No Immediate Action On Kennedy Succession

CBS ^

[Chet 99]

(CBS) Although Sen. Ted Kennedy had sought to expedite the process of choosing his replacement to the U.S. Senate, it appears the process will be at least three to four months away.

As CBS chief political correspondent Steve Chaggaris reports, Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick must set a date for a special election to occur between 145 and 160 days from now to fill the vacancy created by Kennedy's death. The two likely dates for a special election would be on the Tuesdays that fall within this range: January 19, 2010 and January 26, 2010.

Thanks to a law change in 2004, Gov. Patrick is not allowed to appoint a temporary replacement, meaning that seat will be vacant until the special election.

Last week, Sen. Kennedy sent a letter urging Patrick and the state legislature to amend that law change to allow for the governor to appoint someone for that interim period, someone who would not be allowed to run in the special election.

The Boston Globe reported over the weekend that the state Senate president, a Democrat, has changed her mind on opposing this idea and has been working to drum up support for that measure.

The state legislature is on recess until Labor Day, so no action is expected before then.

In his letter, Kennedy wrote: "it is vital for this commonwealth to have two voices speaking for the needs of its citizens and two votes in the Senate during the approximately five months between a vacancy and an election."

While Democrats hold a potentially filibuster-proof margin in Congress, the outcome of a health care reform bill could hinge on a single vote.

In his letter, Kennedy suggested the governor ensure the fairness of any appointment to replace him by seeking an "explicit personal commitment" his appointee will not seek the position on a permanent basis.

[wardaddy]

Cheto-O, I don’t think they can Torricelli this one.

No way....

[raccoonradio]

Boston Herald says House Sprk Bob DeLeo is also open to possibility of changing it to an appointment

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20090826successor_plan_gains_steam_speaker_robert_a_deleo_ok_with_giving_gov_patrick_appoint_power/srvc=home&position=3

Speaker Robert A. DeLeo ok with giving Gov. Patrick appoint power

The Winthrop Democrat met with his inner circle Monday to discuss Kennedy’s request for the temporary appointment and is looking at ways to fulfill the proposal as lawmakers started collecting votes, according to sources.

[BP2]

In the short term at least, that's one less Senate vote for ObamaCare :)

Sounds like someone needs to challenge any attempt to appoint a successor early! Tie it up in court until Christmas.

[raccoonradio]

Ted could have stepped down early and gotten the election or appointment process going, but NO...

Meanwhile how many people know Ted was behind the push in 04 to make the process an election rather than appointment by gov.? What if a Republican wins in 2010 (Deval Patrick has VERY low popularity ratings). They would just go back to making it an election.

[sunmars]

Giving the gov the appointment? why dont they just come out and say they are scared of running an election at the moment.

[freekitty]

They are already pouring it on talking about how great his wife is; etc. etc and etc.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Here's my idea to replace all liberal pols. Since they're guaranteed to vote against America and common sense we should replace them with computers. The computer will have a program filled with liberal talking points since that's all they spew anyway. It can be programmed to vote yes on all leftist bills.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

“May the bird of paradise fly up his nose”
“May an elephant caress him with his toes”
“May his wife be plagued with runners in her hose”
“May the bird of paradise fly up his nose”

[ReadTheLaw]

Mitt Romney came within a few votes of knocking Kennedy out of the senate. This might be an easy pick up if he ran again.

[altair]

If the original constitution was followed (direct election of Senators is a recent addition), there would not be a "problem". If the rules hadn't been changed according to Kennedy's own direct intervention, there would not be a "problem".

Another enemy of the United States is dead and the Democrats no longer have 60 votes. Bummer.

[RoadKingSE]

Although Sen. Ted Kennedy had sought to expedite the process of choosing his replacement to the U.S. Senate, it appears the process will be at least three to four months away.

Upon hearing the news of his papa's death this drug-addled idiot packed all his belongings and moved from Rhode Island to the family compound in Hyannis Port so that he will have established residency in time for the special election in January. Just kidding, but it could happen. And did you ever notice that when these morons get in trouble they show up wearing neck braces?

[altair]

Mitt Romney came within a few votes of knocking Kennedy out of the senate.

The lesser of two evils is still evil, though it's hard to imagine an idiot like Romney could be as evil as Ted Kennedy.

Vote for Romney! He didn't murder his girlfriend like Kennedy did!

[BigSkyFreeper]

Cheto-O, I don’t think they can Torricelli this one.

Don't think so?  I do.  Democrats don't give a damn about the Consitution or the rule of law.

[ReadTheLaw]

Mitt Romney would vote conservative most of the time and may be the only electable Republican in Massachusetts.

[cynwoody]

Thanks to a law change in 2004, Gov. Patrick is not allowed to appoint a temporary replacement, meaning that seat will be vacant until the special election.

AKA the Law of Unintended Consequences.

Passed to keep the Mittwit from appointing a successor to John Forbes Kerry, who went to Viet Nam, in the event he might have become president. The average IQ of the Massachusetts legislature is room temperature.

[sushiman]

How about an ex-Red Sox conservative ? Non-existant ?

[tina07]

Teddy must have lent him his...

[Ronin]

I hope you are right, but the Dems are sure to try.