Kennedy's Void in the Senate

The gaping hole Ted Kennedy left in the Senate will prove difficult to fill despite the many politicians looking to take on the position as liberal leader in the upper house. Though Massachusetts' John Kerry, Connecticut's Chris Dodd, Iowa's Tom Harkin, Illinois' Dick Durbin, and Wisconsin's Russ Feingold are all willing the assume the role, many say none possesses the qualities Kennedy did. But Kennedy's combined celebrity power and legislative prowess are not common in the Senate and the only person potentially able to achieve Kennedy-like status in that regard, Hillary Clinton, left her seat to become secretary of State. Still, some doubt she would have been able to reach Kennedy's level. Democratic aides say that in Kennedy's absence, liberal leadership will likely be handled a la carte in Senate, based on issue specialization.