BOSTON — Massachusetts lawmakers fulfilled Sen. Edward Kennedy’s dying wish Wednesday, granting the governor the power to appoint an interim replacement for him so President Barack Obama can regain a critical 60th U.S. Senate vote he needs to pass a health care overhaul this year.
Gov. Deval Patrick will announce his appointment today at the statehouse. He said late Wednesday that he would send a letter to the secretary of state to declare an emergency to allow him to override a legislative vote Wednesday that defeated his administration’s effort to make the bill take effect immediately. Normally, legislation faces a 90-day waiting period.
“I recognize the gravity of this decision and I will make it very soon, and tell you just as soon as I do,” the governor told reporters Wednesday night.
Patrick refused to discuss potential appointees, though a top aide confirmed earlier that Kennedy’s sons had lobbied for the appointment of former Democratic National Committee chairman Paul G. Kirk Jr.
The 71-year-old Kirk, a Boston attorney, was close friends with the senator, knows the senator’s staff intimately and would likely be assured of their loyalty. As a senior statesman who has never served in political office, he would pose no threat to the candidates competing in the special election.
