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.
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.
No, the governor of Massachusetts was stripped of that power in 2004. A Senate seat vacancy now has to be filled by a special election. 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.
John Kerry is already the 2nd senator from Massachusetts. How would he succeed Kennedy as the other senator from Massachusetts?
Kerry can’t hold two seats in the U.S. Senate.
“The chairman recognizes both gentlemen from Massachusetts …”
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.
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.
“Logic is a wonderful thing, but there are some things it is no good for.”
Well put, Phlosphr.
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
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.
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.
:smack:
Obama’s coattails? In Massachusetts? A Democrat doesn’t need any help from anyone to win a US Senate seat in Massachusetts.
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!
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. 
What if he had multiple personalities?
(Speaking hypothetically, of course. Kerry currently would be hard-pressed to claim a single personality.)