The very next day, the Massachusetts Senate passed the bill that would partially reverse the law Democrats passed in 2004 to prevent a Republican governor from naming a Senate replacement if Senator John Kerry had been elected president. The bill reached Governor Patrick yesterday, and today, Patrick announced the selection of former Democratic National Chairman Paul Kirk to become Senator until the state’s voters pick a permanent replacement in January.
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Today’s Washington Post, hardly a conservative outlet, scorned the move as “playing partisan politics” and disrespectful to Massachusetts voters:
Playing partisan politics once again with a U.S. Senate seat, the Massachusetts state legislature voted to give the governor the power to appoint a successor to the seat held by the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D). While we respect its desire to fulfill the wishes of Mr. Kennedy, this is no way to treat the voters of the commonwealth.For its part, the Boston Globe editorialized for the bill (“state senators should pass the measure”), and recommended Michael Dukakis as their choice for U.S. Senator.
Here’s Harwood's display of political acumen from shortly before 6:30am EDT on Squawk Box, September 21, about 75 hours before Kirk’s appointment:
CO-HOST JOE KERNAN: When are we going to find out what happens up in Massachusetts, John, with, you know, how we replace the Senator?
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT JOHN HARWOOD: Well, we’ve got a race that’s going to play out in early January. You’ve got people lining up on both sides, a pretty spirited contest-
KERNAN: But they’re not going to change it back to-
HARWOOD, SHAKING HIS HEAD: I don’t think so. Doesn’t look like it.
KERNAN: Okay, so then you’re going to be missing a vote.
HARWOOD: Yes. And Democrats -- and this is by the way what I wrote about in my column this morning in the New York Times -- the Democrats are going to have 59 votes and they’re going to try to put that together with Olympia Snowe, who said some flattering things about President Obama in an interview I had with her last week, and see if they can get past the filibuster that way. Not going to be easy to hold all of the 59 Democrats, and not going to be easy for her to join them. But that looks like the most promising route of the Obama health care plan right now.
CO-HOST CARL QUINTANILLA: John, we'll see what happens. Busy week. Talk you soon.
—Rich Noyes is Research Director at the Media Research Center.
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It's their superior inside information
Thu, 09/24/2009 - 10:43 ET by KC MulvilleMakes you wonder why we watch these guys, doesn't it? Hell, any bar or tavern has as many prognosticators as that channel.
only today matters
Thu, 09/24/2009 - 10:44 ET by goldboughThey pass laws based purely on today and what's happening today, not thinking about the past or the future. The legislature is acting like children who change game rules on the fly. Congress and state congresses don't represent people anymore, they just make laws based on their personal opinion.
In Massachusetts they have
Thu, 09/24/2009 - 11:15 ET by Chris NormanIn Massachusetts they have effectively created a one party state, where the state laws exist to serve and preserve the Democatic party.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Chris
Thu, 09/24/2009 - 14:48 ET by ricklailThat really bothers me. If there is such an area know as the cradle of freedom it should be around Boston. Harvard U was formed to train preachers. Now look at it. It makes me want to puke sometimes to think of the men and boys that gave their lives to win our independence from the Crown and the way things have turned out. I also think of those that landed on Plymouth Rock that came here for on thing-religous freedom.
Here's hoping that this thing backfires and the people elect a Republican. Ok I know that it is wishful thinking. At least a Rep. would be better than Kennedy-maybe.
Semper suprene nitens
OBAMACARE: If it ain't good enough for my Congressman then it ain't good enough for me.
Democratic Politics: the new "Calvinball"
Thu, 09/24/2009 - 13:28 ET by UndercoverConservativeI knew I'd seen the Dem's rule changing, goal changing, double standard, whatever-it-takes-to-win system before:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvin_and_Hobbes#Calvinball
WWW.GS2AC.COM. 2nd Amendment Grass Roots Action in the Bay Area, CA. We're not all "Breakfast Cereal" folks here! :)
How much Pressure
Thu, 09/24/2009 - 10:53 ET by Airforce_5_ODid the White House and the Dem party secretly put on the SRM (Socialist Republic of Massachusetts) to do this so they could get what they wanted?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.......
