You are correct, I overlooked this important detail. What are the provisions in election statutes when a Senator is seated due to a death ? Two years in office as an appointee and then an election ? Isn't that the case here ?
dang! I was on here earlier and I posted first, 3rd and 4th and now the posts are gone. What the heck?
I'm not sure what the statute is, if there even IS one. Maybe each state makes up its own rules in this regard. I guess we'll have to wait and see. If Jesse appoints someone, and Wellstone's opponent wins, the appointee only stays in until the new Senator is seated, I believe. Jesse may wait until after the election to see how it goes. If Wellstone's opponent wins, Jesse may go ahead and appoint him so that there will be less confusion come January. Of course that would give control back to the Repubs, so I suspect Jesse will be coming under MASSIVE pressure to appoint a Dem NOW rather than wait for the election.
Is the Senate in recess right now? I thought they had all gone home so that those running for re-election would have some face time at home. If that's the case, then there is really no hurry for Jesse to appoint anyone before the election.