As reported here:
The Massachusetts Democrat, whose name is shared on the landmark Dodd-Frank Act enacted in the wake of the 2008-09 financial crisis, told Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick that he would like an interim appointment to fill the Senate seat that would open up if Sen. John Kerry is confirmed as secretary of state.
And this is why:
... that [fiscal cliff] deal now means that February, March, and April are going to be among the most important months in American financial history ...
Patrick just has to. He must. Repubs heads explode.