Posted on 08/26/2009 12:21:02 AM PDT by 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.
Are the Mods aware of this ? Sounds like you didn't get the message. This is JimRob's website. If you have a problem with our opposition to Slick Willard, you can take it to another website where you can shill for your Socialist comrade to your heart's content, but I suggest you knock off the slanderous anti-Mormon allegations against FReepers. Most of us could care less about his religion. We oppose him because he's a lying, leftist fraud who forced Socialist medicine down the throats of the people of Massachusetts and was otherwise an epic fail disaster as Governor. If you and your fellow troll support him for President or any other office as a Republican, it speaks more to what you stand for than anything else. But take it somewhere else, we don't buy what Slick Willard and his agents are selling here.
Romnet no longer lives in MA. Kind of hard to run if you don’t live in the state
Romnet=Romney
How typical of a liberal, leaves a disastrous mess and then flees the scene of the crime. His fellow RINO Zero-endorsing scourge, Weld, did the same thing.
Go ahead, prove my point.
They want Myth to run for Senate? Well no worries, there is only 1 office he wants.
What part of “this is a Conservative website” do you trollbots not comprehend ?
Yup. Emperor, same as Zero. I’m surprised Zero didn’t make him his running mate. After all, he did make MA a complete one-party state... for the rodentry.
Thanks for that apt epitaph for the Kegster.
Keep digging. You prove my point. Look at my posting record. I’m a birther. My conservative credentials are clear. But simply because I disagree on Romney I’m a troll.
That’s irrational. It’s not conservative. It’s a refusal to recognize that not all conservatives agree with you on everything.
Instead of being motivated by genuine public interest in 2004, the Democrat-dominated Massachusetts legislature crafted a partisan measure meant to deny a Republican governor the possibility of appointing a Republican senator if Senator Kerry won the 2004 Presidential election.
Now they are reaping the bitter harvest of their politics.
That said, nearly 5 months is a long gap in representation (even longer when you consider that Senator Kennedy didn't have the decency to do the right thing and resign when he became incapacitated last year). The gap does need to be addressed probably by allowing the governor to appoint a temporary replacement until the special election can be held or simply by providing for a very short campaign period before the election.
He never fled it, because he never had to live with his mess. Always had High Anus Port to go home to, insulated from his policies.
You’re a birther ? Whoopee. Do you want a candy bar ? You’re still defending a Socialist fraud, on a Conservative website. You use the same troll talking points to deride Conservatives, the “you oppose him, so you hate Mormons.” That’s the same garbage from the Zero disciples: “You oppose our President, you’re racist.” Well, “I’m a Birther”, you know where you can stick it.
I see nothing wrong with making them live with their decision. If they attempt to circumvent it, we should tie them up in court until the special election is called. Fair is fair. MA going without a Socialist for 5 months or so will be the best thing to happen to its Senate representation in a half-century. After all, MN went without one for 6 months, and did we miss the added time with the assclown junior Senator whose election was due entirely to voter fraud ?
He clearly didn’t think he could get reelected Governor. At least not with about much more of a fight than he was willing to bother with,
He wants the brass ring, he’s not gonna run for the Senate.
Hey, I like that name! :) You have to keep it for him.
Kind of a pet name that rhymes with another word...
I'm afraid "the people" in Mass have nothing to do with it. Remember what Joe Stalin said, "It's not who votes , it's who COUNTS the votes that matters".
And it is the Democrats who COUNT the votes.
Keep digging. My record of posts shows that I am conservative. On the basis of my defense of Romney and NOTHING else you villify me as a troll.
That’s irrational. It’s pre-judice, pre-judgment. It’s bigoted.
It does not speak well for you or those for whom you claim to speak.
Indeed, so far I have not on this thread even defended Romney.
I defended the right of others to defend Romney without being called trolls for that reason and that reason alone.
For defending those who defend Romney you call me a troll.
That’s pre-judgment.
That is actually a good point.
I was ambivalent about Mitt, even voted for him over McCain in the Florida primary.
I'll even state that he would have been a better choice to run with McCain (if he wanted to win, that is) vs Hussein, even though neither of them are any friends to the conservative cause.
Hell, McCain is out there again, pushing for health care at townhall meetings...
And mass will never elect a conservative - from what I see of that voting demographic.
But perhaps I'm wrong and it is time to select a strong, solid conservative with a clear voice to defend our values and principles up there.
It could force the libs to vett a more centrist candidate - perhaps.
As I wrote - was ambivalent, but not one who can endorse Mitt - can't trust him now, and my choice is my point above.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.