Conservatives in New York State are deeply grieved over the victory of Bobby Kennedy, who is now senator-elect. Some are especially sad to be deprived of the services of Kenneth Keating. Others are not a bit sad at the prospect of doing without Mr. Keating. But all are disconsolate over Mr. Kennedy’s victory.
Their grief is in two parts, one part political and, if the truth must be told, one personal. Personal, because Bobby has a way about him that antagonizes those who are on the other side. All the rough edges of his brother’s career are associated with Bobby: the ruthlessness, the opportunism, the demagogy, the disingenuousness. As the apotheosis of John Kennedy goes forward, the sludge drains away and settles down around his feisty little brother, who is thought of as personally responsible for whatever disagreeable memories we still permit ourselves about the Kennedy years. Under the circumstances, the anti-Kennedyites sought the personal satisfaction of defeating this young man at the polls, of telling him that this was one effrontery too many . . .
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