(2 of 5)
On a TV interview just before the final primaries, Carter described his feeling toward Kennedy as "one of respect, one of personal friendship, one of admiration" and said he had "no doubt that Senator Kennedy and I can work harmoniously." At Carter campaign headquarters, above a sleazy strip-tease joint in Washington, top aides sent out peace signals toward the Kennedy camp, located in a former Cadillac showroom. Carter Campaign Chairman Robert Strauss indicated that the President is willing to compromise on nearly every issue in the party platform, with two exceptions: Kennedy's demands for wage and price controls and for gasoline rationing. Even then, Carter is willing to let Kennedy state his position on both issues from the convention floor. In addition, the White House allotted five of the 15 seats on the platform committee to Kennedy stalwarts and named Arizona Congressman Morris Udall, a longtime Kennedy friend and political ally, as the convention's keynote speaker.
But Kennedy defied the peace overtures. On primary night, as several hundred supporters cheered the Senator in his grimy headquarters, the strong showing seemed to fill him with a jubilation bordering on the irrational. Said he: "Tonight is the first night of the rest of the campaign." Then, just as Carter was in effect winning the Democratic nomination, Kennedy heatedly proclaimed: "Democrats from coast to coast were unwilling to concede the nomination to Jimmy Carter, and neither am I."
At first, old friends and supporters concluded that Kennedy had been swept along by the exuberance of the moment. Throughout the campaign, as he lost primary after primary and his chances of ultimate victory faded, he had insisted: "I can add." But Mo Udall, recalling how he himself had agonized after losing the primaries in 1976 before conceding graciously to Carter, thought he understood Kennedy's problem. Said Udall: "It's hard for a guy who is saying harsh things on Monday to stand up and endorse the other fellow on Wednesday. I think he'll come around, but he's pretty well dug in."
That indeed seemed to be the case. When Carter called Tuesday night to offer congratulations, Kennedy's aides said the Senator could not answer because he was "resting." Carter called again four hours later and was told Kennedy was en route to his headquarters. The next morning, Kennedy summoned more than a dozen advisers and family members to his house in McLean, Va., to discuss his next step. His most senior aides, including Political Director Paul Kirk and Campaign Chairman (and brother-in-law) Steve Smith, recommended that he not do anything hasty that would prevent him from eventually withdrawing gracefully. But several younger, more ideological staffers, including Speechwriters Robert Shrum and Carey Parker, urged Kennedy to fight on. After several hours of discussion, with a break for sandwiches, Kennedy made up his mind. Said he: "I'm not getting out under these circumstances." He strode to a telephone and called the White House. Carter said he hoped Kennedy was sufficiently rested. Kennedy proposed that he come to the White House. Perhaps next week, the President thought. The very next day, Kennedy proposed, and the President agreed.