(CNN) - Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said Wednesday he is in favor of a change in state law supported by the late Sen. Ted Kennedy that would allow him to appoint an interim replacement to fill the state's vacant Senate seat.
Under current Massachusetts law, a special election must be held 145 to 160 days after a Senate seat becomes vacant, with the winner serving the remainder of the former senator's unexpired term.
"I believe that the senator's request to permit the governor to appoint someone to serve for that five months until a special election was entirely reasonable," Patrick said in an interview with Boston radio station WBUR. "I think particularly now when you think about the momentous change legislation that is pending in the Congress today, Massachusetts needs two voices. "
Asked if he would push the state legislature to make that change, Patrick said he would, and that he would sign the bill into law.
Last week, Kennedy - who died Tuesday at age 77 after serving nearly five decades in the Senate - urged that the law be changed to allow the governor to appoint a temporary replacement until the special election can be held.
From CNN Politics
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Good! We need that 60th Democrat to get things done against the idiocy of the Republican hate machine. This is a good development for sure.
Hypocrisy at its greatest. The man hasn't even been buried yet.
Shame on you Deval Patrick !
What a shocker! So Kennedy started the special election and now a dem governor is in office its, lets change it for ol' teddy. This makes me sick.
So the Governor is willing to change the law so that he himself can appoint someone rather than having an election. What a bunch of crap.
By the way, in Minnesota we only had one voice for 6months until Frankin could finnaly steal his Senate seat and we did just fine.
Have an election and quit the crazy talk about changing the long standing law.
The Dems changed the law to favor their status in 2004, now they want to change it back to push their agenda; what a slap in the face to America!!
All politics aside, I think it is perfectly reasonable for a governor to appoint a temporary Senator - otherwise a state loses representation for several months.
Yes!!! Kennedy spent 50 years of his life serving his country in the Senate, the crowning glory of his career would've been the passage of healthcare reform. Let the state of Massachusetts at least vote the way Kennedy would've voted in regards to this issue.
And this is news? He's a Democrat. He loves President Obama. He obviously would love to ingratiate himself with the President and the Kennedy family by making the right choice for Senator Kennedy's successor. What other position would he possibly take?
And, if worse comes to worse and his approval rating keeps sinking even after this announcement, he could just appoint himself to the seat.
People can call it whatever they want, but Ted Kennedy is the most influential Senator of our time, and definitely one of the most respected politicians of our time. I know some people hate all things liberal, but I really wish people would let this one go.
a reasonable request
When there was a repub. gov. and Kerry might have been elected, Kennedy made a huge deal that we can not allow a gov. to replace the senator (because he'd replace with a repub.) now that a Dem. is the gov. and he knew he wasn't going to live much longer and there would be an open seat, he didn't want to risk an election, so let the dem. gov. replace me, hypocracy at its finest
Very good. Those of us who have worked minimum wage, or barely above, most of our lives and have never asked for a handout are in a "war" against the Republicans who are funded by the Major Insurance Companies in this country. We need every voice we can get.
Thank you Governor.
The death of Senator Ted Kennedy is a great loss to Massachusetts, the Senate, the USA and the World. I support changing the law to appoint someone to represent Massachusetts for the next five months. Full representation is necessary now.
How dare they adjust the law to suit their agenda. If there was a Republican in the govenor's seat you wouldn't hear about this at all. They'd fight to keep it vacant. Someone needs to stop these democrats before they run roughshod over the country and destroy every law in the face of their liberal agendas.
Hoisted on their own petard!
You made the rules, Democrats, now stick to them.
Wow – I guess it's the new "thing" to simply CHANGE laws which are inconvenient rather than FOLLOWING the law?
Until the law gets changed.... Mass should be REQUIRED to hold an election as stated under current laws at THIS TIME.
Does Roland Burris have a brother in Massachusettes?
From what I understand, Patrick isn't very popular. Besides, he'd probably just appoint someone whose last name is Kennedy.
Liberals change the laws to suit liberals and screw the hard working tax payer for the benefit of the non working dope smokers , ACORN and the unions Massachusetts, heavily in debt because of the liberals and the unions is a great example. Lie, cheat and steal. Go libs.
