Republicans balk at Kennedy proposal to change succession law

[undeterred]

Massachusetts Republicans spoke out today against a proposal by US Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who is battling brain cancer, under which Kennedy's Senate seat would be filled by an appointment by Democratic Governor Deval Patrick until a special election could be held.

House Minority Leader Brad Jones of Reading said the proposal was based not on "what's best for the whole Commonwealth but based on what's best for one political party." "The hypocrisy is astounding. If we had a Republican governor right now, would we be getting that same letter?" he said. “Everybody feels for Senator Kennedy, but the laws shouldn’t be created to benefit particular individuals, it should be principled,” said Senate minority leader Richard Tisei of Wakefield.

In a personal, sometimes wistful letter sent Tuesday to Patrick, Democratic Senate President Therese Murray, and Democratic House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, Kennedy, the ailing liberal lion, asked the leaders to change the succession law to guarantee that Massachusetts will not lack a Senate vote when his seat becomes vacant, the Globe reported this morning.

Kennedy's poignant acknowledgment of his mortality comes at a critical time in the national health care debate. Although Kennedy does not specifically mention his cancer or the health care debate raging in Washington, the implication of his letter is clear: He is trying to make sure that the leading cause in his life, better health coverage for all, advances in the event of his death.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/08/kennedy_urges_s.html

No state should have to wait 5-6 months for a Senator to be replaced, not under any circumstances.

[hedgehog]

1. I knew the bastards were running the clock out waiting for

Kennedy and Byrd to die!

[brendan120678]

2. The lawmakers decided back in 2004...

that they would rather have the seat remain vacant until a special election is held. I don't see a reason to try and change it again.

[sharp_stick]

3. Of couse they do

when the MA Democrats changed the law back in 2004 it was to try and prevent mittens from appointing a puke if Kerry won the Presidency. Now it's in the best interests of the pukes to maintain the law as is. I see no real, non-political, reason to change it back.

Flipping laws around every couple of years because it suits one party over the other is one of the real problems in our Republic.

This is one of the problems with forgetting that the party out of power will one day be in power.

[WI_DEM]

4. don't dems have overwhelming majority in legislature in MA? Just pass it.