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.
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 ?