We're democrats. We don't make laws because they are the right thing to do. We make laws because they suit our purposes at the time........and then we change them when they NO LONGER suit our purposes. WHAT A BUNCH OF CORRUPT SELF-SERVING HYPOCRITES!!
Massachusetts, why not just strike out all your laws and not be bothered with having to change them at your whims to suit your purposes? What the devil kind of democracy is that?
Corruption is thy name Massachusetts.
oh OK, i get it. Rules only apply to Republicans. Democrats can do whatever they like as long as they blame it on their agenda.
When Patrick loses re-election because he's destroying RomneyCare make sure you change the law back because you wouldn't want a Republican being seated by a Republican governor now.
The Democrats make me sick.
The Kennedy legacy lives! Change the laws to suit your own needs!
Watch, the Dems are excited to use Ted's death as a rallying cry for their health care garbage bill!
Pathetic
Come on this is so silly, the LAW is the LAW so follow it! Gov. Patrick you took an OATH to uphold MA laws so do it.
Yet another LIB trying to play GOD
so let's review...............they want to honor a great legislator by pulling off a scam like this,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,well...they are democrats
Given the cost of a special election it seems perfectly reasonable to appoint someone. Besides, MA is it's own state and the residents are the ones to decide if the legislature is not acting in their best interest.
Of course he wants it changed! Can you imagine if the Gov were still a Republican & he suggested that??? There would be a huge fit from the liberals saying how the republican is trying to bypass the law!
Look at these stupid Republicans who believe in party over Country. Nothing but traitors and hippies who do not want to pay their taxes.
The Constituion of the US trumps the Mass Constitution, maybe Glenn Beck did not tell you that but it is true. It is also true that it specifically says 2 senators at all times. Maybe Rush Limbaugh forgot to tell you that so you would be pissed off at the Mass governor proposing to change stte law.
Nothing but phonies in the Repub party and I cant wait for when they lose more seats in the midterms for being traitors.
This is just unbelievable...it must be nice to be in a position to change laws whenever it's convenient to suit a parties needs or agenda's. Where do go from here? We're losing our structure and grounding a little at a time.
Typical political tactics, change the law to suit your needs. Last time they had an open seat, kennedy wanted the law changed the other way because they had a repub gov in office.
The Height Of Hypocrisy!
After the Repubs forced Minnesota to go without a senator while Coleman had a hissy fit, of course they want to make sure another seat is vacant for 5 months or so.
Let me see if I've got this straight; the state governor used to be able to make an appointment to fill the vacant seat ,but in 2004, at the bequest of Senator Kennedy, that law was changed to call for a special election within 5 months specifically so that the governor could NOT make an appointment to fill the vacancy. Now the governor would support a change back to the old law to allow the governor to make an appointment to fill the vacancy just as he supported the change in law to NOT allow the governor to make an appointment to fill the vacancy when Romney , a Republican, was governor. I wonder what makes things so different now; oh yeah, the governor now is a Democrat. Hey, why not just change the law to NOT allow any Republicans to hold elected office in the state? It would save everyone the trouble of those bothersome free elections. No such thing as a level playing field in Massachusetts.
Imagine the outcry if Republicans wanted to change the law depending on the situation. They passed this law so Romney couldn't make an appointment. They need to live with it and have a special election.
Great! The Repugnants can bleat all they want. We all know they would (and do) use very dirty trick in the book to get their agenda through. This time is too important to let the obstructionists block the critial health care reform that is imminent
I think this is perfectly reasonable. This appointee would only be serving until a special election is held. No state should be without both of their representatives at any time.
Also, Kennedy was going to vote in favor of healthcare reform, so its only natural that an appointee who will vote the same way (as a duely appointed representative of the people of Massachusetts. ) be allowed to carry his vote.
Honestly, the way you republicans are spinning this is just sickening.
They must have gotten advice from their friend Hugo Chavez. Change the law to accomodate your socialist agenda.
What an arrogant, selfish move. Changing the law again (Dems changed it from what they now want only 5 years ago) simply for partisan politics is an offense to sensibility and again demonstrates how low political parties and politicians will sink to further their own interests. The late Senator Kennedy was not going to make most of the votes anyway, so his absence makes no practical difference in counting the votes. Thus, if this law is changed, Govenor Patrick will have to appoint someone who "guarantees" how he/she will vote before being sworn in. Shame of the Dems for even suggesting this. This again illustrates what is wrong with politics today. How about passing Health Reform legislation that can garner 75 votes or more votes in the Senate versus some "cram it down their throats because we know what's good for them" partisan crap that simply pays back constituencies and donors that support one party or another.
