Seating Mass. Senate winner could be delayed

[The Northerner]

Source: Associated Press

BOSTON – Massachusetts' top election official says it could take weeks to certify the results of the upcoming U.S. Senate special election. That delay could let President Barack Obama preserve a key 60th vote for his health care overhaul even if the Republican who has vowed to kill it wins Democrat Edward M. Kennedy's former seat.

Secretary of State William F. Galvin, citing state law, says city and town clerks must wait at least 10 days for absentee ballots to arrive before they certify the results of the Jan. 19 election. They then have five more days to file the returns with his office.

Galvin bypassed the provision in 2007 so his fellow Democrats could gain a House vote they needed to override a veto of then-Republican President George W. Bush, but the secretary says U.S. Senate rules would preclude a similar rush today.

The potential delay has become a rallying point for the GOP, which argues Democrats have been twisting the rules to pass the health care bill despite public opposition. It's also prompted criticism from government watchdogs.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100113/ap_on_el_se/us_kennedy_successor_delay

[Laf.La.Dem.]

1. TOTAL BS

BS BS BS - This is just BS

[Illuminated]

8. I hope and pray that Massechusetts isnt this stupid.

1st dumb thing they did was leak this to the press. Who the hell opened their big mouth? Now, if Coakley wins and they put her right in without a minimum 10 day delay (ala Tsongas) we look corrupt and the R's win. If Brown, wins (we lose) and he is held out for a long time it is corrupt (really are we going to stoop to their tactics?) and whooboy is '10 going to be bad. I would take the former over the latter anytime, but the R's think they are the stupid party. All of this would be moot if we had a better candidate, should be a 25 point walk.

Bad enough the rule change for appointing Senators. D - appoint, R - Election, D - appoint. I can see this because it went through the legislature. But boy did it look bad.

[emilyg]

10. +1

[DJ13]

2. How can they claim a "60 th vote" when Ted wont be there to vote?

[Lurks Often]

4. Their Governor appointed a replacement.

Paul Kirk was appointed to fill the seat until the special election was held and the replacement is seated.

[DJ13]

5. I forgot about that, thanks

[WriteDown]

3. I imagine this will depend on who the winner is. nt

[Fearless]

6. What they don't say...

Is if the race isn't close it won't matter.

[Dr.Phool]

7. In the event the repuke wins.....

Coakley should pull a Norm Coleman on them. Two can play that game.

Delay them for about 6 months or so.

[golfguru]

9. We are better than getting in the gutter with repukes

No?

[Dr.Phool]

11. No, It's a nice sentiment, but you can't reason with bullies.

They've been drunk with power for too long, and they're overdue for a good ass-whipping.

[Ter]

13. I'd imagine it would have to be extremely close

Like 200 votes or less to pull it off.

[dflprincess]

16. It would probably depend on how close

the first recount in the Franken/Coleman race was required by state law because the totals were too close. It was only after that was completed that Normie chose to drag it out.

[KoKo]

12. Ted Kennedy lies Mouldering in the Grave...while our Dems forget him

and the GOP and Blue Dogs march on, promoting this freaking bad health care bill!

[nvme]

14. At this point let them lose the damned 60th vote

let the health insurance giveaway act die!

[ramapo]

15. Would've been better off without 60 to begin with

If there were only 56 or so Dems then they just would've gone with reconciliation. We would not have been subjected to all the gyrations. Snowe, Lieberman, Nelson, wouldn't have mattered a snotful.

[TheCowsCameHome]

17. Mrs. Coakley is very patient. Brown is the one that will be on the outside looking in.