The Vote: A Personal Matter

THE distinction could not have been more clear-cut: a young Northern liberal pitted against a middle-aged Southern conservative. Yet in the Senate leadership contest between Ted Kennedy and Russell Long, a number of members marked their secret ballots not on the basis of ideology or regional interest, but according to their personal ambitions, alliances, or animosities. Some notable deviations from the customary bloc pattern:

For Long

> Clinton Anderson of New Mexico, a liberal on most issues, nominated Long. Anderson sits on the Senate Finance Committee, which handles tax legislation and is chaired by Long. At 73, Anderson had little to gain by a Kennedy victory and was loath to risk his chairman's displeasure.

> Thomas Dodd of Connecticut usually votes with liberals on domestic issues, and was part of the solid New England support John Kennedy built up in 1960. However, Dodd felt he owed Long total loyalty. Long was the only Senator who championed him in 1967 against charges of misusing campaign funds and was one of only five to vote against his censure; Kennedy cast one of the 92 damning votes.

> Vance Hartke of Indiana left the moderate fold for Long, a fellow friend of oil interests.

-- Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota, the peace candidate of 1968, joined the hawks to vote for Long. As a Finance Committee member, he shares some of Long's more conservative economic views. Moreover, McCarthy has feuded for years with all the Kennedys. Reminded that after last summer's Democratic Convention, he had said that he would vote for Ted on a presidential ballot, McCarthy was reportedly asked: "How is it that you can vote for him as Pope but not as pastor?" Replied McCarthy: "I can think of a lot of people I would like to see as Pope but would not like to see as my pastor."

> Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, a political and personal friend of Kennedy's, traveled to Boston only last month to attend a Kennedy fund-raising dinner. He voted for Long. Nelson, fearing he was in trouble during his re-election bid in November, reportedly sought and received Long's help.

For Kennedy

>Stuart Symington of Missouri, a longtime colleague of Long's and not a particularly close Kennedy friend after John upset his presidential bid in 1960, nonetheless voted for Ted. Like several other grey eminences in the Senate Establishment--most notably, Majority Leader Mike Mansfield --Symington evidently decided that Kennedy could provide Senate Democrats with more effective leadership. > Albert Gore of Tennessee, another Finance Committee member, voted for Kennedy against committee authority and regional instinct. Gore, a liberal, faces a tough fight for re-election two years hence in a Border State, where Kennedys have appeal. He probably would like Ted's help. >Ralph Yarborough of Texas broke ranks with most Southerners to support Kennedy. Though oil money is a major factor in Texas politics also, Yarborough is 65, independent, and about as liberal as a Texas politician can wisely be. >Fred Harris of Oklahoma, at 38 one of the Senate's most vigorous and vocal Young Turks, was co-chairman of Hubert Humphrey's election campaign and in private expressed criticism of Robert Kennedy's candidacy. Moreover, he comes from a state where oil is puissant, and was pressured by at least six petroleum companies to support their friend Long. In apparent agreement with Kennedy's advocacy of youthful, activist leadership, he voted for Ted.

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