Shameless Massachusetts Democrats

Back in 2004, when Republican Mitt Romney was governor of Massachusetts, the state's Democratic legislature passed a law that any senate vacancy would be filled with a special election. The Dems were afraid that John Kerry would win the election but that Mitt Romney would be able to appoint a Republican to the position. So, to protect their political interests, they changed the law to keep Republicans from picking up the seat.

Well now the Democrats are afraid of a special election following the death of Senator Kennedy. They aren't too sure the electorate will choose a Dem with the party's popularity crashing nationwide. Plus, a special election would be five months off, so the new senator will not be able to help push for Obamacare (or is it now Kennedycare?)Now that the governor is a Democrat again, they want him to get to pick again.

So, Senator Kennedy suggested changing the rules right before his death so that Gov. Deval Patrick could appoint a temporary Senator who would "promise" not to seek reelection when the seat is up.

It's a shameless and disgusting power play by the state Democratic party - flip-flopping election rules to ensure they keep control of the seat. At least when California flip-flopped between open and closed primaries, it was the voters making the decisions, not a power-hungry state political party.