Notes From D.R. | Random Thoughts on the Passing Scene

Non-liberal Bay Staters often speak of the embarrassment they feel when they travel out of state and have to deal with scorn from those who cannot understand why Massachusetts continues to vote for such figures as Sens. Ted Kennedy and John Kerry. This is, of course, a fairly recent phenomenon; it wasn’t all that long ago when residents of the Commonwealth could be proud of their senatorial representation, since Edward Brooke was serving the state, and the country, with pride and honor.

Brooke, who was the state’s junior senator from 1967 to 1979, epitomized class, dignity and intelligence during his two terms in office. He stood his ground on the issues he believed in, but was the opposite of a narrow-minded politician. He didn’t see eye-to-eye with Richard Nixon on many issues, but never resorted to personal demonization of the former President. Even though the Boston Globe’s politics of personal destruction–to wit, its obsessive coverage of his divorce proceedings and personal finances–contributed to his 1978 loss to Paul Tsongas, he never complained, never lashed out, and never broke down.

Compare Brooke to Kerry–then again, don’t even bother. Could you imagine Brooke making a "botched joke" about our troops serving ably overseas? Could you imagine Brooke pandering to political extremists? Could you imagine Brooke conducting his affairs with an aura of self-righteousness and entitlement? Could you imagine Brooke voting for something before he voted against it?

Brooke was an intellectual titan, a beacon of integrity, and the essence of a statesman. He led with moral courage, and became a national treasure and a political icon. We desperately need leadership like that today–in Massachusetts, in the US Senate, and in America.