Title: Kennedy's Death Opens Up Succession Debate

" This is the WBUR. News podcast for Thursday August 27. A service of WBUR. Boston's NPR news station I'm Bob thanks coming up we remember Massachusetts senator Edward Kennedy's legacy. Including the marquis left on Massachusetts and history and first today. The question of who will succeed Senator Kennedy. And how the process of succession will proceed is quite unclear at this stage. Kennedy himself recently sent a letter to legislative leaders and Governor Patrick. Asking them to change state law so that Patrick the governor can appoint an interim successor. However there may be no rush to do so house speaker Robert to Leo says there may be a public hearing on the question in a month. WBUR. Spread -- says the --"

" Under Massachusetts law voters will choose the successor to Senator Kennedy in a special election in January. But that's too long -- wait for many Democrats because Massachusetts would be without what could be crucial vote as the US senate debates health insurance reform. Kennedy's lifelong goal. Yesterday Governor Deval Patrick told WPU war that he supports the change in the law that would give him the authority to appoint an interim successor."

" When you think that the momentum. Change legislation that is pending. In the congress today in Massachusetts needs to --"

" Patrick said he got a call from US senate majority leader Harry Reid who was concerned about how fast Massachusetts -- senator Kennedy's seat. The Massachusetts legislature is expected to come back in formal session sometime in mid September. Senate president Teresa -- and speaker Robert Leo gauging sentiment towards changing the law they won't comment on where they stand. Republicans were far outnumbered in the legislature oppose a change yesterday. Senate Republican leader Richard to say declined to comment on legislation that would give the government the power to appoint an interim successor."

" Great now aren't we should drop -- timeout from politics and people really should. You know take some character remember Senator Kennedy in and -- tribute to all the work that he -- for decades. For the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."

" Last week to say pointed out that when Republican Mitt Romney was governor Democrats passed a law that removed his power to appoint a successor. In his letter Senator Kennedy requested that wherever is appointed to fill his seat. Make an explicit commitment not to run in the special election that will now be held next January. It's been a quarter century since there was a race for an open senate seat in Massachusetts. That's when John Kerry was elected. Among the Democrats considered to have an interest in running a Boston's two congressman Mike kept you wanna know and Stephen Lynch. Democratic political consultant campaign says the Attorney General Martha Coakley is also considered contenders."

" And there's a lot of pent up demand in Massachusetts. To elect a woman. Especially to the United States sent. And so she can have that advantage. Money becomes a very big deal in this special election as you have to raise a bundle in a hurry. So anybody who's contemplating this is gonna have to. Think about at least 23 million dollars for a short race. And that rules out fair number of people who might otherwise -- interest."

" Congressman Barney Frank chairman of the house financial services committee said yesterday he would not run for the Senate. Congressman Ed Markey says it's too soon to talk about who succeeds Senator Kennedy. In the money race former congressman Marty Meehan and architect of campaign finance reform. Has the advantage he has four point eight million dollars in his federal campaign account. But he says he's focused on running University of Massachusetts at lol for now. Senator Kennedy's widow for you Reggie Kennedy has also been mentioned as a potential candidate as has his nephew former congressman Joseph Kennedy. On the Republican side political consultant Eric firm -- says in short race in the state dominated by Democrats. The most obvious Republican candidates or those wealthy enough to finance their own campaigns. Among the people who fit that bill is businessman Chris -- the son of Richard -- founder of yhency the -- Hopkinton data storage company."

" I would expect him to take a serious look at it we don't know much about him. At this point but I think that really present an opportunity. The candidates like -- or other ambitious. Up and coming Republicans who want to make a name for himself or herself."

" Firm -- predicts that Egan or another fresh Republican candidate will do what Mitt Romney did in his run against Ted Kennedy in 1994. Run and lose but make a name for himself for the future for WBUR I'm --"

