Romney offers plan on an interim senator

[Khephra]

Governor Mitt Romney, seeking to retain some control over choosing US Senator John F. Kerry's replacement if he wins the presidency, yesterday offered Beacon Hill's two top legislative Democrats an opportunity to help him pick an interim.

Under Romney's proposed compromise, unveiled by a top aide on the steps of the State House yesterday afternoon, the governor would submit for approval the name of the person he wants to temporarily fill the vacancy to House Speaker Thomas M. Finneran and Senate President Robert E. Travaglini.

The appointee would serve until a special election next spring and could run in that election. Democrats want to hold a special election -- they believe their party would win -- but Romney is arguing that their approach would leave the US Senate seat vacant for several weeks until the election.

''I think this is going to be well-received," said Daniel Winslow, Romney's chief legal counsel, who explained the proposal. ''Compromise is, after all, what makes democracy work, and it's a compromise that makes good sense on many levels, but particularly with respect to the needs and the importance of having equal representation in the United States Congress and Senate."

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/articles/2004/07/12/romney_offers_plan_on_an_interim_senator/

[fob]

1. Finneran and Travaligni should provide romney with a list of 5

persons for him to choose the appointee from and accept THAT as compromise.

[Frodo]

2. That would almost let us pick our opponent for Kerry's seat?

(Or at least sign off on the incumbent)?

Sounds like a good idea to me!

[Frances]

3. Tell it to Tom DeLay

Isn't it wonderful how Repubs like for Dems to compromise? But when the Repubs hold the high cards, it's take no prisoners

[skippysmom]

4. I am so damn sick of Mitt

How many more months till we can vote him out?

[DieboldMustDie]

7. 28

Since you asked. :shrug:.

[dolstein]

5. Dems should agree to this on two conditions

First, the temporary appointee has to be a Democrat. There can't be ANY possibility that the appointment of a replacement would affect the partisan balance of the Senate.

Second, the temporary appointee must agree not to run in the special election or endorse any candidate who is running.

[SoCalDem]

6. Go back to Utah, Mitt(ens)....

They are so transparent.. I am sure he's "worried" about the seat being empty..

Perhaps the fairest thing to do, would be to have the "retiring" senator pick his "interim" replacement.. That way the voters who elected him/her in the first place, would at least be assured that the values and politics would be the same as the one they voted for..