Cordoba House

Republican Orrin Hatch Stands Up For Cordoba House (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | August 31, 2010, 1:26PM

Sen Orrin Hatch (R-UT)

A conservative Republican Senator has now come out strongly against efforts to block the construction of the Cordoba House Muslim community center near Ground Zero in New York: Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT).

In an interview with the local Fox affiliate in Salt Lake City, Hatch stated his support and past work for religious freedom. "So, if the Muslims own that property, that private property, and they want to build a mosque there, they should have the right to do so," said Hatch. He also discussed his past experiences dealing with discrimination against the construction of Mormon temples -- and when his late friend Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) helped him to resolve just such a dispute in Boston.

Hatch acknowledged that there have been objections to the construction of the center, on the grounds of sensitivity and whether it should be built, but ultimately he came down on the side of the right to build it without interference. He also added: "And there's a huge, I think, lack of support throughout the country for Islam to build that mosque there, but that should not make a difference if they decide to do it. I'd be the first to stand up for their rights."

It should be noted that there has been much discussion about a possible right-wing challenge against Hatch for his party's nomination in 2012, just as his co-Senator Bob Bennett lost renomination at the state convention this year. If that were to come to pass, don't be surprised to see these comments used against him.

(via Think Progress)

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Ted Stevens

A History Of Political Plane Crashes

Eric Kleefeld | August 10, 2010, 2:12PM

With reports of former Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) being involved in a plane crash in Alaska, it should be noted that there have been many high-profile plane crashes in American politics. Let's take a look.

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AZ-SEN

Hayworth Ad: McCain's With Ted Kennedy On Immigration -- And With Obama, Too (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | July 23, 2010, 10:28AM

A new ad from US Senate candidate J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ) attacking Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) on immigration reform.

Former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ) has a new TV ad in his challenge against Sen. John McCain in the Republican primary, reminding voters of McCain's past work on immigration reform alongside the late liberal icon Ted Kennedy -- and also tying McCain to President Obama.

The ad plays old video of McCain: "I helped author with Senator Kennedy comprehensive immigration reform and fought for it twice." The ad then also shows old video of Obama: "I stood with Ted Kennedy and John McCain and took on this tough issue."

McCain has tacked noticeably right on immigration, supporting Arizona's new law cracking down on illegal immigration and running an ad in which he casts his fight on the issue as "a President versus a Senator.". But Hayworth certainly isn't leaving McCain's previous push on this issue alone.

The TPM Poll Average gives McCain a lead of 52.3%-30.6%. The Republican primary will be held on August 24.

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Health Care

#HealthCareFAIL: How The Dems Botched Their Signature Legislation

Brian Beutler | January 29, 2010, 3:37PM

Clockwise from top left: Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) and Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT); MA Sen. candidate Martha Coakley (D); Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA); Former Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and President Obama

Talk about fits and starts.

A year ago Democrats committed to passing comprehensive health care legislation; six months ago, it became clear that their project wouldn't go smoothly; one month ago it was full speed ahead; and a week and a half ago it all fell apart.

Health care reform is now on life support. To mix metaphors, it's on life support and the back burner at the same time. How the Democrats' signature agenda item went from a foregone conclusion to a prospect in peril is a tale of missteps and bad luck. No single player or event brought us to where we are today. But if any of the below episodes had gone...more smoothly, this might've been a done deal.

You know how the saying goes: Success has a thousand fathers, but failure is an orphan. And you can be sure that if health care reform fails, the people below will make like John Edwards--quick-like.

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MA-SEN

Vicki Kennedy In Coakley Ad: She Fights For The People, Just Like Ted Did (VIDEO)

Jillian Rayfield | January 15, 2010, 10:20AM

Vicki Kennedy has released an ad in support of Martha Coakley's bid for the Massachusetts Senate seat of her late husband Sen. Ted Kennedy.

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Ted Kennedy

Dems Jump On Kennedy Legacy And It Yields Big Cash For Coakley (VIDEO)

Christina Bellantoni | January 14, 2010, 3:25PM

The late Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA)

Sen. Ted Kennedy's legacy is going a long way for Democrats aiming to keep their 60-seat majority and pass health care in the coming days.

