A hearing on the Democrats' proposal to change the law, handing power to the governor to choose an interim replacement for the vacant Senate seat, is scheduled for tomorrow at 1:00pm in Gardner Auditorium at the State House. Jennifer Nassour, Chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party, is organizing a protest to take place at the same time, same location. She asks those interested in participating to arrive at 11:30am.

Below is a portion of an unpublished letter Marshall Horwitz submitted to the Telegram & Gazette in December, 2008. Dr. Horwitz wrote this letter in support of State Representative Lew Evangelidis, who at the time, was running for House Minority Leader. In his letter, Marshall points out the need for a two-party system in Massachusetts. Could he have been any more clairvoyant?

With Joe Kennedy out of the running for his uncle's seat, the dynamics of the race change, however one-party dominance remains, allowing the Democrats on Beacon Hill to do nearly whatever they wish. Attend the hearing of the Joint Committee on Election Laws tomorrow.


Dr. Horwitz writes:

The most glaring need for a visible minority opposition can be seen in the events surrounding the 2004 and 2008 presidential election. In 2004, with Sen. John Kerry likely to become President, the state legislature stripped then Governor Romney of his authority to appoint an interim replacement for Senator Kerry’s seat. The Democratically controlled legislature sounded the populist clarion that so much power concentrated in the hands of the governor would deny the people of the Commonwealth the right to chose Senator Kerry’s successor. So a special election would be called. This charade, of course, was done to preclude Governor Romney his option to choose a member of the Republican Party, which he surely would have done. Just a few months ago, with Senator Kerry a potential nominee for the position of Secretary of State, the legislature floated the idea of returning the very same power removed from Governor Romney to Governor Patrick. There can only be one of two reasons for such a reversal of thought. Either the legislature has decided that the voters are not now qualified to make an intelligent decision in a special election, or since Governor Patrick would certainly choose a member of his party to replace Senator Kerry, it would be advantageous to avoid an election where even the remotest chance of a win by a Republican could exist. Clearly the latter is a far more logical explanation. The unchecked legislature once again carries on its own little fiefdom with no regard or respect for the people.

Just a few days ago, Senator Kennedy surrendered his post as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. His ill heath makes it a possibility he might not complete his term which expires in 2012. Certainly the issue of his replacement could come up. And if it does, the strong money is on the legislature launching a pre-emptive strike and passing a bill allowing Governor Patrick to choose an interim senator.


The Boston Globe, Tuesday, September 8, 2009, "Kennedy says no, and race is on" by Frank Phillips, p.A1