Governor Deval Patrick, bypassing the glitz and glamour of a popular former congressman or a Kennedy, has turned to his longtime friend and trusted State House aide, William “Mo” Cowan, as the state’s temporary senator to hold John Kerry’s seat.
The 43-year old Cowan, a North Carolina native who rose to the top of Boston legal circles before joining Patrick’s staff, will become the first African-American to represent Massachusetts in the Senate since Edward W. Brooke held the seat as a Republican from 1966 to 1978.
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Meh -
I have always been a Patrick supporter. Today my support has abruptly stopped. He should have appointed Barney Frank as interrum Senator. With his experience, especially in the financial end of things, Frank could have contributed a great deal of knowledge and addressed some issues that are crutial. Patrick got his nose out of joint because Frank announced publicly that he wanted the job as opposed to kissing Patrick's butt. My support for him has ceased.
So Dzy, you've changed your mind on the issues? Or you're just doing a sour-grapes kind of thing? Seems like you're the one with the nose out of joint.
OMG!
Well toadies_ are all squealing with delight?
Do we call this guy 'Senator' for the rest of his life?
Yes
I guess that depends. I will never refer to Centerfold Scooter as Senator.
A nobody to avoid taking the spotlight from whomever the DNC ordains as the next senator.
Exactly as I predicted about 1 month ago. It's called "politics."
Interesting choice. Never heard of him but MA politics is still new to me. Since Gov. Patrick is himself something of an outsider to the MA mainstream, I have to wonder if he is sending a message to the commonwealth's Dem. Party that he is not beholden to them?
We could wish Deeval was more of "something of an outsider to the MA mainstream" as JLErwin3 so kindly puts it . . . like that he'd spend lots more time out there by the New York state border drumming up support for his very own Connecticut state line-bound choochoo.
More along the lines of every political Dem that could be appointed is already planning on running.
That's former INTERIM senator Scott Brown. He never was able to get a general election behind him. And he won't this time.
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nrosen said...."He is a shame and voted 70% with Republicasm." Really? You mean a Republican voted with other Republicans? I wonder is Democrats vote with other Democrats?
At least Brown is not extreme right or left, like many other politicians. He is willing to cross the aisle and with time and experience can improve on his voting record and decisions.
Let us see how ultra-liberal Warren votes. I wonder if Obama ever got that stop light attached to his rear end so she will have a warning when he stops.
Barney would have been more entertaining!
And, I can't help thinking, more effective.
Hate to raise this controversial issue/topic, but I think one of the key factors in Patrick's decision was that "Mo" is Black.
And that would be wrong because?????
Um, content of your character rather than color of your skin. Ring a bell, Tuscy?
Who the heck is Mo Cowan???? Disappointed. Barney Frank would have been PERFECT.
Not thrilled with the gov. but maybe he knows more than I probably wanted to get an unknown not to
overshadow the real candidate... I guess?? quizzical.
It's unfortunate that the Governor apparently feels like this appointment is something to be used as a "thank you" for a loyal staffer, rather than putting someone in who can reallly impact the job. The next five months are probably the most important of this Congressional session, and we would have been better served by having someone who knows the business of Congress.
And did anyone expect different? After the Senate stint, Erkel will make him a judge. How many times did he take to pass the bar exam? Erkel took three and it's easy to pass. 80% of the first time takers pass. Affirmative action at work.
The "unknown" is very known to Patrick. Perhaps the Governor sees it as a chance to spend time in D.C. influencing the deliberations by proxy. That's not a bad idea.
Assuming you like what devalue does and thinks.
I work for a living - in the dreaded private sector - and pay taxes. So, I disagree with just about everything he spews.
SO, I think its a horrible idea that he might be able to have any influence in DC.
These appointments are just place holders. He will use Kerry's staff and just follow what they say. They knew Barney Frank was not going to do that.
the Devil (Deval) and Mo will be laughing for years to come. O how they played the system--Now for the rest of their lives we have to, respectfully, call them "Senator Cowan and Governor Patrick" I can already hear them at the BBQ laughing their aqqeq off. Question? Any pension go with Mo's new job?
Thank you for clarifying that "the Devil" is really "(Deval)" ... that really makes things much clearer, as I never would have guessed (though personally, I am indeed laughing my "aqqeq" off).
He wil not have served in Congrees long enough, 5 year minimum for pension
Gov. Patrick could have appointed Congressman Frank, an experienced and savvy legislator already situated in Washington, which would have saved a lot of money and confusion and been a meaningful interim appointment. Instead, the governor saddled the people of the Commonwealth with yet another of his “advisors,” a man who has absolutely no experience as a legislator. It's offensive, really, how many ill-advised patronage appointments Patrick has made as governor – from part-time lawyers he transformed into judges to this pretend senator. It's just another example of how politically tone-deaf Patrick is, but then again, I don't think he really cares what the people think.
Barney Frank - the shame of a nation.
Is that the Nation Of Small Minds?
Mediocre at best. Vicki Kennedy, Paul Kirk or Barney Frank would have been ready and heavyweights in Washington from day 1. Ver disappointed in Gov Patrick.
Frankly I don't care who he appointed but I don't get it. By the time this guy figures out where the men's room is at he'll be gone. I suppose though leadership will tell him how to vote and that will be that. Stuff like this is why I hate short term appointments and special elections. They are simply bogus and do no one any good.
What a terrible choice. Clearly, the governor doesn't care much about Massachusetts. And I guess he doesn't have to because he isn't running for reelection. Barney Frank would have hit the ground running and given us solid short term Democratic representation. Instead Gov. Patrick appoints his 44 year old buddy with no governing or Washington experience. Looks like a personal reward and resume boost for Mr. Cowan Very disappointing.
I agree.
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Daley Machine style politics alive and well with Deval. Choices Vicky Kennedy, Mike Dukakis, Barney Frank. But we got Mo, mo nothin from Casino King Patrick.
How can Deval be removed from office? The best is yet to come
Disgusting cronyism...Barney could have impacted the budget negotiations.
Let me get this straight, a "staff member" is now our State Senator? You meen the guy who used to pick up pizza for all of the meetings is now our state senator? I was actually expecting Deval patrick to pick an illegal alien, so this pick is reather refreshing.
Too bad for Mass. Barney could have used his voice to speak volumes for the DNC.Very disappointed in Patrick's selfish action
We've got a bunch of Larrys and Curlys, why not a Mo? I've lived in Massachusetts for thirty years and I've never heard of the guy.