Liberalism: The haunting feeling that someone, somewhere, can help themselves.
LIfe in Massachusetts
Thu, 09/24/2009 - 11:03 ET by needleNowadays the government of Massachusetts, such as it is, makes the government of Mexico look pretty good. The sheeple here cannot imagine it otherwise. I know an Irish Catholic nun who doubtlessly thinks many of the various hallmarks of the Liberal agenda are unquestionably sinful, but she has been convinced by the Catholic hierarchy that it would essentially be a mortal sin to vote Republican. I suspect there are lots of other [Catholic] people here are similarly incapacitated to think rationally.
Personally I suspect real school choice probably holds the best long term solution to the almost hopeless socio-political mess of Massachusetts. The Boston Globe has of course a great deal to do with creating and coddling the corruption here; but I am looking forward to being able to buy the last edition of the Globe within a year of two. The betting is that the Boston Herald will outlast the Globe. That would be nice.
- Relying upon the State Run Media for your information is like relying upon an embezzler for your portfolio management.
Mass is a hotbed of partisan
Thu, 09/24/2009 - 11:11 ET by Dan The Man 2Mass is a hotbed of partisan politics. It seems to me as a Southern boy, that the Mass voters will believe any crap that comes down the pike, and yes I am prejudiced somewhat against Yankees. Seems like they have no common sense looking at their laws and such. But, Im sure they think the same about the southern renecks too.
DR. Freud, your slip is showing
Thu, 09/24/2009 - 11:13 ET by OBQuietFrom the quoted article: "until the state’s voters pick a permanent replacement in January"
Senate seats in General and those in MA in particular do seem to be permanent assignments.
And Patrick went with the
Thu, 09/24/2009 - 12:00 ET by ReaverAnd Patrick went with the Kennedy family’s choice to replace Teddy since senate seats should be hereditary as well.
I wouldn't recommend sex, drugs or insanity for everyone, but they've always worked for me. - Hunter S. Thompson
There is no better example
Thu, 09/24/2009 - 11:18 ET by richb313There is no better example how the will of the People is ignored by the left than this horrible episode. The voters wanted to remove Senatorial Appointmnets from the Powers of the Governor. Does anyone here know if this was a change to the State Constitution?
he gets the incumbent advantage
Thu, 09/24/2009 - 11:37 ET by RayRayin the minds of the idiot voters. But from reading here, apparently that's not necessary in MA - just get the Dem endorsement and you win any election. (That's exactly how my county government goes, too.)
Ray Ray
Thu, 09/24/2009 - 11:44 ET by RESTLESS 1Not to mention, the democrats regain a filibuster proof majority for the health care debates.
"If the man, with the power, can't keep it under control...some heads are gonna roll." -Judas Priest
I am beginning to wonder if
Thu, 09/24/2009 - 11:38 ET by Scuba DudeI am beginning to wonder if the 17th Amendment should be repealed. Let the state legislatures pick the Senators (might have prevented Hillary from becoming a Senator).
The Obama Administration: THE most fiscally irresponsible Administration EVER
Just another...
Thu, 09/24/2009 - 12:51 ET by onewiseguy...very clear example of the partisanship of Democraps and their disdain for rule of law when it conflicts with their wishes/desires. They changed the law when a Republican was Governor to strip the power of selecting a successor but then gave the power back to the Governor when the Governor was a Democrap. It just doesn't get any clearer than this.
Cut Harwood some slack.
Thu, 09/24/2009 - 13:10 ET by Chris NormanCut Harwood some slack. He's been busy coming up with positive stories for Obama.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
These actions by the Mass.
Thu, 09/24/2009 - 16:16 ET by seanrobinsThese actions by the Mass. gov and legislation, I don't think is what Obama meant during the campaign by transparant-cy.
sean robins