http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/09/mass_senate_pas.html

This is what happens when a state has the highest percentage of one-party rule in the country in both chambers combined: it changes the law willy-nilly to suit whatever is most convenient at any given time.

In 2004, at Ted Kennedy's request, the law was changed so that if John Kerry won the White House, republican Governor Mitt Romney couldn't replace him.  Now that they have a democrat in there, the law is changed again after just five years; at Ted Kennedy's request.

Massachusetts State House: 143 democrats, 16 republicans, 1 vacant
Massachusetts State Senate: 35 democrats, 5 republicans

It's pretty f***ed up, no doubt.

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/09/mass_senate_pas.html

This is what happens when a state has the highest percentage of one-party rule in the country in both chambers combined: it changes the law willy-nilly to suit whatever is most convenient at any given time.

In 2004, at Ted Kennedy's request, the law was changed so that if John Kerry won the White House, republican Governor Mitt Romney couldn't replace him.  Now that they have a democrat in there, the law is changed again after just five years; at Ted Kennedy's request.

Massachusetts State House: 143 democrats, 16 republicans, 1 vacant
Massachusetts State Senate: 35 democrats, 5 republicans


Of course you wouldn't be yelling if Republicans held the power now would you? ;)

Of course you wouldn't be yelling if Republicans held the power now would you? ;)


If a republican was Governor in Massachusetts now, I highly doubt this law would have been passed.

One of the biggest bills in the past twenty years is going to come up for a vote this year before a replacement can be elected.  I'd be pretty pissed as a resident of the state in question if we had less representation as a result of his death.

the people elected Democrats in overwhelming majority.  They don't wan a Republican (especially a slimeball like Romney) to be able to appoint a DINO.

They don't wan a Republican (especially a slimeball like Romney) to be able to appoint a DINO.


Then why did they, you know, elect Mitt Romney Governor?

Federal law pretty much leaves it up to each state as to how empty senate positions are filled, (barring of course the "Blagojevich Auction Process") so there is plenty of leeway there.

All that said it indeed is unseemly how Massachusetts has handled the vacant-seat issue, but hey that's their issue and the citizens of that fair state elect this kind of politician so more power to them.

I did read today that Representative Kennedy from RHODE ISLAND has been calling the MA Governor, giving him suggestions as to who he should appoint.

My thought if I were Governor would be to tell Mr. Kennedy "Kid, you go govern Rhode Island and I'll take care of Massachusetts , thank you."

To say the least my feathers get quite ruffled when out-of-jurisdiction people try to stick their noses into local politics, whether it be Repub, Dem, or otherwise.

So... let Massachusetts appoint the replacement senator as they see fit.

Then why did they, you know, elect Mitt Romney Governor?


they didn't elect him Senator... as a matter of fact, pretty certain the voters made it clear he wasn't wanted in that position... so I don't think we'd want him picking one either.

They pretty much decided on Michael Dukakis to fill the slot.  He will only be there in the interim, he is 85 years old and doesn't have any interest in running for the seat, so it is a win/win situation.  They wanted to fill the seat for a number of reason, top of the list is the Health Care vote.  They didn't do this when Romney was Governor because they didn't want him to be able to appoint a Republican to fill the seat of John Kerry if Kerry had taken the Presidency.  Underhanded, yes, but since Romney never really had the best interests of Massachusetts in mind it doesn't really matter.  That, and, if the parties had been switched it probably would have happened the same way.  What!  You think a Republican controlled state would have acted any differently  ::)

Then why did they, you know, elect Mitt Romney Governor?



Massachusetts has had a history of electing Republican governors as a check on the heavily Democratic state control, we have given them every chance to prove their worth.  Unfortunately for us, and the Republicans, the ones chosen do not act in a manner that supposes they have the interests of the State in mind.  Romney used it as a stepping stone to the White House(he hoped) Swift got in when Cellucci left to be Ambassador to Canada, her Republican family values found her married to a man who had been married 3 times before(once to his own cousin), didn't work, and was put forth as a stay at home dad even though he dropped the kids off at the office for the aides to watch.  Weld left thinking he was going to be an Ambassador(not before being falling down drunk at a function), and Ed King beat Dukakis, lasted one fraud filled term before losing to Dukakis.  We are willing to vote in Republicans, they just aren't willing to be Republicans.

