Hatch: Kennedy "Loved the Combat"
"Well, he loved the Senate. He loved the way it was run. He loved the combat, the day in and day out combat," the Utah Republican told "Early Show" co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez Thursday.
"When you got into a combat with him, it was a knockdown, drag-out battle. And when it was over, he would be coming to you and throwing his arms around you and say, 'Did I do all right?' or 'How did you like that?' I'd always get a big kick out of it. We fought each other pretty hard, but we also came together in many, many ways over a lot of landmark legislation that today is helping people all over the country."
CBSNews.com's complete coverage of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy's life and death
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy after battling brain cancer for more than a year. With his death, the Senate loses one of its leading liberal voices and a powerful champion for working class and poor Americans. It also loses a statesman capable of reaching across the aisle for compromise.
"When I came to the Senate, I came to fight Ted Kennedy. And we've had fights all these years, but we've always been able to resolve them in the end. And he was open to resolving and for good resolutions. That's what made him a great senator," Hatch said.CBS News Special Report: Ted Kennedy - The Last Brother
Ironically, Kennedy's death comes at a time when perhaps his biggest crusade – the battle over health care reform – is being waged on Capitol Hill. While some think his death will spur on Congress to reach a compromise, sentimentality will only go so far in what has become a polarizing fight.
"Well, I would hope his passing would help us get together, but I have to say the [Obama] administration and the Democrats in the Senate and in the House especially are demanding some terms that I don't think Republicans can support," Hatch said. "I think they'd be very detrimental to the country. But if they're open and they really want to get a health care bill done, I'd like nothing better than to have a bipartisan bill that will work in the best interests for the American people."
Read more stories on Sen. Kennedy's life and death at CBSNews.com:
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
Flags to Fly at Half-Staff for Kennedy
Mass. Gov. Supports Quick Replacement for Kennedy