Democratic sources tell TPMDC the Vicki Kennedy email has now raised $883,000 for Martha Coakley's bid to replace the late Sen. Kennedy in Massachusetts.

As we have reported, Senate Democrats from across the country blasted out the email from Kennedy's widow yesterday asking for donations to help Coakley (D) win the special election next Tuesday.

Also today, Senate Democrats released a new tribute video in honor of Kennedy's legacy and career-long fight for health care.

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MA-SEN

CORRECTED: Brown Says He's Unfamiliar with Tea Partiers;
Campaign Pix Say Otherwise

Josh Marshall | January 13, 2010, 11:36PM

Correction: State Sen. Scott Brown did not use the word "unfamiliar," that was how the Boston Globe characterized his remarks. But after watching video of the press conference where Brown was asked about the tea party movement, it appears he actually was unclear about the premise of the reporter's question, not the tea party movement itself.

On Wednesday, Republican senate candidate Scott Brown told reporters in Massachusetts that he was "unfamiliar" with the "Tea Party movement," despite receiving the endorsement of a key national Tea Party group which is currently raising money for his campaign to replace the late Sen. Ted Kennedy.

But Brown's claim to be unfamiliar with the Tea Party movement is belied by photographs produced by his own campaign.

Late this evening, TPM Reader NM alerted us to the fact that Brown's official campaign Flickr stream contains photographs of the candidate addressing Tea Party groups on the campaign trail only months ago.

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Vicki Kennedy

Vicki Kennedy Pens Fundraising E-mail For Coakley

Eric Kleefeld | January 13, 2010, 3:49PM

Vicki Kennedy and Sen. Ted Kennedy at the Democratic National Committee in August 2008.

In the latest effort to drum up the Democratic base in the Massachusetts special Senate election, the campaign of Democratic nominee Martha Coakley has sent out a fundraising e-mail from Ted Kennedy's widow Vicki Kennedy, who writes about the importance of keeping this seat in Democratic hands.

"The importance of having a voice and a vote that you can count on in Washington has never been more evident than during this ongoing health care debate. And we're going to need every vote again," Vicki Kennedy writes.

"Ted fought for national health care reform for 40 years. He believed that every American deserved their chance at the American dream, but that as long as an illness or preexisting condition could bankrupt an American family, that great goal could never become a reality. We need Martha Coakley to continue our shared fight for national health reform, to reduce costs for businesses and families and increase coverage in Massachusetts and throughout this country. This race will be very close and we need you to get us to victory."

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Health Care

GOP's Would Be Successor to Kennedy Dead Set Against Health Care Reform--He Just Can't Figure Out Why

Brian Beutler | January 13, 2010, 12:58PM

Senate candidate Scott Brown (R-MA).

With Scott Brown (R-MA) positioned to be the guy who can kill health care reform, it's worth taking a look at just what he's said about the issue. Because when it comes right down to it, his reasons for opposing the bill have been so varied and inconsistent that you start to wonder whether even he knows why he's against it. It must be a tricky dance, given that he's running to assume Ted Kennedy's Senate seat in the bluest of blue states. But with Kennedy's signature priority in the balance, you'd think he'd have a solid reason for wanting to bury it.

He doesn't.

Conservatives and Republicans are pouring millions of dollars and thousands of man-hours into a dark horse Senate election in bright-blue Massachusetts because they think that's their last, best hope to kill health care reform. They're not even shy about it. In a fundraising letter, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney told voters "If he is successful, Scott will be the crucial 41st vote against President Obama's healthcare bill when it comes back to the Senate for final passage." And he who plays the piper calls the tune. "I would be proud to be the 41st vote, and go back to the drawing board," Brown boasted in his final debate with Democrat Martha Coakley.

But for all his bluster, there remains no small amount of confusion about why Brown wants to kill the bill. Or at least this bill.

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DSCC

Democrats Fear Trends In MA-Sen Race Spell Trouble For Fall Elections

Christina Bellantoni | January 13, 2010, 9:57AM

State Atty. Gen. Martha Coakley (D-MA)

Progressives frustrated with a lack of action in Washington despite a strong majority are pointing at the close race for the U.S. Senate in Massachusetts with a stern "I told you so" sentiment.

