How many Democrats in Massachusetts are kicking themselves today? [send a card first]
Were he [Kennedy] to resign or die in office, state law requires a special election for the seat no sooner than 145 days and no later than 160 days after the vacancy occurs.
…The law was changed in 2004, when Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts became the Democratic presidential nominee and Republican Mitt Romney was the state’s governor. Prior to the change, the governor would have appointed a replacement who would have served until the next general election.
…That would create the opportunity to install a fellow Republican in office, something lawmakers in the vastly Democratic state wanted to avoid.
It’s not like a Republican could win a race for dog-catcher in Massachusetts right now, but surely the Dems are wishing they’d changed this law back.
Also, Ed Markey has been in the House for 32 years and is still third in line (seniority-wise) to be Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Although he did get a consolation prize of sorts when the new Majority in 2007 created the Select Committee for Energy Independence and Global Warming and named him Chairman. Does he have his eyes set on the Senate?
What about Romney? Is there a Markey-Romney show down around the corner?
NOTE FROM FDC EDITORS: Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kennedy family during this time.