Posted on 02/04/2010 7:14:42 PM PST by STARWISE
As Sen. Scott Brown sweeps into his new office, it’s the end of the line for several of Sen. Paul Kirk’s staffers who are being ushered out of jobs a week earlier than expected.
Kirk staffers weren’t talking today, but friends and colleagues of the group say some of the staffers were upset by the accelerated swearing in date. One Democratic colleague said the “carpet was pulled out” from preparations for a day that already promised to be emotional.
Kirk’s office had worked for weeks to turn over the beloved Russell 317 office suite to Brown by Feb. 11, welcoming the Republican’s new staff. A friend of Kennedy’s said Kirk’s staffers had been sadly counting down the days to Feb. 11 — when Brown suddenly said he wanted to be sworn in today.
The announcement appeared to surprise even Brown’s daughter Ayla, a Boston College basketball player, who has a major game against Duke University today.
“On one hand, Kennedy staff is used to packing up and moving. But this was over a week early — it’s a tough adjustment,” said one Democratic Senate aide who is close to Kirk's office. “The staff tried to be incredibly helpful with the transition. They thought they were doing this all right, ... but then Brown receives a call from the Republican leadership and everything changes. … Maybe this is a foreshadow of things to come.”
“So much for change,” sniffed another Democratic Senate staffer. “The question is, why did he suddenly decide in less than 24 hours to come racing down here?”
This afternoon, the nameplate outside Russell 317 still bore Kirk’s name, but the space inside the doors looked oddly sparse. The project for the day was to prepare Kirk for his final floor speech, but the desks were already largely bare, except for a computer and a small bouquet of pink roses. A crystal candy dish sat empty.
Staffers wandered in and out, talking quietly in the front office. One sat in a chair and put his head in his hands. Meanwhile, a sea of noisy camera crews was setting up down the hall, awaiting Kirk’s successor.
Kennedy’s and Kirk's staffers were prized on the Hill for years for their fierce dedication and loyalty, and staffers were not talking today.
The office had largely stopped answering the phone — the press voice mail box was already full by 10 a.m. An announcement on the main line told callers the office was closed.
Paul Kirk’s office had worked for weeks to turn over the beloved Russell 317 office suite to Brown by February 11. Photo: AP
As of tonight, staffers will lose their e-mail addresses. The earlier swearing-in date means one less week of pay for staffers who haven’t secured alternative jobs. However, staffers will remain for an additional 30 days on the government payroll, according to a spokesman for the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.
“I felt bad for them then. They just lost Kennedy, the guy they loved and adored,” said a Democratic strategist close to Kennedy and Kirk.
But some Hill staffers thought the emotional heaving was overrated.
“Any Capitol Hill staffer who has gone through a campaign cycle knows that this all goes with the territory — it doesn’t make it any easier or [less] inconvenient — but the reality is a new senator is taking office and it’s not like Sen. Kirk’s staff didn’t know this was coming. Once you’re out of a job, one week really doesn’t make a difference or change that reality,” said one Republican aide.
“[Regarding] expectations of working for Coakley, I mean, the election was Jan. 19 — two-plus weeks ago. That’s ample time to recover from any shock and disappointment,” said one Senate Democratic aide. “Regarding the sudden and unexpected passing of a colleague ... that’s definitely a legitimate reason which could have slowed down boxing, record-filing, moving.”
On the Senate floor this afternoon, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) praised the staffers.
“Because of them, countless others like myself have been enlisted in Kennedy and Kirk causes with a great deal of pride,” Durbin said.
During his farewell speech on the Senate floor today, Kirk asked that the names of his staff be inserted into the Congressional Record and thanked them for guiding him through the transition of the office during the past year’s heartache.
“They strove to match [Kennedy’s] unmatchable work ethic,” Kirk said. “They are outstanding public servants who have my outstanding appreciation.”
From: America
F* you, you stinking roaches. You had no goddam business usurping the People's Seat in the first place. Please feel free to take the pipe, or otherwise assume room temperature at your convenience by a method of your choice. Roach motels are available at cost (pay in advance). Cheers.
Signed: The American People.
I just made a capuchino and the dude said I had to get out! WTF?
Dude, Can I get my posters off the wall? Can I get that bong off the shelf?
They’ve probably secured jobs in the
government, which employee sector is
growing at exponential rates.
Our Father Who Art in Heaven:
Please bless and guide Scott Brown as he assumes this seat in the US Senate. Help him to choose the harder right, and not the easier wrong. I ask this in Your Son’s name, but will trust in Your will for us here on earth.
Your ways are not our ways, so Your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.
I echo your fervent prayer. Amen.
Cry me a river...
Just askin.
Gee! Erika Lovley wrote a real tear jerker. LOL!
Legally Kirk’s tenure ended at midnight the day of the election. What a bunch of whiners.
Two lessons to learn for RAT staffers.
1. To the victor goes the spoils.
2. If u r a RAT staffer, u might want to start looking for work NOW...before the coming November elections.
Kirk looks pi$$ed. He really does.
The look on his face basically says “I was told that I got to be US Senator ‘til February 11th!”
Sorry, it's the People's office, not yours. It certainly isn't Krik’s who was never elected to the position, and the law at the time of Kennedy's death stated that no replacement could be appointed, but bah, who cares about laws, they're liberals, they can change it retroactively!
What would be just deserts would be a bill from the American people for stalling getting out of that office.
it isn't the Kennedy office, or the Kirk office. It is the People's office.
It’s not the fault of responsibility of the staffers, but the fact remains that Kirk ceased to a Constitional Senator once the election was completed, regardless of the outcome, and regardless of when the election result was certified or when the new Senator was sworn in.
Tough.
Didn't have time to steal everything not tied down....
Didn't have time to klintonize (trash) the offices before they left....
Waaaahhhh!
I'm offering condolences plus the world's smallest violin concert.
And a kleenex...............
It reminds me of the Edward G. Robinson character in The Ten Commandents. He was an artistorat, then he was cast out. But he still carried his pompous BS airs about him.
That’s the Rat mentality - they’re better than everyone else. And that could not be further from the truth.
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