View Full Version : Kennedy promises to still be in the Senate next January?!
BrainGlutton
08-26-2008, 10:19 AM
That's what he said at the DNC last night. I'm sure he can do it, but in his condition, isn't that kind of, well, irresponsible? He should be promising to resign, in time for an election for the seat in November.
Why? They have a Democratic governor who can appoint a Democrat in his place should he die. In the mean time, let him hold on to his chairmanships and senior positions in the Senate. Let him go out with full honors. He has certainly earned it.
Marley23
08-26-2008, 10:31 AM
I didn't see his speech last night, Brain Glutton, but your post makes it sound like Kennedy is currently running for re-election. He's not. His next election would be in 2012, which at his age wouldn't be a guarantee regardless of his cancer. So as far as that goes, and considering he is not on his deathbed, I don't think he is obliged to resign. He's not likely to serve out his term, but he also doesn't need to be immediately replaced. Survival time for people with his cancer is short, but he has the best medical care and we don't know many specifics about his condition, so for all we know he could complete the 2009 Senate session or more.
BrainGlutton
08-26-2008, 10:36 AM
Why? They have a Democratic governor who can appoint a Democrat in his place should he die. In the mean time, let him hold on to his chairmanships and senior positions in the Senate. Let him go out with full honors. He has certainly earned it.
No, the governor of Massachusetts was stripped of that power in 2004. (http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2004/07/31/romney_veto_overridden/) A Senate seat vacancy now has to be filled by a special election. Kennedy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Kennedy) was last re-elected in 2006, the next regular election would be 2012, and he's not going to last that long. If he announces his resignation now, there can be a special election in November, taking advantage of Obama's coattail effect, and Kennedy will still be mentally acute enough to give effective support to a chosen successor.
No, the governor of Massachusetts was stripped of that power in 2004. (http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2004/07/31/romney_veto_overridden/) A Senate seat vacancy now has to be filled by a special election. Kennedy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Kennedy) was last re-elected in 2006, the next regular election would be 2012, and he's not going to last that long. If he announces his resignation now, there can be a special election in November, taking advantage of Obama's coattail effect, and Kennedy will still be mentally acute enough to give effective support to a chosen successor.
Ah, I didn't know that. Well, unless Teddy dies very suddenly, he'll still be able to designate a successor (possibly John Kerry himself), who I doubt will have any trouble in being elected. And there's still the extensive Kennedy clan, who are not going to disappear. I still say, let Teddy serve for as long as he is able. He's earned it, and he still wants to do what he can. If he can survive to see Universal Health Care passed and signed into law, it will be the crowning achievement of a long and remarkable life, and I deeply hope he gets the opportunity.
jayjay
08-26-2008, 10:59 AM
Ah, I didn't know that. Well, unless Teddy dies very suddenly, he'll still be able to designate a successor (possibly John Kerry himself), who I doubt will have any trouble in being elected.
John Kerry is already the 2nd senator from Massachusetts. How would he succeed Kennedy as the other senator from Massachusetts?
Acsenray
08-26-2008, 11:02 AM
Well, unless Teddy dies very suddenly, he'll still be able to designate a successor (possibly John Kerry himself)
Kerry can't hold two seats in the U.S. Senate.
"The chairman recognizes both gentlemen from Massachusetts ..."
Phlosphr
08-26-2008, 11:07 AM
BrainGlutton and others who saw his speech last night. He's a dying man, and he's Ted Kennedy, put those together and you get someone who can say anything he wants at what will most likely be his last democratic convention. I heard it last night live when he said it and I got rather emotional, so did the entire Kennedy clan there and everyone in the audience. There was not a dry eye in the house.
Ted can say what he wants, the logistics of his coming around to the senate after January will work themselves out - he was speaking from the only place he could at that time. His heart.
TWDuke
08-26-2008, 11:13 AM
If he feels up to it, he should stay. If Obama becomes president and makes health care priority, having a senior Senator who is passionate about the topic and respected by his peers is a tremendous asset.