" With senator Kennedy's passing comes the question of his successor. State law now in effect says we must hold a special election no later than five months from now. Possibly as late as January. So the state could have only one voice in the US senate for awhile. Legislative leaders on Beacon Hill are expected to considered changing the law so that the governor can appoint an interim successor. But it appears to be in no rush house speaker Robert Leo saying he might hold. A public hearing on the issue within a month. Talk about the succession process we turn now to political consultant campaign good morning and thank you very much for coming -- hello Bob knows that day Governor Patrick told us yesterday that he would sign a bill to appoint an interim successor but the Senate president and the house speaker -- Not yet prepared to state their intentions on that issue it is in your opinion. What's the likelihood that lawmakers are going to pass a bill to give the governor in the go ahead to appoint someone well let's not forget that the idea. A filling Messina on temporary basis. Was senator Kennedy's so he knew how important a vote just one vote could be. In the health care reform. Front and I and many other issues. Including lots of them that have to do with with the economy and and find it it's so. I think they're gonna get a lot of phone calls. The mass legislature and -- a lot of phone calls in the next day here to from Washington. From mine Democrats concerned about the important votes coming up on Capitol Hill that's right Harry Reid the Senate. President is going to guard majority leader is going to be. Eager to have that seat filled as soon as possible. If the law were to change I assume you think you wouldn't take Governor Patrick very long to make a decision about who to point. I know I mean the whole idea to get somebody in the season as possible so Governor Patrick would do. Well let's talk about some of those names and we'll talk about them first who might fill the job in an interim basis should that come to pass. And then who might the candidates before. A special election coming up. I know that there are three names on your short term last. Vicki Kennedy the late senator's wife former Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis in Peter -- Who leads the Kennedy institute for the US senate UMass Boston yes that's that's my list. Let me make the case for senator Kennedy's widow. Vicki Kennedy she comes to a political family she's spent nearly every day of their marriage. At senator Kennedy's side -- and the media on trade to any senate office. But we have to take your letter word for the time being that she's not interest in it she may change her mind in several days. Governor Dukakis is well known and respected in Washington he is as. Almost as passionate about health care as he is about mass transit. He'd be very engaged in the process in Washington. And he's not a politically ambitious guy at this point in his career and so he'd step aside. When it when -- that special election winner is announced. And finally Peter -- He runs the newly created its candy senator for the US senate. He's a longtime friend of senator Kennedy's was mayor -- public safety coordinator during the busing crisis. He worked with the Catholic Church during the pedophile. Scandals. He and chairs the Rose Kennedy Greenway. In a radio talk show for years. And he just left blue cross. Where he is familiar with -- the health insurance issues of a perfect place holder yes. Yes all right let's talk about the long term candidates and a possible long term candidates we don't wanna say that anyone has said that. There are actually in the race yet. Today and let me ask first of all about a Kennedy former Massachusetts congressman Joe Kennedy. Who's running his oil for the -- program right now do you think. That he's willing to step in. I think if he expresses interest in it to. Governor Patrick and Vicki Kennedy has not. And I think Joe Kennedy. That would be another name to either be the short term or that special election candidate you have an unusual amount of Jews owing to his name. Former excuse me not former quite present Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley who said to be running something of a shadow campaign for US senate now. Yes Martha Coakley hasn't been exactly. Quiet about her interest in running for the Senate which is not there's nothing wrong with that. But we should remember now in Massachusetts is slightly embarrassed by the fact that we don't have very many women in public office especially statewide. And it means got two female senators so as Washington State -- California. And we've got zero. Statewide figures who -- win. Although. Attorney generals in Massachusetts or attorneys general in Massachusetts. Have always had a problem moving up to higher office absolutely the last two failed. From both parties. I think it's it's a tricky bit of -- to go from AG to senate or AG to governor knows is true by the way about. Around the country such as the phenomenon here. No shortage of Massachusetts congressman present and former who might be on the list Stephen Lynch Michael -- you wanna Ed Markey. And former congressman Marty Meehan around UMass Lowell. Yeah I'm Mike cap while the congressman from Summerville he has several 100000 dollars in his political bank account money is very important. He does have a key job on what's called a steering and policy committee which is sort of a substantive and political office in Washington. He's easy to overlook. Until you realize that he actually won a crowded primary to get his congressional seat. And I I think I think -- up 10 has a good shot at this thing because he's been thinking about it for a long time. Steve lynch. The -- congressman from South Boston. Supposedly has a million dollars and his political bank account. If he runs. He can have a lot and the conservative democratic wing of the parties opposed to abortion rights he's a former ironworker who has good relations with organized labor. And his play will be to do -- move himself a little bit right of the rest of the field and and hope that he can turn that into winning. A -- Ed Markey. Ed Markey from Malden. Started to run in 2004. When it looked like John Kerry might become president. -- house committees deal with some very important issues. And I think he is probably gonna state collect. But lets you see in the next week or so whether he changes his mind my Marty Meehan former congressman Marty Meehan runs UMass Lowell has a huge. Bank account over four million dollars a standing by but has said that he's interest in and staying put -- out I take him at his word -- he took the presidency and you mess lol just two years ago. And I got to believe that they extracted a promise from him not. To run suited to the statewide job become available okay and Republicans. Tell me who's on the list and did they have a ghost of a chance. There are there in it very difficult position he has stated so democratic in this will be seen as the Kennedy's seat. The two that I've come up frequently -- Mike Sullivan a Republican. Who is the top federal law enforcement official. And has worked in Washington. He built a good office with a national. Following. But as a cynic that I think I don't see how a Republican fashion today victory. The other one mention is Scott Brown. -- Ripa Republican senate. A state senator. He has served in the house representatives as well as the state senate. He's -- visible Republican may be one of the most visible in the state. He does have one curious -- business -- background. He posed in the news for Cosmopolitan Magazine in 1982. Okay. Of all those names. Tell me on which on the spot of all those names who do you think the programmers. For the special election that's right I think Martha Coakley. Because she's got the woman's vote she's got an interesting background in law enforcement. She can raise money has raised money she sued some big big country if he's got. You know I think a very strong hand to play. In a special election WBUR political consultant and -- thanks lot for coming in and we look forward to. Talking about all of this lot more in the coming months to welcome --"

