Affable, Polite and. Sincere

arms-control treaties—would continue to hold up the treaty in his Foreign Relations Committee; 2) meanwhile, influential former national-security officials would continue to be lined up in opposition to it; and 3) Kyl and Coverdell would continue to work the vote count. By the time of a Sept. 14 meeting in Lott’s office, Kyl could guarantee 34 votes in opposition—just enough. He could also deliver the energetic help of former secretary of defense (and secretary of energy) James Schlesinger.

Before long, the education effort by treaty opponents was in full swing. Kyl’s staff prepared briefing books to distribute to other Senate staffers. Two nuclear-weapons experts who had worked in the labs briefed senators both individually and in small groups. And Schlesinger, who had served in both Republican and Democratic administrations, spoke at a luncheon for Republican senators, then returned for more briefings the following week. “He was key to us,” says the Senate aide. The effort began to show in the steadily rising vote count: Sept. 14—34 opposed; Sept. 17—35; Sept. 22—38; Sept. 30—an amazing 42.

About the Author

John O’Sullivan

John O’Sullivan is a senior fellow at National Review Institute and a contributing editor of National Review.

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arms-control treaties—would continue to hold up the treaty in his Foreign Relations Committee; 2) meanwhile, influential former national-security officials would continue to be lined up in opposition to it; and 3) Kyl and Coverdell would continue to work the vote count. By the time of a Sept. 14 meeting in Lott’s office, Kyl could guarantee 34 votes in opposition—just enough. He could also deliver the energetic help of former secretary of defense (and secretary of energy) James Schlesinger.

Before long, the education effort by treaty opponents was in full swing. Kyl’s staff prepared briefing books to distribute to other Senate staffers. Two nuclear-weapons experts who had worked in the labs briefed senators both individually and in small groups. And Schlesinger, who had served in both Republican and Democratic administrations, spoke at a luncheon for Republican senators, then returned for more briefings the following week. “He was key to us,” says the Senate aide. The effort began to show in the steadily rising vote count: Sept. 14—34 opposed; Sept. 17—35; Sept. 22—38; Sept. 30—an amazing 42.