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Kennedy Seeks Change in Massachusetts Succession Rules
"Massachusetts Democrats have spent considerable time in recent years fiddling with how to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy. Now, ailing Sen. Ted Kennedy has asked Massachusetts state leaders to once again alter the procedure.
In a letter to Massachusetts leaders, Kennedy asked that Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick get the authority to quickly appoint a successor to his seat — presumably a Democrat –rather than waiting five months or so for a special election. To maintain the appearance of fairness, Kennedy requested that the governor pick someone who will commit to not run for the seat at the time of the special election. Kennedy’s request would require legislators to alter a 2004 succession law that requires a special election be held to fill a Senate vacancy.
The seemingly arcane matter has a lot to with what best suits Democrats’ interest. Right now, Democrats are worried that their 60-vote filibuster-proof majority in the Senate would slip to 59, at least temporarily. In 2004, they worried that a victory by home state Sen. John Kerry, who was running for president, would create a vacancy that then-GOP Gov. Mitt Romney would fill with a Republican. "
Any thoughts on this? Is it cool we change the rules when things may not go our way?
At least our politicians BS is predictable and consistent. As long as we expect nothing but self serving BS we will not be dissappointed.
"Massachusetts Democrats have spent considerable time in recent years fiddling with how to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy. Now, ailing Sen. Ted Kennedy has asked Massachusetts state leaders to once again alter the procedure.
In a letter to Massachusetts leaders, Kennedy asked that Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick get the authority to quickly appoint a successor to his seat — presumably a Democrat –rather than waiting five months or so for a special election. To maintain the appearance of fairness, Kennedy requested that the governor pick someone who will commit to not run for the seat at the time of the special election. Kennedy’s request would require legislators to alter a 2004 succession law that requires a special election be held to fill a Senate vacancy.
The seemingly arcane matter has a lot to with what best suits Democrats’ interest. Right now, Democrats are worried that their 60-vote filibuster-proof majority in the Senate would slip to 59, at least temporarily. In 2004, they worried that a victory by home state Sen. John Kerry, who was running for president, would create a vacancy that then-GOP Gov. Mitt Romney would fill with a Republican. "
Any thoughts on this? Is it cool we change the rules when things may not go our way?
At least our politicians BS is predictable and consistent. As long as we expect nothing but self serving BS we will not be dissappointed.
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