I, like many of you, wish Ted Kennedy could serve as our Senator pretty much in perpetuity. However, we all know that is not the case.
Today, the Globe says Kennedy will miss the final stimulus vote in the senate.
The Massachusetts Democrat is continuing his treatment and physical rehabilitation, and Democrats don’t need his vote for final passage, spokeswoman Melissa Wagoner said Friday.
Kennedy plans to travel between Florida and Washington for future Senate business “until the weather gets warmer here,” Wagoner said.
Kennedy made it to vote in a more crucial 60-votes-needed roll call earlier in the week for the bill, but to care for his health has to pick and choose when he makes the trips to DC.
Unfortunately, I forsee a good deal more close votes that need 60 ayes to pass. With 58 (59 if Franken is ever sworn in) Dems and a small number of Republicans and Democrats who are likely to swing depending on the issue, every vote is critical.
I obviously am not privy to the Senator’s up-to-date health status, and I believe Kennedy would go through pretty much anything to be where he needs to be to cast his vote. But the likelihood of him simply not being able to get to DC for a vote probably increases the longer he stays in the seat.
So I ask: Would it be best for the party, for the Senate, and for Massachusetts if he stepped down now and let us find a successor who we could be confident would be able to make it to DC whenever he or she was needed?
Even before his current health problems surfaced I was wondering if this term should be his last. When he sought re-election in 2006 I felt that his age was starting to show. However, I hope he can make it to 2012, mostly so he can make it to an even 50 years since he was first elected to a partial term in 1962 to fill his brother’s vacancy.
but as much as symbolism can be great, we really need the votes in the Senate. I have to think that it may be getting close to time for him to retire and focus on his health. He can still be an effective advocate on issues of importance away from the Senate chambers. If he’d like to stay on to see a health care bill, though, I think his presence in such a situation would be worth a few months of ineffectiveness – but after that, he’s achieved so much that he can retire safe with the knowledge that he’s been one of the most effective and best Senators of all time, a fitting tribute to his family.
Where I said about sports “I always root for the old guy, the veteran”. I am no fan of Ted but here humanity enters the equation and trumps politics. Let him stay as long as he wishes. No need to say why.
The initial test vote (61-37) on the stimulus was the critical vote. Senator Kennedy was there and appears ready to be there for other critical votes, even while addressing his health issues.
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p>The question that needs to be asked is: What can we do to assist and support Senator Kennedy as he continues to represent working women and men in the U.S. Senate?
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p>One man’s opinion – Senator Kennedy has more than earned the right to continue the term the strong majority of Massachusetts voters elected him to serve.
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p>When he leaves the Senate it will be a sad day in this country.
When another senator needs to rush back after waking/burying his mother, It’s time to go. BTW: I like Ted.