| − | Elected to the Senate in 1953 following ten years in the House, Mansfield gained a reputation for his expertise in foreign policy, particularly in the Far East, and for his informality and low-keyed effectiveness. He voted with the liberals on domestic issues, but formed his own opinions on foreign policy. In 1957 Majority Leader [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] selected Mansfield as Majority Whip, the #2 spot, giving him numerous duties and little power. Mansfield was elected by the Democrats as Majority Leader in 1961 following Johnson's election as Vice President. | + | Elected to the Senate in 1953 following ten years in the House, Mansfield gained a reputation for his expertise in foreign policy, particularly in the Far East, and for his informality and low-keyed effectiveness. He voted with the liberals on domestic issues, but formed his own opinions on foreign policy. In 1957 Majority Leader [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] selected Mansfield as Majority Whip, the #2 spot, giving him numerous duties and little power. Mansfield was elected by the Democrats as Majority Leader in 1961 following Johnson's election as vice president. |
| | The Majority Leader has enormous power in controlling the flow of legislation, and making committee assignments. Mansfield immediately replaced Johnson's bullying, highly partisan style with one of respectful collegiality and openness. Mansfield shared power with his whips, [[Hubert H. Humphrey]] (Whip 1963-64) and [[Russell Long]] (Whip 1964-69), [[Ted Kennedy]] (whip 1969-71), and the [[Robert Byrd]] (Whip 1971-76). Unlike Johnson (who dealt with a Republican White House), Mansfield had Democratic presidents [[John F. Kennedy]] (1961–63) and Johnson (1963–68) to contend with. Although criticized by some as overly accommodating, Mansfield's leadership paved the way for cross-party alliances, particularly with GOP leader [[Everett Dirksen]] on civil rights legislation in the mid-1960s, and his style has been adopted by most of his successors in the post. | | The Majority Leader has enormous power in controlling the flow of legislation, and making committee assignments. Mansfield immediately replaced Johnson's bullying, highly partisan style with one of respectful collegiality and openness. Mansfield shared power with his whips, [[Hubert H. Humphrey]] (Whip 1963-64) and [[Russell Long]] (Whip 1964-69), [[Ted Kennedy]] (whip 1969-71), and the [[Robert Byrd]] (Whip 1971-76). Unlike Johnson (who dealt with a Republican White House), Mansfield had Democratic presidents [[John F. Kennedy]] (1961–63) and Johnson (1963–68) to contend with. Although criticized by some as overly accommodating, Mansfield's leadership paved the way for cross-party alliances, particularly with GOP leader [[Everett Dirksen]] on civil rights legislation in the mid-1960s, and his style has been adopted by most of his successors in the post. |