Talk of Edward Kennedy’s successor is rampant in Washington and Massachusetts today. The Lion of the Left has signaled to the Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick and legislature that his days are numbered and he wants political favors now.
For Whom the Bell Tolls: Edward Kennedy’s Successor
This is a Right Pundits open talk thread where you can talk about Ted Kennedy’s successor or anything else you like today. Ironically, Ted Kennedy’s signature fight has been not just for the underclass in America, but more specifically for universal health-care. He has been a staunch advocate of a single-payer solution for three decades.
And why is this ironic? Because the reality of mortality indicates that he may not be present for the most important vote of his career on his signature legislative agenda. Senator Edward Kennedy’s successor may be the one to cast the deciding vote in a historic roll call vote on the Senate floor. Read about his dilemma here and here and here.
According to Massachusetts succession law, Edward Kennedy’s successor is not appointed immediately by the governor of his state. Unlike most states, the state constitution requires that a special election be held to determine a new senator. So in the typical shenanigans of a Washington politian conducting business as usual in unusual circumstances, he made a naked political pitch to governor Deval Patrick. Said Kennedy’s letter:
“I am now writing to you about an issue that concerns me deeply — the continuity of representation for Massachusetts should a Senate vacancy occur,’’ he says, adding: ‘‘As I look ahead, I am convinced that enabling the governor to fill a Senate vacancy through an interim appointment followed by a special election would best serve the people of our Commonwealth and country should a vacancy occur.”
Would that not be a dagger in the heart of liberals if Ted Kennedy’s ghost is unable to deliver the 60th vote needed to break a filibuster in the U.S. Senate, merely because of state constitutional considerations?
Of course there is one person who never had a successor, and that is Mary Jo Kopechne who a drunken Ted Kennedy left dead in a moonlit river so many years ago. We don’t think her family has much sympathy for the Edward Kennedy succession plan.
Ted Kennedy recognizes the juxtaposed position that his frail body is in today. He wrote the governor asking for an expedited change in the law so that Edward Kennedy’s successor could be named opportunistically to favor his agenda.
That’s how politicians think, but what do our readers think?
Edward Kennedy’s Successor (Video)
Photo Credit: Ragesoss
August 21st, 2009 at 2:08 am
I wonder how Kennedy would have done under the health care system he has supported? Oh, never mind, he has enough money that he can pay out of pocket for what he needs. The health care system he supports certainly wouldn’t have paid for the expensive care he’s received for a terminal illness. He’d have been dead long before now if his care had depended on the ‘death panel’.
At one point he named his wife, Victoria Kennedy, as his successor. I guess someone let him know that he couldn’t do that. I bet it pains him to have to function within the law here at the end of his life.
August 21st, 2009 at 2:10 am
I was going to suggest Mary Jo Kopechne, but I see you already did in your article. Too bad she’s not available.
One has to wonder what facing her again will be like for Teddy. One also wonders what kind of ‘naked political pitch’ he’s made to the Almighty (or how much he’s paid the Catholic Church) to save his soul.
August 21st, 2009 at 3:15 am
What a horrible example you set by blaspheming a man in this way. We are all going to die some day, you too. May your associates bombard you with such hateful rhetoric when you too become too frail to respond.
August 21st, 2009 at 3:26 am
Too frail to respond? The guy’s still trying to manipulate the system with one foot in the grave.
I bet he filibusters when St. Peter refuses to open the gate.
August 21st, 2009 at 3:48 am
Indeed St. Pete won’t be opening the gate for this killer. He was able to get a free ride in life because he is a Kennedy with money. Where he’s going when dead, that doesn’t count. Think your suffering now Teddy? Wait till you die.
August 21st, 2009 at 4:52 am
You people are really sick and vindictive and its all over politics. Let the man alone and give up your hatred. He has done some bad things in his life but a lot of good too. Are you folks such haters that you will let this consume your lives? I guess so… It amazes me that some of you must be so proud of your own vacant lives to take such pleasure from writing such vile things…. and you presume to be God in judging him…. shame on you losers who could never defeat him at the polls….
August 21st, 2009 at 4:55 am
As a born again Christian, it is not my place to judge Senator Kennedy. As a person, I have never been a supporter of most of the Kennedy policies dating back to the 1950’s. What happened between Mary Jo Kopechne and Senator Kennedy is very tragic and for this and many other sins, Senator Kennedy will have to answer to God.
As I opened this statement, I am a born again Christian and pray for the eternal soul of Senator Kennedy. I do not want to see any person end up in Hell because they rejected the love of Jesus Christ.
August 21st, 2009 at 5:03 am
Typical kennedy. Trying to manipulate the law, again. Changed it once for his benefit, trying to change it again for his benefit. Politicians are never about the people, especially rich ones who never held a real job. The trouble with our country is people like the kennedys who spend 40+ years in congress. Never a chance for a change. It’s always about me and my party, never the people. Worse yet are the people who keep electing peopel like the kennedys. Mass also has that other stellar political figure, barney frank. Another one that never held a real job. Protected by his gov’t status, trying to tell everyone else what they should do. And we all though Mass was a bastion of democracy. What a laugh. Maybe the British should have won.