Only republicans would argue AGAINST a state having its full voice in the Senate.
Of course, were things the other way around, they would be defending this type of action.
Go on and whine, crybabies. It'll change nothing. Maybe you can organize a "teabagging" or try and disrupt some townhall meetings over it. Get a life and try to do something constructive for this country you sore losers.
Who here honestly thinks that if Kerry had won in 2004, Romney would have appointed a Democrat to replace him in the Senate...as would be 100% obvious to anyone being honest would have been the will of the people of MA? If you do, you are a moron.
BTW, there's no way you can define it as corruption: it may be a gloriously shining example of political maneuvering (for which the GOP is of course very angry because they got outplayed), but it's all perfectly legal and has to pass the MA state legislature to come to fruition. I guarantee you that the vast majority of residents in MA want two votes regarding the health care issue.
A governor in Illinois decided there...and look what we got! Patrick should
mind his business and leave the law alone. Now is not the time to play
petty partisan games; it's time to mourn ...and heal.
use your head people this admin. is killing this country health care is NOT A RIGHT it is a commodity to be purchesd by the indivdual like any other insurance poiicy. tkae responsibility for yourself and quit trying to have someone else pay your bills
The article should mention that the law was changed to its current form a only 5 years ago when Romney was Govenor and John Kerry was running for President. They changed the law so if Kerry was elected, Romney couldn't make a special appointment. Now they want to change it back? I don't live there, but you guys that do... please vote the corruption out.
Just like everything in the Government domain. Wonder why the majority of Americans do NOT TRUST their government to provide health care. They are too busy changing laws to suit their personal agendas. At least NASCAR drivers wear their sponsor's names on their jackets. We need Term Limits for all public officials.
But knowing politics, they will probably replace this Kennedy with another one from the "royal" line.
Just like a democrat. Change the rules to your benefit and screw everyone else. Typical....
The state’s Democrats are in the awkward position of being asked to reverse their own 2004 vote to keep vacant Senate seats empty until a special election.
Until that year, Massachusetts law had called for the governor to appoint a temporary replacement if a Senate seat became vacant. But when Senator John Kerry, a Democrat, was running for president in 2004, the Democrat-controlled State Legislature wanted to deny the governor at the time — Mitt Romney, a Republican — the power to name a successor if Mr. Kerry won. The resulting law requires a special election within 145 to 160 days after the vacancy occurs.
This type of idiotic political behavior seems to be business as usual in the Democratic party these days. But it's not to be unexpected, the President is a child of the Chicago political machine. This is not the Democratic party of the 60's 70's 80's and 90's. This Democtatic party is ridded with corruption and self serving politicians that only care about themselvs. It's a shame and does not serve justice to the many good democrats that served the country in the past.
Change the law once to prevent Romney from appointing a Republican, then change it back to ensure the appointment of a Democrat by Patrick. Wouldn't want the common folk actually expressing a different opinion.
This is what you have become, Democrats. Question is, do you care?
What ever happened to Democracy? Let the people vote their own representative into office instead of appointing a liberal lap dog. If having 59 Democrat Senators and control of the House of Representatives on top of a Democrat president isn't enough to pass the Democrats' agenda then maybe they should take another look at what they are trying to pass. You'd think that reaching across the aisle might involve convincing at least one GOP Senator to vote for a bill, wouldn't you?
GOV PATRICK TRY FOLLOWING THE LAW
Oh thats rich after we are learning Bush Cheney and the Republican congress BROKE THE LAWS in more ways then one gotta love it besides mass doesnt want a Republican Senator you really think the People of MA Will replace Sen Kennedy with a Republican KEEP DREAMING!
When you need 60 to pass your bill, your bill isn't worth passing.
When you change a law to suit the way the wind is blowing....well, that's called being a Democrat.
How come the Republicans never needed 60 to pass a bill? They had far less of a majority from 2001-06 then the Dems have now.
