Kennedy successor request greeted coolly

BOSTON, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- State lawmakers in both parties said they were cool to Sen. Edward Kennedy's request to change Massachusetts law on appointing a successor in the U.S. Senate.

Most of the state's Democratic leaders were quiet about Kennedy's request to allow the governor to appoint an interim senator before a special election, but most Republicans called it a power grab, the Boston Globe reported.

Kennedy "doesn't expect or demand immediate action, and the situation doesn't warrant it,"a senior aide said. The veteran lawmaker is battling brain cancer and said in his letter that Massachusetts needed two senators in Washington, should his seat become vacant.

State Senate President Therese Murray, House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick did not respond to the Globe's requests for interviews or statements with their positions on Kennedy's request, which was made Tuesday.

Some lawmakers said they opposed changing a 2004 law so the governor could appoint an interim senator before an election for a permanent successor is held.

"I've got great respect for Senator Kennedy, but I think we've been down this road," said state Rep. Brian P. Wallace, a Democrat. "I'm in favor of having an election; there's nothing fairer than that."

Republicans reminded Democrats that they rejected a requested change five years ago when Republican Gov. Mitt Romney sought the chance to make an appointment if Sen. John F. Kerry won the presidency.

"The hypocrisy is astounding," said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones Jr. "If we had a Republican governor right now, would we be getting the same letter?"