Skald the Rhymer
08-26-2008, 11:14 AM
BrainGlutton and others who saw his speech last night. He's a dying man, and he's Ted Kennedy, put those together and you get someone who can say anything he wants at what will most likely be his last democratic convention. I heard it last night live when he said it and I got rather emotional, so did the entire Kennedy clan there and everyone in the audience. There was not a dry eye in the house.
Ted can say what he wants, the logistics of his coming around to the senate after January will work themselves out - he was speaking from the only place he could at that time. His heart.
"Logic is a wonderful thing, but there are some things it is no good for."
Well put, Phlosphr.
mangeorge
08-26-2008, 11:19 AM
No, the governor of Massachusetts was stripped of that power in 2004. (http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2004/07/31/romney_veto_overridden/) A Senate seat vacancy now has to be filled by a special election. Kennedy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Kennedy) was last re-elected in 2006, the next regular election would be 2012, and he's not going to last that long. If he announces his resignation now, there can be a special election in November, taking advantage of Obama's coattail effect, and Kennedy will still be mentally acute enough to give effective support to a chosen successor.
He's not likely to last that long, but I'm surely not ready to declare that he won't.
If he were president, and in the same situation, I'd probably agree that he should step down. Maybe he will of his own accord, but there's no compelling reason to rush the man out. One can hope that he can still be influencial in finally getting universal health care in the US.
Peace,
mangeorge
Bricker
08-26-2008, 11:20 AM
Two things:
First, by Senate tradition, former members may have the Senate floor.
Secondly, while I have never been a fan of Kennedy's policies, it's clear to me that the man is a true believer -- he's worked tirelessly for the good of the country, as best he saw it. It's hard not to admire that sort of dedication and commitment, and I think it's small to sweep that all away into a coldly strategic decision about who will get his seat. If he has to be wheeled into the Senate chamber on January 3rd (and January 20th!) then so be it -- he's earned nothing less.
Merkwurdigliebe
08-26-2008, 11:28 AM
Yeah, even if you look at it from the people's angle. Who would best serve their interests? An ailing Kennedy? I really think that a weak Kennedy is far better than some healthy newbie pulled in off the street. It all depends, of course, on how long his mind is sharp. I don't know a whole lot about cancer treatment, but aren't there periods where there is no treatment that allows the body to recover? I heard that he had just finished a round of treatments that would make him especially ill yesterday.
But Kennedy's position is special. He really wants to see Obama carry on his brother's legacy, I believe, and I really think he wants to see UHC get passed before he dies. I hope he gets to witness both. But I do imagine after he dies there would be a concerted effort to get UHC done in his name, for sure.
John Kerry is already the 2nd senator from Massachusetts. How would he succeed Kennedy as the other senator from Massachusetts?
:smack:
dalej42
08-26-2008, 11:41 AM
Obama's coattails? In Massachusetts? A Democrat doesn't need any help from anyone to win a US Senate seat in Massachusetts.
mangeorge
08-26-2008, 11:49 AM
:smack:
Actually, Kerry is a twin. His brother is ready to step forward at a moment's notice and fill that other seat. No election needed. Ted knows this, which is why he doesn't seem too concerned about leaving the seat vacant.
Actually, Kerry is a twin. His brother is ready to step forward at a moment's notice and fill that other seat. No election needed. Ted knows this, which is why he doesn't seem too concerned about leaving the seat vacant.
Yeah, that's the ticket! His name is John too!
BrainGlutton
08-26-2008, 12:07 PM
Obama's coattails? In Massachusetts? A Democrat doesn't need any help from anyone to win a US Senate seat in Massachusetts.
Best not leave anything to chance . . . MA has had Pub governors, after all.
That's ok, BG, John Kerry's twin brother John has it covered. :D
42fish
08-26-2008, 12:13 PM
Kerry can't hold two seats in the U.S. Senate.
What if he had multiple personalities?
(Speaking hypothetically, of course. Kerry currently would be hard-pressed to claim a single personality.)
Hawkeyeop
08-26-2008, 12:17 PM
If nothing else, it gives gives Kennedy a reason to keep him fighting his disease. To keep his promise.
