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Ted Kennedy's Replacement

By W. James Antle, III on 9.24.09 @ 10:07AM

Is going to be former Democratic National Committee head Paul Kirk, a confidante of the former senator. An announcement ceremony including the Kennedy family and Sen. John Kerry is expected later today. The 71-year-old will only serve on an interim basis and will be replaced by the winner of the Jan. 19 special election. The Massachusetts legislature just changed the succession law back to where it was in 2004, when the Beacon Hill Democrats feared Mitt Romney would appoint a Republican interim senator should Kerry have been elected president that year.

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Paul McGrath| 9.24.09 @ 10:57AM

I expect this will be the lead story on ABC World News tonight.

Scott Lazarowitz| 9.24.09 @ 2:00PM

Prediction: If something happens to Sen. John Kerry or if he is forced to resign or is impeached, and if the next governor of Massachusetts is a Republican (like Charlie Baker or Cristy Mihos), expect the state legislature to change the law AGAIN (a 3rd time since 2004) to take the power to appoint a successor away from the governor.

Tim| 9.24.09 @ 2:08PM

"...the cah spins round and round and round and round and round.."

COnservative Bob| 9.24.09 @ 4:52PM

How about they save time.
Proposed new law... If the Governor is Republican an election will be held unless the Democrats need a vote in which case the leader of the MA senate will appoint an interim place holder until an election can be held. If the Gov is a Dem then he shall appoint the place holder. Under no circumstance shall a Republican ever appoint an interim place holder.

jr| 9.24.09 @ 5:40PM

Hopefully the networks will not have a week of more funeral. But I must admit -- Michael Jackson got more face time than the troll, the Bloated Oaf of the Bridge. Neither a pretty sight.