Patrick should not be thinking about friendship at such a time.  I can only think that Patrick is thinking that 5 months as a senator will somehow qualify Cowan for the governor's race since Patrick will not be running again.  We deserve better regardless of how smart Mr. Cowan may be.

By what logic is the spouse of the late senator, Victoria Kennedy, a better choice than Mo Cowan? Her qualifications are that she's a friend of the president and some senators? I don't wish to beat up on a good person, but being the widow of a prominent person has never been a qualification for appointment to office. Mo Cowan is amply qualified and will make Massachusetts proud.

Senator Cowan will do just fine. Who our Senator is reflects the kind of state we are. I am so happy to be represented by a highly intelligent, self-made, compassionate and astute person. I find it preferable to the options the Globe seems to prefer: a former Congressman who is a bully and a blowhard, the wife of a former Senator, or a person with Beltway connections. The Governor's appointment is refreshing and if there is anything the DC needs it's fresh air and new faces. Good luck, Senator Cowan, you will make us proud I am sure.

Agreed, particularly re: Frank. Let's remember that it was these same Globe editorial pages that once called for Frank's resignation following his involvment with a male prostitute.  

Mo Cowan will do just fine.

I am very pleased at this point.  Mo seems intelligent, eloquent, and we can most certainly count on him to be behind the Governor.

First, Massachusetts loses the long experienced and respected "Lion of the Senate" -- U.S. Senator Edward "Ted" M. Kennedy -- who championed for decades for Massachusetts. Then we lose U.S. Senator John M. Kerry, who was long experienced and a prominent and knowledgeable Chairman in the Senate where he, too, championed for Massachusetts and all New England. So who does Massachusetts now have to champion our causes? An excellent credentialed U.S. Senator, who, despite her few days representing Massachusetts, is now our "senior" U.S. Senator, Senator Elizabeth Warren. That being said, Senator Warren lacks experience and political savvy!

Presently, Massachusetts is lacking political clout w/ someone of congressional knowledge, savvy, and experience. So who does our governor of Massachusetts choose for the interim U.S. Senator until our Massachusetts election in the Spring? Attorney William "Mo" Cowan, a staff member for the Governor!

Governor Deval Patrick has chosen badly and sadly. Governor Patrick could have chosen someone who could fill Massachusetts needs. Such as ex-Representative Barney Frank, who is an expert in finance, an expert in congress, an expert in the ways of D.C., and above all Barney Frank was ready, available, and willing to continue to serve our state in Washington as our interim U.S. Senator.

Shame on Governor Deval Patrick for placing someone who -- despite an apparent excellent character -- cannot efficiently and effectively help champion our causes in Washington during these next months of importance to us.  Cowan lacks the necessary clout.

Unfortunately, the Globe defeats its point in naming others the Governor could have chosen.  One example: Susan Hockfield.  What is it about her experience that makes her more qualified than Mo Cowan??? I'm mystified.

Self made man? Hardly. Affirmative action made just like Erkel. 

I agree. The appointment was disappointing.  Mr Cowan, now Senator Cowan, seems like a fine and competent man, but given his close association with the Governor and lack of experience at this level of government, it was unseemly.

People, remember this is Deval. He's on his way out, he doesn't care what you think or what's good for the Commonwealth. Look at his pick for Sec of Public Safety, Andrea Cabral? Really? Look at his pick for her replacement,you know, what's his name. Remember his indignation and arrogance at the new sheriff's appointment? "Yes this is a political position and I am making a political appointment." He will appoint his friends and staff to plumb poisitions and announce tax increases for the next two years. 

Excellent choice for interim senator!  A relatively unknown and highly capable political technician who will get the job done.

I can't believe that the Globe is taking Deval to task for an affirmative action pick.  This has to be the first affirmative action pick that the Globe ever didn't like.  Interim senators have no clout by definition, the institution doesn't work that way, so why not give a brother a shot instead of a loser like Michael "Peewee" "Had my chance, muffed it" "over the hill" Dukakis.  Are you serious?  Do you think Dukakis would have any clout in Washington?  The national Democratic Party spent the 1990s trying to live Dukakis down.  Do you remember the scene in "The Naked Gun" where Lt. Frank Drebin is drinking his sorrows away in the Blue Note Cafe as the camera pans from a photo of the burning Hindenberg blimp to a photo of the Johnstown Flood to a picture of Michael Dukakis?  National Democrats feel about Dukakis kind of like Republicans feel about Romney:  He lost a race he should've won easily, his campaign was a joke, he stinks, and we never want to see him again. 

Former US Senator Paul Kirk was experienced and available.