Praise poured in from across the US political divide for Edward Kennedy yesterday, as Democrats and Republicans hailed his gift for building bridges over more than four decades as a senator.
President Barack Obama said he was "heartbroken" by the news that Mr Kennedy died late Tuesday at his home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, at the age of 77 after losing his year-long battle with brain cancer.
"The outpouring of love, gratitude and fond memories which we have all witnessed is a testimony to the way this singular figure in American history touched so many lives," said Mr Obama, who was vacationing in the island resort of Martha's Vineyard, just across the Nantucket Sound from the Kennedy compound.
Vice President Joe Biden said despite Mr Kennedy's stature as "one of the most partisan liberal men in the last century," he "never was petty. He was never small. And in the process of his doing, he made everybody he worked with bigger."
Former President George W. Bush, a Republican, extolled Mr Kennedy as "a man of passion who advocated fiercely for his convictions" and called him "a great man who lived a full life."
His father, former President George H.W. Bush, noted that "while we didn't see eye-to-eye on many political issues through the years, I always respected his steadfast public service.
"Ted Kennedy was a seminal figure in the United States Senate," where he served for 47 years, added Mr Bush.
Former Democratic President Jimmy Carter praised Mr Kennedy, whose "whole life has been devoted to the improvement of the status of life of those who are poor and deprived and persecuted and ignored and in need in our country.
"Possibly he is one of the most effective members of the Congress that's served in the last 20 years," Mr Carter said on a visit to Ramallah, in the West Bank.
The second most senior member of the Senate, Mr Kennedy was a leader of the left wing of the Democratic Party who devoted his political career to pushing for healthcare reform, a top domestic priority for Mr Obama that has sparked partisan bickering in Congress.
The emotion that surrounded Mr Kennedy's passing raised hopes among some Democratic lawmakers that they could push through Mr Obama's proposal for a sweeping overhaul of the US healthcare system, which leaves around 47 million Americans uninsured.
"Ted Kennedy's dream of quality healthcare for all Americans will be made real this year because of his leadership and his inspiration," pledged House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Already diagnosed with cancer, Mr Kennedy made a poignant appearance at the Democratic National Convention exactly a year before his death to endorse Mr Obama, during which he called healthcare reform "the cause of my life".
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described Mr Kennedy as "a generous mentor and a thoughtful colleague".
The Kennedy family was close to Ms Clinton and her husband Bill Clinton when he was President. Bill Clinton famously cited an early meeting with President John F. Kennedy, the senator's late brother, as an inspiration to enter politics.
But the Clintons barely concealed their hurt when Ted Kennedy threw his weight behind Mr Obama over Hillary in last year's race for the Democratic Party's White House nomination.
Still, her husband Bill issued a separate statement saying "Hillary and I will always be grateful for the many gestures of kindness and generosity" Mr Kennedy extended, hailing his "big heart, sharp mind, and boundless energy."
Mr Kennedy authored scores of legislative initiatives during his career but died before seeing through his lifelong goal of transforming the US healthcare system.
"The liberal lion's mighty roar may now fall silent, but his dream shall never die," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, vowing senators would "rededicate ourselves" to the causes to which Kennedy devoted his life.
US Chamber of Commerce president Thomas Donohue said even his foes admired him. "While the business community may have disagreed with Senator Kennedy more often than not, we admired him for his rock-solid convictions and his passionately held beliefs," he said.
Nancy Reagan, the widow of the late former President and conservative icon Ronald Reagan, said: "Ronnie and Ted could always find common ground, and they had great respect for one another."
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said "those who feel that government can too often be faceless and inhumane did not know Senator Kennedy. He stood for the best in all of us, and he will be missed".