The Massachusetts Republican Party has issued a statement in the wake of a judge's ruling against their effort to stop the appointment of Sen.-designate Paul Kirk -- and there is no mention of an appeal. So it looks like this thing is probably over, and Kirk will be sworn in this afternoon.

Key quote from the statement:

I urge the voters of Massachusetts to not allow the courts the final say in this matter. I believe the ultimate remedy to the untenable situation on Beacon Hill can be found in the voting booths.

It is up to the voters of Massachusetts to finally decide enough is enough and to refuse to re-elect the entrenched incumbents responsible for raising our taxes in the middle of a recession, turning a blind eye to public corruption, and manipulating the law to keep their grip on power.

Shortly before the statement went out, a spokesperson for the state GOP told us that there would be no further comment on their plans, beyond the statement itself. So it looks like they're very angrily waving the white flag.

Full statement after the jump.

BOSTON - Following a decision issued today by Suffolk County Superior Court Judge Thomas Connolly to consider a request for injunctive relief filed by the Massachusetts Republican Party, Jennifer Nassour, Chairman of the MassGOP, issued the following statement:

"From President Obama to Senate Majority Leader Reid to Governor Patrick, Democrats have mounted a campaign to change Massachusetts election law for their own political expediency. Today the Massachusetts Republican Party has exposed them for what they are; purely partisan. While the court saw that our argument warranted a hearing, it ultimately disagreed.

I urge the voters of Massachusetts to not allow the courts the final say in this matter. I believe the ultimate remedy to the untenable situation on Beacon Hill can be found in the voting booths.

It is up to the voters of Massachusetts to finally decide enough is enough and to refuse to re-elect the entrenched incumbents responsible for raising our taxes in the middle of a recession, turning a blind eye to public corruption, and manipulating the law to keep their grip on power.

The preliminary elections for mayor in cities across the Commonwealth show an anti-incumbent sentiment, indicating that voters are fed up with the status quo. It is my sincere hope that this frustration turns into action in the January U.S. Senate special election and into November 2010, and that voters reject the pawns of the special interests and the Democrat Party and elect candidates who believe this is a government for the people."