Ted Kennedy Dying Wish Letter Asks For Continuity

In the letter to Gov. Patrick, Kennedy asks that the law be changed so that the Governor could appoint someone to be a temporary appointee till a special election can take place for someone to complete the unexpired term. Kennedy makes the recommendation “as a condition of appointment of the interim Senator, an explicit personal commitment not to become a candidate in the special election” in his letter.

Current Massachusetts law requires a special election to be held to fill any vacant seat. This election is to take place 145 to 160 days after the vacancy occurs. This would leave Kennedy’s seat empty for five months and the Democrats with one less vote in the Senate.

The law was changed back in 2004 when Sen. John Kerry was running for President. It was changed so that the then Gov. Mitt Romney, a Republican, could not be able to appoint a Republican for Kerry’s seat if Kerry was to have won the Presidency.

With the upcoming vote for President Obama’s health care reform, every vote counts. There is concern that if Kennedy’s health does not allow him to participate in that vote or if his seat is vacant at the time of the vote, that the health care reform will not pass the Senate.

Health care reform has been a platform that Kennedy has fought for over the years. It is one topic he is passionate about. With this letter, Kennedy is hoping to assure the chance for reform to happen. It also creates even more questions as to his current condition of his health.

Written by Denise Clay