The Last Great Senate

by Ira Shapiro

CHAPTER 17: A TOUGH POLITICAL CLIMATE

  301 Nelson had “a lifelong tendency to loaf or joke his way through the campaign”: Christofferson, Man from Clear Lake, p. 339.

  302 Hart and his associates polled 617 Wisconsin voters: “Survey of Voter Attitudes in the State of Wisconsin,” Peter D. Hart Research Associates, Inc., January 1980.

  302 “this nation is in deep and serious trouble”: Ibid., p. 2.

  302 “moral threats which cut right through the social fabric”: Ibid.

  302 “These economic threats are more commonly identified”: Ibid., p. 3.

  302 “Leading the list is government’s interference in people’s lives”: Ibid.

  303 said he was doing an “excellent” or “good” job: Ibid., p. 11.

  303 he also pointed out Nelson’s special problem: Ibid., pp. 9–10.

  303 “We cannot overstress,” Hart noted: Ibid., p. 13.

  303 The right wing had been gunning for Frank Church for years: Ashby and Gramer, Fighting the Odds, p. 539.

  304 had targeted Church early: Ibid., p. 579.

  304 “people voting against Church without remembering why”: Ibid., p. 599.

  304 moving his family to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef: Ibid., p. 600.

  304 Columnist Mary McGrory rebuked Church: Ibid., p. 584.

  304 “The Soviet brigade,” McGrory wrote: Ibid., p. 596.

  304 Church’s former speechwriter, Bill Hall, said: Ibid.

  305 Retired General John K. Singlaub blasted Church: Ibid., p. 601.

  305 suppressing evidence regarding Chile: Ibid.

  305 A Peter Hart poll of the staff showed significant weaknesses: Scates, Warren G. Magnuson, p. 313.

  305 His closest advisers urged him not to seek reelection: Ibid., pp. 313–314.

  305 “The boss loved his job, loved his work”: Ibid., p. 314.

  305 saw Magnuson, aged, exhausted, and unfocused: Interview with Leon Billings, February 19, 2010.

  305 Javits had intended to not seek a fifth term: Javits and Steinberg, Javits, pp. 490–494.

  306 Much more serious was his deteriorating health: Ibid.

  306 “whether [he] had any business leaving his post of duty”: Ibid.

  306 He announced for reelection and disclosed his affliction: Ibid.

  306 “There was no argument to stand up against that”: Ibid.

  307 Kennedy was absorbing one devastating blow after another: Clymer, Edward M. Kennedy, pp. 292–295.

  307 They rallied behind Carter: Ibid., p. 295.

  307 Clark’s son expressed disappointment: Interview with Senator Dick Clark, November 9, 2010.

  307 a lengthy debate took place between consultants: Ibid.

  307 When Kennedy finally did take a strong position: Clymer, Edward M. Kennedy, p. 295.

  308 Peter Hart, polling for the Kennedy campaign: Ibid.

  308 Even the Boston Globe, his hometown newspaper: Ibid., p. 297.

  308 Carter smashed Kennedy, winning 59 percent: Ibid., p. 300.

  308 told Kennedy that he would have to remain neutral: Ibid.; interview with Senator John Culver, April 15, 2010.

  308 Joe Biden, who maintained close ties: Carter, White House Diary, p. 362.

  308 Kennedy’s advisers were also embittered: Clymer, Edward M. Kennedy, pp. 305, 307.

  309 they certainly did not see Carter as an asset: Carter, White House Diary, p. 364, notes on October 22: “We assessed the prospects for U.S. senators up for re-election next year, and they are dismal. Many are quite weak or very liberal. Bob Byrd and I will see what we can do to help them.”

  309 On March 30, hopes rose that a deal was at hand: Glad, Outsider in the White House, p. 185.

  310 His appearance probably influenced some undecided voters: Clymer, Edward M. Kennedy, p. 308.

  310 threw all the Iranian diplomats out of the United States: Glad, Outsider in the White House, p. 186.

  310 the rescue mission that an elite Delta Force unit was training for: Ibid.

  310 “Gentleman, I want you to know”: Ibid., p. 263.

  311 learned to his regret to be very skeptical: Ibid., p. 265.

  311 virtually stumbled onto the existence of the planned mission: Witcover, Joe Biden, pp. 144–146.

  312 Carter would later write: Carter, Keeping Faith, p. 514.

  312 this was the one that tore their relationship irreparably: Interview with Dan Tate, June 2, 8, 2010; interview with Hoyt Purvis, January 14, 2011; interview with Joe Stewart, June 14, 2010.

  312 “under the impression it was not something that was imminent”: Joanne Omang, “Byrd Knew of Rescue Plan but Didn’t Know It was Underway,” Washington Post, April 27, 1980.

