Republicans split on Kennedy's death

CHICAGO — Republicans loved and loathed Edward Kennedy, a duality that surfaced in the mix of tributes and condemnations Wednesday from across the political aisle, underscoring the difficulty of promoting the bipartisan spirit that was Kennedy's legislative hallmark.

Establishment Republicans showered the late Massachusetts Democrat with statements expressing their professional regard and personal affection.

"His legacy should serve as an inspiration to anyone interested in public service, " said Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Similar praise flowed from former President George H.W. Bush, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, former first lady Nancy Reagan and a chorus of congressional Republicans.

But different words echoed in talk radio and the conservative blogosphere. Kennedy was denounced for his liberal politics and, especially, the 1969 death of Mary Jo Kopechne at Chappaquiddick Island, Mass.

"If you can't say something nice about a person, then say mean things about them instead," wrote Andrew Breitbart, a Washington Times columnist and leading conservative blogger. "Especially if they are unapologetic manslaughterers."

Rush Limbaugh countered Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who called Kennedy a "lion of the Senate," by saying, "We were his prey."

The response summed up the political changes in his lifetime: from an era when courtesy was common and negotiation was a valued skill to an age when many of the loudest voices in both parties treat compromise as surrender.

The case in point: the gulf between Democrats and Republicans on a health-care overhaul, which Kennedy championed.

"With cable TV and with talk radio, there is a tendency to go to the extremes: far right, far left," said Republican Kenneth Duberstein, a former chief of staff in the Reagan White House. "What Senator Kennedy profoundly understood was that we are a nation of incrementalists who like our progress in bite-size pieces. ... He made the art of compromise not a four-letter word and yet, for many (outside Congress), it is."

Meanwhile Democrats offered fond recollections that were intensely personal.

"My heart and soul weeps at the loss of my best friend in the Senate, my beloved friend, Ted Kennedy," Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., who is in extremely poor health, said in a statement.

"I lost my best friend in the Senate," said Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn. He recalled his own recent cancer surgery, the death of his sister and other personal crises, where Kennedy helped him.

President Obama, whose presidential bid got an important endorsement from Kennedy early last year, issued a proclamation declaring Kennedy "not only one of the greatest senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy."

Obama ordered flags flown at half-staff at the White House and all federal buildings through Sunday.

Vice President Joseph Biden choked up as he recalled Kennedy and said that when he telephoned Kennedy's widow, Vicki, to express condolences, she told him, "He was ready to go, Joe."

But, Biden added, "We're not ready to let him go."