All we hear about from the Dems is what a disaster the past 8 years were. The truth is, the Dems were right there the whole time.
The "fix" is good to go
I can smell the stink of Gov Patrick and his plan all the way out West! But it's just like the democrats to change everything as the wind blows. That's what Obama has been trying to do since he was elected but he's finding out that on-the-job-training is tough work when you're under a microscope all the time. The democrats didn't want Kennedy as their man, and chose Carter instead. One-term and out. They didn't want Hillary and chose Obama. One-term and out. Massachusetts has too many good people I'm sure, but they really need to look at what they're doing to themselves.
oh and just so you repubs know!!!!!! Your previous governor Mitt Romney implemented this law in the first place when John Kerry was running for office in 2004, not a democrat but a republican gov. So this happens more then you think, the law should have been changed back originally
How much does he want to appoint me to the senate for the remainder of kennedy's term?
They JUST changed the law to benefit themselves a few years ago, now they want to change it back what a bunch of crap...
Should have figured that the good old demo's would change the law for themselves but if it were the repub they would start the oh no we can't do that it's not right and against the law to try and change that
There is only one thing left to say is
GOS HELP US ALL WE ARE GOING TO NEED IT FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a bunch of weasels on both sides of the gorvernment
Are we to believe the same man who was too sick to attend his own sister's funeral 2 weeks ago was so concerned about maintaining the Democratic senate majority that he made this special request of the governor last week? Please excuse me if I seem skeptical.
Absent a valid or logical argument, using emotionally charged arguments to justify changing exisiting law is a tried and true left wing tactic. After all, the end justifies the means.
The problem is that the law differ from state to state. There should be a national uniform law that would address the current issue that exist in Massachusetts. Most states allow the Governor to select an interim senator in in case of death; therefore, it makes no difference if the Governor is a Democrat or a Republican. Some of the comments listed here is a cleas display of ignorance.
Much as I'd like to see a Dem in office quickly, I think it's a poor idea to change the law. Were the departing Senator and the Governor of different parties, this could play havoc in the Senate.
Let the people speak with their votes, as soon as practicality allows.
This is crazy. When a Republican was Gov he wanted it changed to special election and now with a Dem Gov they want to change it back to special appointment. How about analyzing the proper way to do it and choose not changing based on who is in office. Its nice to see the Dems shifting what they believe in based on what suits them not what is the right way to handle it. If its proper now for the Gov to appoint someone it should have been proper when it was a Repub Gov, it it wasnt good enough then its shouldnt be now.
Can't believe how brazen and crooked the Dems are. This is the most hypocritical move I've seen yet out of the party. If they're still in existence after 2012 I'd be amazed.
Is there anything that makes Republicans happy??? They grumble about everthing. Let's keep our eye on the ball. People are perishing because of the bickering. We have all had to make concessions over the years. IF our children have a mounting debt to pay, they will rise to the ocassion...we did! That's who we are.
What this has been reduced to is nit-picking. For all we as a nation have been through, we have survived. Health care will make us stronger in all ways. No one is expendable. We are One Nation Under God...Indivisable (that means undivided)...So let's get back to what is on the table now.
Replace Barney Frank while your at it
Democrats trying to change the rules to serve there power. They need to focus on doing what the people want not what makes them more powerful. The rules say a special election and anything but a special election will look like abuse of power. The law suits would keep it tied up for months.....just do the election and stop trying to manipulate the government for power ....this type of stuff is exactly why we don't trust the government to be involved in our healthcare.
I love the Kennedy's but you can't just change set laws for particular cases, isn't that what Bush tried to do.
So, when a republican was governor, Teddy asked that they make it so the governor could not appoint a replacement senator? Now that a democrat is governor he wanted it changed back? Hypocrisy much? This is absurd. Any liberal that thinks there is merit in this type of politics should do me a favor. Move out of my country. You are pert of the problem. Also, to those that post things such as "Republicans who are funded by the Major Insurance Companies", and "idiocy of the Republican hate machine" are so immature and childish. Name calling? Really? Hey I can do it too?...let's see...what can I write?... Oh, I know. Democrats love killing babies (wait, that won't work, it is true ). I got it. Democrats love to promote failure and punish success ( Wait, another truthful statement ). Democrats promote racism with policies such as affirmative action ( yet another truth ). Democrats love to be thrifty with your money and read every bill they pass....lol. Finally, I got it right! hahaha.