  312 he would not have given the operation a 50–50 chance of success: Ibid.

  313 Dole said he respected: Robert G. Kaiser, “In Stunned Congress, Wariness and Concern over the War Powers Act,” Washington Post, April 26, 1980.

  313 Baker offered unqualified support: Ibid.

  313 Jackson was angry he could not get a clear answer: Ibid.

  313 Church suggested that launching the operation: Ibid.

  313 “a greater failure than that of incomplete success”: Glad, Outsider in the White House, p. 267.

  313 “America doesn’t have enough helicopters?”: Ibid., p. 268.

  313 Carter was doing the “sensible” thing: Robert G. Kaiser and Michael Getler, “Carter Responds by Returning to the Political Fray,” Washington Post, May 4, 1980.

  314 Kennedy still in the race, having finished strongly: Clymer, Edward M. Kennedy, pp. 312–313.

  314 The president and the senator met on June 5: T. R. Reid and Edward Walsh, “Kennedy: Planning to Be Nominee,” Washington Post, June 6, 1980; Clymer, Edward M. Kennedy, pp. 312–313; Carter, White House Diary, p. 435; Kennedy, True Compass, pp. 378–379.

  314 Carter mulled it over and decided Mondale was right: Clymer, Edward M. Kennedy, pp. 313–314.

  CHAPTER 18: AMERICA’S LAST FRONTIER

  317 Congress and the Nixon administration also agreed to specify a deadline: Alice Bonner, “Deadline Near for Alaska Lands Bill,” Washington Post, September 17, 1978.

  318 Carter was the first president to come to office: Jeffrey K. Stine, “Environmental Policy During the Carter Presidency,” in Fink and Graham, eds., Carter Presidency, pp. 179–180.

  318 made protecting the environment a high priority: Ibid., p. 181.

  318 On April 25, 1977, Interior Secretary Cecil Andrus: Margot Hornblower, “Carter Stressing Environment in Fight over Alaska Lands,” Washington Post, April 26, 1977.

  319 approved a version of the Alaska Lands legislation: Mary Russell, “Alaska Land Bill Is Approved,” Washington Post, May 20, 1978.

  320 Tom Eagleton was dropped from the Democratic ticket: Interview with Ed Quick, May 21, 2010.

  320 A University of Alaska professor later said: David Westphal, “Mike Gravel, an Anti-War Crusader for Two Generations,” McClatchy Newspapers, December 4, 2007.

  320 Carter said on July 31, 1978: Loretta Tofani, “Fallback Methods Studied for Saving Alaska Lands,” Washington Post, August 1, 1978.

  320 a bill that nominally set aside 121 million acres: Alice Bonner, “Deadline Near for Alaska Lands Bill,” Washington Post, September 17, 1978.

  321 the Energy Committee reached a tentative agreement: “Panel Votes to Set Aside Alaska Lands,” Associated Press, September 30, 1978.

  321 a 95-million acre Alaska lands bill: “Technicality Voids Senate Units Vote on Alaska Lands,” Associated Press, October 5, 1978.

  321 On October 15, the Alaska Lands Act had died: Richard L. Lyons, “2 Dozen Major Bills Acted on Near End,” Washington Post, October 16, 1978.

  321 The post-mortems indicated how much was at stake: Alice Bonner, “Gravel Accused of Sabotaging the Alaska Lands Bill,” Washington Post, October 19, 1978.

  321 110 million acres of Alaska land would be closed: Margot Hornblower, “U.S. Moves to Protect Alaska Land,” Washington P
ost, November 17, 1978.

  321 designate 56 million acres of Alaska lands: Margot Hornblower, “Carter Sets Aside 56 Million Acres of Alaska Lands,” Washington Post, December 2, 1978.

  322 Carter would express concern about landing in Anchorage: Carter, White House Diary, p. 334.

  322 Stevens would always blame Gravel for his wife’s death: Interview with Susan Alvarado, October 11, 2010.

  323 Secretary Andrus ordered strict environmental protection: Editorial, “An Unsatisfactory Solution,” Washington Post, February 13, 1980.

  323 Stevens, Jackson, and Tsongas meet: “Senators Put Forth Amendments for a Debate over Alaska Lands,” Associated Press, May 4, 1980.

  323 On July 21, the Senate began the long-anticipated debate: Joanne Omang, “Energy and Environment Collide on the Senate Floor This Week,” Washington Post, July 20, 1980.

  323 Jimmy Carter, deeply committed on the merits: Philip Shabecoff, “Senate Starts Debating Legislation on Future Use of Land in Alaska,” New York Times, July 22, 1980.

  324 the environmentalists won a series of test votes: Richard L. Lyons, “Conservation-Minded Senators Survived Test Votes,” Washington Post, July 23, 1980.