Polls showing Attorney General Martha Coakley closely matched with state Sen. Scott Brown have shocked national Democrats, who are deploying their full muscle north and spending money in a state that hasn't seen a competitive race for Senate in more than 13 years.

Most campaign-type Democrats think Coakley will pull out a victory Tuesday despite a lackluster campaign and independents and undecideds rapidly slipping from their column, but some openly warn that a close race in the Bay State is a real warning sign for November's mid-term elections.

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Martha Coakley

Is Sarah Palin Avoiding Mass Sen Race?

Brian Beutler | January 11, 2010, 11:35AM

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin

The Massachusetts Senate election is right around the corner, and many of the GOPs 2012 presidential hopefuls have weighed in on behalf of Republican candidate Scott Brown. Tim Pawlenty is pushing for him. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney's got his back, too. All of which is causing Democrats to ask, Where's Sarah Palin?

"She's one of the more vocal personalities representing the right wing of their party, and it's interesting that she's nowhere to be found in this race," said one top Democratic strategist--a view echoed by several operatives.

"Palin for America's enthusiastic endorsement of Scott Brown this weekend got us wondering - where on earth is Sarah Palin herself?" asked DNC spokesman Hari Sevugan in a statement to TPMDC.

Clearly, her supporters are anxious for her to weigh in. And, never one to be shy with an endorsement, Palin has -- in the last year alone - endorsed and in many cases offered financial support to a laundry list of far-right Republican leaders including Michele Bachmann, Rob Portman, Doug Hoffman, Marsha Blackburn, Bob McDonnell and Chris Christie. In fact, we're hard pressed to come up with a national party figure who's been more active in endorsing Republican candidates over the past year than Sarah Palin."

"Will Sarah Palin join Tim Pawlenty, Mitt Romney and other national Republicans in their support for Scott Brown? Or, has the pit bull lost her bark?

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MA-SEN

Vicki Kennedy Endorses Coakley, Cites Ted's Work On Health Care

Eric Kleefeld | January 7, 2010, 12:14PM

Massachusetts Atty. Gen. Martha Coakley (D)

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, the Democratic nominee in the January 19 special election for Ted Kennedy's Senate seat, was formally endorsed today by the late Senator's widow Vicki Kennedy -- who made it clear that the health care bill is a big issue in this election.

"My husband fought for health care reform for more than 40 years. He called it the cause of his life. He believed that health care for all our citizens was a fundamental right and not a privilege," added Kennedy. "Martha Coakley shares those beliefs and she'll go to Washington to fight for us."

At Tuesday's debate, Republican candidate Scott Brown said that if he were elected he would be the 41st Republican, and said of the health care bill: "I can stop it so they can go back to the drawing board and do something better for Massachusetts." A Rasmussen poll earlier this week gave Coakley a lead of 50%-41%, with the potential for a Brown upset win if turnout were low and Republican voters more motivated.

MA-SEN

Coakley To Roll Out Kennedy Family Endorsements

Eric Kleefeld | January 6, 2010, 5:52PM

Massachusetts Atty. Gen. Martha Coakley (D)

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, the Democratic nominee in the January 19 special election to succeed Ted Kennedy in the Senate, will be officially endorsed tomorrow by members of the Kennedy family, the Coakley campaign announced in a press release.

The group will be led by Ted Kennedy's widow Vicki, accompanied by former Rep. Joseph Kennedy (a son of Robert F. Kennedy) and his son Joseph Kennedy III. Also in attendance will be Rep. Ed Markey, Medford Mayor Michael McGlynn, and interim Sen. Paul Kirk, who was previously a long-time aide to Ted Kennedy and a family friend.

It shouldn't be too surprising that Kennedy relatives would be supporting the Democrat. However, the optics of the event itself could be politically useful, in light of Republican candidate Scott Brown's recent TV ad, which uses footage of President John F. Kennedy proposing a tax cut in 1962. The ad declares that Brown's message of tax cuts today makes him just like JFK, so having actual Kennedys on hand to endorse Coakley could help counter whatever traction Brown might get.

