Your editorial “In naming top aide to Senate, Patrick lessens state’s clout” (Jan. 31) rightly cites five Bay Staters whose experience with national issues and politics would have qualified them to lead Massachusetts and US interests as interim senator until John Kerry’s replacement can be elected statewide. Instead, Governor Patrick chose William “Mo” Cowan, an insider Boston lawyer and his close political confidant.

Despite Cowan’s admirable personal qualities and professional reputation, he cannot have the instant influence in Washington of just-retired representatives Barney Frank and John Olver, former governor Michael Dukakis, D.C. veteran Victoria Reggie Kennedy, or former MIT president Susan Hockfield.