The latest on the process of finding a successor to the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy is that Gov. Deval Patrick has scheduled the special election for Jan. 19.
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick briefs reporters on the special election to replace Sen. Edward Kennedy.
At a press conference, Patrick also said Kennedy's widow Vicki told him in no uncertain terms that she doesn't want to be named interim senator.
Meanwhile, Patrick reiterated his support for changing the state law back to what it was before 2004 which would allow him as governor to appoint a replacement.
An Associated Press excerpt:
Before he died last week, Kennedy had asked Massachusetts lawmakers to change state law to let the governor name an interim appointee to serve until voters can choose a permanent replacement. Current Massachusetts law does not allow an interim appointee.
"This is the only way to ensure that Massachusetts is fully represented," Patrick said, but cautioned that "I don't think by any means it is a certainty it will happen."
Patrick said he agreed with Kennedy that the state needs two voices in the Senate during the intervening five months. State law requires a special election between 145 and 160 days after a vacancy; the special election was set for Jan. 19.
Patrick said he has heard from top Democrats in Washington, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., both of whom support the change allowing an appointee. Senate Democrats say they need as many votes as they can during the debate on President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.
Patrick, a Democrat and friend of Obama's, had previously expressed support for the change. He declined to say whom he might name as interim senator.
The Boston Globe is reporting that much presently hinges on what decision former congressman Joseph P. Kennedy II makes. The oldest of the Kennedy cousins and son of Robert F. Kennedy, Joseph is thought to be the hands down favorite if he decided to seek the position.
But he is described as "ambivalent" in the Boston Globe. An excerpt:
Joe Kennedy's decision is likely to determine the plans of the dean of the Massachusetts congressional delegation, US Representative Edward J. Markey, who is telling associates he is seriously considering running, and US Representative Michael Capuano, a Somerville Democrat who is also thinking of joining the primary race. Both are Kennedy loyalists and would not run against a member of the family, according to people familiar with their thinking, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal political calculations...
... Some friends question whether Kennedy, who has for the past 10 years immersed himself in his energy company, which provides discounted heating oil to low-income people, could overcome his hesitation and subject himself to such intense scrutiny.
But Kennedy's speech Friday night at the memorial service at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, in which he talked about public service and called on his generation to follow his uncle's example, persuaded some political analysts and insiders that he is considering reentering public life. Kennedy could not be reached for comment yesterday.
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