Kennedy Wants His Succession Expedited

Senator Pens Letter to Massachusetts Leaders Urging Succession Law Change; Aides Say Condition Unchanged

(AP)  A cancer-stricken Sen. Edward M. Kennedy has written a poignant letter to Massachusetts leaders asking that they change state law to allow a speedy replacement of him in Congress.

The note has been sent to Gov. Deval Patrick and the state's Senate president and House speaker at a time when Congress is considering an overhaul of the nation's health care system, a life cause of Kennedy's.

The letter acknowledges the state changed its succession law in 2004 to require a special election within five months to fill any vacancy. At the time, legislative Democrats were concerned then-Republican Gov. Mitt Romney would be able to fill any vacancy created as Democratic Sen. John Kerry ran for president.

But Kennedy writes "it is vital for this commonwealth to have two voices speaking for the needs of its citizens and two votes in the Senate during the approximately five months between a vacancy and an election."

While Democrats hold a potentially filibuster-proof margin in Congress, the outcome of a health care reform bill could hinge on a single vote.

The letter was sent Tuesday, but Kennedy aides insist there is no material change in his condition since he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in May 2008.

Kennedy's absence from last week's funeral for his sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, prompted a flurry of questions about his own health.

In his letter, Kennedy suggests the governor ensure the fairness of any appointment to replace him by seeking an "explicit personal commitment" his appointee will not seek the position on a permanent basis.

Read Kennedy's letter to Gov. Deval Patrick and state congressional leaders

Despite speculation that Kennedy's wife, Vicki, is interested in the seat, family aides have said she is not interested in replacing her husband either temporarily or permanently.

Amid similar speculation about a Senate vacancy last fall, when Kerry was under consideration for secretary of state, Senate President Therese Murray was adamant that the law not be changed. After recent inquiries from The Associated Press, aides to both Murray and House Speaker Robert DeLeo said they are unlikely to back any change.

Aides to both leaders say an election was more democratic than a gubernatorial appointment, and they cited the legal and political problems that plagued former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and New York Gov. David Paterson when they filled vacancies for President Barack Obama and former Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

In a joint statement to The Boston Globe, which first reported news of Kennedy's letter, both Murray and DeLeo were noncommittal.

"We have great respect for the senator and what he continues to do for our commonwealth and our nation. It is our hope that he will continue to be a voice for the people of Massachusetts as long as he is able," they said.

[pepperwood2]

If that same thing was to happen to The Chappaquiddick Kid Today most Libatards, would call it a Right Wing Conspiracy and insist it never happened. So Sad!

[platteman]

Teddy could have resigned as soon as he knew he had brain cancer. But no, he wants to keep on going. Had he resigned, the special election would have already taken place and the law wouldn't need to be changed again.
Just like the Kennedy's, if the law doesn't suit you, get it changed to suit you, if it is changed and goes against you, get it changed again to suit you. Flip floping over and over. Too bad Mary Jo doesn't have a say in this, oh yes, she died in a auto accident, well she drowned because of Teddy.
Must be nice to live the life of luxury and be a killer and not ever really care what happened to his date that night. Oh yes he was married at the time yet still takes communion.

[rccnh]

Shame about Kennedy and I am not a Kennedy supporter. Nobody should have to go what he has gone through during his life, let alone in the last year to him personally with his health.
But when it comes to his letter - where was this letter 5 yrs ago when the MA legislature changed the law from the Governor making an appointment to requiring a special election?
No where to be found because at the time there was a Republican governor and the MA Democrats that have run MA the last 50 or 60 years were afraid if Kerry was elected President, then Romney could appoint a Republican or himself to fill the vacancy.
This is just politics as usual for MA. And another reason there should be term limits to stop these career politicians from doing this type of thing.
Oh, wait a minute. MA voters did try to put term limits on a ballot one year but guess what? Ma legislature went against the voters and wouldn't consider it.
If you keep voting them in, things are not going to change. Obama or no Obama if the same people are voted back every time things will never change.

[donnerwetter]

Ted who? oh yes the guy who ran away from the sceen of an accident and could not remember that he left his date drown. Well Teddy, if I were you I would start thinking about what to tell the Lord God?

[naj1953]

I wonder how it's going to be for both Repubs and Dems when they come before God???

[jackp32]

The wrong person died at Chappaquiddick.

[far_point200]

Ted, a speedy replacement would happen if you would commit suicide or hire someone to off you. Just call Hussein Obama. I'm sure he could hook you up with Bill Ayers, the Black Panthers or a few radical Muslims. They may even be able to set it up so that you would be remembered as an American instead as of an Irish POS.