  324 That explosion was just a prelude to the shouting match: “Senate Sets Aside Alaska Bill to Let Tempers Cool Off,” Associated Press, July 24, 1980.

  324 that crucial moment had arrived: Joanne Omang, “Governor, Senators Shun Alaska Bill,” Washington Post, July 30, 1980.

  325 On August 4, the negotiators announced: Richard L. Lyons and Helen Dewar, “On Capitol Hill: Alaska Land Substitute Set for Floor,” Washington Post, August 5, 1980.

  325 appreciated that Tsongas had been patient: Ibid.

  325 Jackson and Gravel were at each other’s throats: Ibid.

  325 “every time I try to be reasonable”: Ibid.

  326 the Senate gave “all but final approval”: Joanne Omang, “Historic Alaska Lands Bill Nears Senate Passage,” Washington Post, August 19, 1980.

  326 On August 19, the Senate gave final approval to the bill: Joanne Omang, “Senate Approves Alaska Bill,” Washington Post, August 20, 1980.

  CHAPTER 19: FIGHTING TO SURVIVE

  327 Bayh had intensely enjoyed chairing: Interviews with Senator Birch Bayh, February 25, 2009, March 18, 2010.

  327 spent an hour telling Bayh what he had to do: Ibid.

  328 like surprisingly many other liberal Democrats: Ibid. O’Brien, Philip Hart, pp. 151–153; Christofferson, Man from Clear Lake, pp. 187–190.

  328 Bayh joked he was not sure: Bayh interview.

  328 committed to remaking the Supreme Court “in his own image”: The phrase is taken from James F. Simon, In His Own Image: The Supreme Court in Richard Nixon’s America (New York: D. McKay, 1973).

  328 Bayh quickly took the lead of the coalition: Dean, Rehnquist Choice, p. 21.

  328 “I know this president”: Interview with Jay Berman, May 17, 2009.

  329 “in no mood for another such donnybrook”: Clymer, Edward M. Kennedy, p. 161.

  329 stepped forward to lead the opposition: Ibid., pp. 161–163.

  329 a response that would become one of the most famous: Dean, Rehnquist Choice, p. 21.

  330 the Carswell nomination remained in doubt: Ibid., p. 163.

  330 Enraged, Nixon went to the White House press room: Ibid., p. 23.

  331 he was nominating a guy “who’s there for thirty years”: Ibid., p. 265.

  331 expression of his legal views well hidden: Ibid., pp. 266–269.

  331 the smoking gun materialized: Ibid., pp. 274–275.

  331 Bayh understood what the memo meant: Ibid.

  332 He shaped the Intelligence Committee in a bipartisan way: Bayh interview.

  333 the news exploded in front-page headlines: Ed Magnuson, “Nation: The Burden of Billy,” Time, August 4, 1980.

  333 “There’s a helluva lot more Arabians than there is Jews”:“Nation, The Burden of Billy.”

  333 the president had publicly disassociated himself: Ibid.

  334 Byrd and Baker met frequently: George Lardner, Jr. “Senate Establishes Investigative Panel,” Washington Post, July 25, 1980.

  334 “There’s no necessity for it”: Ibid.

  335 Dole could not resist giving a speech: George Lardner Jr., “Probe Leaders Want President as Witness,” Washington Post, July 26, 1980.

  335 Bayh, obviously irked at Dole: Ibid.

  335 “It’s going to be like walking through a minefield”: George Lardner Jr. and Charles R. Babcock,“Panel to Speed Probe Schedule,” Washington Post, August 1, 1980.

  335 his aides had urged him to turn it down: Ibid.

  335 On August 4, a line of 300 would-be spectators: Margot Hornblower, “Probe of Billy, Libya Begins,” Washington Post, August 5, 1980.

  335 Dole asked sarcastically: Ibid.

  335 senators on both sides of the dais seemed uncertain: Margot Hornblower, “Billy Panel: Wondering About the Need,” Washington Post, August 6, 1980.

  335 Patrick Leahy, a first-term senator: Ibid.

  335 Max Baucus commented: Ibid.

  335 Even Dole observed: “A lot was smoke”: Ibid.

  335 “in the end, it may not amount to a hill of peanuts”: Ibid.

  336 “There’s a lot of disenchantment with confrontation”: Ibid.

  336 committed to bringing out the full truth: Walter Isaacson, “Carter: Battling a Revolt,” Time, August 11, 1980.

  336 “disclosure of the facts will clearly demonstrate”: Ibid.

  336 On August 21, Billy Carter began his testimony: Margot Hornblower, “Billy: No Crime Committed,” Washington Post, August 22, 1980.

  336 Dole wanted the investigation to go deeper: Margot Hornblower, “Billy Hearing: ‘Until You Stir the Pot,’” Washington Post, August 24, 1980.

