Just An Average Joe: Righting A Wrong

Massachusetts Governor Duval Patrick named a successor to the Senate Seat vacated by the late Ted Kennedy. The successor’s name is Paul G. Kirk. The following from USA Today is a brief biography about Mr. Kirk. http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2009/09/meet-us-sendesignate-paul-kirk-dmass.html
Meet U.S. Sen.-designate Paul Kirk, D-Mass.
Who is Paul G. Kirk, Jr., the man Masschusetts Gov. Deval Patrick selected as the state's interim U.S. senator? Kirk, 71, has never run for political office, but he has been involved in politics and around Washington for a long time. Born Jan. 18, 1938, Kirk met the late Sen. Edward Kennedy early in his career. After graduating from Harvard College and Harvard Law School, he served as a special assistant to Kennedy from 1969 to 1977. At that time he became a partner at the law firm of Sullivan & Worcester LLP in Boston until 1990. During the 1980s Kirk served in various positions in the Democratic Party – first as treasurer from 1983 to 1985, and chairman of the party from 1985 to 1989. In 1987, Kirk founded the Commission on Presidential Debates with Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., former chairman of the Republican Party. The commission organizes high profile debates between presidential and vice presidential candidates, and has organized debates during each general election since 1988. Kirk was a registered lobbyist, too. Because of his new position he would be banned from lobbying activities for two years after his term ends -- not that he has indicated any intention of becoming a lobbyist. Among his various board appointments, Kirk is a founding member of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation’s Board of Directors, where he now serves as chairman. Kirk also followed Kennedy’s endorsement during the 2008 presidential election by casting his superdelegate vote for then Sen. Barack Obama. He currently resides in Marstons Mills, Mass. with his wife Gail.

Normally, an action of this nature, by the Governor of a State would not be so controversial. However, there is a little history to the actions recently taken by the Massachusetts State Legislature that paved the way to this appointment. During the Presidential Election in 2004, Massachusetts Junior Senator John Kerry was the Democratic Nominee. At that time, Republican Governor Mitt Romney would have had the opportunity to nominate a replacement Senator had Mr. Kerry been elected. To avoid the appointment of a Republican to the seat, a predominantly Democratic State Legislature, voted to rescind the power from the Governor’s hand. Now, four years later, this same State Legislature reinstates the power to a Democratic Governor in Mr. Patrick. The Republican Minority is up in arms over these events but, they do not have the votes to stop it. By restoring the powers of appointment to the Governor, Massachusetts is now in step with the remainder of the States that all carry this Law. Some critics say that this was strictly political. GEE YA THINK?

The Obama Administration wants an appointment as soon as possible so it will have the votes needed to pass the Healthcare Reform Legislation that is desperately needed. In Massachusetts, there is Political fallout due to many who felt the Kennedy Family had too much input in the appointment of Mr. Kirk. Many democrats believe Michael Dukakis should have been appointed instead. Regardless of the decision, Governor Patrick will be scrutinized and criticized by members of both parties when all is said and done.