Not if Mitt Romney has anything to say about it!
Barack Obama and his chicago cronies would be proud!!!
Rules are for Republicans.
Circumventing Rules are for Democrats!
Why have laws if you only change them to suit your current desires.
Those who are against this should know that governor is filling a democrats seat which is selected by voters of Massachusetts.
When I left Massachusetts, I didn't know that the Commonwealth would elect a man like Deval Patrick. Well, this is what this state gets: more debt, more taxes, and a more authoritarian government. I know the Democrats say they are the "party of the people" except when they believe they can appoint someone better.
Anyways, this state is a microcosm of what Pres. Obama wants and believes in. Health Care that crushes the government's spending, more tax burden, and more authority to the head of state to bypass the constituents.
If I remember correctly, Kennedy advocated a provision that whoever was appointed could not run to fill that seat when the special election were held. I think this would allow the state of Massachusetts to have the representation they deserve while maintaining the intent of the original law. I see nothing wrong with that.
Are there politics at work here? Probably – but that's the name of the game, after all – politics.
Gov Patrick – follow the law!
Shame on you if you don't!
This deal gets funnier and funnier. It could be a sitcom but it's too strange to be believable.
this is a message to all sitting Democratic govenors.
CHANGE YOUR LAWS TO SUIT YOUR VIEWS.
You hear this Govenor Manchin. Robert Byrd's not getting any younger. CHANGE YOUR LAWS to suit the Democrats whims.
Kennedy is the one who want to change so the governor couldn't appoint a replacement when it was a Republican who was appointing the seat. Now they want to repeal it so a Democrat can appoint whoever. Maybe they know that the Republican will likely win in a special election to stop the socialize take over by Obama.
Now, you right-wingers are concerned with law and order and playing by the rules. Where were these speeches when Holder announced he was going after the law breakers that spent the past 8 years torturing people?
Massachusetts just changed the law from letting the Governor appoint the replacement to filling a vacancy wiht a special election. Now they have a new Democratic Governor so they are changing it again. Isn't ping-ponging your laws based on which party the Governor belongs to a little corrupt? Like 3rd world country corrupt?
Yeh ; bend ,twist and break the law all in the pursuit of liberal power!
Well since I am against this proposed health care handout, I hope that Mass sticks to their law and does not change the law every time it suits them!! We can not afford the plan with our $9 trillion dollar deficit looming and the majority of Americans do not want it!!!
I wish all the conservatives here would stop getting their panties in a twist. It's Massachusetts. However Senator Kennedy's replacement comes about, he or she will be a Democrat. I'm for sooner rather than later, as there is important work to be done. We MUST pass serious health care reform now.
Amazing how democrats are so very willing to change laws for political gain.
Shameful. Vote the entire lot out in 2010.
Oh, come on. If this was a Republican, no one would even look at the law, they would just appoint someone of their choosing. Kinda the way Bush and Cheney run their administration. Bush would look at Cheney and say what should we do? Cheney would reply, whatever we want. Bush might say, isn't their a law against that? Cheney would just say......so, we'll just do what we want anyway.
I'd like to see a surrogate for Senator Kennedy be allowed to vote for improved health care coverage, which it seems is something that Massachusetts would favor.
I'm ashamed to live in MA. This is some of the most corrupt bull I have ever heard. Any honest person would not have flip flopped when the law became inconvenient, but Kennedy was on the way out door when he hatched this plot so he wouldn't have to deal with it when he's gone. I'm surprised the Democrats even took this idea seriously. If they are confident enough to try to reverse this law that they made just a few years ago, they should be confident enough to win the public election.
so let's see. when romney possibly could have appointed a republican to replace an open spot before 2004 the dems decide that the rule was not a good one so they change it so that it now requires for a special election to fill an open seat. now that they need a seat held by one of their bullwarks becomes vacant, the democratic governor decides that the rule is not good, so he's willing to change it AGAIN.
this is a clear case of political expediency. if the current law requires a special election let that be the mechanism that is used to fill the open seat. if a republican governor were making this move, all hell would already be breaking loose on the left. someone ought to remind the dems of the old saying, 'be careful what you (ask) for..." in this case they asked for a change of rule and now that change can actually end up hurting them.
