Elected to the Bundestag in 1949, he was the second-youngest member and was thus addressed by an SPD member as "Bubi", a nickname that stuck with him. He became the main writer on the party organ Reichsruf, gaining a reputation both for his demagogy and for his extensive use of humour and wit.
Elected to the Bundestag in 1949, he was the second youngest member and was nicknamed "Bubi" by an SPD member. He became known as the main writer on the party organ Reichsruf, gaining a reputation for both his persuasive rhetoric and his use of humor and wit.