by Mark Silva
Ted Kennedy is gone, but one of his dying wishes is coming true:
The governor of Massachusetts will get to appoint a temporary replacement for the late, longtime Democratic "lion'' of the Senate who passed away this summer.
The appointee will serve only temporarily, until the voters of the Bay State settle on a longer-term replacement with a special election in January.
But the appointee will provide the Democratic-run Senate something else: Another vote in the bloc needed to enact a health-care reform bill, one of Kennedy's dearest causes.
Kennedy had written to state officials asking that they move swiftly to replace him, rather than waiting for a special election. The law in Massachusetts for filling a vacancy had been changed from appointment to special election when the state faced the possibility of an opening as Democratic Sen. John Kerry sought the presidency in 2004 and then-Republican Gov. Mitt Romney stood to make an appointment.
The law stays in place, a special election coming in January. But the Massachusetts Legislature this afternoon has sent a bill to the governor enabling him to appoint an interim senator. Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick has said he will sign it.
Glenn Johnson of the AP reports that a family confidant says that Kennedy's two sons, Edward Kennedy Jr. and Rep. Patrick Kennedy, want former Democratic National Committee Chairman Paul Kirk to get the appointment.
Comments
It is great to see democracy in action. Now, the great state of Massachusetts will have its constitutional compliment of two (2) senators.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | September 23, 2009 4:48 PM
Gee, I thought T. Kennedy wanted the governor stripped of that power? Oh, that was under GOP Romney. Leave it to democrats to game the system. Shameful, but typical of their party. Two faced S*B's
Posted by: John Birch | September 23, 2009 5:08 PM
Appoint a member of the Kopechne family!
Posted by: BDD | September 23, 2009 5:09 PM
Mass should apoint Gorg W BuSh as tha replacemant fer Ted kenedy.
Prezident BusH was the best prezdent evah and he be a good war time congrussperson to cause he knows war and he a patriot and stuff!
Posted by: Bubba Alabama from Teabag, Texas | September 23, 2009 5:09 PM
Crass power politics in their basest form. Gotta love it!
Posted by: Disinterested Observer | September 23, 2009 5:15 PM
This is typical of the democrats who act like tyrants because their ends justify their means. What a bunch of hypocrits. We could only hope the people of MA punish them by electing a republican replacement come Jan.
Posted by: patriot | September 23, 2009 5:16 PM
I wish Gov. Patrick would appoint a strong person with integrity, male or female, who would then have a good chance to win in the special election. I don't think Kennedy's sons should have any more say in the matter than the average citizen.
Posted by: Meseret Hailu | September 23, 2009 5:19 PM
The monitor for the Swamp actually posted that crap from Bubba Alabama from Teabag Texas? Glad only intelligent posts make it out here!
Posted by: Really Tribune | September 23, 2009 5:22 PM
"It is great to see democracy in action."
Isn't that why a special election was scheduled to fill this seat? What better way to see democracy in action?
Posted by: Disinterested Observer | September 23, 2009 5:36 PM
Typical liberals. Including the shoddy reporting.
The law was changed a few years ago to BLOCK the Governor (then a Republican) from being able to make an appointment. This is where the election REQUIREMENT came from.
So now that a Democrat is Governor, the liberals are changing the law so an APPOINTMENT can be made and to STOP the election.
This is the story. It's the story of how corrupt the Liberals/Democrats are.
Posted by: Alz | September 23, 2009 5:47 PM
Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!
.
http://www.geocities.com/scfifreak/gop-crybaby.jpg
What wrong Wingnuts? Did you really think Mass. was going to replace Teddy Kennedy with a Rethuglican? We're not talking about the deep South here, these people aren't stupid.
Posted by: Repugs are idiots | September 23, 2009 5:57 PM
They should have just re-written the law to say that if a Democrat is governor, he or she appoints a permanent replacement, and if a Republican is governor, there is a special election. That would have at least been honest.
Posted by: KPO'M | September 23, 2009 6:16 PM
Hey Don Fitz,
If Romney (or William Weld) were still governor, would you still have supported this move to ensure that Massachusetts had its constitutional complement of 2 senators?
Posted by: KPO'M | September 23, 2009 6:17 PM
Is this is black seat? I know we have one here in Illinois. What race does the person have to be in order to get the appointment in Mass?
Let us not castigate or lynch the appointer here, people.
Posted by: Jeremy - Chicago | September 23, 2009 6:20 PM
Dear Repugs are idiots, er Dumb Dumb Janet, er John E.: as usual you have it wrong.The dumbest, most moronic and idiotic voters are those of the Democratic party. You see, they keep voting for the same crap no matter how corrupt and incompetent the Demoncrap may be. Prime examples: Blago, Stroger, Daley, Durbin, Obimbo, Kennedy, Pelosi, Frank, Dodd, Murtha, and on and on and on.
It is typical of the socialist thugs that are the Demoncraps to change the laws to suit them. Anyone wanna take bets that if Obimbo wins re-election, the Dems will seek a way to keep him there longer than the 8 years?
Posted by: John D | September 23, 2009 6:29 PM
I don't know why they waste all that money on elections and for that matter legislators. Just do what the Kennedys want. It seems like the serfs of Massachusetts like it that way. They put John's roommate in until Ted grew up(had another birthday).
Posted by: eco3810 | September 23, 2009 6:49 PM
Like Illinois, MA did nothing to prove that the Dems are for the people. What a seachange for us all..... not.
Posted by: SickofitAll | September 23, 2009 7:27 PM
So now that a Democrat is Governor, the liberals are changing the law so an APPOINTMENT can be made and to STOP the election.
This is the story. It's the story of how corrupt the Liberals/Democrats are.
Posted by: Alz | September 23, 2009 5:47 PM
Oh please spare me the dribble. If the majority party were all Rebublicans they'd do the same thing! You're the hypocrite if you suggest other than that!
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | September 23, 2009 8:36 PM
The change of the law, is a complete outrage!. This is anything but Democracy in action. Any true blue American from Mass. should call for a repeal of the law. I would be ashamed to admit I lived and supported such a corrupt legislature. Surely another Kennedy could have come out of the woodwork.
Posted by: Paul | September 23, 2009 10:13 PM
Although I admire the Kennedy family's contribution to the country, I don't think it is up to the family to pick the next senator. It should be up to the MA voters and Governor Patrick will be held responsible for his choice.
Posted by: Help Getting Pregnant | September 24, 2009 11:37 AM
So now that a Democrat is Governor, the liberals are changing the law so an APPOINTMENT can be made and to STOP the election.
This is the story. It's the story of how corrupt the Liberals/Democrats are.
Posted by: Alz | September 23, 2009 5:47 PM
God, are you right wingers morons. Dumber than posts. This change only allows the Governor to make a temporary appointment. The special election isn't stopped, dummy. Learn to read.
Posted by: Republicans are getting dumber all the time. | September 24, 2009 3:56 PM
The Liber-nazis have
done it again.
If Romney were Governor
this would never be allowed as it is NON-democratic, unconstitutional and flat out un-American. The cheap political machine in Boston just tosses down another slug of booze if the ol' guilty conscience raises it's ugly head. Hopefully this will be the dirty trick that disgusts their all-too-sleepy voters at the next election.
Posted by: PurePatriot | October 9, 2009 11:45 AM