AT 36, Edward M. Kennedy became the youngest majority whip in the history of the U.S. Senate. By moving from a backbench to the cockpit of congressional power, the senior Senator from Massachusetts could now overtly exercise the influence that has hitherto been his primarily by virtue of legend, tragedy and guilt. He disavowed his election as a personal victory or as a steppingstone toward the presidency. "I view it," he said, "as expressing the sense of the Democratic Senators in favor of an aggressive and creative program in the upcoming Congress."
The loser was more candid—and more accurate—about the situation. "I don't think I could have been defeated by anyone else in the U.S. Senate," said Louisiana's Russell Long. "And my guess is that I would have taken any other opponent by about a 2-to-1 margin." That point scored, he continued with a less gracious observation: "This happens to have been a race where it was a nationwide proposition, and while I had Senator Kennedy outgunned in the United States Senate, he had me outgunned in the United States."
Long was simply outgunned by a more contemporary and compelling dynasty than his own. His father, Kingfish Huey, is a remote and unappealing legend to most Americans today. The Longs have always been parochial, mercurial politicians. Nonetheless, Russell after long tenure had become chairman of the powerful Finance Committee and a card-carrying Bourbon of the Upper House, ranking third in the Senate hierarchy. Kennedy has had just six years in office, heads no committee. He ranks 23rd in seniority in the Senate.
A Personal Victory
Ted Kennedy is considerably more than a legatee. He had the political acumen to realize that an opportunity existed to make a quantum jump in Senate status. He recognized first the changing mood of the Democrats in the Senate, who strongly felt the urge for new leadership. He saw that Russell Long, who has had many problems and has been none too popular with his colleagues, was ripe for picking Finally, sizing up the situation, he had the courage—or the gall—to make the challenge. Challenge is a family tradition with the Kennedys. On the other hand, Maine's Edmund Muskie, fresh from good reviews as the Democratic vice-presidential candidate, saw the same opportunity but decided not to take the risk of losing the battle. Muskie had another consideration—his need to travel freely for purposes of self-advertisement. But to all appearances, Ted Kennedy had outflanked one of his major potential rivals for a 1972 presidential race.
In political terms, Kennedy's victory was a very personal triumph. Whatever he accomplishes for the party and the Senate, his already lustrous presidential prospects are clearly enhanced. His new power makes him heir to the majority leadership of the Senate and gives him ample justification for maneuver that his previous rank and name could hardly supply.