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. |