Sen. Hatch's Tribute to Kennedy in Song

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Ted Kennedy

Sen. Orrin Hatch posted on his YouTube page today a song he co-wrote as a tribute to the late Sen. Ted Kennedy.

Hatch, a Republican from Utah, worked closely with his liberal colleague from Massachusetts on a number of pieces of legislation. He notes on his YouTube page that the song is called "Headed Home" and that he wrote it with songwriter Phil Springer.

"Take a moment to listen to the words," Hatch writes. "You don't have to agree with everyone's politics...none of us agree 100 percent of the time. But you have to admire a lifetime dedicated to public service and improving the lives of others -- and that is just one of the many things that made Ted great. I think this song captures a small part of Ted's legacy of service."

Hatch and Springer wrote the song last year, and it is performed by baritone Tony Middleton.

"Through the rain and fog," Middleton sings, "We can find a clear day, shoo the shadows and doubts away, and touch the legacy that is ours."

CBSNews.com Special Report: Ted Kennedy

In a separate statement he released today, Hatch noted some of the legislative achievements he and Kennedy accomplished together, including Ryan White AIDS Act, which established a federally funded program for people living with HIV/AIDS; the State Children's Health Insurance Program; the Americans with Disabilities Act; and the FDA Modernization Act of 1997.

"When I first came to the United States Senate I was filled with conservative fire in my belly and an itch to take on any and everyone who stood in my way, including Ted Kennedy," Hatch said in his statement. "As I began working within the confines of my office I soon found out that while we almost always disagreed on most issues, once in a while we could actually get together and find the common ground, which is essential in passing legislation."

Hatch was one of the few Republicans working on creating a bipartisan compromise for health care reform, but he last month he abandoned the talks, which include a few of his fellow Senate Finance Committee members.

Read more on the life and death of Sen. Edward "Ted" Kennedy:

Sen. Edward Kennedy Dies at Age 77

Arrangements for Kennedy Funeral Announced

Obama: Kennedy Was "Defender of a Dream"

Kennedy Memoir Set for Release Next Month

Sen. Byrd: Health Bill Should be Named for Kennedy

Team Obama Turns to the Web for Solace

"Liberal Lion" Remembered

Flags to Fly at Half-Staff for Kennedy

Mass. Gov. Supports Quick Replacement for Kennedy

In His Own Words

"The Last Brother"

Life in the Public's Glare

In Pictures: The Kennedys

Obits from U.S. Newspapers

Brothers "Would Have been Proud"

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by stn_sage August 26, 2009 11:39 PM EDT: First, I don't know that Hatch and Kennedy were as good of friends as this article asserts! Mr. Kennedy is dead, so we can't ask him! And Mr. Hatch,I certainly wouldn't take HIS word for it!

Second, no one FORCED Mr. Hatch to take the hurtful and un-American stances he took over the years, HE chose to take them! Some would assert that campaign contributions meant more to him than his country!

Third, reality is OFTEN times cynical, especially when it comes to Republican politicians, and especially when the viewer is non-Republican and not content to ignore all the negative things that they have done as Republican supporters SO conveniently DO!

Finally, Mr. Hatch is going to have to face the fact that someday when he dies, people are going to remember him, too. And, there won't be very many positive things to remember about him, because he wasn't a very nice, positive, progressive man; that's the price you pay at the end when
you choose to be negative most of your life!; Reply to this comment

by stn_sage August 26, 2009 7:02 PM EDT

Let me guess! Is Mr. Hatch up for re-election in 2010?!

In spite of this charade, to portray him as a 'moderate' Conservative, as Mr. Bipartisan, it won't work!

Because I remember the Orin Hatch that launched a bitter, excoriating attack on Anita Hill in defense of Thomas's nomination to the Supreme Court; who steadfastly defended the various undeclared wars around the world under Reagan and the 'false flag' wars in Iraq under the two Bushes, his fight against health care during the Clinton years, and his full-fledged support of the Patriot Act and other measures that have acted to nullify the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights! And this---is only the tip-of-the-iceberg! Yes, he's had a long career!

And, no one-time tribute to Ted Kennedy upon his death, will ever make up for all the terrible things he's done to the United States and it's people!

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by User_00000000002945496845 August 26, 2009 8:24 PM EDT: All concerned parties should follow Senator Hatch's lead and come together to pass healthcare reform in memory of Ted Kennedy, for what a great American and great statesman he was.


by AOCGUY August 26, 2009 10:20 PM EDT: What a cynical comment. I don't always agree with Sen Hatch nor did I particularly like Sen Kennedy, but the gist of this story was two men essentially on the opposite side of the political spectrum that forged a friendship based upon mutual respect. Wouldn't it be better if we all could debate our political differences without demonizing each other?