Democrats eye plan to protect Kerry Senate seat

Boston Globe ^ | 2/19/2004 | Frank Philips

[Abram]

Massachusetts Democrats are devising a plan to keep John F. Kerry's US Senate seat in their party's hands by blocking Governor Mitt Romney from naming an interim replacement if Kerry wins the White House.

Beacon Hill lawmakers want to pass legislation that would leave Kerry's seat vacant for two months or more, until a special election is held to fill it. That would prevent the Republican governor from naming an interim senator, as is currently required by state law.

[Abram]

This is ridiculous...The libs over at DU are eating this up. We lost Senate seats when Coverdell and Heinz died. It is just the way that it goes. When it goes against the Rats...they throw a fit.

I bet Romney names former Gov. Cellini (sp?). Who else in the MA GOP could hold the seat? MA Freepers?

I hope this isn't a dup.

[trebb]

It's a dupe, but it needs to be shown - some folks keep forgetting what slime the Dims are and actually plan to support them to "teach Bush a lesson". Twits

[dawn53]

IMHO, much ado about nothing.

The premise is that Kerry will be nominated and that Kerry will win.

[Vision Thing]

I doubt Romney has a chance to win this battle. We all know who wears the pants in MA, and it ain't the Legislature nor the Executive branches. Just look at what the MA Judiciary did with the Gay/Lesbian Marriage issue.

[Vision Thing]

I bet Romney names former Gov. Cellini (sp?).

Paul Cellucci. He is currently the U. S. Ambasador in Canada.

[Howlin]

Shades of Toricelli!

[EllaMinnow]

Shades of Toricelli!

It's deja vu all over again. And while they won that battle, I really think it helped contribute to them losing the larger war that year.

This just adds to the dem reputation for not playing fair, which has a tendency to bite them on the butt.

[JohnnyZ]

I bet Romney doesn't name anybody unless Kennedy croaks.

But if Kerry were to resign, I would bet on Celucci, too.

[BostonianRightist]

Who else in the MA GOP could hold the seat? MA Freepers?

I know a few MA FReepers would be interested. Bill? Electric? But also a few of us don't qualify. To be a Senator you must be 30 years of age - I'm out (damn).

[onyx]

Oh yeah. Same deceitful game.

Democrats will lie, falsify military records, turn against their own professed religion, dig up the dead, --- anything to get or to stay elected.

The END always justifies the means.

[whadizit]

Wow! Can't help but be impressed by the "fighting" ways of the Dems. Only wish the Reps. had 1/2 the nads!

[goresalooza]

Correctimundo! Kerry has no chance of defeating Bush.

[Lancey Howard]

Isn't Celucci the guy who thought "fistgate" was a swell idea?

[AmishDude]

Hey, if they can get around a GOP governor's right to nominate, we can get around the residency requirement.

Let's get some former Red Sox player currently living in Florida. The Bahstonians wouldn't dare vote against him.

[codercpc]

Not that I am worried, because Kerry will not win, but...couldn't Romney Veto the bill?

Does Mass. have a veto proof legislature?

[bobo1]

""The initiator of the proposal -- Representative William M. Straus, Democrat of Mattapoisett -- insisted he is not being partisan.""

Sounds innocent to me

ROTFLOL.............

Blessings, Bobo

[Wright is right!]

Further questions along the line of yours -

If the governator should veto this bill, what majority is required to override a veto?

What is the exact makeup of the MA State House?

Michael

[lonerepubinma]

Paul Cellucci and Bill Weld are the two RINNO's that named the 4 state Supreme Justices that allowed gays to marry.
It will not be Cellucci.

[Cooter]

Kerry could solve this by submitting his resignation today, effective November 10. The election to fill his seat could be held in November with the regular elections. C'mon, JFnK. If you're so confident, resign now!

[Semper Paratus]

Does Mass. have a veto proof legislature?

No, the republican legislative caucus could meet in a Ford Ranger.