It's not your birthright

Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts apparently wants to score himself some special treatment (surprise, surprise) by urging his state's lawmakers to change the rules in the middle of the game to allow the governor to appoint an interim replacement should Kennedy have to resign his seat due to his current illness. Massachusetts law currently has no such provision, and only mandates that a special election be held within 5 months of a senatorial vacancy.

Ironically, the process that Kennedy is complaining about was instituted by his own Democratic Party in 2004 because they were playing petty politics at the time:

"Kennedy's letter acknowledges the state changed its succession law in 2004 to require a special election be held 145 to 160 days after the vacancy. At the time, legislative Democrats — with a wide majority in both chambers — were concerned because then-Republican Gov. Mitt Romney had the power to directly fill any vacancy created as Democratic Sen. John Kerry ran for president."

Ah, so the law was plenty good enough for a Republican governor, but a Democratic one is unfairly constrained?

Pathetic.

The state is free to modify their rules as they see fit, of course, but for fairness purposes the changes should not apply until the next Senator is elected, as implementing them immediately would certainly be a blatant example of favoritism. That seat isn't yours to dispose of as you see fit once your withered claws can no longer hold onto it, Senator. It belongs to your constituents.

Oh, and here's a suggestion for ol' Splash - Why not simply resign now and allow the process to begin right away? After all, it's not like you've been getting any work done lately.