Kennedy Wants His Succession Expedited

(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.

[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!!!