Ted Kennedy Gets a Little Republican Respect

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), joined, from left, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff; Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez; and Sens. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Ken Salazar (D-Colo.) at a news conference this month to announce a compromise on immigration legislation with the White House. (By Chip Somodevilla -- Getty Images)

Despite the harsh rhetoric, Kennedy says he and Bush have "a good professional relationship." He rejects any idea that he might not have entertained another alliance with Bush without a Democratic majority in Congress.

"I'm not trying to be cute with anybody about this. I want to get things done [on] challenging public policy issues that affect real people," he said, pointing out his cooperation with Republicans on issues including overhauling the Food and Drug Administration to hate-crimes legislation. Sometimes, he said, "all sides can win." The immigration bill is modeled, at least in part, on one that Kennedy and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) wrote and moved through the Senate last year, although it died in the House. All sides credit Kennedy for keeping a dozen senators and administration officials at the table until they reached an agreement.

"He was very determined," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), reminding lawmakers that immigration is "what we all harken back to." Last week, Kennedy dominated the Senate floor, blocking amendments sponsored by fellow Democrats in the name of preserving the deal.

Early on, some Republicans wondered whether his commitment was sincere. But over time, said Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), "you really saw his skills at just getting people together and banging out an agreement."

The bill -- called by some critics the "Kennedy-Bush Amnesty Program" -- may yet fail. But Kennedy remains hopeful.

"If people want to make progress," he said, "you can find common ground."

Staff researcher Madonna Lebling contributed to this report.