Americans Away From Home

Six days ago, newspapers reported that Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy was trying to change the laws about replacing U.S. Senators.

If Mr. Kennedy were to die before his term expired, current law requires that his seat (and vote!) would still be vacant when the health care bill he cared so much about came up for a vote, according to the NY Times. His seat would be empty until a special election, which would be held 145-160 days later.

On August 20, Sen. Kennedy wrote to the Governor of Massachusetts and leaders of the State legislature, saying he wanted Massachusetts to be represented in the Senate during those five months.

What he didn't say explicitly: passing health care reform needs all the Democratic votes possible. If he were not well enough to vote or died before the vote on health care, and the Governor appointed a Republican, the bill might lose a crucial vote.

Massachusetts law gave the governor the right to appoint a temporary replacement before 2004. Ironically, it was a Democrat-controlled legislature that changed that to holding special elections, with the time requirement. That was done when Senator John Kerry ran for President, with the thinking that if he won and vacated his Senate seat, the governor (Republican Mitt Romney) would name a Republican successor. (NY times story here).

Now it's backfiring. Political ball games have consequences.

Or, be careful what you wish for.

Carole

Update:  (Who'll be the next Senator? Issues here)