The image of Romney, an articulate, well-groomed family man, contrasts sharply with that of the aloof, gray-haired senator. That basic difference could be decisive on election day.

At Romney's victory celebration Tuesday night, the place was overrun with thirty-somethings and Generation X'ers who now believe that Romney is this state's future hope.

"Mitt is fiscally conservative and socially tolerant and has tremendous appeal to college students," said Boston University senior Scott J. Stitt, who is executive director of the Massachusetts College Republicans. "Who better represents the college spirit, the hope we have that our future will be better, than someone like Mitt Romney?"

But Kennedy's strongest appeal may be his clout in the Senate. The incumbent is still considered an effective legislator, still has the president's ear and still holds important positions on two prominent Senate committees; he is the chair of the Labor and Human Resources committee and the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee. This summer, he was instrumental in securing the confirmation of Law School lecturer Stephen G. Breyer to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Nevertheless, the Romney bandwagon is filling up fast. A recent poll showed the two men in a statistical dead heat.

In introducing Romney Tuesday night, Joseph D. Malone '78, Kennedy's opponent in the 1988 Senate race, said: "If you think this is exciting tonight, I'll meet you in seven weeks."

The following is not a misprint. The Bay State could soon be without a Kennedy in the Senate