Sorry, but there is absolutely no sane reason for not giving Senator Kerry's seat to Barney

[lonestarnot]

temporarily. Case closed. Oh yeah and fuck you Shell Oil!

[PennsylvaniaMatt]

1. +1

I agree!

[exboyfil]

2. When the special election happens

Would it be an advantage to be a sitting Senator? If so that would be the only reason to not have Frank as interim Senator. Otherwise I would expect to Sen. Frank to back the democrat all the way and help in whatever way that he can.

It would be a nice reward to Frank for his years of service. Having the Senator's title even for a short time is very special, and he obviously will represent the interests of his state.

[lonestarnot]

9. He is not interested in a permanent position, just interim service. Why shouldn't we have a man of

his years of experience, knowledge and loyalty. Anything less is nuts.es the fact that he WANTS the interim appointment. He should have what he WANTS.

[MADem]

18. The governor wants to appoint a placeholder, not someone who might run.

Barney is seventy--too old to run and start out as a junior senator, but perfect for the interim job.

[demwing]

3. Only 1 - I'd rather he win it permanently

other than that

[putitinD]

5. Me too

[lonestarnot]

10. He doesn't want it permanently.

[demwing]

20. Not trying to argue, just pointing out a sane reason

Frank would be a best choice

[fadedrose]

4. Who's Sec'y of Energy or Interior..

Wouldn't Markey be good at that as well?

I'd love to see Frank as permanent Senator.

[JI7]

6. Frank doesn't want to be permanent Senator

[lonestarnot]

11. Markey is running for the seat permanently in the special election. And yes! Big Oil will have

their fucking pain in the ass!

[jberryhill]

7. Is a large purple dinosaur eligible?

[lonestarnot]

12. Snort.

[Recursion]

8. It might be good to have a sitting Senator in the special election, with Brown still in play

I'm sure Patrick is getting all the pro's and con's as we speak.

[lonestarnot]

13. Nope. Not running in the special election. He said he wasn't interested in that, just the interim

appt.

[Recursion]

15. Right, which is a good reason not to appoint Frank

Contrary to your claim in the OP

[lonestarnot]

16. There will not be an incumbent in the special election. What are you talking about?

Are you saying appt. Markey?

[Jim Lane]

26. I can't speak for Recursion, but, yes, I'm saying appoint Markey

That is, appoint Markey if it's clear that he'll be the nominee. Some of the potentially strong candidates, such as Frank and various Kennedy relatives, have already opted out. If the primary field clears for Markey, he should be the interim appointee. If someone like Capuano decides to run, then probably Patrick shouldn't appoint either of them.

[JI7]

17. special election is only going to be a few months away

it wont help in this case because the candidate will need time to campaign, raise money etc. they wouldn't have been senator long enough to get benefit from being incumbant.

[MADem]

19. No. He has made it clear that his interim appointment will not be a candidate. nt

[awoke_in_2003]

23. Brown lost an election...

pukes dont re-run proven losers.

[Jim Lane]

25. Brown is still far and away the most likely Republican candidate.

Yeah, I know, "pukes dont re-run proven losers," which is why Richard Nixon's career was finished after he lost the presidential election in 1960 and the gubernatorial election in 1962.

The Republican bench in Massachusetts is very, very thin. They have no one who comes close to Brown's name recognition and popularity. He'll be the candidate unless someone discovers nude pictures from his past... oh, wait....

[awoke_in_2003]

27. Yeah, like nude pictures...

stopped him . I see your point, but hope I am right. We don't need that asshat back in the senate.

[Ratty]

24. Agreed. Incumbent has an edge

Why give that edge to somebody who won't even be in the election? As much as we all like Frank I don't see a good reason to appoint him.

[Bolo Boffin]

14. I would love to have Senator Frank weighing in on second term appointments. n/t

[Zorra]

22. K&R nt

[limpyhobbler]

28. How would he be a better choice than Ed Markey?

I would rather see it go to somebody who is going to run for Senate.

Conventional wisdom indicates it would give the person a boost at election time.

These appointments are almost always given to somebody who is planning to run.

That's the default move unless there is an actual reason beyond just "Because I say so".

[julian09]

29. Patrick will only appoint a placeholder who will NOT run for the remaining two years of Kerry term.

[babylonsister]

30. I know Dukakis was being considered...

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/273151-dukakis-seen-as-possible-senate-replacement-if-kerry-tapped-for-state

Dukakis seen as possible Senate replacement if Kerry tapped for State