The Impact of Ted Kennedy Lingers on The Hill

The Senator, recounted the President at Saturday's funeral mass, arrived at a committee meeting at the Capitol with an envelope. The committee chairman was opposed to Mr. Kennedy's legislation, and the Senator walked over to the chairman, letting him peek into the envelope: there were some prized cigars, the chairman's favorites.

Mr. Kennedy took his seat, with his envelope sitting in front. As the debate ensued, Mr. Kennedy would slide the envelope slightly forward, toward the chairman, when he made remarks in Mr. Kennedy's favor. And when the chairman said something unfavorable, Mr. Kennedy would slide the envelope back.

As someone who has held office, I laughed at Mr. Kennedy's talent for deflating potential rancor with humor touched by personal insight. He worked a compromise with the committee chairman and carried the day, according to Mr. Obama.

There were other funny stories told Friday night at the remembrance in Cambridge. The Senator stood by his family and friends. He used his wealth and power, as one speaker put it, to give voice to the voiceless. By the evening's end, I understood why Mr. Kennedy had so many friends, Democrat and Republican, poor and rich.

No one, of course, brought up Chappaquiddick or Mr. Kennedy's other failings, which conservatives such as North Carolina's Jesse Helms never let the country forget.

Many of the story tellers Friday and Saturday spoke of Senator Kennedy's support for health care reform. That is what Congress will take up when its members return from recess, and his vacant seat is one fewer vote in favor of change.

I am no Pollyanna. There will be no conversion by his Republican friends to change the system out of respect for his memory and wishes. The realistic view, judging by the voices from doctrinaire conservatives, sees a Congress that will resume the debate in a more sour mood than before the recess, given the angry, uncompromising town hall crowds that greeted many congressmen and senators last month.

Still, the Senator's death reminded many of us of the fierce battles he fought for civil rights, women's rights, the disabled and children's health. These were not easy and few victories came quickly. But as Senator Kennedy told his then 12-year-old, namesake son who had just lost his leg to cancer and struggled to climb an icy sledding hill, "You can do this. And we will stay here until you do it."

That message and Mr. Kennedy's example that compromises are possible in Congress cannot but help his cause for national health care reform.