Paul Kirk is a fine interim choice. Dukakis would have seen RW cannon fodder.

[Perky]

He would have been a fine choice as well but it would give the pundrity something to talk about for a couple of day and it would have been an unnecessary distraction.

[Peregrine Took]

1. Personally, I don't like the way the Kennedy's got to do the choosing.

It comes across as way too pushy and smarts of a royal family.

[Papagoose]

3. I don't see it that way

If it were a royal family thing, wouldn't a Kennedy have filled the seat? There's several well-qualified people in the family, yet none of them showed any interest in being appointed or running for election to the seat.

Kirk is a good choice to maintain continuity until the new Senator can take office.

[karynnj]

4. Except that it was just for the 4 month period before the voters pick

Someone was going to pick - and it was Patrick, who actually did - even it was because it was the Kennedys choice. It is hard to argue that anyone has a right to pick - and in most states the appointee would become the incumbent - which will not happen here. He is a genuine caretaker.

[TayTay]

2. Ahm, this is an interim, 4 month appointment

and a "duly elected and sworn" Senator will take his/her rightful place as a representative of the people in January no matter who the temp is now.

Basically, this choice allows MA resident who need help on social security or other services to have continuing coverage in the US Senate. The votes are important nationally and it's good to have someone there to cast votes. However, it is critical that a body occupy that Senate seat for the good people of Massachusetts who desperately need services. That was the real reason this interim appointment went through, because it benefits the people of Massachusetts.

Who occupies the seat for 4 month is not that significant. They are not elected representatives of the people and are there to make sure a vacancy in the Senate doesn't harm the people of Massachusetts. That is all.

[Sebastian Doyle]

5. My only concern about Kirk is his affiliation with The Hartford insurance company

Since the primary reason for having the seat temporarily filled is to provide a much needed vote on health care, I'd be more comfortable with someone who wasn't likely to side with the insurance industry.