by Mark Silva
The governor of Massachusetts this morning plans to appoint Paul Kirk, a former Democratic National Committee chairman and close friend and former aide of the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, to serve as a temporary replacement for Kennedy.
The Democratic governor has scheduled an 11 am EDT news conference at the state Capitol in Boston.
Kirk's appointment will restore a crucial 60th vote for the Senate's Democratic leadership as they attempt to pass health-care legislation that the White House is demanding.
Kennedy, who succumbed to brain cancer last month, had asked state officials to appoint a successor swiftly, arguing that the state cannot afford the vacancy at a critical time.
His passing also had denied the Senate's Democrats a filibuster-proof 60-vote bloc, which the party had only recently obtained with the election of Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota. Two senators, independents Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Bernie Sanders of Vermont, meet with the majority party's caucus.
State law calls for a special election to fill a Senate vacancy, and that will be held in January. But the state Legislature this week passed a bill permitting the governor, Democrat Deval Patrick, to appoint an interim successor until the election is held.
Kirk, 71, is a Boston attorney and was a close friend of the former senator. He and his wife, Gail, live on Cape Cod, and Kirk was among the few who visited Kennedy often at his Hyannis Port home before his death after nearly 47 years in the Senate.
Kirk, a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, served on Kennedy's Senate staff from 1969-77. He ran the DNC in the run-up to former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis' unsuccessful campaign for president in 1988.
Kirk also co-founded the Commission on Presidential Debates, which sponsors the presidential and vice presidential debates. He serves as chairman of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.
(Paul Kirk Jr., chairman of the John Kennedy Library Foundation Board of Directors, is pictured above left, alongside the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy at the annual Profile in Courage Award ceremonies at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston. (Photo by Lisa Poole / ,AP)
.Kennedy's sons, Edward Kennedy Jr. and Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) both lobbied for Kirk's appointment in phone calls to the governor, according to the Associated Press. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), and Kennedy's widow, Vicki Kenendy, plan to attend the morning announcement at the state capitol.
Kirk never has served in political office, and will be seated for a short term. The state will hold a special election to fill the seat in January. The Democratic field includes state Attorney General Martha Coakley and Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Mass.)
.Kirk has been involved in fundraising for a Senate institute to be created in Kennedy's name. Organizers have faced criticism for accepting donations from the health care industry. Kirk also has been a board member for Hartford Financial Services, known as "The Hartford,'' which sells life and property insurance.
The state's Democrats had revoked the governor's power to fill Senate vacancies by appointment in 2004, fearing that then- Gov. Mitt Romney might appoint a fellow Republican if Kerry, the Democratic nominee for president, was successful that year. The legislature set a five-month period for special elections instead.
On Aug. 20, five days before he died, Kennedy had sent the governor and state legislative leaders a letter urging a revision of the law. Patrick called Kennedy's request "reasonable,'' in light of the health-care legislation and other important bills in the Senate.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Comments
It sure makes sense to me, but what do I know, I'm only an American, admiring the workings of our democracy !! State's right, boys and girls of the Republican-Libertarian fringe. Isn't that your Corporate cry !! Go get them, Mr. Kirk !! Maybe he can beam all of the Republican-Libertarian fringe players, up to Pluto. They may make a difference, out there !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | September 24, 2009 10:06 AM
This action is clearly unconstitutional. Clause One, Article One of the U.S. Constitution clearly and specifically bars states from making Ex Post Facto laws. Passing this law to allow a gubernatorial appointment AFTER Sen. Kennedy's death is very obviously Ex Post Facto. Think the Holder Justice Department will do anything about it? Hold the laughter.
Posted by: Willason | September 24, 2009 11:34 AM
Another Dem Senator who wasn't elected. First Roland Burris. Now Paul Kirk.
And the Democrats had to pass a special law in Massachusetts to avoid an election.
Why are Democrats so afraid of an election?
Actually, we know why.....
Posted by: Regime Change in 2012 | September 24, 2009 12:02 PM
A special election wasn't avoided. This is only a temporary appointment. The special election goes on as before. Why can't you rightwingers understand that? Are you really all that stupid? Can't you read? Is the word "temporary" beyond your first grade reading level ?
Posted by: republicans are getting dumber all the time | September 24, 2009 4:18 PM
The Democrats could have changed the existing law to have a special election immediately. Instead, they changed the law to have an immediate appointment, with the election in the distant future. So YES, the DID "avoid a special election."
I repeat--what are Democrats afraid of?
Posted by: Regime Change in 2012 | September 25, 2009 12:36 AM
Isn't it wonderful to see state's rights in action ? Get over it, whining Right! You will get your opportunity, next year. So, from now until them, you had better squirrel away all the lies, distortions and scare tactics you can hide. We don't want one of your lies to slip out, ahead of time !! That may upset you entire agenda, silly tea-sippers !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | September 25, 2009 9:01 AM