Cancer-stricken Sen. Kennedy asks Mass. leaders for speedy process to replace him in Congress

The Minneapolis Star Tribune ^ | August 20, 2009 | Glen Johnson

[Clintonfatigued]

A cancer-stricken Sen. Edward M. Kennedy has asked Massachusetts leaders to change state law to allow a speedy replacement if it becomes necessary for him to surrender his seat, fearing a months-long vacancy would deny Democrats a crucial vote on President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

In a note to Gov. Deval Patrick and other state leaders, Kennedy asked that lawmakers allow the governor to appoint an interim replacement pending election of a successor, to ensure there would not be a period with a vacancy. Currently, the law requires a special election to be held within five months.

"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," he wrote.

[silverleaf]

I wondered the same thing

Heard on the radio the letter was written in July - now it looks like they decided they need it

guess if the democrats had managed to ram healthcare bill through before recess, it wouldn't now be necessary to go whining about changing the rules that the democrats changed last time they needed to maneuver themselves into partisan advantage

[PBRSTREETGANG]

God believes in term limits.

[GOPsterinMA]

Exactly!

The law that Teddy wants is the same law that was on the books until the DEMOCRATIC SUPER-UBER-MAJORITY changed it when Romney was governor, presumably to stop Romney from naming himself Senator if Kerry has won in 2004.

Pathetic swine, all!

[Arrowhead1952]

Take the BLUE pill there, teddy the swimmer.

[K-oneTexas]

Agreed. Shows a lack of understanding and a real desire to ignore the laws of the land.

[Old Retired Army Guy]

Well, it may be wrong, but they did it before. When Romney was Governor and Kerry was expected to be elected President, the Mass. Legiuslature changed the law to a Special Election so Romney couldn’t appoint a Republican. Now they have a Dem. Governor, so they will probably change it again. Kennedy wants his wife appointed.

[Bean Counter]

Someone refer me to the section of the Constitution that covers Senatorial “Pinch Hitters”...

“Now batting cleanup...”

[John.Galt2012]

I wonder if he uses the Mass. Public health care system, or is his private??? This is exactly why politicians are willing to vote for National Health care, because they aren't “real” Americans...just “really rich ones”. They will be on a private system while the minions use that crappy Universal Health care.

[raccoonradio]

He has been in office since the yr I was born, 1962.

[Jackson57]

Kennedy is being allowed to vote by proxy.

[raccoonradio]

Again I’ve said this before, but you know they expression “they’ll take this gun away from me when they can pry it from my cold, dead hands”? Substitute “Senate seat” and you will have Ted’s views on the matter.

[WrightOnTarget]

It isn't about health care, it's about "Kennedy care."

[nmh]

Give Kennedy Obama care!

Obaba care at his age is total neglect. Terry S. has already experienced Obama are. She was starved to death.

[raccoonradio]

John Kerry missed a whole bunch of Senate votes during the campaign too. He didn’t resign—why should he?

[GOPsterinMA]

Absolutely no question about that. It will be re-named the “Ted Kennedy “Final F*ck You America’ Bill”. Probably why Team Rahm allowed the vote to take place after the summer recess. They've got this thing timed better than the tides.

[Patriotic1]

...for the SECOND time.

[sweetiepiezer]

Isn’t Teddy special!

[John.Galt2012]

If there were a risk of a Republican or Independent being placed in that seat, they would be slow wanting to change their State Constitution. Typical of people who demand “Change”. It is usually for emotional and personally beneficial reasons.

[Boiling Pots]

The election laws were changed on whim because the Mass legislature was scared that Romney would have appointed a Republican to replace Kerry if he had of beat Bush.

[Seaplaner]

Slightly off the topic, however now that Edward nears the final turns on life's highway, I wonder if he may get a visit or two from Mister Conscience.

.