August 21st, 2009 at 5:27 am
If I remember correctly, r hunter, it was Teddy Kennedy who not too long was beating on a podium calling then President Bush a liar.
I thought it was both sick and vindictive and it too was all over politics. And as Teddy Kennedy tried to gain political advantage, our troops were dying.
I will not feign sympathy for Ted Kennedy when he passes. He put his hunger for power and his political agenda over and above the welfare of many.
August 21st, 2009 at 5:32 am
Ted Kennedy has gull. Her wants to change the law to please him. He a typical liberal. Wants everything his way. We do not change laws just to please one man. Tell him to get over it and hold an election to replace him.
August 21st, 2009 at 5:34 am
Ted Kennedy never should have been allowed to condinue in public office because of his actions back in 1969. While he didn’t outright murder her, his actions and inactions surely caused her death.
Only the Kennedy robber baron money kept him out of jail and in political office. And I’m not being vindictive like some of those holier than thou posters who have written before me, I’m an average and honest man who was born and raised in Massachusetts.
If I had done those same things as Ted Kennedy, it’s quite certain that I would have done time for manslaughter.
What’s good for the rest of us sure wasn’t good enough for the Kennedy clan. His family money made sure of that.
August 21st, 2009 at 5:52 am
I am an independent in MA who does not bow to the Kennedy name. I appreciate their commitment to public service, but, why does he think he is above the law. There are laws in place, just recently passed by the MA legislature to address such issues…. we can’t pass laws every time a law means our position or desires are refused… the same people wanting to make an exception here are the same ones passing the law to make it impossible….. what a flip flop!!! Where is the LEADERSHIP? I hope Deval recognizes the insanity of this….
August 21st, 2009 at 5:59 am
Romney should run for senate and I think he would win.
August 21st, 2009 at 6:23 am
ted kennedy is scum.
August 21st, 2009 at 6:27 am
Rasmussen:
31%/39% strongly
49%/50% overall
Once the snapshot refreshes, I will update.
Frank
August 21st, 2009 at 6:35 am
Kennedy is not asking for a favor, he is making sure that when he departs from the office, the people and the country won’t have to wait for 3 months to fill the seat. Put a good, smart republican in who gives a rats. If you reda then you would know he wants the governer to appoint a senator and hold the seat until there is an election. The person appointed agrees, they will not run for the open seat. Sounds like the people continue to have representation without a black out period. This sounds intelligent. If this were Moses the law giver saying this and he was a democrat, they would attack him too.
August 21st, 2009 at 6:39 am
16 – What dies the law say? Does it say that the governor can appoint a placeholder? If it does then go ahead. If it doesn’t then have the election. I would assume that there is an existing method in place to do this, just follow it.
August 21st, 2009 at 6:46 am
Joe, It was Ted Kennedy who led the charge to change the rules back in ‘04 when it looked like then Republican Governor, Mitt Romney would name the successor to John Kerry’s seat had he won the presidency.
Now because it would be to the political advantage of the Democrats, he wants to change the rules again.
There have been many occasions in the recent past where seats have remained vacant for a period of time. Why should it be different now.
August 21st, 2009 at 7:06 am
We the people continue to elect the Ted Kennedy”s to political office. The system of senority in the legislature causes most of our problems. Once they get in the people of thier districts send them back every cycle. Untill this practice is discontinued we will see more of the same.
August 21st, 2009 at 7:06 am
Shouldn’t be hard to find a replacement to fill the shoes of Ted Kennedy. There are plenty democrats with the same “morals” of this alley cat!
August 21st, 2009 at 7:16 am
Gee,
Where will the left find another Gin-soaked liberal to take his place? (looks behind him) Oh! … Never mind! Seems to be an endless supply.
August 21st, 2009 at 7:26 am
Gee – when Mitt Romney was in office the dems put this into place so that they could get their chance to fill any vacancies should a rep. leave office; now the shoe in on the other foot and the dems are not as likely to get another one of themselves to replace Sen. Kennedy. Interesting how the laws get changed when the ball is not in the right court.
August 21st, 2009 at 7:51 am
Sorry Teddy, I have to agree with the majority here. We can’t change the laws for one person, I hope the governor realizes that.
August 21st, 2009 at 8:02 am
It figures that after Mr Kennedy worked to change the rules on getting open seats filled in vacancy situations, that now that his own seat will be available he wants to change them back.
August 21st, 2009 at 8:20 am
yes, isn’t it ironic and hypocritical and “transparent” (new democratic rally word. but the true meaning of transparency has not been lost on the rest of us “un- patriotic americans” who dare to exercise their right of free speech!). Sadly, there will be many more such candidates to continue on his road of arrogance, manipulation and deception. and in this liberal state, does a republican stand a chance??? i watch in dismay… hopefully the law will be upheld and he won’t get his way for once….