," the elder Bush said.
The widow of another Republican president, Ronald Reagan, called Kennedy "an ally and a dear friend."
Nancy Reagan said: "Ronnie and Ted could always find common ground, and they had great respect for one another. In recent years, Ted and I found our common ground in stem cell research."
Obama led the nation in mourning, saying of Kennedy: "His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives — in seniors who know new dignity, in families that know new opportunity, in children who know education's promise, and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just — including myself."
Throughout Wednesday, the testimonials flowed from people and organizations whose causes Kennedy championed during a 47-year Senate career.
Kennedy "was simply the greatest champion American workers and the labor movement ever had in the U.S. Senate," said John Gage, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, the nation's largest federal employee union.
"He was a powerful voice and vote in the Senate during the development, debate and passage of every major piece of environmental legislation since the early 1960s," said the Conservation Law Foundation.
PETA, or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said: "Animals — and the people who care about them — have lost an advocate and a friend."
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called Kennedy "a legislator without peer" who "inspired generation after generation of young Americans to enter public service, to stand up for justice and to fight for progress." Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, praised Kennedy's "big heart, sharp mind and boundless energy," which he called "gifts he gave to make our democracy a more perfect union."
During a visit Wednesday to the West Bank town of Ramallah, former President Jimmy Carter spoke of the man he beat for the 1980 Democratic presidential nomination. He said Kennedy's life was devoted to improving "the status of life of those who are poor and deprived and persecuted and ignored and in need."
For the governor of California, the loss was personal.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose wife, Maria Shriver, was Kennedy's niece, came to politics after careers as a bodybuilder and actor. He credited Kennedy with helping him as governor.
"Teddy taught us all that public service isn't a hobby or even an occupation, but a way of life, and his legacy will live on," Schwarzenegger said in a statement.
Kennedy's death came just two weeks after that of Shriver's mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, one of the senator's siblings.
Vice President Joe Biden fought tears as he spoke about his friend and colleague of many decades in the Senate.
"I truly, truly am distressed by his passing," Biden said. "Teddy spent a lifetime working for a fair and more just America. For 36 years, I had the privilege of going to work every day and sitting next to him and being witness to history. ... He restored my sense of idealism."
Former Vice President Al Gore called Kennedy "a champion for those Americans who had no voice — the sick, the disabled, the poor, the underprivileged."
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a 2008 GOP presidential contender, recalled losing to Kennedy in a Senate race. Nonetheless, the two joined forces in 2006 to help pass a universal health insurance law in Massachusetts.
"He was the kind of man you could like even if he was your adversary," Romney said.
The Senate's top Democrat, Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, promised that Congress, while mourning Kennedy's loss, would renew the push for the cause of Kennedy's life — health care reform.
"Ted Kennedy's dream was the one for which the founding fathers fought and for which his brothers sought to realize," Reid said in a statement. "The liberal lion's mighty roar may now fall silent, but his dream shall never die."
Kennedy's junior colleague from Massachusetts, Sen. John Kerry, lauded him for his fight against cancer.
"He taught us how to fight, how to laugh, how to treat each other, and how to turn idealism into action. And in these last 14 months, he taught us much more about how to live life, sailing into the wind one last time," Kerry said.
"No words can ever do justice to this irrepressible, larger-than-life presence who was simply the best — the best senator, the best advocate you could ever hope for, the best colleague and the best person to stand by your side in the toughest of times."
CHILMARK, Mass. – President Barack Obama marked Sen. Edward M. Kennedy's death Wednesday by declaring his fellow Democrat "one of the single most effective senators" in U.S. history, praise that was hardly a shock to the partisan senses.
But Obama's predecessor, former President George W. Bush, also offered plaudits for Kennedy, leading a group of Republicans who exhibited bipartisan affection for a political figure loved by Democrats, reviled by some in the GOP, but missed by nearly all who knew and worked with him.
Bush was typical, noting that he and the 77-year-old Kennedy worked together on immigration, mental illness and public education issues, including joining forces on the "No Child Left Behind" law still derided by Democrats and their union allies.
"In a life filled with trials," Bush said, "Ted Kennedy never gave in to self-pity or despair."
His father, former President George H.W. Bush, echoed that thought.
"While we didn't see eye to eye on many political issues through the years, I always respected his steadfast public service," the elder Bush said.
The widow of another Republican president, Ronald Reagan, called Kennedy "an ally and a dear friend."
Nancy Reagan said: "Ronnie and Ted could always find common ground, and they had great respect for one another. In recent years, Ted and I found our common ground in stem cell research."
Obama led the nation in mourning, saying of Kennedy: "His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives — in seniors who know new dignity, in families that know new opportunity, in children who know education's promise, and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just — including myself."
Throughout Wednesday, the testimonials flowed from people and organizations whose causes Kennedy championed during a 47-year Senate career.
Kennedy "was simply the greatest champion American workers and the labor movement ever had in the U.S. Senate," said John Gage, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, the nation's largest federal employee union.
"He was a powerful voice and vote in the Senate during the development, debate and passage of every major piece of environmental legislation since the early 1960s," said the Conservation Law Foundation.
PETA, or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said: "Animals — and the people who care about them — have lost an advocate and a friend."
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called Kennedy "a legislator without peer" who "inspired generation after generation of young Americans to enter public service, to stand up for justice and to fight for progress." Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, praised Kennedy's "big heart, sharp mind and boundless energy," which he called "gifts he gave to make our democracy a more perfect union."
During a visit Wednesday to the West Bank town of Ramallah, former President Jimmy Carter spoke of the man he beat for the 1980 Democratic presidential nomination. He said Kennedy's life was devoted to improving "the status of life of those who are poor and deprived and persecuted and ignored and in need."
For the governor of California, the loss was personal.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose wife, Maria Shriver, was Kennedy's niece, came to politics after careers as a bodybuilder and actor. He credited Kennedy with helping him as governor.
"Teddy taught us all that public service isn't a hobby or even an occupation, but a way of life, and his legacy will live on," Schwarzenegger said in a statement.
Kennedy's death came just two weeks after that of Shriver's mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, one of the senator's siblings.
Vice President Joe Biden fought tears as he spoke about his friend and colleague of many decades in the Senate.
"I truly, truly am distressed by his passing," Biden said. "Teddy spent a lifetime working for a fair and more just America. For 36 years, I had the privilege of going to work every day and sitting next to him and being witness to history. ... He restored my sense of idealism."
Former Vice President Al Gore called Kennedy "a champion for those Americans who had no voice — the sick, the disabled, the poor, the underprivileged."
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a 2008 GOP presidential contender, recalled losing to Kennedy in a Senate race. Nonetheless, the two joined forces in 2006 to help pass a universal health insurance law in Massachusetts.
"He was the kind of man you could like even if he was your adversary," Romney said.
The Senate's top Democrat, Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, promised that Congress, while mourning Kennedy's loss, would renew the push for the cause of Kennedy's life — health care reform.
"Ted Kennedy's dream was the one for which the founding fathers fought and for which his brothers sought to realize," Reid said in a statement. "The liberal lion's mighty roar may now fall silent, but his dream shall never die."
Kennedy's junior colleague from Massachusetts, Sen. John Kerry, lauded him for his fight against cancer.
"He taught us how to fight, how to laugh, how to treat each other, and how to turn idealism into action. And in these last 14 months, he taught us much more about how to live life, sailing into the wind one last time," Kerry said.
"No words can ever do justice to this irrepressible, larger-than-life presence who was simply the best — the best senator, the best advocate you could ever hope for, the best colleague and the best person to stand by your side in the toughest of times."
