Governor Names Kirk to Kennedy Senate Seat

(CBS)

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick Thursday named Paul Kirk to the Senate seat previously held by Ted Kennedy, who passed away in August following a battle with brain cancer.

"This appointment is a profound honor, and I accept it with sincere humility," said Kirk, a former close friend and aide of the longtime legislator.

Kirk will serve until Massachusetts voters go to the polls to determine who will serve out the remaining three years of Kennedy's term. A primary will be held in December and a general election in January.

Kirk vowed not to be a candidate in that race.

In making the appointment, Patrick, a Democrat, explicitly stated that Kirk "will carry on the work and the focus of Senator Kennedy, mindful of his mission and his values and his love of Massachusetts."

"This is a caretaker appointment, a gentle and difficult transition, a kind of stewardship," added Sen. John Kerry. who has been the sole Massachusetts Senator since Kennedy's death.

Kerry said that though it was "no easy call" to select Kirk, he believed the choice was in the best interests of Massachusetts. He said Kirk would be "a superb steward" who will "hit the ground running."

Patrick thanked the legislature for taking the "very swift action" to give him the power to appoint an interim replacement for Kennedy, saying the citizens of Massachusetts needed adequate representation in the Senate.

"The issues before the Congress and the nation are simply too important to Massachusetts for us to be one voice short," he said.

Noting that the Senate is in the middle of a fierce battle over health care reform, Patrick evoked Kennedy's work in favor of reform, noting that the late senator had called health care "a right, not a privilege." Kirk's appointment will mean that a filibuster-proof majority of 60 senators will again caucus with the Democrats in the Senate.

"I am pleased that Massachusetts will have its full representation in the United States Senate in the coming months, as important issues such as health care, financial reform and energy will be debated," President Obama said in a statement released shortly after the announcement. "Paul Kirk is a distinguished leader, whose long collaboration with Senator Kennedy makes him an excellent, interim choice to carry on his work until the voters make their choice in January."

(AP Photo/Lisa Poole)

Kirk, a 71-year-old attorney and Harvard law graduate who has worked as a pharmaceutical lobbyist in the past, is a past chair of the Democratic National Committee. He lives on Cape Cod and chairs the Board of Directors of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. Kirk vowed to resign from the boards on which he serves in order to address conflict of interest questions.

Massachusetts and national Republicans have complained that Democrats were hypocritical in passing a bill allowing Patrick to make the appointment. They noted that state Democrats blocked efforts to allow such appointments when a Republican governor, Mitt Romney, was in office.

"The Democrats' power play in Massachusetts has nothing to do with principle, and everything to do with politics," said Rob Jesmer, Executive Director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. "...Democrats in Washington desperately need another vote in the U.S. Senate, and it is clear that this Administration will stop at nothing to ram it through the Congress."

Former Massachusetts Governor and Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis was among the other names that were mentioned as possible appointees. Patrick said there were six candidates of the short list.

Kirk was was strongly pushed by Kennedy family to be selected. His supporters included both of Kennedy's sons, Patrick and Edward, as well as his widow, Victoria Reggie Kennedy.

In a statement, the Kennedy family said the late senator "would be so pleased" that Kirk was selected.

"Senator Kennedy and Paul were close friends and they worked together for many years, starting with Paul's tenure on the Senator's staff in Washington four decades ago," they said. "Side by side they fought many battles for progress and social justice, and nothing could be more fitting than for Paul now to carry on that fight."

Kirk vowed to retain Kennedy's "talented, hardworking and most effective" staff. He asked for the prayers of the people and said "we should always continue to give thanks for Ted Kennedy and pray for his peace."

Kirk said he expects to be sworn in tomorrow.

[G-I_Jesus]

Wise Choice!

Captain James T. Kirk, Captain of the USS Enterprise, destroyer of Khan the Conquering Mexican Drug Lord and liberator of the Democ Rats from the Banana Republicans. Wise choice!

[kozynferg]

Massachusetts first changed the law to prevent a REPUBLICAN Governor from appointing a REPUBLICAN Senator to replace a DEMOCRAT. Now they have changed the law to allow a DEMOCRATIC Governor to make an interim appointment of DEMOCRAT to replace an DEMOCRATIC Senator. If Romney had sworn to appoint an interim Democrat to replace a Democrat, the law would have been left alone in the first place. But it was clear that Romney would take advantage of the situation. If the law had been left in place, in 5 months the voters of Mass would have elected a new Democratic Senator, but for the next 5, probably crucial, months would have only had one vote in the Senate.

But that, lack of a Mass Senator, is what all the Self-righteous Repubs wanted.

[RickJY]

The governor has saved our state from a terrible emergency. For he had to declare an ?emergency? in order to make this appointment. Now he has secured the support of the Kennedy?s in his next election by appointing their good friend Captain Kirk. Moreover, by giving the President another vote in the cesspool of Washington he increases his chances of being appointed to the Supreme Court. Let me tell you if that ever happens the Court will be brought to a new low just like Massachusetts is now. Well now we can all relax for the emergency is over, at least for Gov. Patrick. But for our state is will just continue.

[mossback1954]

by RickJY September 24, 2009 1:54 PM EDT
... Now he has secured the support of the Kennedy?s in his next election by appointing their good friend Captain Kirk.

The Kennedy era has died. This Governor is in for a 'rude' awakening.

[mossback1954]

This was a total blatant disregard to the laws of the State. Another fine example of a State where its residents have no voice and where money talks. Wonder if the Govenor is related to Rodney Blagojevich?

[pjk12354]

The Republicons are just scared of that super majority thing. Now something might actually get done in the Senate.

[craigh9]

The whole thing makes me sick - and best of all, for Kirk anyway, once he gets sworn in he becomes a lifetime member of the grossly overpaid over benefitted club of retired poloticians - oh by the way, that's at the expense of the taxpayer!

[velma179]

craigh9...

Do you read?

Mr. Kirk is seated as an "interim appointment". He will not receive benefits (such as retirement) that an elected Senator would receive.

[stuart-johns]

And you republican freaks can complain all you want. What MA has done is PERFECTLY LEGAL! States rights remember? I thought you guys were a big fan of that??? LMAO

Massachusetts has the right to change its laws if they want to. Too bad for you!!!! ROFL

[mossback1954]

Yes, States DO HAVE the right to change their laws. However there is a 'process' that has to be followed.

[velma179]

Massachusetts DID follow the law IN THEIR STATE. The process by which that law is enacted WAS followed explicitly.

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

Really?

Where are the "states rights" supporters today?

Does that only come into play when you are FOR something a state does? The level of ignorance (pertaining to fact) and hypocrisy (pertaining to opinion) shown regarding this story by those who clearly oppose ANYTHING the "other" political party does... is astounding.

And sad.

[pecandrive]

There goes the last bit of respect I had for the Democratic party. Now they all are cheaters and liars and will manipulate anything and anyone to get their way. I cry for America.

[stuart-johns]

ROFL.....and this coming from someone who supports the big insurance sponsored mis-information campaign of lies! LMAO

You republican extremists are so easy and soooooooooo transparent. I really do feel sorry for you all.

[patocc123]

Umm the healthcare plan is for big insurance not for the people. Who do you think is going to benifit when 40 million people are forced to get health insurance and the government is paying the bill.

It would be nice if people would pay attention to thier own party before commenting on others. Or be like me and not be apart of either one so you can insult both.