" Senator Kennedy touched the lives of many people in ways big and small. But the helping gave to the family of -- and Redondo was no small thing. Five years ago her stepson Alexander was killed in action in Iraq Senator Kennedy met with her on four occasions after Alex's death. On the last visit her husband Carlos told Kennedy about a memorial scholarship they founded at Alexander's high school. A few weeks later the -- condos received this letter."

" Carlos thank you so much for your touching letter about the establishment of the Alexander arrow down to memorial scholarship fund at the Blue -- regional technical high school. My niece Caroline -- said quote I have come to believe more strongly denied there. Pitt after people -- they really do live on through those who love them and quote. I commend you for this beautiful tribute to Alexander and I'm sure he'd be proud of you it's a privilege to close a donation for the scholarship. Viewing your family will continue to be in my thoughts and tracks and I send my -- swish it's sincerely. Edward M Kennedy."

" The -- Redondo reading a letter she and her husband received from Senator Edward Kennedy. You can share your own story and read others at our new website wbur.org. And more now on the life of Senator Edward Kennedy the issues and proposals Kennedy advocated in congress often boosted Massachusetts industries. Medical research and higher education or major beneficiaries. Of Kennedy's legislative agenda. WBUR. Has business and technology reporter -- navigation this morning examines how the senator's focus supported economic development."

" In the -- day. It's a sad irony that Senator Edward Kennedy died after a battle with brain cancer because he'd been fighting the disease for decades in congress. From the outset of his career Kennedy advocated for better cancer research and patient care. Edward Benz is the president of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston."

" Every healthcare institution in Boston is better and bigger. Because the national policies that Kennedy helped to turn into. Meaningful laws -- the federal support."

" Kennedy helped triple the size of the budget of the national institutes of health and little more than ten years. That meant three times as many research dollars for institutions such as Dana Farber. The cancer institute staff ballooned from about 1200 in the 1982. More than 3000. Today."

" credits Kennedy's legislative focus."

" And it's me. The government both the largest supporters in many ways the largest consumer group health care services hands. That. Has allowed to it's like -- to grow."

" So too did the cancer institute and other research facilities that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where Rafael -- is pro --"

" The funding enables the creation of little knowledge and new technologies but also enables the education of people. Right says Kennedy invested in broad policies more than individual projects. It is not that what -- deed benefited MIT we didn't work about the way he. He just ahead in the nation to on the stand. How research enables. And how to increase help to people -- to have -- to higher education. And he got excess MIPS please the best player the connection with the police took us through search benefited from his sectors."

" The buzz of college students moving into a Boston University dormitory yesterday is another in direct product of Kennedy's legislative record. His support for more federal tuition assistance may have stemmed from lofty ideals. Still it essentially subsidize the State's higher -- the industry. This is -- not to say that Kennedy never lobbied for specific earmarks are so called pork barrel spending. His political clout was critical in helping you land a -- lab not far from the storm any -- military base -- like any other --"

" This program you'll see the absolutely indispensable. Place location that bogus pass."

" But Edward Kennedy did not go to congress just to bring home the bacon something that earned him respect from even his most ardent critics. Leslie Paige is with the Washington DC watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste. And she says Kennedy did not use his political power primarily to funnel money back to his home state like others -- it."

" Senator Byrd senators Stevens. I mean I would put an inherited the category terms of earmarks and Senator Kennedy --"

" Page credits the family story she's his head as the last surviving Kennedy brother. Was destined for bigger things than most congressional delegates."

