Ted Kennedy dies

[Foxfyre]

he has done a lot, I hope the right wings doesn't party about this.

[Mikey]

The right will party, not for the death of a statesman, but for the absence of a huge bastionof support for healthcare reform.

[Lazar]

Now there's a debate here in Massachusetts over how to handle the succession. It used to be that the governor would make an appointment, like in most other states; but in 2004, people were concerned that if John Kerry got elected president, Mitt Romney would appoint a Republican replacement, so the (heavily Democratic) legislature passed a law saying that Senate vacancies must be filled by a special election, to be held at least 145 days after the seat becomes vacant. But this would leave us with an empty seat for the next 5 months which could hurt health care reform for the Democrats, so they're now proposing a law (in fact it was Ted Kennedy's last wish, revealed about a week ago) that would allow the governor to appoint an interim senator to serve the 145+ days before the special election. The governor and the speaker are both in favor, so it looks like it will pass. The interim senator would probably be a caretaker with no political ambition, like Michael Dukakis; the subsequent election looks very competitive, with multiple Democrats and Republicans (and Kennedys) being talked about as possible candidates.

[Mikey]

It used to be that the governor would make an appointment, like in most other states

Really? Because when he was 30, Ted Kennedy was elected to fill the Senate seat left vacant by John's presidential candidacy.

[Lazar]

Really? Because when he was 30, Ted Kennedy was elected to fill the Senate seat left vacant by John's presidential candidacy.

No, in fact he was only 28 when the seat was vacated; the governor appointed a Kennedy family friend, Benjamin Smith, as the placeholder, and then there was a special election in 1962 which Ted Kennedy won. To be clear, the 17th Amendment to the US Constitution requires all Senate vacancies to be filled by a special election, but it also empowers governors to make interim appointments; IIRC, the common practice is to appoint a replacement and then wait until the next general election to hold the vote - for example, Kirsten Gillibrand was appointed to replace Hillary Clinton in New York, and she'll face a special election in November 2010. Likewise, Benjamin Smith was appointed in 1960, and the special election was held in November 1962. The law that was passed here in 2004 requires the election to be held within 145 to 160 days of the vacancy, while at the same time outlawing interim appointments; so what they want to do now is change that law so that the governor can make an interim appointment for the 145-160 day period.

[Mikey]

Thanks for the update - not being familiar with too much of Mass outside Amherst and the Combat Zone, I was under the impression that the special election was held while the seat was still vacant (which would have required Tedd to be 30, of course.)

[Capt. Jethro]

He was perhaps the most beloved and the most hated man in the Senate, I'll give you that.

While I don't wish his suffering and death upon anyone he was, in my opinion, the worst of the Kennedy thugs.

[Captain Seafort]

Depends how you define "the Kennedy thugs". If you're just talking about his various siblings I don't know enough to argue. If you're including his father then Ted was a saint by comparison.

[Mikey]

Yeah, I'd put Papa Joe above him, as well as the grandson (I forgot which is which) who was tried fro rape...

[Tyyr]

I dunno, I'd probably have the rape and murder Kennedy's tied. Pity the best of the Kennedy clan dies young. The only ones with some longevity are the dregs of the family.

[Mikey]

Well, Caroline's still around, and she's neither. She's like the "vanilla, no sprinkles" of the clan.

[IanKennedy]

I agree. Its never a party when someone dies (ok except skum).

Except for the only female prime minister of the UK. When she dies I'll be joining the line that will form at her graveside. I will then take my turn using the dance floor that will have been erected on the site.

[Mikey]

Good for you. I'd be scared of the Iron Lady, even when she's dead.

[Sionnach Glic]

So, not a Thatcher fan, Ian?

[Captain Seafort]

So, not a Thatcher fan, Ian?

Nobody's perfect.