RFK and Barack Obama

As the public remembers the political phenomenon that was RFK, stricken at this time of the political season 40 years ago, comparisons are being made between him and Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.). I worked for RFK in the Department of Justice, and on his political campaigns, and I support Sen. Obama now. I sense a similarity in the public’s response to both men’s political quests, and wonder why.

The two young men (both in their 40s) came from totally different backgrounds; yet they appeal to similar groups. One came from a vastly rich family and had sophisticated political experiences early on; the other came from a poor, broken, mixed-race family and had no powerful connections. Sen. Obama is the smartest guy in the room, and had an outstanding academic career; RFK was no intellectual.

RFK moved from the right to the left politically; Barack Obama from the left toward the center. When I worked at Justice for Attorney General Kennedy, my liberal friends constantly criticized him (and me for my associations with him). When he moved to New York City to run for the Senate, and I joined him as a speechwriter, my friends in Manhattan were for Keating, his opponent. I have a note from RFK chiding me, “Every time I see television, you are defending me.” RFK cut his political teeth as a Washington-based racket-buster; Barack Obama cut his as a community organizer in Chicago. RFK had to win over liberals and intellectuals; Sen. Obama has to win over poorer, less-educated voters.

Yet their similarities are notable. Both candidates impatiently jumped over veteran politicians to run risky campaigns for the presidency, seeing their time as right. Both opposed an unpopular war — Barack Obama early, RFK hesitantly. Both appealed across racial lines, uniquely; but RFK also appealed to Hispanics who remembered his touching meetings with Caesar Chavez, the iconic farm-worker leader, while Sen. Obama has not captured their vote, so far. RFK was Catholic, of course; and Sen. Obama is having trouble connecting with Catholics. RFK played rugged touch football; Sen. Obama prefers basketball.

Why, then, the comparisons? Both ran at times of deep and widespread public cynicism about politics, attempting to tap into a common civic pride and purpose. Young people flocked to both men, sensing something unique and compelling. Both raised the hope of a racial coming-together, suggesting the end of our country’s historic civil war. Both appealed to the media, which saw them as phenomenal stars who draw huge, passionate crowds. They uniquely possessed the required alchemy for their times.

The two politicians’ biographical stories could not be more different. Yet, as we mourn the loss of one, we hope this other will pick up the possibility that was lost four decades ago.