Path Cleared for Mass. Senate Appointment

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Congress

(AP)

The legislature in Massachusetts has given final approval to a bill that gives Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick the right to appoint an interim successor to Sen. Edward Kennedy, the Associated Press is reporting.

Patrick plans to sign the bill and make the appointment, giving a boost to Democrats in their efforts to pass health care reform and other legislation.

The Massachusetts House declined to add a provision to the bill mandating that it would immediately take effect, the AP reports. That means Patrick must send a letter to the secretary of state declaring an emergency if he wants to make the appointment in the next 90 days.

It is widely expected that Patrick will name former close Kennedy aide Paul Kirk (pictured above) to the seat. Kirk, who is 71, reportedly has the backing of Kennedy's two sons, Patrick and Edward, as well as his widow, Victoria Reggie Kennedy.

Former Massachusetts Governor and Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis is among the other names that have been mentioned as possible appointees.

The person appointed to the seat will serve until January, when a new election will be held to determine who will serve out the remaining three years of Kennedy's term. The longtime legislator died in August following a battle with brain cancer.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Ted Kennedy

Kirk, a former chair of the Democratic National Committee, lives on Cape Cod and chairs the Board of Directors of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. It is believed he would vote in much the same way that Ted Kennedy did as senator.

His appointment or that of another Democrat would mean that a filibuster-proof majority of 60 senators will again caucus with the Democrats in the Senate.

Massachusetts Republicans have complained that Democrats are bring hypocritical in passing the bill, because they defeated GOP efforts to pass a similar bill in 2004 and 2006 when a Republican governor, Mitt Romney, was in office.

More on the Massachusetts Senate:

Curt Schilling Won't Run for Seat

GOP Candidate a Former Nude Centerfold

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by 6591Hou September 24, 2009 6:55 AM EDT: Politics are always the same - the party in power (and the politicians in office) will do what they have to in order to keep the advantage they have.; Reply to this comment

by michaelm07 September 24, 2009 3:25 AM EDT

Democrat - Hypocrite
The double standard is laughable. Oh, I cannot wait until next years elections. It will be absolutely entertaining.

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by stuart-johns September 24, 2009 6:55 AM EDT: Not if your a republican!

by reader_and_thinker_54 September 24, 2009 3:11 AM EDT

Governor Romney has had tremendous success leading and managing large companies. He also was asked to drop what he was doing and become CEO of the 2002 American Olympics - he did, and he put that enormous organization on the right track. It went from being marred by scandal and debt to being a great success. And Governor Romney donated his entire salary, over $800,000 to the games.

Managing large companies, turning around the Olympics, being governor of Massachusetts, and having a very impressive family, Romney in 2012!

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by stuart-johns September 24, 2009 7:00 AM EDT: If 2012 were now, Rommney would be the front runner. He's the most ablest of all the republicans, I think.


by reader_and_thinker_54 September 24, 2009 3:08 AM EDT: I am sticking a fork in my eye at the hypocrisy of Democrats in Massachusetts! They changed the rule in 2004 because Mitt Romney, a Republican, was governor. Now they change it back because the current governor is a Democrat?! That is so blatantly partisan and disappointing.; Reply to this comment


by rbstrcklnd September 23, 2009 11:38 PM EDT: Who cares if the guy the Governor will choose has the approval of his sons and wife? Politicians are elected by the people and in some instances appointed by the Governor.; Reply to this comment

by rhs648 September 23, 2009 10:38 PM EDT

This is a joke. Massachusetts is controlled by the Democrats. They keep changing the law to make certain that senate appointments go to Democrats. When Romney, a Republican, became governor, the law was changed so he could not appoint a Republican. Now that there is a governor who is a Democrat, they are again changing the law to allow the governor to appoint Kennedy's successor. The charade never ends. Like another poster, I am glad that I no longer live in Massachusetts.

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by pasmalltown September 24, 2009 7:47 AM EDT: by rhs648 September 23, 2009 10:38 PM EDT
"This is a joke. Massachusetts is controlled by the Democrats."
________________________________

Is it not the responsibility of elected officials to represent the people? enact their will? It's not a joke, it's simply democracy as it should work. Mass has historically been Democratic and the fact that Romney couldn't appoint a Republican is a reflection of the MA voters - Like it or not, that's what happened then and now. All of your comments add up to "sour grapes", so move on and find a "state" of mind you can live in.

by velma179 September 23, 2009 10:14 PM EDT

The people of Massachusetts have spoken for years.

They voted for Ted Kennedy. His ideals and ideas going forward even after his death does not negate their vote.

The majority in that state are for this legislative move.

************

Why do some of you think "the people" are all living inside your heads? Thank God that is not true... the bitter, angry words you post are heart breaking to those of us who love our country... with all the differing
points of view, it still is the United States of America.

I hope.

Reply to this comment


by pasmalltown September 24, 2009 7:52 AM EDT: My hope is your hope.

AND you have a nicer way of saying it. Will try in the future to ignore emotion and think/state in a more positive tone......


by joemccarthy September 23, 2009 10:13 PM EDT: "Massachusetts Republicans have complained that Democrats are bring hypocritical in passing the bill, because they defeated GOP efforts to pass a similar bill in 2004 and 2006 when a Republican governor, Mitt Romney, was in office."

That is not true. The Democrats, led by Kennedy, actually changed the law in '04 or '05 to prevent Romney from appointing a Republican. Now they are changing the law again (in Kennedy's name) to allow Patrick to appoint a Democrat.

In other words, the law was originally set to allow an appointment by the Governor. Then, in '04/'05, the law was changed to prevent an appointment. Finally, just this week, the law was changed back to allow an appointment. I can't help but disapprove of this sort of flip-flopping, blatantly partisan politics.; Reply to this comment


by faceofus September 23, 2009 9:04 PM EDT: This issue should have decided by the people of Mass. not by a bunch of spoiled Kennedy brats. Someone in that state should challenge the legality of what has been done.; Reply to this comment


by stephand September 23, 2009 8:05 PM EDT: It just shows how corrupt both parties are... Changing legislation to stay in power and manipulate outcomes rather than working for the people and doing the right thing. it is the types of thing you see in Zimbabwe. Sad to see this.; Reply to this comment