They pretty much decided on Michael Dukakis to fill the slot.  He will only be there in the interim, he is 85 years old and doesn't have any interest in running for the seat, so it is a win/win situation.  They wanted to fill the seat for a number of reason, top of the list is the Health Care vote.  They didn't do this when Romney was Governor because they didn't want him to be able to appoint a Republican to fill the seat of John Kerry if Kerry had taken the Presidency.  Underhanded, yes, but since Romney never really had the best interests of Massachusetts in mind it doesn't really matter.  That, and, if the parties had been switched it probably would have happened the same way.  What!  You think a Republican controlled state would have acted any differently   ::)


Let's get Dukakis a photo op, where he dons a military helmet and looks like a kid at the amusement park.


;D

Massachusetts has had a history of electing Republican governors as a check on the heavily Democratic state control, we have given them every chance to prove their worth.  Unfortunately for us, and the Republicans, the ones chosen do not act in a manner that supposes they have the interests of the State in mind.  Romney used it as a stepping stone to the White House(he hoped) Swift got in when Cellucci left to be Ambassador to Canada, her Republican family values found her married to a man who had been married 3 times before(once to his own cousin), didn't work, and was put forth as a stay at home dad even though he dropped the kids off at the office for the aides to watch.  Weld left thinking he was going to be an Ambassador(not before being falling down drunk at a function), and Ed King beat Dukakis, lasted one fraud filled term before losing to Dukakis.  We are willing to vote in Republicans, they just aren't willing to be Republicans.


I'm not a big fan of Romney, but wasn't he the governor that passed your state's socialized medicine plan?

Massachusetts has had a history of electing Republican governors as a check on the heavily Democratic state control, we have given them every chance to prove their worth.  Unfortunately for us, and the Republicans, the ones chosen do not act in a manner that supposes they have the interests of the State in mind.  Romney used it as a stepping stone to the White House(he hoped) Swift got in when Cellucci left to be Ambassador to Canada, her Republican family values found her married to a man who had been married 3 times before(once to his own cousin), didn't work, and was put forth as a stay at home dad even though he dropped the kids off at the office for the aides to watch.  Weld left thinking he was going to be an Ambassador(not before being falling down drunk at a function), and Ed King beat Dukakis, lasted one fraud filled term before losing to Dukakis.  We are willing to vote in Republicans, they just aren't willing to be Republicans.


Jane Swift was Sarah Palin with a wider waistline and a higher IQ!
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/12/icon_biggrin.gif

Ed King's campaign also let it be known that Mr. Dukakis had been counseled for depression by a psychiatrist, and as Archie Bunker used to say, "Anybody who sees a psychiatrist oughta have his head examined!"

Anyway, the Duke is only 75 going on 76.  Funny to think of that.  He always seemed kinda ageless.

I gotta good idea, let's pass a bill to allow Kerry two votes in the the interim.  He'd be two senators in one politician, Kerry I and Kerry II.



This is what happens when a state has the highest percentage of one-party rule in the country in both chambers combined: it changes the law willy-nilly to suit whatever is most convenient at any given time.

In 2004, at Ted Kennedy's request, the law was changed so that if John Kerry won the White House, republican Governor Mitt Romney couldn't replace him.  Now that they have a democrat in there, the law is changed again after just five years; at Ted Kennedy's request.

Massachusetts State House: 143 democrats, 16 republicans, 1 vacant
Massachusetts State Senate: 35 democrats, 5 republicans


And guess who doesn't have to live there if he doesn't want to!
::)

And guess who doesn't have to live there if he doesn't want to!
::)




...and why is it that those pesky students from all over the country/world come here to school, then don't want to take their A$$eS back home?  Massachusetts should give out student visas to anyone who comes here from outside its boarders then send them back to their parents when done  ;D

Jane Swift was Sarah Palin with a wider waistline and a higher IQ!
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/12/icon_biggrin.gif

Well, that's kind of knocked out Palin's most distinguishing features, hasn't it?