Senator Kennedy was keenly aware of the fact that he would not be voting for health care reform. That was clear when, little over a week ago, he sent a letter to governor Patrick asking that the laws be changed so that an appointment be made to fill his seat temporarily until a special election is called.
To my dismay, I learned today that the Massachusetts law does not allow appointment by the governor and that the special election must occur between 145 and 160 days after vacancy. That's between January 18 and February 2. That's a long time from now. What is this idiocy?
We need his senate vote in many places. His own desire, I am sure, was that Massachusetts be represented by someone who would vote similar to him ... hopefully for a strong health care plan among the many passions he held.
From CNN:
Until 2004, Massachusetts law allowed the governor to appoint an immediate replacement in the event of a U.S. Senate vacancy. The heavily Democratic legislature changed the law, however, after Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry became the likely Democratic presidential nominee -- when Republican Mitt Romney was governor.
Critics charged the Democrats were trying to prevent Romney from replacing Kerry with a Republican in the event of a Kerry victory over President George W. Bush.
Boggling. Senator Kennedy stated that he believed in the law and I understand why it is a good idea in such a situation (strong democratic state and conservative governor) but it has now reached around and bitten us in the butt. We may not have a 60-vote lock (ha) but we need every progressive senator in placde.
As I think of Senator Kennedy's death and listen to his words on TV this morning, I am saddened, not by his death per se as he lived a long and productive life. But, I am saddened by the fact that his hopes and desires are no more close than when he said them ... health care reform, certainly looming large but basically wafting like a puff of smoke, not to be grasped perhaps in this generation. I so want his legacy to be the change he wanted.
It is also chilling to think that they (on MSNBC) were talking about naming the health care bill after him, "if it had the elements he would have wanted".
If it has the elements he would have wanted. If only.