Barack Obama

Obama Phones Ted Kennedy's Widow And Others After Senate Health Care Passage

Christina Bellantoni | December 24, 2009, 10:14AM

President Barack Obama

President Obama called several members of Congress and symbolic figureheads of the health care debate after the Senate passed health care this morning.

The White House said Obama called Vicki Reggie Kennedy, Ted Kennedy's widow, and David Turner of Little Rock, Arkansas. Turner's health insurance was rescinded in January of last year, after his insurance company went back into his record and alleged that he failed to disclose his full medical record at the time he applied for coverage, the White House said.

"Mr. Turner was the First Lady's guest at the President's address to the joint session of Congress in September of 2009," the White House said. "The President told Mr. Turner that stories like his motivate him every day to keep working on health insurance reform, and he assured Mr. Turner that he will continue to work to pass health legislation to ban rescission and other abusive practices."

Obama also phoned: Sen. Harry Reid, Sen. Chris Dodd, Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, Sen. Max Baucus, Sen. Robert Byrd, Sen. Sherrod Brown, Sen. Charles Schumer, Sen. Tom Harkin, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Sen. Patty Murray, Sen. Roland Burris.

Chuck Schumer

Democrats Elated, Relieved After Pushing Health Care Reform Forward

Brian Beutler | December 21, 2009, 2:09AM

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)

"The die is cast. It's done," said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), moments after 60 Democrats signaled, with a single procedural vote, that they will stick together to pass health care reform.

As the clerk read the final tally aloud in the Senate chamber, Democrats, seated at their desks, muffled all of their emotions--enthusiasm, anxiety, relief. Sitting at his desk Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) clutched Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL) and Sen. Ted Kaufman (D-DE)--his colleague on either side--by the arms. Members smiled and softly pumped their fists, but in accordance with the rules, the floor was mostly silent.

In the reception room just outside the chamber, Sen. Ted Kennedy's widow Vicki embraced Sens. Chris Dodd (D-CT) and John Kerry (D-MA). Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, standing alone in the corner of the room, shouted a hearty congratulations to Dodd.

"Harry's going to almost have a drink," Schumer joked about the Mormon majority leader.

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MA-SEN

Bill Clinton Backing Martha Coakley For Kennedy Seat

Christina Bellantoni | December 6, 2009, 9:23PM

Massachusetts Atty. Gen. Martha Coakley (D)

Former President Bill Clinton is wading into the race to replace Sen. Ted Kennedy, backing Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley before Tuesday's Democratic primary.

The Coakley campaign said Clinton recorded a robocall for 500,000 primary voters asking them to choose the Democratic candidate and saying, "You can trust her to get results in the Senate."

"Martha Coakley will go to Washington to fight every day to create good jobs with good benefits and to get health reform with a strong public option," Clinton says on the call, which you can listen to here.

MA-SEN

Six Candidates Vie For Kennedy's Seat A Week Before Primaries

Rachel Slajda | December 1, 2009, 12:23PM

Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA)

In primaries next Tuesday, Massachusetts voters will choose the Democratic and Republican nominees to run in January's special election for the late Ted Kennedy's Senate seat.

Four Democrats and two Republicans have taken the field. Of the Democrats -- Attorney General Martha Coakley, U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano, City Year co-founder Alan Khazei and Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca -- Coakley is the clear front-runner, up 15 points over her closest opponent in a recent Rasmussen poll.

The poll showed Coakley 36 percent of the vote compared to Capuano's 21 percent. Khazei and Pagliuca each had 14 percent.

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Health Care

Kennedy's Successor Confirms His Support for Public Option

Brian Beutler | September 28, 2009, 5:48PM

Interim Senate appointee Paul Kirk (D-MA)

There was never much doubt about this, but just to make it official, Sen. Paul Kirk (D-MA) does indeed support a public option.

"Senator Kirk believes there should be a public option to keep costs down and keep insurance companies honest," says his spokesman, Keith Maley. "[D]uring his short service in the United States Senate, he looks forward to seeing what can be done to reach that goal."

