Cafferty: Who will assume Sen. Kennedy’s leadership role?
The American flag flies at half staff Tuesday following the death of Sen. Ted Kennedy. (PHOTO CREDIT: CHIP SOMODEVILLA/GETTY IMAGES)
When it comes to filling Sen. Ted Kennedy's leadership shoes, it doesn't seem at first glance that there is anyone who can.
As Politico puts it, no other senator possesses the combination of "celebrity, seniority, personal charm, legislative savvy and ideological zeal that made Kennedy the most effective liberal in a generation.”
Those who worked with him call Kennedy "irreplaceable.” Many have said the senator's presence was sorely missed in the health care debate. Because of his failing health, he was unable to spend much time on Capitol Hill the last few months. Although Kennedy was a staunch liberal, he was known for compromising with Republicans – a skill pretty much lacking in both parties these days.
Perhaps the only senator who had similar star power was Hillary Clinton. And, before she became Pres. Obama's secretary of state, some aides had hoped she would assume a Kennedy-like role in the Senate.
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I am afraid, NONE for now. The three republican senators-McCain, Hatch and Greg– have claimed that they are anxious to pass healthcare legislation, but that democrats are not reaching out for their input. In fact, they said that on the health and commerce committee, none of their amendments were accepted. The fact is, 165 GOP sponsored amendments were incorporated in the bill in July. Yet, none of the GOP senators on the committee, including the above three voted for the bill when the committee passed the Kennedy healthcare bill on July 16, 2009.
Hi Jack,
I do not know who will lead. My bet is on President Obama.
We support him 100%.
Simply put–A person who will represent the state of Massachusetts well. A person who will do justice to the name of the late Senator Kennedy. And a person who is a liberal Democrat like me.
There is not a Launderer big enough, to wash the Dirty-Washing of the USA... Not after this year...