" A lot of members compound their states and they view themselves as being represented understated NATO itself on the larger stage anti. A big hitting you know there was a question that Senator Kennedy was gonna be -- a larger stage in what he tried to do it's gonna be a much more national sweeping nature."

" That larger than life legislative legacy is what's being remembered today. And it is strange way Massachusetts profited from that more than just a highway project here or bigger post office there. The state ranks second in the nation in per capital federal are in the spending. Which continues to fuel that lasting economic legacy. For WBUR. I'm --"

" Case in 1965. He sponsored the immigration and nationality act which lifted national quotas on immigrants entering the country. And also helped launch Kennedy's career as an advocate for foreign born people in the US WBUR. Is beyond caballos -- elements reports."

" Before 1965. He was nearly impossible for immigrants from anywhere besides Western Europe. To come to the United States. Senator Kennedy was in his early thirties and -- office just a couple of years when he sponsored a bill that would change all that."

" What the 65 legislation did."

" Paul what -- not -- is a professor of political science at UMass Boston."

" If allowed it to break away from the kind of discriminatory quote. That had existed for decades. And provide an opportunity. For people to come the United States from different corners of the globe."

" The law made family reunification the basis for immigration. This ushered in a flood of immigrants from Latin America and Asia. The foreign born population went from ten to nearly 30000000 and forty years. The system that Kennedy created has -- people favor strict restrictions on immigration. Such as Mark Kerkorian from the Center for Immigration Studies."

" Created -- immigration change. Where one person come here and and -- his brother brother's wife Brooke White for her parents or siblings -- want -- don't want creating. You know -- immigration that we."

" Until the end of his life Kennedy advocated louder than anyone else in the US -- to widen opportunities for the nation's immigrants. He crafted legislation raising the number of refugees coming to the US. And in 1986 bill that granted amnesty to two point seven million people living here illegally. Kennedy also helped individuals caught by immigration enforcement. Chelsea resident Mario wrote last was detained at an immigration sweep in 2006. Kennedy wrote letters on his behalf to immigration and customs enforcement or ice. That delayed deportation. Long enough for robust applied for and win political asylum to stay here. -- us -- 22 calls Kennedy his hero."

" He didn't care what other people thought he always did what he thought was right. What -- but it was immoral what he talked with him."

" Kennedy came to New Bedford in 2007. To meet with the families of 361. Immigrants detained in a factory raid. Afterwards he denounced the government for detaining parents and sending them to a Texas lock up."

" They terrorize women. They terrorized children they broke up families. I don't want to go back to the United States and it. And hear from administration officials about family values."

" After the raid Kennedy and Senator John Kerry convinced immigration and customs enforcement -- special guidelines for the treatment of immigrants with children. Helena Ronnie from the national immigration forum a coalition of reform advocates was in Massachusetts at the time."

" The guidelines that ice brought into effect after that -- that the senator pushed or was the first time. And immigration enforcement acknowledged that immigrants. Are human beings and need to be treated as such."

" Ronnie says the series of large scale raids in New Bedford and other parts of the country caused Kennedy to rededicate himself to immigration reform. Kennedy sponsored a bill with Senator John McCain in 2007. The would've helped twelve million illegal immigrants get on a path to citizenship and strength in workplace sanctions. The bill failed reform advocates are gearing up for another try in 2010. They say it will be harder without Kennedy but the senator laid the groundwork. For WBUR. I'm -- baskets tones."

" During morning -- today we've heard some personal stories about Senator Kennedy. This last one comes to west from -- heart of New Bedford. His son John was killed in the Iraq war in 2003. While traveling in an un armored humvees. Bryant met Senator Kennedy at John's funeral and the two men began a six year partnership to improve armor for combat troops. Brian Hart remembers onetime Senator Kennedy went for them to visit his son's grave and Arlington cemetery. Where Kennedy will be buried this weekend."

" January 2006. I was with him when he gave a speech. -- are demanding that we make plans to leave Iraq. And after that speech was done he found out that I was going to Arlington. To go see John. And he and -- and grabbed me up that their car and we drove right into Arlington and now. It was just three of us just a -- Senator Kennedy cared about the little doubts. We didn't have. Money or power or influence but he took a time and extend the emotional and the physical. Stood up the energy required to make things actually happen for us."

" That's Brian heart of New Bedford speaking about how Senator Kennedy. Helped it worked to provide better armor for US troops in Iraq after Hart's son was killed in Iraq. To add your memories about Senator Kennedy go to our new website WBUR. -- door."

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" This podcast is a free service of WBUR Boston. To make a contribution to support the news go to our website wbur.org."