Peter Flaherty, the conservative activist, sees another connection that l inks Kennedy's and Clinton's political prospects. "I think Ted's personal lifestyle difficulties have played into his reputation among conservatives," he says. "They see his lifestyle as something they don't like. It's the same thing with Clinton. If Al Gore were pushing those same policies, he wouldn't draw the same opposition."
Both Clinton and Kennedy, for example, have been branded immoral by the religious right for their sexual behavior. In effect, the right wing's personal attacks on Clinton and Kennedy are attacks on anyone who participated in the sexual revolution, or has a lifestyle that reflects a morality different from that of fundamentalist Christians. Clinton and Kennedy are bonded by more than mere policy: it's likely that Clinton, whose earliest hero was JFK, also feels an affinity with Kennedy because they are linked by their fiercest critics.
These factors, personal and policy, may explain the frequent campaign appearances by the president, his wife, the vice-president, and other administration officials in Massachusetts this year, and even before this campaign began. As Joe Moakley notes, "Ted's got the ear of the president. That's very important for Massachusetts. I think Clinton's spent more time in this state than he has in any other."
Just as Kennedy needs Clinton to win over younger voters who are unfamiliar with his history, Clinton needs Kennedy to enact his legislative priorities. Both of their political futures may thus be decided by Massachusetts voters on November 8.
Related:
Ted's turn, Have you heard the one about Chappaquiddick?, After Ted, More 
- Ted's turn
A little-known provision in the crime bill now being negotiated by a House-Senate conference committee would greatly expand the number of prison cells available to house violent criminals, and it wouldn't be cost a dime. But it may be doomed unless Senator Ted Kennedy is willing to spend some political capital.
- Have you heard the one about Chappaquiddick?
Last week, during an appearance on the Washington, DC–based Diane Rehm Show on NPR, Ted Kennedy biographer Edward Klein suggested that if Kennedy could witness his own funeral he'd probably crack a joke.
- After Ted
The death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy early Wednesday morning brings to a close the life and legendary career of one of Massachusetts's greatest political figures.
- Public and private affairs
Philandering, like heavy drinking, traditionally has been one of those activities that the boys in the press keep mum about when reporting on the boys on the Hill, or the boy in the White House, or any boy, for that matter. The rationales for this silence are curiously contradictory.
- Six for the seat
Over the next few months, as candidates for the US Senate travel the state, you're likely to hear them say again and again that nobody can ever truly replace Ted Kennedy. That's the truth. But what does the state want next, after such a legendary, larger-than-life figure?
- Rhode Island weighs a succesions drama of its own
The death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy has Massachusetts' political class speculating, in not-so-hushed tones, about the odds of a next-generation Kennedy running for and winning the seat.
- With Kennedy's death, a chance to move beyond royalty
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, the last "lion" of the Massachusetts clan, finally rests – in peace, I hope.
- Ted Kennedy's passing
Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who served Massachusetts for 46 years — sometimes surrounded by controversy, but always with distinction — was the only one of Joseph P. Kennedy’s four sons to die surrounded by family at home in his bed.
- The annunciations
The broad brush strokes of Teddy Kennedy's presidential announcement may have uplifted liberal hearts, but Jerry Brown's announcement challenged liberal thinking with some pencil-sharp specifics about the role of government in economic planning for the 1980s.
- Choosing Kennedy’s successor
Massachusetts should have a temporary US senator until voters elect a replacement to serve out the remaining three years of Ted Kennedy’s term.
- Giant shadow
One striking aspect of the Kennedy tributes was the focus on the help he and his office provided for ordinary individuals in Massachusetts — all those things that fall under the category of "constituent services."
- Going Mobil
Washington – If ideology wasn't already dead in presidential politics, the plug was pulled on its support system last Monday, when the Kennedy campaign announced that its advertising and polling would be organized by Mobil Oil's vice-president of public affair, Herbert Schmertz.
- Less
Topics:
Flashbacks
, Mitt Romney, Trade, Trade Policy, More
, Mitt Romney, Trade, Trade Policy, Health Care Issues, Health Care Policy, Social Policy, Edward M. Kennedy, John F. Kennedy, U.S. Republican Party, Bill Clinton, Less
