Ah yes, the Massachusetts legislature will apparently shrug off the bullshit claims of partisanship and opt to fill Ted Kennedy's seat with an interim appointment until the special election can be held in January. Speculation is that Mike Dukakis will be appointed as a caretaker of the seat, although I think there would be something to be said for selecting Nick Littlefield, Kennedy's long time Chief of Staff, a guy who knows the ins and outs of Senate procedure as well as anyone. [Update - The Boston Globe has endosed Dukakis for the position. Also, I wanted to note in response to commenter Don K., that yes, he's right this is a partisan act, but as he also notes a legitimately partisan one that is consonant with the wishes of the people of Massachusetts and small d democracy.]
[Further update -- the Mass. Senate has now passed the bill - although the 24 to 16 margin is disappointing. ]
The break down by party of the "Massachusetts General Court" as it is quaintly known, brought joy to my heart: In the House, 141 Democrats to 19 Republicans and in the Senate, 35 Democrats and 5 Republicans.
The notion that conservatives were in any way concerned about the people of Massachusetts having a say in who would replace Kennedy is laughable. After all, there is going to be a vote within three months. I didn't see a similar concern when Charlie Criss picked an interim replacement for Mel Martinez, who will not be subject to the will of the voters. The only thing the right wingers were concerned about is the hope that they could turn Kennedy's tragic death into an opportunity to kill by filibuster his greatest legislative priority, one which the people of Massachusetts overwhelmingly support.
As for changing rules in midstream for partisan purposes, let anyone of these assclowns show me where they objected to Tom Delay's egregious and unprecedented mid-decade congressional redistricting and we can talk.
Otherwise, fuck off.
