ASSACHUSETTS IS fortunate to have as its senior US senator a one-man argument against term limits: Edward M. Kennedy. Ending his 38th year in the Senate, Kennedy is actively involved in negotiating the details of much of the legislation still pending in Congress, even as he campaigns for another term. The Globe heartily endorses his reelection.
Remarkably, Kennedy stays on top of legislative give-and-take, even from a distance. Most of his concerns are national in scope, but often have a local emphasis. This week he is pushing a bill to increase federal funds for clinical trials, a key aspect of medical research that has declined under health maintenance organizations and one that would help the medical community locally. Already, Massachusetts gets close to 10 percent of all National Institutes of Health research grants, and Boston gets two-thirds of those.
While a certain inertia might slow anyone with so many years in the same job, Kennedy at 68 has not seemed to lose energy or his ability to look ahead. In a post-Cold War world, for instance, he sees bioterrorism and cyberterrorism as two of the significant and growing threats to world stability, and he is pushing for research to make sure the nation is prepared. Not coincidentally, he believes Massachusetts is strongly positioned to lead the nation in that research.
This is a campaign year that puts the political complexion of Washington very much in doubt. Republicans may retain control of Congress and gain the White House. Democrats could just as easily win the presidency and the House, and might even capture the Senate, although Kennedy concedes ''it's a stretch.'' No senator can challenge Kennedy's record of accomplishment as a member either of the majority or the minority party.
As chairman of the Labor and Human Resources Committee, Kennedy was a titan on Capitol Hill. Many of the major laws passed during President Clinton's first two years, such as national service and family leave, were delivered by Kennedy. But when the GOP stormed Congress by winning control of both branches in 1994, pledging to enact a Republican Revolution, Kennedy mounted a counterrevolution that has been nothing short of extraordinary. He has enticed, cajoled, and embarrassed the majority into raising the minimum wage and approving widened health benefits for children, to name just two.
After winning a tough campaign six years ago, Kennedy faces a Republican who has been abandoned by many GOP leaders and a Libertarian candidate this year. We believe he should have made time to debate these candidates, if not all five opponents on the ballot.
Nevertheless, there is no doubting that Kennedy is one of the legislative giants of the 20th century and that he shows no sign of slowing down as he strides into the 21st.
