Posted on 08/27/2009 11:53:20 AM PDT by Shout Bits
With the media reeling from the death of Sen. Kennedy, an underreported story is the sleazy machinations of the Massachusetts Democratic Party to ensure another Democrat replaces Kennedy. The Democrats aim to milk Kennedy's passing in every way. They are already portraying socialized medicine as the fitting tribute to the late millionaire, but the more disturbing prospect is their shameless manipulation of the law regarding his successor. The Republicans need to get in the mud on this one and stake out their own strategic ground.
When Sen. Kerry ran for President in 2004, Sen. Kennedy feared that should Kerry win, Gov. Romney would appoint a Republican replacement. In a purely partisan move directed by Sen. Kennedy, the Democrat MA legislature forced through a new law to prevent Romney from appointing a replacement Senator. Of course Kerry lost, but the statement was made that the MA Governor should not enjoy this customary privilege.
Fast forward to 2009, and Sen. Kennedy has terminal cancer. Now that a Democrat holds the Governor's office, the ailing Kennedy demanded on his death bed that the law be repealed to ensure a Democrat Senator for MA. Critically, the flip-flop would keep Sen. Reid's supermajority essential to pass government healthcare. The move is unjustifiable and among the lowest hack political tactics ever. Of course the mainstream media is burying the story. This tactic, which besmirches the Kennedy legacy, is getting a free ride.
Of course dirty politics is a universal practice in Washington, and anyone who plays clean is probably out of office. How can the Republicans answer the Democrat tactics and still take a slightly higher road? Mitt Romney should announce his candidacy for the open seat on Monday.
Kennedy will be buried on Saturday, and the news cycle of his death will begin trailing off on Monday. Expect Democrat politicians to begin calling for an interim appointment early next week, while sympathy for Kennedy and his legacy is at its peak. Even though it may seem unsympathetic, Romney should announce his candidacy timed to steal the Democrats' thunder.
Until it is changed, the law requires a special election for Kennedy's seat, and Romney is within reason and right to announce his candidacy. The suddenness of the move will attract national attention, making any quiet repeal of the special election law impossible. Instead of an abstract political maneuver, the Democrats will be seen as torpedoing a former Governor's legitimate candidacy. Instead of promoting government health care, Democrats would be denying the people their choice. By announcing on Monday, Romney will be executing a master stroke of political jujitsu – turning his opponent's strengths into weaknesses.
At a minimum, Romney's move would deny Reid a supermajority for an additional five months, but Romney could actually win. He was a reasonably popular Governor who, unlike today's Republicans, did promote a health care plan. While MA's health care plan is flawed, Romney clearly brings a credible voice to the debate, something the Republicans desperately need.
Retake the health care debate momentum. Expose the Democratic Party cynicism and avarice. Deny Reid his supermajority. Play Washington politics to win. Mr. Romney, announce your candidacy for the Senate on Monday.
I’d vote for a gym sock before I’d vote for Mitt Romney.
Folks around here (Myself included) do not have Mitt as their first choice for POTUS but he (sadly) might be the most conservative person that Massachusetts might elect. Even if they wouldn’t it would be a nice delaying tactic forcing a special election.
You know, I’d be O.K. with Romney getting Kennedy’s seat, RINO that he is, since the Senate is a political dead-end for middle-aged white RINO politicians like him.
But didn’t Mitt just establish California residency?
Hey, if he runs for Senate, he won’t be running for President! I’m all for that!
I don’t want Romney in the Senate anywhere near ObamaCare.
I’m all for Mitt for Senate. Great idea, actually.
HUGE improvement. And if he has presidential aspirations, he could be a Senator for a term or two and then run.
better he be in the Senate than in the White House unless of course it is BO and Romney then i would vote for Romney in a heartbeat
honestly though i dont think Romney would run for the seat since he has the White House bug and seems intent on running again
The only announcement I want to hear from him is that he will never again be heard from for any reason!
The special election isn't until January of 2010.
The presidential race begins January of 2011.
Please explain how this will help his "presidential aspirations" by serving one year in the Senate.
Romney, like Giuliani, does not want to be a Senator.
These guys have such huge egos that they do not play well with others and do not want to be one of 100 — they are better suited to executive positions.
Perhaps they are correct in assessing their own relative attributes, but the GOP has failed to run many, many good Senate candidates over the years from all parts of the country. And the many of the best ones we elect choose to retire after a term or two.... one of the most significant reasons that our majorities did not grow larger in the Senate throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.
Another reliable liberal vote for the Senate?
What, Massachusetts wants its own John McCain?
Personally, I’d like to see a Palin/Romney ticket.
I think ex. Gov. Palin is presidential material right now, and Mitt can get some experience after 8 years of going to the Sarah Palin Graduate School of not kissing Liberal A$$
“Please explain how this will help his “presidential aspirations” by serving one year in the Senate. “
I said he could be Senator for a term or two and then run. In 2016 or 2020 is what I’m thinking. Governor, Senator, then President. It’s a good resume. Also his handling of the LA Olympics, which I’m sure many remember.
I am not a particular supporter of Romney. I just think it would make sense for him.
That would work for me. A friend of mine said that he would like to see Romney be President in 2012 w/Palin as Chief of Staff. That holds no appeal for me whatsoever.
I just don't see him making the sharp left turn necessary to get elected to any statewide office in Massachusetts, then expecting to turn right again to compete for nationwide office. He's trying to shake the flip-flop label, not cement it.
Unless he's lowered his ambitions to being 1% of the U.S. Senate, I just can't see him making this move. I think it equally unlikely that he could actually win.
*IBTZ*
Mitt is not fit...
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