Back in 2004 when it appeared that Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) had a chance at winning the White House, Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) was able to convince the Massachusetts legislature to change the Massachusetts state law that gave the governor power to replace a resigned Senator with his own appointment.
In 2004, that governor was none other than Mitt Romney (R-MA).
Had Sen. Kerry been elected, he would have been forced to resign and Romney would have been able to replace Kerry with a Republican if he so chose.
Sen. Kennedy acted craftily to change the law so that a popular election would have been held nearly one-third of a year after a Senator’s departure.
This was purely a political ploy to allow a Democatic nominee to mount a strong effort in an election. Combined with voter data, a Democrat would have been greatly favored.
Now, once again, Massachusetts is facing the loss of a U.S. Senator. This time, it is Sen. Kennedy, himself, to death.
State law does not allow a governor appointee to assume the seat. There has to be an election.
The healthcare bill is being muscled by Ted Kennedy and the left. Kennedy understands that the vote could be close and come down to a vote or two.
Here is where it gets ironic. Kennedy now wants the law changed back to how it was before he played politics before.
Kennedy claims that it is important that Massachusetts have a second senator to watch out for their needs. Why was it not important in 2004?