Why are all the republicans against this didn't Bush and Chaney do the same thing while in office. We'll just change it to suit our needs.
Massachusetts can change the law as much as they want. the same holds fo rany other state.
I hope the law will revert to temporary appointment. Massachusetts needs two votes for health care insurance reform.
"You'd think that reaching across the aisle might involve convincing at least one GOP Senator to vote for a bill, wouldn't you?"
Not when all that ever happens is your hand getting slapped. Nobody with a brain in their head believes for a second that the GOP intended to capitulate to overtures of bipartisanship received from a black liberal Democrat POTUS or a Dem supermajority in both houses of Congress (let alone both at the same time), so you can dry your crocodile tears, get back in the GOP clown car and drive off into the sunset.
Yesterday, there was a story about an investigation to see if any laws were broken when the previous administration (Bush/Cheney) condoned and steadfastly pursued the practice of torture. The republican posters came on and started telling us how it was patriotic to break the law, how we didn't have to conform to existing laws.
Now many of those same morons are back, this time telling us that we need to follow the law.
I'm fine with a special election, per law. But some of you republican retards need to get more consistant. Your bias is evident, and as such, your opinion is void.
After what we saw in Illinois and New York for Senate seats, I would want to be able to vote for the successor. Any other way and they're not representing the people.
"Amazing how democrats are so very willing to change laws for political gain."
Changing it requires following legal legislative procedures. That is 100% preferably to simply ignoring it and doing what you want anyway like the GOPers.
lol...typical democrats......always lying, cheating and stealing. The corruption never ends with the shameless democrats.
How many times do the Democrats have to cheat the system under the radar?
Somehow the GOP "stole" both of GWB's election victories, right? Right.
But the flip-flopping of this rule back and forth to secure and extra Senate seat isn't any worse? Really?
Just a few years ago, Massachusetts legislators voted to take power away from their governor, who happened to be Republican. Now they're voting to give back power to a governor who happens to be Democrat.
Disgusting politics that should not be tolerated by anybody. Vote this governor out, vote these legislators out.
ok so conservajerks want to talk about hypocrites and breaking laws well i agree with you let this current law stand. but i better not read one post from you jerks bashing attny gen. Holder for going after bush cheney and the boys for torture the law is the law right . oh yeah pleas spare me the bush kept us safe bull as the son of a command sergant major currently in iraq serving i can say my father kept me safe.
It is a very reasonable proposal. Of course the Republicans and the party of NO have their answer ready. Frankly who cares about their howling ?
Last time Democrats did not want it because nominee would be republican since Mitt Romney was Governor. Now they want it because they need a seat in the senate to vote. It is sickening. Democrats will always look at what side the bread is buttered and they do not care about rules. Barack Obama also is included in such dirty tricks.
All of you screaming about bending the law; are the very same ones who scream about Eric Holder being shameful and despicable for looking into the total abdication of any law by them, during the Bush Cheney torture years.
The people of Massachutts have the right to their full representation in the Senate during this important time. I hope they find a way to do that, until an election can be held.
The idea of wasting time to preserve a vacant seat, is absolutely ludicrous. This idea was Ted Kennedy's last wish.
The late Senator wanted a successor if anything happened, and it did happen late last night. No more time must be wasted, as America is still split with the idea of time wasted for important issues.
GARBAGE!!! Kennedy was the one that wrote that little law REMEMBER?? To stop Romney from being able to appoint a replacement for Kerry. This is wrong wrong wrong
Fine lock up Bush and Cheney. Just keep the MASS law as it is now and don't even try reconciliation to get your agenda shoved down our throats when a majority of americans' don't want the Democrat VERSION of reform, ie takeover.
First off Bush and Cheney aren't in office anymore...would you people give it a rest!
It was the democrats who wanted to pass this law in my state so that the governor at the time Gov. Romney wouldn't be able to appoint a senator if John Kerry had won. Well Kerry didn't win and Romney didn't appoint anybody. The dems (who are still in power in the state) could have changed the law back but didn't.
It is now too little too late. It is the law that a special election must be held. So now the Republicans can try to fill the empty seat.