Just breaking, Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) has died at the age of 77 after a battle with cancer. This marks the first time in 56 years that there has not been a Kennedy in the Senate. However I do not expect this condition to remain forever. The late Senator’s son Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) may well run for the Senate at some point and there are many Kennedy family members still in Massachusetts (including former Boston Congressman Joseph Kennedy).

It means that only one member of the Joseph P. Kennedy clan is still alive, 81 year old Jean Kennedy, sister to a President and two Senators.

As to replacing Kennedy, under current law there will be a special election to fill the vacancy somewhere between 145 and 160 days following the vacancy. That would place it somewhere between January 17th, 2010 and February 1st, 2010. Assuming they stick to a Tuesday that would probably mean January 19th, 2010 (both because it is the quickest date and would allow some symbolism for Democrats of being almost 1 year after President Obama took office)

I am not sure if the law would allow a special primary of some sort or if the nominees would be chosen at some sort of state party convention.

Ironically the law used to allow the Governor to fill a vacancy by appointment but the Democrats changed the law in 2004 to prevent then Governor Mitt Romney from naming a GOP replacement if Senator John Kerry won the White House. Kennedy had asked the legislature to change the law but they did not move quickly enough. I am using a bit of my lawyer hat to presume they can’t change the law after the vacancy occurs.

Personally I think that a combination of the two systems would be a good idea. When it comes to naming a short term replacement, follow the Wyoming rule which allows the Governor to name someone but they have to be  from the same party chosen by a list submitted by members that party. Then you could have a special election in a few months.

As to possible candidates, former Congressman Joseph Kennedy is a clear contender if he decides to get back into politics. Another would be state Attorney General Martha Coakley (since Kennedy’s widow Vicki has previously indicated she is not interested in the seat. Obviously any of the current House members (all Democrats) are on the list as is former Congressman Meehan (who has a huge war chest).

On the GOP side the field is more limited, with former Lt. Governor Kerry Healy as a leading option along with businessman Jeff Beatty, former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan and former Ambassador Chris Egan Of course any Republican would have a tough time winning unless there is some sort of Democratic party split.

I hope you don’t consider the above to be getting to political too quickly, but I figured we do need to have the basic facts at hand and indeed as a political junkie I suspect the late Senator would want folks to know. However I think we can save debate over the above names and dates can wait for another thread.

Love him or hate him nobody can deny that Kennedy was indeed the lion of the Senate. A member since 1962 (which means he took office shortly after President Obama was born), he became a legendary figure in the body, leading many fights over the last five decades (60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and 00’s).

Regardless of party, he was the kind of man people just couldn’t help liking. One of his closest friends in the Senate has been Senator Orin Hatch, a very conservative Republican from Utah. Ronald and Nancy Reagan considered him one of their closest friends, despite the obvious political differences.

Indeed he is well known for being among the first to offer sympathy and support to members of Congress following the death of a loved one. Perhaps this reflects the own tragedies of his life (consider that by the time he was 40 years old he had seen one brother die in war, two brothers had been murdered, a sister had died in a plane crash and another had been lobotomized. Plus of course his own personal burdens, and all of it in the public eye).

More details coming out indicate that in the last couple of weeks his condition had deteriorated to the point that he was not able to communicate with family members nor was he able to take a call from the President. If true then it seems his passing is truly a release from suffering. I can’t imagine anything that would be more frustrating or upsetting to a man who built his life on eloquence with the English language.

I plan to post some more detailed reflections on his life once I have time to properly organize them but for now we can use this thread to discuss his life and impact. It goes without saying that I offer my deepest sympathies and condolences to his family, friends and loved ones

Although you can get coverage from pretty much and news site, here ia link to the story on CNN.