[mysticorca]

If Kennedy is really worried, he should announce his resignation now, effective when his replacement is found. Martinez just did that in Florida.

[platteman]

mary Jo has not been able to comment on Teddy. They changed the rules to prevent Romeny from appointing a Republican when Kerry was running for POTUS. So now to keep the liberal left wing adjenda of the Dems and they need the vote to get this obamacare adjenda through Teddy wants the rules changed again. Talk about flip flopping. Gosh Teddy hurry up and die so that we can have a special election and see if a Republican can win in MA.

[bradkt1]

To me, the most obvious way to expedite his succession is for Senator Kennedy to resign his position NOW for reasons of health. He's too sick to perform his duties.

[barbaram99]

I am a Mainer by birth. Teddy is no saint. His late father had a dr do an operation on Rose Marie aka Rosemary Kennedy. Barbaric. JFK was running around. Teddy killed a woman and walked away from it. It is their name and money. His seat would have to filled with one of his party. grampas dear do ye not 'member if any other person killed a person and walked away ..their arse would be locked up. I am not mean or cold. Money ,his name and power kept him out of jail. He is the bro of a President killed.

[drsuz]

This is bull!!! Laws are made for a reason. Just because he is a "Kennedy" the State should do this? Wonder how much they are lining the Govenors pockets.

I laugh for ole Teddy wants to make sure another Democrat is in place to vote for Obamacare when their own state has such a system and guess what, ITS FAILING!!!

[TheMasses2016]

Aides Say Condition Unchanged
------------------
Yes, he's still corrupt as ever.

[msspahr]

It is obvious that Kennedy's motive is to vote from beyond the grave. He and/or Sen. Byrd could be the difference between the passage of the health care bill and the failure of same. I'm sure Kennedy would love to hand pick his successor.

[crispy-gmx]

How typical. Democrats rush to pass laws so a republican governor can't make appointments and NOW they want to repeal their own law so a democrat ..can make a swift appointment to his Senate seat rather than leting the people hold an election for the seat...
by manniemays August 20, 2009 10:56 AM EDT

Maybe you should re-read the article! This is not an attempt to keep the people from electing who they want to the Senate in case of a vacency! It is a way to have a Sentor in place during the 5 moths before the election is held. The person apointed would not be able to run for the job, he or she would be an interem appointment. Would you prefer the seat be vacent during those 5 months? I do agree if the law is changed, it should apply no metter if the Governor happens to be Democrat or Republican.
This is still better than most states, where a Senate vacency is filled by the Governor until the next general election, and there is no restiction on that person running for the seat when it next comes up for a vote.

[credibility2]

MA should totally ignore Kennedy's request and leave the law in place. Kennedy is merely trying to avoid a special election, because he's rightfully worried that if a special election were to take place that there's a good chance a Republican would be elected, and of course this isn't acceptable to his party.

[crispy-gmx]

Re-read the story, there would STILL BE A SPECIAL ELECTION. This would simply fill the vacancy for the 5 months it would be empty before the election could be held. The person appointed would no be eligible to run for the job.
This is much better than the law in most states, where the Governor fills the vacancy until the next regular election, even if that's years away.

[blues2us]

Sorry Ted, you got your break back in Chappoquidic (wrong spelling)You should have been charged and drummed out of politics way back then.But just like a Kennedy, always wanting special favors right to the end. Geez, we'll be better off when all the Kennedy's are out of politics!

[blues2us]

Sorry Ted, you got your break back in Chappoquidic (wrong spelling)You should have been charged and drummed out of politics way back then.But just like a Kennedy alows wanting special favors right to the end. Geez, we'll be better off when all the Kennedy's are out of politics!

[harp3coat]

Kennedy, hurry up and die stupid.

[endurorob]

rharrin1 August 20, 2009 8:40 AM EDT

Oh the same thing the repukes DID DO IN TEXASSSS and now it would be wrong if democrats try? You are a asssshole.



So you live under the belief that two wrongs make a right? I bet you also believe in order to create racial equality you give extra advantages to one race over another. (Affirmative action)

[zipperfalcon]

The Kennedy's have money, thanks to Joe's illegal activities. Now they want to keep it and the best way to do that is to keep others from becoming wealthy. Ted taxes away your money and then he will decide what it is spent on. As long as he keeps you poor - and spoon feeds you his government funds - you will keep voting him back to power. A death tax of 100% for all estates over a million dollars will fix this problem for good.