John Mace
08-26-2008, 12:21 PM
For Christ's sake, BG, what the hell do you want the guy to say: Well, I'll be dead in a few months, so we better get cracking on making sure a Democrat succeeds me in the Senate!! Give the guy a break, and let him go with dignity. There isn't going to be a Republican Senator from MA.
muldoonthief
08-26-2008, 12:26 PM
As a resident of MA, I'm frightened by the thought of which vile statehouse hack will wind up taking Ted's seat. Let him stay in harness as long as he wants.
And I know it's a long shot, but I'm hoping the following will occur: When Ted leaves the Senate, and a special election occurs, Mitt Romney runs and wins his seat. Given that the only reason that the law requiring a special election was passed was to prevent Mitt from appointing a Republican to take Kerry's seat if he was elected president in 2004, this would be the ultimate in irony.
jk1245
08-26-2008, 12:37 PM
The conventions are pep rallies anyway. Kennedy saying he'll still be in the Senate is equivalent to the football captain saying that they'll beat Crosstown Rival High at the big game, even though that may be unlikely.
It may have been a pep rally, but most of us are hoping for it anyway. And that he'll hang on long enough for health care to be passed. His condition may be just what it takes for the Congress to finally get off its collective ass and pass that bill before he dies, so that he can share in it before he dies. You'd think the well-being of all the American citizens would be enough, but sometimes the personal touch is just the extra kick that's needed.
jayjay
08-26-2008, 01:04 PM
It may have been a pep rally, but most of us are hoping for it anyway. And that he'll hang on long enough for health care to be passed. His condition may be just what it takes for the Congress to finally get off its collective ass and pass that bill before he dies, so that he can share in it before he dies. You'd think the well-being of all the American citizens would be enough, but sometimes the personal touch is just the extra kick that's needed.
Kennedy (and every senator and representative (except for Sherrod Brown, who declines to receive)) already receives single-payer healthcare, possibly the best publicly-paid healthcare in the country. He's not one of the people waiting desperately for universal single-payer to be passed.
With that as a given, that doesn't mean that Kennedy isn't passionate about making sure that the kind of healthcare that he and his colleagues get is made available to the public. It's been one of his pet projects for over 30 years.
Kennedy (and every senator and representative (except for Sherrod Brown, who declines to receive)) already receives single-payer healthcare, possibly the best publicly-paid healthcare in the country. He's not one of the people waiting desperately for universal single-payer to be passed.
With that as a given, that doesn't mean that Kennedy isn't passionate about making sure that the kind of healthcare that he and his colleagues get is made available to the public. It's been one of his pet projects for over 30 years.
I didn't mean share in its benefits. I meant share in the pleasure of its passage, because it's been his pet project for so long.
Yes, I may think John Kerry is two people, but I'm not quite that stupid. :D Well, maybe I am. But I wasn't this time.
jayjay
08-26-2008, 01:17 PM
I didn't mean share in its benefits. I meant share in the pleasure of its passage, because it's been his pet project for so long.
Yes, I may think John Kerry is two people, but I'm not quite that stupid. :D Well, maybe I am. But I wasn't this time.
Okay...misunderstanding on my part! Sorry!
Captain Amazing
08-26-2008, 01:21 PM
There isn't going to be a Republican Senator from MA.
You know, George Cabot Lodge is still alive...I'm rooting for him to take it. :)
You know, George Cabot Lodge is still alive...I'm rooting for him to take it. :)
Who is George Cabot Lodge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Cabot_Lodge)? I mean the original is dead. The two original Henry Cabot (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Cabot_Lodge) Lodges (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Cabot_Lodge,_Jr.) are dead. So who is George Cabot Lodge?
descamisado
08-26-2008, 01:28 PM
So who is George Cabot Lodge?Why, George Cabot Lodge's twin brother, of course!
I think Kennedy could hang on that long (and be of sound mind) and sincerely hope he does.
gonzomax
08-26-2008, 01:30 PM
That's ok, BG, John Kerry's twin brother John has it covered. :D
Teresa could use a hobby.
