Kennedy's Wish

When Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy passed away current Massachusetts’ law said that a special election must be held to fill the Senator's vacant seat. That meant that Governor Deval Patrick did not have the ability to appoint an interim Senator. Now while that seems fair, the Democrats were one seat short of a sixty seat filibuster proof majority. So legislation was pushed through that allowed Governor Patrick to appoint Paul G. Kirk on September 24 of this year.

I am sure Democrats even felt a little wary of appointing someone to fill the seat Senator Kennedy had held for so long. I have mentioned already on this blog that appointments give the appointee too much of an advantage in special elections. It also would be unfair though for the Democrats to not have an advantage in the Senate they earned. Senator Kennedy in his declining health said in a letter to state leaders to change the law so Massachusetts was properly represented should he pass away. He also made sure to call for a candidate who would not run in the upcoming election so there would be a level playing field.

I applaud Governor Patrick for listening to the late Senator and choosing someone who had no ambitions to run in the special elections. What would have happened though if that seat was not safely in the democratic camp? He probably would have been more likely to pick a candidate to give them an advantage over the GOP. In the end Massachusetts gets to pick their representative which is what they deserve.


Sources: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE58N3RF20090924
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN20513156