View Full Version : Rules are Rules
Robert Toy
08-21-2009, 08:10 PM
Senator Ted Kennedy, who is gravely ill with brain cancer, has sent a letter to Massachusetts lawmakers requesting a change in the state law that determines how his Senate seat would be filled if it became vacant before his eighth full term ends in 2012. Current law mandates that a special election be held at least 145 days after the seat becomes available. Mr. Kennedy is concerned that such a delay could leave his fellow Democrats in the Senate one vote short of a filibuster-proof majority for months while a special election takes place.
"I therefore am writing to urge you to work together to amend the law through the normal legislative process to provide for a temporary gubernatorial appointment until the special election occurs," writes the Senator.
What Mr. Kennedy doesn't volunteer is that he orchestrated the 2004 succession law revision that now requires a special election, and for similarly partisan reasons. John Kerry, the other Senator from the state, was running for President in 2004, and Mr. Kennedy wanted the law changed so the Republican Governor at the time, Mitt Romney, could not name Mr. Kerry's replacement. "Prodded by a personal appeal from Senator Edward M. Kennedy," reported the Boston Globe in 2004, "Democratic legislative leaders have agreed to take up a stalled bill creating a special election process to replace U.S. Senator John F. Kerry if he wins the presidency." Now that the state has a Democratic Governor, Mr. Kennedy wants to revert to gubernatorial appointments.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204884404574362541012511408.html
I'd say "typical elitist behavior" but then I'd get derided for my cynicism. :D
Bartholomew
08-21-2009, 08:43 PM
That's sort of like declaring "No Acronyms" in a game of scrabble, and then begging everyone to let you put NSA down as your last word, so you don't lose points.
o.O
escritora
08-21-2009, 08:51 PM
Rules are meant to be broken.
(Oh, I'm just pulling a Robert Toy)
Robert Toy
08-21-2009, 08:52 PM
Rules are meant to be broken.
(Oh, I'm just pulling a Robert Toy)
Hey! Watch were you're pulling
Higgins
08-21-2009, 08:53 PM
That's sort of like declaring "No Acronyms" in a game of scrabble, and then begging everyone to let you put NSA down as your last word, so you don't lose points.
o.O
It's like you're dying of brain cancer and you try to do something so that at least you don't feel like you are letting everybody down.
Norman D Gutter
08-21-2009, 09:02 PM
.
Robert Toy
08-21-2009, 09:04 PM
advantage...pond scum floats
Higgins
08-21-2009, 09:06 PM
Edward Kennedy is Poucha Pond scum.
advantage...pond scum floats
Remind me not to get brain cancer while you guys are still healthy.
Robert Toy
08-21-2009, 09:19 PM
Remind me not to get brain cancer while you guys are still healthy.
if you remember not to drive off any bridges
dclary
08-21-2009, 09:31 PM
Would you two just chappa quit it!? ;)
William Haskins
08-21-2009, 09:42 PM
"If we had a Republican governor right now, would we be getting that same letter?" - MA House Minority Leader Brad Jones
i can't believe somebody would give a shit about what happens in the event of his death. there ain't no politickin' in the graveyard.
Diana Hignutt
08-21-2009, 10:00 PM
Dyin' or not that request sucks. I wish our politicians would put the country and its laws before the party, but that ain't happening any time too soon.
MattW
08-21-2009, 11:15 PM
Rules don't apply to Kennedys.
Especially Teddy.
Rules don't apply to Kennedys.
Especially Teddy.
chappaquiddick, what?
Seaclusion
08-21-2009, 11:21 PM
Not unlike Ashcroft and Rummy pushing for the Terror Alert Level to be raised right before the 2004 presidential election.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32501273/ns/us_news-security/
Party first, country second is in effect for both parties.
Richard
Robert Toy
08-21-2009, 11:22 PM
I hereby bequeath my seat to...
smcc360
08-22-2009, 04:26 AM
Party first, country second is in effect for both parties.
I agree in principle, but I'd rank 'self' first for damn near all of them, knocking 'country' down to a distant third.
benbradley
08-22-2009, 04:57 AM
Rules are meant to be broken rewritten.
(Oh, I'm just pulling a Robert Toy)
There, now it's more pallatable. But it'll still make you just as sick after you eat it...
Edward Kennedy is Poucha Pond scum.
advantage...pond scum floats
Hey, guys, you better not be calling people names ... check this story out (password: flashed):
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=141373
"If we had a Republican governor right now, would we be getting that same letter?" - MA House Minority Leader Brad Jones
Impertinent question!
Not unlike Ashcroft and Rummy pushing for the Terror Alert Level to be raised right before the 2004 presidential election.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32501273/ns/us_news-security/
Party first, country second is in effect for both parties.
Richard
"But OUR party is THE ONE that puts COUNTRY FIRST! Don't listen to THEM!"
William Haskins
08-26-2009, 11:38 PM
in all likelihood, massachusetts will be without one of their senators until january.
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy urged Massachusetts lawmakers last week to give Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick the power to name his successor. But with reactions to Kennedy’s proposal mixed – and with the legislature not due back until after Labor Day – it appears for now that Massachusetts will be without a second senator until a special election can be held early next year.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/26448.html
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