The nomination of John Kerry as secretary of state creates obvious complications in Massachusetts, which will now see its third high-profile Senate contest in less than four years. Upon Kerry’s confirmation, which is all but assured, Governor Patrick must appoint a successor and set a special election date between 145 days and 160 days after the seat becomes vacant. Democratic lawmakers should resist the temptation to make further adjustments to the Commonwealth’s Senate-succession rules, as they did for partisan purposes in 2004 and 2009. (The election of a Republican successor was, among other things, a form of comeuppance for those high-handed changes.)
Meanwhile, Patrick should follow the precedent he set after Ted Kennedy’s death in 2009 and appoint a caretaker senator who vows not to run in the special election. A number of senior political figures in Massachusetts have relevant experience in Washington and could serve knowledgeably for a few months. Patrick shouldn’t use the appointment to give a jump-start to any one candidate’s political future; all potential candidates for the permanent post deserve an equal shot, and voters deserve the chance to fill an open seat.
Comments
How about retiring Congressman, John Olver? He's experienced, he's not interested in running for the seat, he's a reliable, hard-working public servant, and after all his years in the House, he knows the players in Washington.
I disagree with this editorial. I think an elected politician has a responsibility to his constituents to try to further his basic principals. Patrick appointed a temporary chair-warmer once, but twice is asking too much.
If William Weld, Paul Cellucci, or Mitt Romney had been asked to do that, they would have laughed in your silly editorial-writing faces. In states with Republican control, gerrymandering Democrats out of office and trying to restrict the vote are a way of political life.
Appointment of a legitimate candidate for the Senate seat is something Patrick should do. He has no responsibility to hand an advantage to the other party or to pacify editorial writers at the Globe.
But he does have a responibility to allow voters to actually vote. Plus what about the other Democrats that would be deprived of a chance to run? Whar happened to all of the Liberal complaints (along with ACLU lawsuits everywhere) on behaslf of "Disenfranchised Voters"?
I find the suggestion of the paper to be rather odd. Given that special elections in and of themselves are poor reflections of the will of the people, lord knows off year elections seldom reflect the majority opinion of any given electorate, simply because the electorate is to lazy and uninterested to vote. I realize some pols believe not voting is the same as voting but I won't even go there.
The gov. should appoint who he wants regardless of whether the person will run or not. The people elected a Dem. to the seat, a Dem should fill it regardless of future plans. The Gov. as a Dem. should do as any Repub. would do, that which gives his party the best shot at retaining the seat. I see nothing "unfair" about that in the very "unfair" sport of politics.
The problem with this logic is that Deval Patrick's election did not reflect the will of the people either. The Globe conveniently forgets to tell you that Patrick won only because Tim Cahill ran as an Independent, allowing Deval to win with 45% of the vote.
Got back late so you probably won't see this. But the fact is he won. Ergo will of the people. Besides the iss of "will of the people" isn't about Patrick, its about special elections. Every election regardless of final count or percentages is about "will of the people", except perhaps Gore v Bush, but even that is splitting hairs.
Sarcastically delivered. Nice.
So now the Democarts are dirty trickster because Presidetn Obama has asked John Kerry to head up the State Dept and Massachusetts has to replace him? Help me with this logic?
It's not logic. It's obsessive hatred. TSW despises "liberals and Democrats" therefore anything they do is a trick designed to confuse him (admittedly a low bar). His posts are best read wearing a tinfoil hat.
Patrick will appoint someone with 'deep_pockets' who will contribute to his future campaign.