Democrats eye plan to protect Kerry Senate seat

[joeunderdog]

Massachusetts Democrats are devising a plan to keep John F. Kerry's US Senate seat in their party's hands by blocking Governor Mitt Romney from naming an interim replacement if Kerry wins the White House.

Beacon Hill lawmakers want to pass legislation that would leave Kerry's seat vacant for two months or more, until a special election is held to fill it. That would prevent the Republican governor from naming an interim senator, as is currently required by state law.

snip

Straus, the House chairman of the Joint Committee on Election Laws, said he wants to make sure that voters choose who will represent them in the US Senate. He said that Kerry's campaign success has brought an immediacy to the issue of filling Senate vacancies, but that it is not the driving force behind the concept.

"It's always preferable to allow voters to fill these important positions," Straus said. "I would think the governor who is publicly very much against patronage appointments, would be in favor of this."

more
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2004/02/19/democrats_eye_plan_to_protect_kerry_senate_seat/

Mitt The Twit will throw his usual hissy fit.

[Frodo]

1. Do we have a large enough majority to overide a veto?

I can't imagine Romney just going along for the ride.

Frankly, I'm not sure I like laws passed for just one person anyway.


But the story is really "Democrats expect to win and are making plans for that future" - and I LIKE seeing that.


The real question is "will Kerry give up his seat ahead of time?" He's already been away from his job for several months and it could become a campaign issue. If he drops the seat as soon as he wins the nomination we can have an election this November instead of Romney getting to pick someone for two years.

[joeunderdog]

4. Romney gets overridden all the time. He's a prick. n/t

[Frodo]

5. That isn't quite the point.

There are plenty of liberal republicans in his state. But this would be a party-line vote. Do we have sufficient numbers WITHOUT crossover voting?

[joeunderdog]

17. There aren't many Repukes that cross him, but we have enough Dems.

Romney would appoint Bain Capital's VP of Sales to the Senate if he had his way. He's a fraud. He thinks Massachusetts is a for-profit company, and he has no clue whatsoever of the plight of the working man (or woman).

I don't like changing laws to beat the system, but it doesn't serve us well to use a double standard when the Repukes are doing it all around us. Maybe if we pull off a few of these, they'll call a truce. Until them Unfair is Fair. The gloves are off.

[Bandit]

20. The law should be changed period ~ If it benefits the Democrats now

So Be It. It is a law that needs to be done away with. The people should always have the opportunity to vote on such an important position. In Alaska the people are trying to do this very thing by referendum because the Alaska Governor appointed his daughter to the position of US Senator of Alaska. Republicans see absolutely nothing wrong with it either.

[Fla_Dem]

2. I thought only repukes

changed the law to fit their agenda.

[BruinAlum]

9. Time to start beating them at their own game

They are gaining every advantage by doing stuff like this.

[SinkingInTheRain]

12. What did Bob Dole do when he ran for POTUS?

Do you even know?

[BruinAlum]

13. The rules of the game have changed drastically since then

and the stakes are a lot higher.

Bob Dole could afford to take the high road. He didn't stand a chance in hell of winning anyway.

[Zero Gravitas]

19. What does Dole have to do with it?

Dole chose to resign his seat when he ran for President. So what? Does that mean every Senator who runs should do the same? If so, why?

Dole's move was stupid as he had little chance of beating Clinton. Kerry has a good chance of beating the unelected fraud now squatting in the White House. In any case IIRC Dole did not resign until much later in the process than we are at now in this cycle. Also Dole did not have to worry about a Governor form the other party appointing his replacement.

[dusty64]

3. I don't think this is a

bad idea. Why should one person get to pick someone, who in this case would serve for two years. Even when they pick one of the same party it often is a bad choice, remember zell miller. They should pass this law sooner rather than later if they are going to do it.

[wicket]

6. Mitt

Why should one person get to pick someone,

Especially when that person is Mitt Romney, he's such a tool!

[Ctuser]

7. because that s the law?

[wicket]

8. since when...

Since when has the law ever stopped the Republicans? See Florida 2000. The Democrats are finally playing the Repukes at their own game, more power to them.

[dusty64]

10. Yup, and laws can be changed

at will. Breaking the law or twisting it beyond recognition is also a rightwing tactic re: reredistriciting. They wouldn't be breaking it, simply changing it above board and publicly (which is a much better way of dealing with things).

[WENSTJDON]

14. I'm all for obeying the law

but, if they change the law before the election, that should be
okay. The Bushies expect the election laws to change in states
that he would no longer be on the ballot this November, because of his late convention. Fair is fair . Right?

[SinkingInTheRain]

11. Why not follow Bob Dole's lead?

The honorable and honest thing to do would be to follow an honest persons lead.

[Shylock]

15. well...

can you say Scott Harshbarger??

[WhereIsMyFreedom]

22. Heh, you're funny

You just called Dole honest.

[Zolok]

16. I have no problem with this...

Mitt desperately needs to have a serious defeat handed to him soonest....
Besides I've always thought that the unchecked gubernatorial power of senatorial appointment was a little too "royal" for my tastes.
Besides, can you imagine the hapless jack-off Mitt would appoint to the sinecure?
Jane "Jingle Money" Swift?
Steve Pierce?
The Bay State's GOP is singularly lacking in a bench from which to draw...

www.chimesatmidnight.blogspot.com

[skippysmom]

21. Miit would probably appoint himself

And leave Kerry Healey to run the state.

[bluedeminredstate]

18. I like that the Dems are

thinking instead of reacting. The repubs have been screwing them over for tens years. Time to fight back. At least the plan is legal - unlike Florida, and, if you look at it, possibly some of those Senate races in 2002 which leave one to wonder...
:thumbsup: