Vicki and the Vacancy

According to Susan Ferrechio of The Washington Examiner, there is bipartisan support for Vicki Kennedy to take over Ted Kennedy's office. Indeed, says Ferrechio, some think she would be "perfect for the job." Ferrechio quotes Orrin Hatch as saying that Kennedy is a "brilliant lawyer" and "a solid individual." She also quotes Chris Dodd as saying that if Kennedy wants the position, he will back her up. There are only two problems with this picture.

1. Kennedy has stated that she does not want the position
2. It's not legal for her to take it.
   

But not to worry! The Democrats mean to solve both of these problems.The Massachusetts state legislature is getting ready to debate a bill that would give Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick the authority to appoint an interim senator to fill the seat until a special election is held." And the democrats have been pushing for Kennedy to take fill that position. She is, after all, according to John R. Bohrer of the Huffington Post, 'the only logical choice." Plus, Obama needs her vote and that certainly justifies changing the rules!

So whether or not Kennedy wants the position, and whether or not the voters want her to have it, she may very well be pushed into it.

Dr. Blanchard mentioned the possibility of this sort of dirty politicking in an earlier post. He said this:

Elections are contests, and when you change the rules in mid-game to favor one contestant, that's cheating. I am guessing that Kennedy won't get his rule change. Just right now, Massachusetts Democrats don't want to give the voters another reason to be irritated.

Maybe the Massachusetts Democrats are not as wise as he thought. Hatch is certainly not as wise as I thought.

Comments

[Rita]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Press Contacts: September 1, 2009 Jorge-Mario Cabrera (562) 243-5559Anike Tourse (213) 210-6735 Immigrant Voices Should Ring Loud and ClearEfforts to boycott Census 2010 are ill-advised, unliemty, and demoralizing Los Angeles As mandated by the U.S. Constitution, on April 1, 2010, small towns and large urban centers, large families and persons living alone, the young and the old, blacks and whites, and immigrants and non-immigrants, will participate in the national count of everyone living in the United States. The simple survey takes approximately ten minutes to complete and the personal information provided is protected by federal law. This week, organizations such as the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders (CONLAMIC) and the Mexican American Political Association (MAPA) will be launching misguided efforts to try to convince immigrants, especially undocumented families, not to participate in this civic activity that takes place every ten years. The following is a statement by Angelica Salas, Executive Director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), a regional immigrant and human rights organization based in Los Angeles: In the next few days, well-intentioned but misguided individuals and organizations will launch efforts to convince immigrant communities to boycott the census. CHIRLA opposes any effort that undermines our community's chance to leave an imprint of our constant presence and contributions, especially during the past decade. No one is served by agreeing not to be counted when what we need is to provide evidence of our vital role in American society. Undocumented immigrants will not reach the ears and hearts of America and our legislators in Congress by hiding deeper in the shadows or sitting on the back of the bus. We know that in politics a person's voice is heard the loudest at the ballot box. Voting is a right protected by our nation's constitution and reserved for U.S. citizens. For residents of the United States who cannot vote, there's an important alternative that is made available every ten years. The Census is a precious opportunity that no one living in the United States of America can afford to miss. The voice of immigrants must ring loud and clear on April 1, 2010 and efforts to convince us otherwise are ill-advised, unliemty, and demoralizing. We all agree the promise of change includes immigration reform and we must continue to pressure the current Administration and Congress to pursue tangible solutions sooner rather than later. Immigrant communities should know that participation in the census is not just about political gains by Democrats or Republicans; our responses to the census translate into medications at the community clinic, dance lessons during summer at the YMCA, additional elementary schools or teachers, a park where none exist, and yes, just and humane immigration reform. One specific way we define our community's contributions and needs is by letting our numbers speak for us. Participation in Census 2010 does not preclude, divert, or disrupt the continuing hard work on behalf of undocumented immigrants. As we enrich our nation's narrative with our voices on census day we continue to work on specific immigration reform legislation that will end silence, exclusion and suffering for all immigrants living in the United States. And that is something we should all count on. ###The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) was formed in 1986 to advance the human and civil rights of immigrants and refugees in Los Angeles, promote harmonious multi-ethnic and multi-racial human relations and through coalition-building, advocacy, community education and organizing, empower immigrants and their allies to build a more just society.