I’m sitting here, scratching my head, trying to figure out why so many people have their noses out of joint because Governor Deval Patrick appointed as interim US senator a guy who lacks political experience.
Seems to me that whether you’re talking about Congress, the State House, or City Hall, one of the problems is that too many people in those buildings have too much experience.
Comments
Enough said! Thank him for agreeing to serve.
Great column, Kevin. I'm reminded that one of our most successful politicians was lambasted in his time, for not being of sufficient caliber and experience for the job. His name? Lincoln.
Go prove the critics wrong, Mr. Cowan!
Gee, what great thimking. Maybe the Glob will let one of those correspondents start fumbling with a column using this Cullen guy as a mentor.
Just received your subscription check, thanks!
Mo Cowan, Micheal Dukakis, the guy down the street or an old suit stuffed with straw - aren't we all making a little too much out of the choice? The Senate is decidedly in Domocratic hands, constituant services will go on as Kerry's key staff remain in place, the designated seat filler will vote as per instructed by the whip and our new " senior senator " and certainly no one expects any significant committee work from Mr. Cowan.
In my opinion, if Cowan is to be believed that he has no political aspirations, the choice rewards a long time Patrick associate and in the long run, will become a minor bit of local political trivia. I would have prefered the appointment used as a reward and honorific granted to a long time local public figure but this was not the case.
Two thumbs up for a strong defense of Patrick's choice. The thought of having someone who is more of an outsider thrown into the mix is very appealing. Given the dysfunction and gridlock in the Senate, it's worth it to try anything. Unfortunately there still is the concern that anyone who goes there instantly ceases being an outsider and is consumed by the system, no matter what their personal attributes.
Who cares? What did kerry get done in 24 years that anyone else couldn't have?
The govenor has done what others before have always done; he took care of a friend. For someone who campaigned on "Hope and Change" (remember, Axelrod used it here first), Patrick has behavied like he has been on Beacon Hill his whole career. The real question is how will Cowan protect our economy on matters of defense spending and fisheries regulations among other things. He said there is no daylight between him and the governor on any issues. To me it is another way of saying, I'll vote as the govenor tells me.
Good column Kevin. Mr. Cowan is a skilled political technician and that's what's needed to fill a short-term stewardship. We don't need a big noise like Barney Frank down there right now pouring gasoline on an existing fire.
Voting the party line is not the point. The point is Mass has a new senator and a temporary senator. When it comes time to make the deal that will protect the jobs and interestest of the commonwealth neither senator will have the political capital to defend Massachusetts.
The military bases and defense contractors in the state are left with no experienced senators to defend them.
Senators are elected to serve the people of the state, not vote the party line and be a reward for past service. The governor has done great dis service to the people of the state by giving them no defense as the senate decides cuts for sequestration and to lower spending.
I would love to hear ideas of how anyone thinks our newly elected Senator or temporary senator can make a deal to save a mass resource versus a resource in another state, a state with senior senators?
"There is, however, incontrovertible evidence that the politicians with the most experience are the politicians with the most money."
Ahem: Joe Biden. 1972-2009. One of the, if not the, least wealthy in the Senate.
Stop with the bromides, Kevin. You're better than that.
I'm sure Mo Cowan is a smart, capable, nice man and were he running for a full term, perhaps he'd be my choice. However, there are hugely important votes awaiting Senate attention. Mo Cowan will just be learning where the restrooms are before it's time for him to leave. I whole heartedly agree with The Globe editorial; this was a failed opportunity to appoint someone with clout. Mo Cowan has no time to accrue any.
Such a naive column.
Excellent column. Mo Cowan will accomplish about as much in five months in the Senate as Sen. Kerry did, nothing, but the experience will do his career a world of good, and good for him.