Kennedy's Replacement, Here's why States have Constitutions

Massachusetts Governor Says White House Pressing for Quick Kennedy Replacement

This is what happens when issues like elections are not constitutionally mandated, but instead can easily be manipulated by the party in power with the simple altering of a law they created in the first place.

Is this really how you want Government to operate? This is how a Banana Republic operates. Ask the people of Venezuela how that's working out for them!

I expected little else from the North East. Politicians there always feel the "end" justifies any means.

Slàinte,    

Patch   

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong but I heard or read somewhere that a dead Senators wife can take over his seat. Is this true?


Camac.

States set their own rules and that has been done before. Sonny Bono's last wife took over his seat but I do not know if she is still serving.

Serving in the house or senate requires absolutely no skill though being an attorney can keep them out of prison. Al Franken would be an example of that total lack of skill! He was not even a good comedian!

Slàinte,    

Patch    

Patch;

I can see that being done here as our Senate is appointed ( and a joke) by the Prime Minister. If a member of the Commons dies or resigns we hold by-elections to fill that seat and it seems strange that you would not do the same.


Camac.

For the most part we do hold elections and Mass. only recently went to that system when it appeared a R might be appointed. Now within months they see fit to change back. This makes them look like the Idiots Beck has included it the title of his new book.

It is their state and their decision so whatever happens is their business.

Slàinte,    

Patch    

States set their own rules and that has been done before. Sonny Bono's last wife took over his seat but I do not know if she is still serving.

Serving in the house or senate requires absolutely no skill though being an attorney can keep them out of prison. Al Franken would be an example of that total lack of skill! He was not even a good comedian!

Slàinte,    

Patch    

Camac,

Whoever gets appointed or elected, as designated by state law, becomes the Senator for that state. So yes a Senator's spouse can replace him/her. I know of no state where that can happen automatically without the Governor, the State Legislature, or the people appointing or electing that person to the office.

Patch,

Yes Sonny Bono’s widow, Mary Bono Mack, is still serving in the House of Representatives, she was elected to that seat by the people of her district in a special election in 1998 and has won reelection more than a few times since. She is now married to my representative, Connie Mack IV. He is the son of former US Senator, Connie Mack III (Connie Mack III was also at one time the representative for my district in the House).

While Connie Mack IV is very conservative congressman and I have no complaints about his voting record, I do believe his marriage to Mary Bono Mack is an example of the basic corruption of the political class in this country. How he and his wife can claim to be residents of their respective districts (on opposite sides of the county) and be married to each other is at best disingenuous and at worst fraud. The only place they live together as husband and wife is in Washington DC. To share a home in any other location would in my opinion immediately disqualify one or both them as representatives from their districts.

Mace;

It's the same here. You are supposed to live in the Riding you represent but we have a little process call "Parachuting" If a party ( and all parties do it) has an individual that they want in the Commons they find a Safe Riding that they hold and ask the member to step aside so that they can "Parachute" the chosen in and win the by-election. The leader of the opposition and Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff was "Parachuted "into his Riding by the Liberals. It really sucks but so far no one has been able to change it.


Camac.

DC and most states have become cess pools of political corruption. For a good laugh stand to the side and listen to a politician talk to constituents at a fund raiser.

They can and do "take more positions in 15 min. than a thousand dollar prostitute!"

Slàinte,    

Patch