Kennedy’s influence stretched to Southern Indiana

Clark County

Discussion

August 27, 2009

By DANIEL SUDDEATH The News and Tribune Thu Aug 27, 2009, 08:37 PM EDT

Art Caufield still cherishes the pin Edward Kennedy removed from his tie and handed the New Albany resident in 1968.

It was a Sunday in March, and Caufield met with Kennedy at an Indianapolis hotel. He was being recruited to help Kennedy’s older brother, Robert Kennedy, win the Indiana Democratic primary.

At the time, Caufield — a former Tribune reporter — was treasurer in the Floyd County Democratic Party and active with the Floyd Young Democrats, as well.

He was trained to stay loyal to the party, which made the choice to help the Kennedys difficult since Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson was the president and at the time, was still thought to be seeking another term.

Johnson “was president and you just didn’t go against your incumbents,” Caufield said. “And I told [Ted Kennedy] that, even though I was dying to get involved with him and the campaign.” So Caufield put Kennedy off for a week, pledging a decision by the following Sunday. The chance was too great too pass up, and Caufield joined the campaign.

Ironically, on the same day Caufield accepted the offer, Johnson announced he would not seek reelection, taking a burden off Caufield’s shoulders.

But what Caufield remembered most Wednesday, the day after Kennedy passed away at the age of 77, was that signature Kennedy tie pin.

They are still sold on the Internet, as they popped around the nation during the 1968 campaign, worn by Kennedy supporters.

But Caufield got his from a Kennedy himself. It gave him a laugh on a day that was otherwise downtrodden.

“You knew it was coming, but you can’t help but feel bad about it, sad about it,” Caufield said. “It brings back so many memories.”

John Wilcox, chairman of the Floyd County Democratic Party, has memories of Kennedy similar to Caufield’s. He was also recruited for and eventually joined the Kennedy campaign in 1968, helping Bobby Kennedy carry nearly every precinct in New Albany during the primary.

When the Kennedy’s toured New Albany that year, Wilcox rode with them. Later when Kennedy became a Senator, Wilcox got to see him in action as he was working in Washington at the time.

“There’s not much legislation that has to do with young folks or old folks or health care that doesn’t bear either his name or his influence,” Wilcox said.

Congress would be much closer to passing health care reform if Kennedy — a pioneer for government run medical benefits — had not fallen ill with brain cancer about a year ago, Wilcox said.

Smooth was how Caufield described Kennedy. Before Caufield decided to join the 1968 campaign, Kennedy told him they expected Caufield to work hard for them, or work just as hard for Johnson if he chose not to join their team.

“They knew how to handle you,” Caufield said of the Kennedys.

Kennedy was the last surviving brother of one of the most intriguing yet star crossed political families in America. Two of his brothers, John Fitzgerald and Bobby, were gunned down by assassins. His other brother died while fighting in World War II.

New Albany Mayor Doug England said the tragedy that has marked the Kennedy family is unreal, but added it didn’t keep Kennedy from being a great Congressman.

“He worked hard and he cared about America, he wanted it to be better,” England, a Democrat, said.

Kennedy also was not a stranger to controversies that seemed to follow his family. He pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident in 1969, when he drove his car off a bridge that resulted in the death of 28-year-old Mary Jo Kopechne.

Kennedy did not report the accident immediately, and suspicion over his motives continue even after his death.

But most remembered Kennedy on Wednesday for his work in the Senate.

“He lived a great life of service, family strength and enduring friendships. I will miss him very much,” said Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind. The two served in Congress together since 1977.

New Albany Deputy Mayor Carl Malysz idolized Kennedy and aspired to follow in his footsteps.

“Ted Kennedy was one of my political heroes,” Malysz, a Democrat, said.

Reports from the Associated Press contributed to this story