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Obama leads tributes to Kennedy Obama leads tributes to Kennedy
(9 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama has led tributes to Senator Edward Kennedy, who has died from cancer at the age of 77.US President Barack Obama has led tributes to Senator Edward Kennedy, who has died from cancer at the age of 77.
Mr Obama described Sen Kennedy as an extraordinary leader and "one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy".Mr Obama described Sen Kennedy as an extraordinary leader and "one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy".
Lawmakers from both main parties praised a man who was a major political force for nearly 50 years. Lawmakers from both main parties praised a man who but for a scandal in 1969 might have become president.
A Democratic senator since 1962, Edward Kennedy championed issues such as education and health-care reform. A Democratic senator since 1962, the liberal stalwart championed issues such as education and health-care reform.
He died late on Tuesday at his home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, his family said in a statement. He was diagnosed with brain cancer in May 2008.He died late on Tuesday at his home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, his family said in a statement. He was diagnosed with brain cancer in May 2008.
US media reports say he will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, where his brothers President John F Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy are also buried.US media reports say he will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, where his brothers President John F Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy are also buried.
'Passion and vigour''Passion and vigour'
In a televised tribute, Barack Obama called Edward Kennedy a colleague, a counsellor and a friend.In a televised tribute, Barack Obama called Edward Kennedy a colleague, a counsellor and a friend.
He always believed that our best days were still ahead, but it's hard to imagine any of them without him Kennedy family statement Edward Kennedy: Your comments Kennedy family statement In quotes: Edward Kennedy tributesHe always believed that our best days were still ahead, but it's hard to imagine any of them without him Kennedy family statement Edward Kennedy: Your comments Kennedy family statement In quotes: Edward Kennedy tributes
"In the United States Senate I can think of no-one who engendered greater respect or affection from members of both sides of the aisle," he said."In the United States Senate I can think of no-one who engendered greater respect or affection from members of both sides of the aisle," he said.
"His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives," he said."His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives," he said.
Former President George W Bush, who was criticised by Sen Kennedy over Iraq, described him as "a man of passion who advocated fiercely for his convictions".Former President George W Bush, who was criticised by Sen Kennedy over Iraq, described him as "a man of passion who advocated fiercely for his convictions".
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, praised his determination to make quality health-care available to all Americans, while Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, also added his voice.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, praised his determination to make quality health-care available to all Americans, while Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, also added his voice.
"No one could have known the man without admiring the passion and vigour he poured into a truly momentous life," he said."No one could have known the man without admiring the passion and vigour he poured into a truly momentous life," he said.
The BBC's Richard Lister in Washington said Senator Kennedy, known affectionately as Teddy, would be remembered as one of the most effective legislators in American history.The BBC's Richard Lister in Washington said Senator Kennedy, known affectionately as Teddy, would be remembered as one of the most effective legislators in American history.
Daniel Sandford, BBC News, Washington President Obama was leading the tributes, saying that Senator Kennedy was the greatest US senator of our time.Daniel Sandford, BBC News, Washington President Obama was leading the tributes, saying that Senator Kennedy was the greatest US senator of our time.
But the praise was coming from right across the political divide. The Republicans were also praising him, saying that he was the kind of man that you couldn't help but like even if you disagreed with him.But the praise was coming from right across the political divide. The Republicans were also praising him, saying that he was the kind of man that you couldn't help but like even if you disagreed with him.
That kind of praise has been echoing across the morning shows - they all broke into special coverage of the kind that is normally reserved for when former presidents die.That kind of praise has been echoing across the morning shows - they all broke into special coverage of the kind that is normally reserved for when former presidents die.
But of course all of the coverage has also included the controversies in Edward Kennedy's life, not least of all the death of Mary Jo Kopechne at Chappaquiddick bridge in 1969.But of course all of the coverage has also included the controversies in Edward Kennedy's life, not least of all the death of Mary Jo Kopechne at Chappaquiddick bridge in 1969.
He was skilled at forging alliances across party lines: pushing an education initiative with Mr Bush and immigration reform with Republican John McCain.He was skilled at forging alliances across party lines: pushing an education initiative with Mr Bush and immigration reform with Republican John McCain.
But he was a fierce critic of the Bush administration too - particularly on Iraq and when allegations of US military abuses there emerged.But he was a fierce critic of the Bush administration too - particularly on Iraq and when allegations of US military abuses there emerged.
