Gov. Patrick Appoints Paul Kirk as Kennedy Replacement
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Related subjects: Executive Powers, Healthcare Policy, U.S. Elections, U.S. news, U.S. Politics, Vote 2010 Comments (1)
The legislature of the state of Massachusetts has voted to grant Gov. Deval Patrick (D) the power to appoint an interim replacement for the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D). The move means the Democratic party will see its fragile 60-vote majority in the United States Senate restored, in time for crucial votes on healthcare reform this fall. Today, Gov. Patrick has named Paul Grattan Kirk, Jr. to the interim post.
Kirk worked for Sen. Kennedy in the 1970s, served as head of the Democratic National Committee two decades ago, from 1985 to 1989, and has served as chairman of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library Foundation. He is a close friend and confidant of the late Sen. Kennedy and has pledged not to seek election in the 19 January 2010 vote. He has also pledged “to carry on [Sen. Kennedy's] work on behalf of this great state.
He reminded his audience of the long years of service given by Sen. Kennedy and his involved and pro-active staff, adding that “We should always give thanks for Sen. Ted Kennedy and to pray for his peace”. It is expected Kirk will be confirmed and sworn in by tomorrow, so he can immediately get to work representing the interests of the people of Massachusetts.
The appointment is not only, as Mr. Kirk noted, the last wish of the late senator, but will give Democrats the 60th vote they need to possibly end stall tactics brought about by Republican opponents of healthcare reform, and achieve passage this year.
Republicans have been critical of the process, because Kennedy himself opposed allowing then Gov. Romney (R) to appoint a potential replacement for Sen. John Kerry (D), in 2004, should he have been elected president. But the key difference has generally been understood to be Kennedy’s belief, sensible to most citizens, that a replacement should not serve only until a special election and should represent the positions of the elected senator who is no longer able to serve.
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