Final answer:
Senator Edward Kennedy's terming of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) program as Star Wars led to doubt and criticism of the program's feasibility and effectiveness. It also drew attention to the high cost of the program and raised concerns about budget deficits and national defense funding.
Step-by-step explanation:
The consequence of Senator Edward Kennedy terming the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) program as Star Wars was that it gained widespread attention and criticism. By using the nickname 'Star Wars', Kennedy portrayed the program as unrealistic and more suitable for science fiction than real-world defense. This labeling led to doubts about the feasibility and effectiveness of the SDI program.
Additionally, Kennedy's characterization of the program as Star Wars emphasized the immense cost associated with it, which raised concerns about budget deficits and the potential impact on national defense funding.
The use of the term Star Wars by Senator Edward Kennedy was a way to shape public opinion and challenge the validity of the Strategic Defense Initiative program.