He will also be remembered as a staunch supporter of Irish Republicanism - at one time calling for British troops to leave Northern Ireland - although he was later involved in the peace process leading to the Good Friday Agreement, our correspondent adds.He will also be remembered as a staunch supporter of Irish Republicanism - at one time calling for British troops to leave Northern Ireland - although he was later involved in the peace process leading to the Good Friday Agreement, our correspondent adds.
In the UK, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Sen Kennedy would be mourned in every continent. "I am proud to have counted him as a friend," he said.In the UK, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Sen Kennedy would be mourned in every continent. "I am proud to have counted him as a friend," he said.
And UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon praised him as a man who "was a voice for those who would otherwise go unheard".And UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon praised him as a man who "was a voice for those who would otherwise go unheard".
Obama endorsementObama endorsement
Edward Kennedy was, at his death, the third-longest senator in US history.Edward Kennedy was, at his death, the third-longest senator in US history.
EDWARD MOORE KENNEDY 1932 Born, youngest of nine children1962 Becomes country's youngest senator1963, 1968 Brothers President John F Kennedy and Senator Robert F Kennedy both assassinated1969 "Chappaquiddick incident" - Kennedy flees scene after road crash in which his young passenger dies1980 Runs unsuccessfully for Democratic nomination against sitting President Jimmy Carter Obituary: Edward Kennedy In pictures: Edward Kennedy Edward Kennedy - a political life EDWARD MOORE KENNEDY 1932 Born, youngest of nine children1962 Becomes country's youngest senator1963, 1968 Brothers President John F Kennedy and Senator Robert F Kennedy both assassinated1969 "Chappaquiddick incident" - Kennedy flees scene after road crash in which his young passenger dies1980 Runs unsuccessfully for Democratic nomination against sitting President Jimmy Carter Obituary: Virtues and vices In pictures: Edward Kennedy Edward Kennedy - a political life
He became a Massachusetts senator in 1962, replacing his brother John when he resigned to become president.He became a Massachusetts senator in 1962, replacing his brother John when he resigned to become president.
He was the only one of four brothers not to die a violent death. His brother Joseph was killed in an air crash in World War II, and both John F Kennedy and presidential hopeful Robert F Kennedy were assassinated in the 1960s.He was the only one of four brothers not to die a violent death. His brother Joseph was killed in an air crash in World War II, and both John F Kennedy and presidential hopeful Robert F Kennedy were assassinated in the 1960s.
He was widely expected to be the next Kennedy in the White House, but he was never able to fully overcome a scandal in 1969 when he drove a car off a bridge at Chappaquiddick near his home, killing his female passenger.He was widely expected to be the next Kennedy in the White House, but he was never able to fully overcome a scandal in 1969 when he drove a car off a bridge at Chappaquiddick near his home, killing his female passenger.
The incident helped derail his only presidential bid, more than a decade later.The incident helped derail his only presidential bid, more than a decade later.
But he remained active in politics right up until his death, famously endorsing Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination during a tight race with Hillary Clinton last year.But he remained active in politics right up until his death, famously endorsing Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination during a tight race with Hillary Clinton last year.
US MEDIA REACTION TO TED KENNEDY'S DEATHUS MEDIA REACTION TO TED KENNEDY'S DEATH
Kennedy was at the center of the most important issues facing the nation for decades, and he did much to help shape them. A defender of the poor and politically disadvantaged, he set the standard for his party on health care, education, civil rights, campaign-finance reform and labor lawKennedy was at the center of the most important issues facing the nation for decades, and he did much to help shape them. A defender of the poor and politically disadvantaged, he set the standard for his party on health care, education, civil rights, campaign-finance reform and labor law
Joe Holley writes in The Washington Post on Ted Kennedy's political importanceJoe Holley writes in The Washington Post on Ted Kennedy's political importance
He was a Rabelaisian figure in the Senate and in life, instantly recognizable by his shock of white hair, his florid, oversize face, his booming Boston brogue, his powerful but pained stride. He was a celebrity, sometimes a self-parody, a hearty friend, an implacable foe, a man of large faith and large flaws, a melancholy character who persevered, drank deeply and sang loudly. He was a Kennedy.He was a Rabelaisian figure in the Senate and in life, instantly recognizable by his shock of white hair, his florid, oversize face, his booming Boston brogue, his powerful but pained stride. He was a celebrity, sometimes a self-parody, a hearty friend, an implacable foe, a man of large faith and large flaws, a melancholy character who persevered, drank deeply and sang loudly. He was a Kennedy.
