McCain: Kennedy 'taught me to be a better senator'

(NECN: Dorchester, Mass.) - The reigning Republican leader as the party's 2008 presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), joined those speaking at the memorial service for Senator Edward M. Kennedy -- a Democrat. Sen. McCain has lauded Kennedy's bipartisan efforts and, in death, labeled him as "irreplacable" in the United States Senate. "He was the most reliable, the most prepared and the most persistent member of the Senate. He took the long view -- he never gave up," Sen. McCain said. "He taught me to be a better senator." When the Senate resumes following its summer recess on after Labor Day, Sen. McCain said he will try harder to apply the lessons taught him by Sen. Kennedy. "I'll try to be as persistent as Ted was, and as passionate for the work," Sen. McCain said. "I know I'm privileged to serve there, but I think most of my colleagues would agree, the place won't be the same without him." <i>Material from The Associated Press used in this report.</i>