MA SEN: Patrick Readies To Appoint Interim Kennedy Successor
By a 24-16 vote, the MA Senate passed a bill this p.m. that would give Gov. Deval Patrick (D) the power to appoint an interim replacement to the late Sen. Ted Kennedy's (D) Senate seat, clearing the way for a successor to be named as early as this week.
"The Governor appreciates the support voiced in the Senate today and the action taken by the House last week to ensure Massachusetts has full representation in the Congress," Patrick press sec. Kyle Sullivan said in a statement. "The Governor looks forward to final action on the bill."
The legislation easily passed the state House last week by a 95-to-58 vote, but was delayed twice in the state Senate by GOPers, who charged that Dems were playing politics in an effort to regain their 60-seat majority in Washington.
Both houses must now vote for the bill's enactment, largely a formality, before it reaches Patrick's desk. Under MA law, Patrick -- who is still recovering from hip surgery at his vacation home in the Berkshires -- can then file a letter with the MA sec/state declaring the appointment of an interim sen., which would be effective immediately.
The gov.'s office has been tight-lipped regarding Patrick's choice for an appointee, who would serve until the 1/19 special election. But the name most mentioned in MA political circles is ex-Gov. Michael Dukakis (D), who was also endorsed as Patrick's "best choice" by the Boston Globe today.
Others said to be under consideration include Harvard Law School prof. Charles Ogletree, '02 GOV nominee/ex-Treas. Shannon O'Brien (D), Kennedy "confidant"/ex-JFK Library Foundation chair/ex-DNC Chair Paul Kirk, ex-Kennedy CoS Nick Littlefield (D) and ex-Bill Clinton Labor Sec. Robert Reich (D).
Sen. John Kerry (D), in a statement on the state Senate's passage of the bill: "This vote appropriately came down to a simple question: do you believe the people of Massachusetts are best served these next months by having one senator or two? The legislature answered that question correctly. ... This is what Ted Kennedy wanted, what Governor Patrick and I wanted, and I firmly believe it's what people in Massachusetts want because big votes on everything from health care to climate change are being taken now, not in five months."
Meanwhile, the once wide-open Dem primary field appears to be settling, with City Year co-founder Alan Khazei (D) slated to formally announce his bid at noon 9/24 at the Gazebo on Boston Common. He kicks off a pre-announcement tour of community orgs. in western MA tomorrow and, in a nod to Kennedy, will be joined by ex-Sen. Harris Wofford (D-PA). Wofford served as Peace Corps. assoc. dir. and special assist. to JFK for Civil Rights.
Khazei spokesperson Dave Jacobson said a key aspect of Khazei's campaign will be that it is "citizen-led and citizen-funded," noting that Khazei is not accepting any PAC or lobbyist contributions.
The other Dem contenders continued to campaign ahead of the 12/8 primary. AG Martha Coakley (D) was endorsed 9/22 by Unite Here Local 26, which represents 5K hospitality workers in the Boston area. Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca (D) stopped by a community event at the Dorchester YMCA. And Rep. Michael Capuano (D-08) made a brief appearance 9/21 at a fundraising event for embattled Rep. John Murtha (D-PA).
(FELICIA SONMEZ)
HYPOCRISY in action. If I lived in MA, I would be picketing the Governor's mansion and screaming "foul". What a travesty against the voters - this action is reprehensible and totally indefensible.
Disgusting.
Hi,
Amazing! Not clear for me, how offen you updating your hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com.
AlexAxe
I hope he can be as honest and loyal to the American people as our previous Senator, Kennedy!!!
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