Maybe This Time They’ll Get It Right?
Massachusetts, that small, east coast, totally blue haven of liberal politics just might have a surprise in store. The special election on January 19 will fill the vacancy left in the US Senate when Ted Kennedy died last year. The participants met last night, Jan 11, in a debate. Watch this key commentary for yourself.
Back on Sept 22 I posted commentary on this here (also here and here). You’ll remember the situation, the now deceased Ted kennedy, Senator, drunk, unindicted murderer, lobbied the state legislature to change the law preventing the sitting governor (R-Mitt Romney) from appointing a replacement for the potential open Senatorial seat of John Kerry. Kennedy demanded the right of the people of Massachusetts to choose by a public vote. So they pushed through the legislation. Unfortunately for them Kerry didn’t win and there was no opening – until Kennedy died.
Just before his death he again lobbied the state legislature to change the law. This time, lest some radical right-wing grassroots movement secure the actual will of the people and elect a Republican and jeopardize the pending healthcare bill, Kennedy wanted to take away that previous precious right of the citizenry to elect their choice and restore the ability of the (now Democrat) governor to make the appointment. Oh, by the way, Kennedy’s personal choice for his replacement was his wife. After all, it was Kennedy’s seat. The Massachusetts legislature stepped up and didn’t completely cave to the Kennedy mystique. They agreed and restored the governors right to appoint Kennedy’s successor but only until a special election could be held. Paul G. Kirk was named on September 24 to fill the vacancy. His resume leans just a little left and is tilted slightly Kennedy:
From 1985 – 1989
- Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
- Co-Chair of the Commission on Presidential Debates
- Chairman of the Board of Directors of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation
- Member of the Board of Directors of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate
Fortunately his term expires on January 18, 2010. Happy Birthday Paul.