WASHINGTON (CNN) - Sen. Ted Kennedy, who is battling brain cancer, is urging Massachusetts officials to change a law to allow for an immediate temporary replacement should a vacancy occur for one of his state's two Senate seats.
Under a 2004 Massachusetts law, a special election must be held 145 to 160 days after a Senate seat becomes vacant. The winner of that election would serve the remainder of a senator's unexpired term.
Kennedy, a Democrat who has represented Massachusetts in the Senate for nearly 47 years, was last re-elected in November 2006. His six-year term ends in January 2013.
In a letter to Gov. Deval Patrick and other state leaders, Kennedy said he supports the current law, "[b]ut I also believe it is vital for this Commonwealth to have two voices speaking for the needs of its citizens and two votes in the Senate during the approximately five months between a vacancy and an election."
Read: Kennedy's letter
Kennedy, 77, asks the governor and state leaders to "amend the law through the normal legislative process to provide for a temporary gubernatorial appointment until the special election occurs," according to the letter, dated July 2.
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Typical of Kennedy. One of his last acts may be to request a change in law for political benefits. A sad end to an even sadder political career.
Obviously, he is afraid of the electorate, especially if Congress rams Obamacare down our throats. This reaks of arrogance and power.... we might as well get used to it with the socialists in power.
"Please rush in a replacement who will vote for this boondoggle health care takeover bill." – Sen. Kennedy
Oh, and Ted...if you are so concerned about massachusetts having its rightful two voices, step down NOW and let the process begin. You have been an absentee senator long enough.
Has Teddy been to death counseling? The letter written by Teddy can only be for one reason, to deal with only one possibility. How soon does it take the "normal legislative process" to act?
Love it...so Kennedy wants to change the rules to be sure a fellow Democrat of like minded thinking is put in temporarily to ensure his healthcare vote. A corrupt Kennedy, never! Haha! The whole lot was crooked!
For the sake of bipartisanship Kennedy should be replaced by a Republican. His constituents deserve to see what a Republican can do for them.
typically, a kennedy would want to change the law to suit his needs.
God Bless you, Senator Kennedy, for continuing to fight for working Americans despite your cancer.
Rest assured, we WILL pass health care reform legislation this year – and I hope you will be there to cast your vote!
America would clearly be better off without the three muskrateers.., Kennedy, Bryd and progressively liberal healthcare reform.
Get that old son of a out of office. This is why term limits are so important to institute. 2 terms and out. Our forefathers never invisioned a senator serving over 47 years, it is sick.
Regardless of Ted Kennedy's errors in judgement in his personal life, his devotion to the cause of providing the health care he and his family can afford to all Americans is admirable. It has been the focus of his career, and it would be atragedy if he passes away without seeing some kind of progress in health care reform. Should that happen, I hope they see fit to re-name the appropriate legislation the Kennedy Healthcare Reform Act.
I wish you a miracle, Mr. Kennedy, I pray health care will pass for every American, Be Blessed.
God Bless Teddy!
I am campaigning for public option. Something that Senator Kennedy has fought for all his life. Let's do it also for him!
"Change the law for ME!!!"
What a DOLT!
typical to circumvent rules for political gain.
Definately not an obummer supporter and realize that both sides do these kind of things, (not to the extent of the obummer dimocrats), but it is still wrong.
Why doesn't your article mention that the in 2004 when the law was changed Mitt Romney was Governor? The reason the Democrats in Massachusetts changed the law was to make sure Romney could not appoint a Republican to John Kerry's seat if he won the Presidential election.
It is ridiculous that you would write this as though this were political business as usual. It's not. This is political hackery, and the Democrat Party once again abusing the system. In 2004 they changed the law because democracy needed to be served...in 2009 they want to change the law so that expedience can be served?
It's hypocritical and we should have seen it coming... thanks for NOT reporting the news CNN.
did his majesty support the change in filling a seat in 2004?
Why doesn;t he resign since he obviously cannot fulfill his duties as Senator?
every bill that Ted Kennedy ever touched – touched all of us. Wish him well!
Give him a pill and send him home , Right obama ?
complete and utter bull crap.
the dems changed this when they had a Republican governor
they made the bed, they need to suck it up and live by their own rules
besides, at his age and health, Kennedy is not really serving anyway....
Of course he urges stacking the deck with his wife or crony, you can't buy your way to heaven with good intentions Teddy. I will not be surprised as it sure seems that the Kennedy's still have control over ALL Democrats in Massachusetts!
.....nearly 47 years. Almost unpresidented proof that there needs to be term limits to avoid this type of runaway career politicos. Two terms, do what you can and get out! If you can't fix it in 12 years, you are never going to fix it in 47.