Mike Dukakis for interim Massachusetts Senator

[DFW]

Mass. needs a second Senate representation for the time that is needed to organize a new
election for Teddy's seat. The state legislature and Gov. Patrick could pave the way for
such an appointment within a very short time, and we need that vote in the Senate to ward
off Republican filibusters.

Dukakis is progressive politically, is about 75 years old (although one hell of a vigorous
75!! I met him last summer, and would have believed him if he had told me he was 60), and
would not be interested in a full term. For that matter, I have no idea if he would even
accept such a post if offered it or asked to do it. But "the Duke" is a great speaker and
a true progressive Democrat who would not back down or shrink from any of Teddy's initiatives.
Also, there would be no residency questions, as Dukakis has always lived in Massachusetts.
Plus, as a former presidential candidate, he personally knows many of the Senators Teddy did.


Until such time as a new Senator can be elected, I think Dukakis would be an excellent choice
to fill Teddy Kennedy's seat, and allow the Massachusetts Democrats to use the time (hopefully
wisely) to find a suitable candidate.

For those who have not followed the local legal situation there, in 2004, the Democratic Mass.
Legislature enacted a law saying that in the case of a Senator not completing his or her term,
there must be period of several months before the seat could be filled by a new election. This
was a short-sighted tactic ushered through for the one-time case that Kerry might win the presidency
in 2004 while Mitt Romney was the Republican governor, and the Mass. Dems didn't want Romney
appointing Kerry's successor. Oops. But now that the legislature AND the governor are Democrats,
they should be able to allow for an interim appointment in no time flat once the legislature convenes
for the fall session.

[livetohike]

1. This is a great idea

I hope this happens quickly. There would be no learning curve. He could get in there and go right to work.

[tilsammans]

2. Agree!

:kick:

[pinto]

3. I agree. I've heard his name floated by the "talking heads" on TV, as well.

Would be a good choice if they go the interim appointment route (which seems likely, imho).

[DFW]

5. I don't watch American TV much (can't get it most of the time anyway)

But if the talking heads, who often enough, as I understand it, get things wrong,
like the idea, maybe it's doomed!

[pinto]

11. LOL. It's not so much they get things wrong - they tend to parrot any little shred

of info that filters out of Congress, Congressional committees, the White House, mid-level staffers of all the above, taxi drivers, who knows who else? as "Breaking News!"

24/7 cable news is in many ways a bane to good journalism / reporting.

[bluestateguy]

4. As long as he stays interim

I don't want him running in the special election.

In a campaign he'd be like the kid who keeps getting beat up by the school bully because he won't fight back.

[DFW]

7. I can't imagine he'd have the slightest interest

He was 54 when he ran for president. At 75, he's very involved in his housing for the poor
project in Massachusetts. I very much doubt he'd want to let that drop at this point. He's
pretty engaged in the project in Boston. My only question is whether he'd want the appointment
at all, given that it would take him away from his own project for a few months.

[lpbk2713]

6. Wicked pissah.

I'm not a Mass voter but I think it's a terrific idea.

[Arkana]

8. Rock us Dukakis?

[DFW]

10. I think he would.

With no interest in running for the seat himself, he could let rip on the Senate floor with
no fear whatsoever of having stuff he said tossed against him in a future election campaign,
as he wouldn't be a candidate. In the case of a Senator, that is impregnable armor.

[Arkana]

12. When you say "let rip"...

You don't mean, like, farting silently, then turning to the esteemed Senator from Delaware or whatever and going "Whoo! Sir, I think you should consider a change in diet."

[DFW]

13. Um, no, that's not what I meant! LOL!!

Although if shit blows across the aisle to the Republican side, I doubt they'd even notice.

[Arkana]

15. If it did, Senator Graham would turn to Senator DeMint

and go "Sir, are you making a pass at me?"

[DFW]

17. If he taps his foot in response, it's time to worry. n/t

[cleveramerican]

9. I agree wholeheartedly

he was my first thought when an interim senator was discussed.

my second choice would be Ray Flynn

[Neecy]

14. I totally agree

He's someone with stature, and we need someone like that when casting an important vote on health care reform. Some nameless nobody will get us a vote, but it's the final debate that's important. Republicans have already framed this issue far too much.

[Captain Hilts]

16. My favorite presidential vote. By FAR. Good man. Good progressive. nt

[donheld]

18. ok