Paul Kirk may take Ted Kennedy's seat

[jefferson_dem]

Via Politico -

Paul Kirk may take Ted Kennedy's seat

For the first time in nearly 47 years, the seat held by the late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) is about to change hands, with the interim successor likely one of his closest advisers

The latest speculation about who might receive the temporary appointment from Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick – perhaps by week’s end – has focused squarely on Paul Kirk, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee who was a long-time Kennedy aide.

In recent days, Kirk along with Michael Dukakis, the former governor and 1988 Democratic presidential nominee, have emerged as leading contenders for the job. But Democratic insiders and sources on Beacon Hill say Kirk has picked up momentum in the last day or so.

On Wednesday, the Boston Globe and other media reported that Kennedy’s widow, Victoria Reggie Kennedy, told the governor that she wants Kirk to fill the seat. Kennedy’s sons, Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) and Edward M. Kennedy Jr., have reportedly also made their support of Kirk known to the governor.

Patrick’s aides have remained silent on the vetting process, but he has signaled he would waste no time in signing a bill giving him the authority to name a temporary successor, which appears headed to his desk.

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http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/27492.html#ixzz0RxlWiaHP

[Mass]

1. Let's wait until there is a law before we speculate on who will become

the interim senator.

Right now, what is needed is that this law passes with 2/3 of the votes so that the Republicans cannot block an immediate execution (apparently not the case, so we can be sure the GOP will try to argue as long as they can).

Who it is (as long as it is a Democrat who support a public option) is relatively unimportant.

Amusing, though, how yesterday it was Dukakis, and today Kirk. Who knows? Could be Romney? (Just kidding).