Promise Her Anything

After 23 years of marriage what can you give your wife? Clothes, jewelry, perfume--all old hat. But what about a seat in the U.S. Senate? Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards popped that very proposal to his wife Elaine last week. "Wanna go to Washington?" he asked her. "Are you kidding," she replied. "What for?" "To take Ellender's seat in the Senate." Openmouthed, speechless response. Fadeout.

Much as he admires his wife, Edwards had other things in mind when he made his surprising selection to fill the Senate post occupied for nearly 36 years by Allen Ellender, who died two weeks ago. Too many other Louisianans coveted the job, and it was politically perilous to choose among them. Beyond that, three of Edwards' top financial backers sought the post--not to mention his two brothers. Elaine was the only out.

Her elevation, however, is only temporary. In November, an election will be held to fill the seat. Elaine (so everybody anticipates) will then resign and return home. "I'm no Senator," Elaine candidly admits, though she plans to do her job conscientiously while it lasts. "I'm not just going to be a stick of furniture. I aim to be on hand to represent the state and vote when I'm expected to." Tough and talkative, the new Ms. Senator considers herself more liberal than the conservative Ellender, though she remains a hawk on the war. She is decidedly cool to McGovern, as is her husband, who turned down an invitation to meet the Democratic nominee after Ellender's funeral.

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