  337 “I’ll wager that 90 percent of everything you will hear”: Ibid.

  338 heard about Ribicoff’s views: Interview with Dick D’Amato, April 28, 2011.

  338 repeatedly called for an open convention: Clymer, Edward M. Kennedy, p. 315.

  338 believed that Byrd was secretly angling for the nomination: Carter, White House Diary, pp. 451–452.

  338 Muskie may also have been intrigued: Clymer, Edward M. Kennedy, p. 314; Bill Peterson and Ward Sinclair, “Open Convention Plotted by a Group of House Democrats,” Washington Post, July 26, 1980. Suspicions about Muskie’s interest increased because of the leadership in the open convention movement by Congressman Michael Barnes, a former Muskie staffer.

  338 Jackson apparently had the same thoughts: “Squall Among the Democrats,” Time, May 19, 1980; Clymer, Edward M. Kennedy, pp. 314–315.

  338 He had won three Senate races: Bayh had reached the Senate after upsetting three-term incumbent Homer Capehart in 1962. In 1968, he defeated William Ruckelshaus, who had been the respected first administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. In 1974, Bayh defeated Richard Lugar, the mayor of Indianapolis, who reached the Senate two years later and is still there, running for his seventh term.

  339 Republican staffers on the Appropriations Committee: Interview with Mary Jane Checchi, May 13, 2010.

  339 “It’s been vitriolic”: Ward Sinclair, “Indiana’s for Reagan, but Some Nasty Dust-Ups Mark Other Contests,” Washington Post, October 19, 1980.

  339 Quayle’s consultants came up with a clever line: David Axelrod, “GOP Aiming at Second Indiana Senate Seat,” Chicago Tribune, September 25, 1980.

  339 “We gotta help Gaylord”: I was working for Eagleton at the time, but was still close to Nelson, my former boss.

  339 Nelson seemed to lack energy: Interview with Jeff Nedelman, May 21, 2010.

  339 Howard Paster, a prominent Democrat: Interview with Howard Paster, June 30, 2011.

  339 Later that month, Carrie Lee Nelson: Interview with Carrie Lee Nelson, August 30, 2010.

  339 Nelson privately agreed: Christofferson, Man from Clear Lake, p. 340.

  340 Kasten recognized the challe
nge: Ward Sinclair, “Wisconsin’s Senator Nelson Stumps from Dawn to Midnight,” Washington Post, October 20, 1980.

  340 “I’m hitting hard on the ‘Nelson gap’”: Ibid.

  340 “Gaylord is busting his ass”: Christofferson, Man from Clear Lake, p. 340.

  340 “This was a different Nelson on the campaign trail”: Ibid.

  340 When Vice President Walter Mondale, his close friend: Ibid., pp. 340–341.

  340 Nelson opened up a wide lead: Ibid., p. 341.

  340 A Washington Post survey on the eve of the election: David S. Broder et al., “A Survey of the Races State by State,” Washington Post, November 2, 1980.

  341 Kasten, a bare-knuckled campaigner: Christofferson, Man from Clear Lake, p. 341.

  341 A Kasten surrogate pointed out, accurately: Ibid.

  341 McGovern had seriously considered not running: Helen Dewar, “McGovern, Trailing Badly, Campaigning Harder Than Ever,” Washington Post, July 8, 1980.

  341 McGovern recognized that he was trailing badly: Helen Dewar, “McGovern Trailing Badly,” Washington Post, July 8, 1980.

  341 McGovern actually wrote the concession speech: McGovern, “Thoughts on Leaving the Senate,” Congressional Record, December 13, 1980, pp. S16637–16638.

  341 threw himself into his reelection campaign: The description of Eagleton’s campaign comes from personal knowledge, since the campaign occurred while I was working for him.

  342 Eagleton had surprised Carter by urging him: Carter, White House Diary, p. 211.

  342 Eagleton artfully dodged a political bullet: This story comes from personal recollection; I was his subcommittee staff director. It is also told in Ira Shapiro, “Senator Eagleton Made Metro System Possible,” Roll Call, May 21, 2007.

  343 Eagleton faced one more unusual challenge: This story also comes from personal knowledge.

  344 the distinct possibility of becoming a one-term senator: Patrick Buchanan, “Skies Dark for Liberals in the Senate,” Chicago Tribune, June 12, 1980.

  344 Barry Goldwater came to Colorado: Gary Hart, The Thunder and the Sunshine: Four Seasons in a Burnished Life (Golden, CO: Fulcrum Publishing, 2010), pp. 108–109.

  344 Elizabeth Drew, one of Washington’s most distinguished reporters: Elizabeth Drew, Senator (New York: A Touchstone Book, 1979).