I understand it would be difficult for a temporary Senator who’s definitely not running again to have much gravitas or influence. However, let’s be realistic – a temporary appointee worried about retaining the seat would be pretty distracted as well.
This plan would allow Massachusetts to still have a voice and a vote on critical legislation. And, most importantly, it would not allow someone to use an appointment to gain a critical incumbent’s leg up in the upcoming special election.
Open Massachusetts Senate seats are, as we know, extraordinarily rare. Voters should have the right to choose from available candidates who are all on an equal footing before the public, instead of allowing one to have an incumbent’s advantage via appointment.
Please share widely!
Mike Dukakis
Governor Dukakis would be an indeal candidate for an interim appointment.
I first suggested it over at the oldest post discussing the possibility of changing the law as Sen. Kennedy requested. Frankly I think that the MA Dems did the right thing for the wrong (political reasons) in 04 and the GOP voted for the right amendment (temporary gov appointment) and the Dems voted against it for the wrong reasons. But if everyone could come together and simply write this in stone that in the event of a Senate vacancy the gov can appoint a temporary replacement while a special election is called for 145 days immediately after the vacancy that would both ensure proper representation and ensure an immediate democratic vote on such a replacement.
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p>Frankly I am against officially barring someone from running for re-election but under these circumstances find that Mike Dukakis and other former elected officials might be great picks for this seat since they will have no interest in running in the long term. In theory though I’d have nothing against temporary replacement running in the future just not for this seat (to avoid nepotism).
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p>The Duke fighting for healthcare would be a sight to see. Also whether or not the seat is filled before the special election, our states senior senator, John Kerry should step up to the plate of his mentor and out of his shadow and really deliver on getting healthcare with a public option passed as a real legacy. Frankly it is high time for him to stop being a back bencher who ran for President and start becoming a real Senator.
Governor Dukakis would be an awesome interim appointment, I hope the lege approves the change and Governor Patrick makes the apointment.
Could at at least wait until the body is enterred? You people are sickening.
Sen Kennedy started this discussion himself because it’s so important to get the seat filled.
Isn’t Rachel Maddow a Mass resident?
…but I’m not sure you can legally require it. For what it’s worth I also like the Dukakis idea.
Why can’t you play with the dates?
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p>Candidate Signatures due N days after vacancy.
Governor makes appointment N+1 days after vacancy.
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p>Done. Vacancy cut from five months to one month, no Constitutional crisis.
Or a senior staffer from Kennedy’s office.