Edward Kennedy’s death on Wednesday triggered a rare moment of bipartisan unity in Washington at the end of a bitterly rancorous month in which the “Lion of the Senate’s” lifelong goal of achieving universal healthcare had been called un-American by rightwing critics.

Describing himself as “heartbroken”, President Barack Obama said: “The Kennedy name is synonymous with the Democratic party. At times, Ted was the target of partisan campaign attacks. But in the United States Senate, I can think of no one who engendered greater respect or affection from members of both sides of the aisle.”