Elendil's Heir
08-26-2008, 01:31 PM
If he feels up to it, he should stay. If Obama becomes president and makes health care priority, having a senior Senator who is passionate about the topic and respected by his peers is a tremendous asset.
By all means, but I still took it as hyperbole. He's not a well man.
I agree the seat is likely to remain in Democratic hands, come what may.
Captain Amazing
08-26-2008, 01:34 PM
Who is George Cabot Lodge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Cabot_Lodge)? I mean the original is dead. The two original Henry Cabot (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Cabot_Lodge) Lodges (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Cabot_Lodge,_Jr.) are dead. So who is George Cabot Lodge?
Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.s's son (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_C._Lodge), who ran against Ted Kennedy for Senate in 1962. He then taught business at Harvard until he retired in 1997.
Why, George Cabot Lodge's twin brother, of course!
:smack: How silly of me!
Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.s's son (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_C._Lodge), who ran against Ted Kennedy for Senate in 1962. He then taught business at Harvard until he retired in 1997.
Thanks, Captain.
rocking chair
08-26-2008, 01:57 PM
there is the mind over matter factor. sen. kennedy does have a very strong will.
from last night's speech, he is way more with it than sen. byrd. and tons more with it than either sen. helms and strom before their leaving the senate. he will most probably be in the saddle when the call comes to "go home". having him stay in the senate ma. holds onto his seats in comm.s, he can just appear for votes.
there is the mind over matter factor. sen. kennedy does have a very strong will.
from last night's speech, he is way more with it than sen. byrd. and tons more with it than either sen. helms and strom before their leaving the senate. he will most probably be in the saddle when the call comes to "go home". having him stay in the senate ma. holds onto his seats in comm.s, he can just appear for votes.
Next time do you think you could use just a few more keystrokes, so that I can have just a little fewer brain strokes trying to figure out what you mean? ;)
John Mace
08-26-2008, 02:17 PM
It may have been a pep rally, but most of us are hoping for it anyway. ...
Who do you mean by "us"?
alphaboi867
08-26-2008, 04:25 PM
Teresa could use a hobby.
Doesn't Mrs Thierstein-Simões-Ferreira-Heinz-Kerry technically live in Pennsyvania?
Acsenray
08-26-2008, 04:58 PM
Mrs Thierstein-Simões-Ferreira-Heinz-Kerry
I realize this is a bit of a joke, but I wonder at its underlying message. Should we start counting and rating the marriages of all public figures and their spouses? Because if we do, I suspect that those on the opposite end of the aisle from Mr. Thierstein-Simões-Ferreira-Heinz-Kerry are going to come out the worse.
mangeorge
08-26-2008, 05:18 PM
Who do you mean by "us"?
Me 'n Oy!, who until just this moment was was Oyl, as in Olive.
:smack: :D
Marley23
08-26-2008, 05:42 PM
Should we start counting and rating the marriages of all public figures and their spouses? Because if we do, I suspect that those on the opposite end of the aisle from Mr. Thierstein-Simões-Ferreira-Heinz-Kerry are going to come out the worse.
She's only been married twice; you've got some extra hyphens in there. She just has a long name.
rocking chair
08-26-2008, 05:50 PM
and never divorced. sen. heinz died in a 'copter crash.
descamisado
08-26-2008, 05:57 PM
I realize this is a bit of a joke, but I wonder at its underlying message. Should we start counting and rating the marriages of all public figures and their spouses? Because if we do, I suspect that those on the opposite end of the aisle from Mr. Thierstein-Simões-Ferreira-Heinz-Kerry are going to come out the worse.Her born name is Maria Teresa Thierstein Simões Ferreira, so she's actually shortened it, even with her two married names.
From wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teresa_Heinz_Kerry.
Acsenray
08-26-2008, 06:14 PM
(1) It wasn't me who first referred to her with that name.
(2) I didn't say she had been divorced.
(3) My question stands. What is the underlying message?
mangeorge
08-26-2008, 06:54 PM
Hyphenated names. Ugh!
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