The Keating v Kennedy Debate

I am hoping that democrats take a close look at the nature of the debates that we see, both in the primaries and in the general election. I find this business with Dennis Kucinich troubling. Maybe if there is another round of contributions in the next week, he can make a creative statement.

Some of the older DUers may remember an interesting "debate" in New York State's 1964 contest for US Senator. It matched republican Kenneth Keating, who was a very savvy conservative, against Robert Kennedy.

Keating had served six terms in the House, before beating Frank Hogan for the Senate seat. In '64, RFK wanted to separate from the Johnson administration. It was considered a good, competitive race.

In September, Keating was concerned he was falling behind. So he bought a half-hour of television time, and challenged RFK to a debate. Now, despite how he is remembered, Robert wasn't a great public speaker, and he did not rank with the best at debates. (He was tough in the structure of the congressional hearings in the '50s, though he earned a reputation for being "ruthless" in that era.)

Robert at first turned down the offer to debate. He told friends that Keating looked like his white-haired uncle, making it a "no win" situation. But Robert was savvy, too.

Keating tried the old trick of "debating" an empty chair, with Kennedy's name on it. Jacob Javits was there on stage with Keating. Kennedy had called reporters, and showed up when the doors were locked. The next morning, all the New York papers carried two photos: Keating debating an empty chair, and Robert pounding on a door with a "PLEASE KEEP OUT!" sign on it. RFK was quoted as saying, "There were Javits and Keating on television, really giving it to an empty chair. They kicked that chair all over the room. And there I was outside, trying to get in."

Robert won by over 700,000 votes. Keating went on to serve on the NYS Court of Appeals; then, under Nixon, as US Ambassador to India and then Israel.

When an old and moldie person babbles about something that s/he thinks is a fascinating and significant piece of history, it's important to at least be polite and pretend it's kind of interesting. Someone could have said, "Oh, that's nice." Someday you will be old and talk to yourself, too, you know.

Hey, did I ever tell you about the time that .....

It's too bad Kucinich couldn't have a photo of himself outside the doors pounding to get in. Good trick on Kennedy's part, but the media was a tad different back then, I fear.

Sorry I missed it the first time.

I was only nine back then.

Looks like RFK was not as naive as Mr. Keating thought.

As an aside, RFK came to my little town in Oregon to campaign in late May of '68 and I got to shake his hand at age 13. Unfortunately, we all know what happened a few days later.

He would have made a hell of a difference as President.

Keep the stories coming, H2O Man.

Mr. Keating thought he knew it all, didn't he? Underestimated his opponent, didn't he? Sometimes marvelous things happen quite unexpectedly. Thanks for sharing. :hi: