Should John Kerry Resign the Senate?

[Zudnic]

Some (http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2004/06/15/romney_administration_calls_for_kerry_to_resign/) are calling for John Kerry to resign the Senate (he's missed 87% roll call votes) because his absences are preventing him from serving his constituents. What do you think?

[nanookfan]

Something else to consider:

Right now, there is a bill working it's way thru the Massachusetts state legislature that would prevent Governor Mitt Romney from naming Kerry's replacement. In many states, including Massachusetts, if a Senator leaves the Senate, it is up to the governor to appoint an interim replacement who would serve until such time as a special election could be called to fill the seat.

If Kerry were to resign right now, the campaigning for the special election could begin, although, the campaign will probably be short lived. The Dean of the Massachusetts House delegate (Ed Markey) is supposedly running for Kerry's seat if/when Kerry is elected. There isn't a snowball's chance in you know where of any Republican in this state beating Markey.

I have to question the state legislature though...each state is supposed to be represented by two senators...that's written right into the US constitution. Wouldn't such a law prevent Massachusetts from being represented by 2 senators (even if only for a short time), wouldn't that law then violate the US constitution?

[jtwcornell91]

Originally posted by nanookfan
I have to question the state legislature though...each state is supposed to be represented by two senators...that's written right into the US constitution. Wouldn't such a law prevent Massachusetts from being represented by 2 senators (even if only for a short time), wouldn't that law then violate the US constitution?

"I'm from Massachusetts and I feel we have a certain right to gloat over the other states because Massachusetts is after all the only state with three senators." -- Tom Lehrer, during the tenure of Bobby Kennedy as Junior Senator from New York.

[nanookfan]

Originally posted by jtwcornell91
"I'm from Massachusetts and I feel we have a certain right to gloat over the other states because Massachusetts is after all the only state with three senators." -- Tom Lehrer, during the tenure of Bobby Kennedy as Junior Senator from New York.

Heh, that's funny, because I've heard Harry Reid (D-NV) refer to himself as "the third senator from California". :D

[Bruce Ciskie]

Originally posted by Zudnic
Some (http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2004/06/15/romney_administration_calls_for_kerry_to_resign/) are calling for John Kerry to resign the Senate (he's missed 87% roll call votes) because his absences are preventing him from serving his constituents. What do you think?

I'm just surprised that no one has ever made a big deal out of this before. It should be a law, but not just for Kerry or for Senators.

[nanookfan]

Originally posted by Bruce Ciskie
I'm just surprised that no one has ever made a big deal out of this before. It should be a law, but not just for Kerry or for Senators.

I've heard people make absenteeism an issue during an election year. When Mike Dukakis, former governor of Massachusetts, ran for President, there were a number of complaints here in Mass. about the governor not being around to run the state.

I'm sure it's not the only example.

[CommAvHusky]

Kerry shouldn't have to surrender the seat. There were rumors that he was going to run for president when he elected for his sentorial term in 2002. Only senator has done it, and that was Bob Dole who not won the Republican nomination in 1996 but was Senate Majority Leader thus could not handle everything. Kerry is not in a position of leadership in the senate, and yes has missed votes which is troubling. If one is that ****** about it, vote him out.

That said, I disagree with the Mass. Legislature trying to get rid of the power of selecting a senator from the governor to the State House. It is a bad precedent, suppose Kerry wins, Romney appoints a republican (this should be fun to figure out) and chances are that person would lose in the special election for the seat in 2006.

The Democrats have little chance of taking the Senate in 2004, but have a better shot in 2006.

[SteveF]

Originally posted by Zudnic
Some (http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2004/06/15/romney_administration_calls_for_kerry_to_resign/) are calling for John Kerry to resign the Senate (he's missed 87% roll call votes) because his absences are preventing him from serving his constituents. What do you think?


i done seed you in the glob!