Paul Kirk Sworn In, Replaces Kennedy in Senate

(CBS)

Vice President Joe Biden this afternoon presided over the swearing in of former Democratic Party chair Paul Kirk, who is taking over for Sen. Ted Kennedy until an election is held to decide who will serve the remainder of the late senator's term.

Kirk, a former aide and close friend of Kennedy, will serve until the January election.

Massachusetts Republicans had tried to delay the swearing in, suggesting that Gov. Deval Patrick had acted unconstitutionally in appointing Kirk so quickly, but they were rebuffed earlier today by a Massachusetts judge.

Kirk's entry into the Senate means that there are again 60 members in the body who caucus with the Democrats. That gives the Democrats a filibuster-proof majority that could prove crucial in their attempt to pass health care reform legislation.

Kirk is expected to vote as Kennedy, a fierce advocate for health care reform, would have. He has retained the senator's staff.

Senator John Kerry, now the senior senator from Massachusetts, looked on as Kirk was sworn in. At a press conference announcing Kirk's appointment, Kerry said he expected Kirk to be "a superb steward" for Kennedy's seat who will "hit the ground running."

Kirk, a 71-year-old attorney and Harvard law graduate who has worked as a pharmaceutical lobbyist in the past, lives on Cape Cod and has been the chair of the Board of Directors of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. His appointment was strongly backed by the Kennedy family.

More: Governor Names Kirk to Kennedy Senate Seat

[gboyd41]

Good job Mass., your obvious ploy to get a vote for Obama for ONE bill, will come back to haunt in 2010. The American people are not as stupid as you think.

[gboyd41]

skyk-2009: continue to post multiple times, if you get 100 posts you get a prize!

[gboyd41]

stuart-do you know what an anarchist is yet? I don't believe the "experiment" excuse-you had no clue! Enough said. Have you hit your dictionary?? By the way, do you work? Appears you spend 24/7 on this. Why?

[nextgenman09]

I love it! All of the republitards are crying boo hoo because America booted them to the curb.

[mossback1954]

HUH??? America?? Are you saying we are the United States of Massaschuetts?

[psoupy]

Massachusetts your state is such a *****, too bad you were on the winning side of the Civil War.

[ameroseas1]

The facts are... The dems may have 60 in number but some including newcomer Democrat Spector will not be re-elected if they vote for this wreckless major government power-grab. I predict they will end up using the nuclear option anyway which needs less than 60 votes and will ram this through and they will be in the minority in both houses after the 2010 mid-term elections. Then the GOP will do all they can to reverse the damage caused, so this is a lose, lose for the dems. pass it lose, don't pass it, lose out on their power-grab.

[crispy-gmx]

How is providing access to health care to over 45 millions Americans who currently don;'t have it a 'power grab'? How is insuring those who have pre-existing conditions can't be turned down by insurance companies a 'power grab'?
Was Medicare a 'power grab' too? Tell that to the millions of Americans who depend on it for their very survival!

[mossback1954]

by crispy-gmx September 26, 2009 7:50 AM EDT
How is providing access to health care to over 45 millions Americans who currently don;'t have it a 'power grab'?

Just where did you come up with your figure? Last known it was 37 million and falling. Besides, out of those, WHY do they have no coverage? Is it by choice or because they are just plan poor in which case, there is medicaid and state ran programs.

[cs4466]

Time for health care for all! No matter how much the neocons whine, cry and stamp their feet!

[hamiltoningrate]

We have health care for all already. Anyone who gets sick in the USA gets the same high level care. Why would anyone want to ruin the best system in the world ? We are also the most innovative, produce the best services, have the best technology ? Again, why break it ??

[berrymecium]

It so dumb for Republicans or Democrats to get upset when political stunts are pulled. It is politics. Grow up and get used to it! To imply that Republicans wouldn't do this is absurd.

[watkinsjr2000]

Well put & very true!

[outlaw1969]

How can democrats make law, when can't abide by the laws they make.

[velma179]

by outlaw1969 September 25, 2009 7:08 PM EDT
How can democrats make law, when can't abide by the laws they make.

***********

Uh, you don't realize that Republicans also break laws? Please, dishonesty and law breaking has no "home" in any political affiliation.

And by the way, in THIS case -- Mr. Kirk's appointment to the Senate from Massachusetts -- no laws have been broken.

Sheesh...

[mossback1954]

by velma179 September 25, 2009 7:57 PM EDT
And by the way, in THIS case -- Mr. Kirk's appointment to the Senate from Massachusetts -- no laws have been broken. Sheesh...

Try reading yourself..Yes a State Consitutional Law was broken.
In 2004, the law was changed to provide for a special election to choose a new Senator to serve for the remainder of an unexpired term. The law now mandates that the special election be held 145 to 160 days after a Senate seat becomes vacant. It was Ted Kennedy himself that had supported the last change in the law, in 2004, which eliminated the power of the governor to appoint an interim successor. That was done because of fears that then-Gov. Mitt Romney, a Republican, might appoint a member of his party to replace Kerry if he won the presidency in his race against George W. Bush in 2004. Ted Kennedy actually benefited from the previous Massachusetts law. After his brother John won the presidency in 1960, a family friend was appointed to hold the seat until Ted Kennedy was old enough to run in a special election in 1962 - his entry to the Senate.

So now here it goes again. A family friend fills another Kennedy seat. Wonder who he is holding it for.

[hamiltoningrate]

Why can't we appoint someone who is from the regular people ? Why are all the insiders ALWAYS on the inside ? Kerry, for example, went sailing with JFK , when Kerry was just a college student, already a 'made man" on the inside, and not really one of us. How many of you went sailing with a President. This inside mentality, everyone knows, is not good for the country, and promotes even more corruption. I would feel more comfortable having a random choice in the telephone directory white pages, than adding another "hack insider" who never owned a business, never met a payroll, or even had to punch a clock... you know. It stinks.
Kirk ? he is not the problem ,,, the system is,.,,,,,

[eightsigma]

Nothing wrong with connections. We use them in business all the time. What matters is what you stand for.

[daisyjingles]

Connections may help someone land a job or an interview. But that is no guarantee that the person who gets such a job will be retained. The second pass is the one that matters.

I do think that Senator Kennedy would be pleased with Senator Kirk's appointment.