New York Times journalist John M Broder describes the Kennedy effect. New York Times journalist John M Broder describes the Kennedy effect.
Seared in my memory: When I interned at the Heritage Foundation, I would pop into Mass at Saint Joseph's on the Hill. And I would almost always find myself sitting near Ted Kennedy. He's responsible for things that are deeply offensive to my conscience and diametrically opposed to the teachings of the Catholic faith, and he probably led some people astray by his example. But our faith also teaches that we are all sinners and that there is redemption. He had some incredibly good forces in his life, not least among them his sister, Eunice, who just died. I pray for the repose of his soul. R.I.P. Senator Kennedy.Seared in my memory: When I interned at the Heritage Foundation, I would pop into Mass at Saint Joseph's on the Hill. And I would almost always find myself sitting near Ted Kennedy. He's responsible for things that are deeply offensive to my conscience and diametrically opposed to the teachings of the Catholic faith, and he probably led some people astray by his example. But our faith also teaches that we are all sinners and that there is redemption. He had some incredibly good forces in his life, not least among them his sister, Eunice, who just died. I pray for the repose of his soul. R.I.P. Senator Kennedy.
Kathryn Lean Lopez blogs her tribute at the National Review.Kathryn Lean Lopez blogs her tribute at the National Review.
Elected first in 1962, the 77-year-old Massachusetts liberal was rooted in the civil rights and Great Society battles of that decade, but his enduring strength was an ability to renew himself through his mastery of issues and the changing personalities of the Senate. Nowhere was this clearer than in Kennedy's early support of Barack Obama in 2008, when the young Illinois Democrat needed to establish himself against more veteran rivals for the White House. Kennedy not only campaigned for Obama but, at risk to his own health, opened the Democratic National Convention a year ago in Denver and returned to Washington repeatedly last winter to cast needed votes to move the new president's economic recovery agenda.Elected first in 1962, the 77-year-old Massachusetts liberal was rooted in the civil rights and Great Society battles of that decade, but his enduring strength was an ability to renew himself through his mastery of issues and the changing personalities of the Senate. Nowhere was this clearer than in Kennedy's early support of Barack Obama in 2008, when the young Illinois Democrat needed to establish himself against more veteran rivals for the White House. Kennedy not only campaigned for Obama but, at risk to his own health, opened the Democratic National Convention a year ago in Denver and returned to Washington repeatedly last winter to cast needed votes to move the new president's economic recovery agenda.
David Rogers in Politico highlights the veteran senator's lasting political importance. David Rogers in Politico highlights the veteran senator's lasting political importance.
In many ways, he was the last man standing, straddling a mythic family mantle of fame and a vaunted career of political service, all the while wearing the crown of Camelot decades after its heyday...the senator's death brought to a close a storied political era - of assassinations, Jackie O, Palm Beach, Chappaquiddick - and a lifetime of both tragedy and public service.In many ways, he was the last man standing, straddling a mythic family mantle of fame and a vaunted career of political service, all the while wearing the crown of Camelot decades after its heyday...the senator's death brought to a close a storied political era - of assassinations, Jackie O, Palm Beach, Chappaquiddick - and a lifetime of both tragedy and public service.
Andrea Billup writes in the The Washington Times that 'Camelot' fades with Kennedy passingAndrea Billup writes in the The Washington Times that 'Camelot' fades with Kennedy passing
In losing Kennedy, Obama loses a key Senate dealmaker at a crucial moment in legislative negotiations over the health care bill. Though an icon of Democratic liberalism, Kennedy was known to colleagues as a jovial pragmatist, whose many friendships with colleagues across the political and ideological spectrum made him one of the Senate's most influential players.In losing Kennedy, Obama loses a key Senate dealmaker at a crucial moment in legislative negotiations over the health care bill. Though an icon of Democratic liberalism, Kennedy was known to colleagues as a jovial pragmatist, whose many friendships with colleagues across the political and ideological spectrum made him one of the Senate's most influential players.
Kathy Kiely in USA Today examines the impact of Ted Kennedy's death on healthcare reform.Kathy Kiely in USA Today examines the impact of Ted Kennedy's death on healthcare reform.