A Lion Sleeps Tonight

By far the biggest story of the week was the passing of Senator Edward Moore Kennedy (D-MA). As the youngest brother of President John F. and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, “Ted” was a nine-term Senator, known for his outspoken and effective efforts in Congress.  As the world knows, Senator Kennedy suffered from a gliobastoma, a highly incurable type of brain cancer.  His absence from the Senate and the debate on healthcare is huge.  While his early life held controversy, Senator Kennedy’s exceptional voice and demeanor held sway over the United States Senate on many issues and – in particular – healthcare.  Most telling, his voice will most definitely be missed in Washington over the coming months and years.  In the last couple of days, I’ve learned that his name was attached to more pieces of legislation than any Senator in history.  He’s ranks up there with Clay, Webster, and Calhoun.  When he was told that several months ago, he wittingly responded, “And what did Webster do?”

With his long-term Senate service, he became “the Senators Senator.” Caroline Kennedy observed at Friday’s Celebration of Life that “…each of us has the opportunity to change the course of history.”  Many of us aspire to contribute to the course of history by trying to make a difference.  Senator Kennedy did, in fact, change the course of history, and he did it as leader of the Democrat’s liberal wing while simultaneously befriending many, many Republicans. 

Presidents, Senators, Congressmen, and leaders from all perspectives and political persuasions gathered at Senator Kennedy’s funeral in a pageantry of leadership and tribute to a leader among leaders.  A champion of universal healthcare for decades, Kennedy was one of, if not the, single most influential politicians on the issue.  So, with Senator Kennedy’s passing, many are wondering what’s next for healthcare reform?  There are many conflicting reports coming out of Washington in the wake of his death.  Some are speculating that this will empower the Democrats to rally around Kennedy’s death and “win one for Teddy” by passing comprehensive healthcare reform as a tribute to his lifelong support of care for all. Others are more skeptical and claim that without Kennedy’s powerful, often-persuasive and bi-partisan abilities, negotiations among the politicians will be even harder.

While the passing of Senator Kennedy may well in fact provide the sort of impetus that Congressional Democrats are seeking to push their healthcare proposals through the legislature, one key Senate Democrat is not so certain that such a plan will happen promptly.  Last week, Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) expressed his belief that comprehensive healthcare reform would not happen until Christmas, which brought a burst of applause from the audience he was speaking to in Iron City, Wisconsin. "Nobody is going to bring a bill before Christmas and maybe not even then…  The divisions are so deep.  I [have] never seen anything like that … We're headed in the direction of doing absolutely nothing, and I think that's unfortunate,” said Feingold.

Yet the “Group of Six” continues its work for the Senate Finance Committee.  All through August, the staff has been hard at work in attempting to drive a resolution of their differences, including regular conference calls among the Senators.  Yet, Senator Grassley repeated again last week that he would “not be the sole Republican” to support a piece of healthcare legislation. 

We will likely now enter the quiet period on Capitol Hill awaiting the re-emergence of active debate after Labor Day.  The absence of Senator Kennedy will no doubt have an impact but it may not become fully evident exactly how until the debates begin in September and October.  He was the master – as President Barak Obama pointed out in his eulogy – on “the nobility of politics” where compromise on specifics is made while principles are upheld so that leaders could pursue “a body of achievement.”  But, we should fully anticipate that the rancor will begin anew after Labor Day.  And so it goes, “In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight.  In the jungle, the quiet jungle, the lion sleeps tonight…”   We’ve lost a giant regardless of your proposal, perspective or persuasion.  Here’s to Senator Ted…a lion among the cacophony of voices.  

The views and opinions expressed herein are my own and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Dell Services or its affiliates.