It comes as no surprise, of course, that a Massachusetts Democrat replacing Ted Kennedy supports a public option. But this demonstrates that, with Kennedy's seat filled, the 60th vote for health care reform won't necessarily belong to public option skeptic Olympia Snowe--and the question of a public option is technically one for Democrats to answer alone.

MA-SEN

Judge To Rule Before Noon Today On Massachusetts Senate Appointment

Eric Kleefeld | September 25, 2009, 9:41AM

Sen.-designate Paul Kirk (D-MA)

A judge will rule before noon today in the Massachusetts Republican Party's lawsuit to stop the appointment of Sen.-designate Paul Kirk (D-MA) to Ted Kennedy's Senate seat.

Suffolk County Superior Court Judge Thomas Connolly heard from both sides this morning. The GOP have argued that Gov. Deval Patrick did not have the constitutional authority to declare the law an emergency measure that would take effect immediately. The Dems have countered that Patrick did in fact have this ability -- and that Republican former Gov. Mitt Romney himself had used it in the past.

Kirk is set to be sworn in by Vice President Biden this afternoon. If Connolly were to suddenly nullify the appointment, that would certainly throw off Democratic efforts to get back to 60 seats -- and if he lets it go ahead, then there will be no time to appeal.

MA-SEN

Massachusetts GOP Challenge To Senate Appointment To Get Hearing -- But No Ex Parte Restraining Order

Eric Kleefeld | September 24, 2009, 3:19PM

The Late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA)

The Massachusetts GOP will get its day in court in their attempt to stop the appointment of Paul Kirk to Ted Kennedy's Senate seat -- but the immediate signs don't point to a win for them.

A spokesperson for the Suffolk County District Superior Court, where the case was filed, has just told me that there will be a hearing tomorrow morning at 8 a.m., presided over by Judge Thomas Connolly.

I asked whether an ex parte temporary restraining order against the appointment had been issued -- which can often happen in time-sensitive election cases, in order to stop a legally questionable outcome before a hearing has been conducted. There has not been any such order at this time. Kirk is set to be sworn in tomorrow.

MA-SEN

Massachusetts GOP Seeking Injunction To Stop Senate Appointment

Eric Kleefeld | September 24, 2009, 2:41PM

Sen.-designate Paul Kirk (D-MA)

The Massachusetts Republican Party has gone to court in an attempt to stop the appointment of Paul Kirk to the late Ted Kennedy's Senate seat.

The issue here, the GOP claims, is that Gov. Deval Patrick did not have the constitutional authority to declare the bill empowering him to make an appointment to be an emergency law, thus having it take effect immediately. (For more background on this issue, check out this interview I did a few days ago with a GOP state Senator.)

It's not clear how much chance of success they have. As the Boston Herald points out, Kirk is scheduled to be sworn in tomorrow. The state GOP's filing was made this morning, and so far the courts have not responded. But if the courts do end up taking the case, it could have the effect of delaying the appointment, or perhaps even stopping it altogether.

MA-SEN

Patrick Officially Appoints Kirk As Interim Senator

Eric Kleefeld | September 24, 2009, 11:17AM

Interim Senate appointee Paul Kirk (D-MA)

Gov. Deval Patrick (D-MA) has officially announced his appointment of former DNC chairman Paul Kirk, a Kennedy family friend, former Ted Kennedy staffer, and head of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, as interim Senator in the late Kennedy's Senate seat.

"Paul will not seek the open seat in the special election that's coming up in January," said Patrick. "But for the next few months he will carry on the work and the focus of Sen. Kennedy, mindful of his mission, and his values, and his love of Massachusetts."

Sen.-designate Paul Kirk then addressed the media. He reaffirmed that he will not run in the special election, and he thanked the Kennedy family for their support, and discussed his own long-time friendship with Ted Kennedy himself. "To also have the encouragement and support of his family, that I be a voice and a vote for his causes, and his constituents, in the Senate that he loved, is a blessing I can only repay by giving my very best efforts to be the best public servant I can be in the few months ahead."

Kirk also said that he is keeping Kennedy's staff for the duration of his service, maintaining constituent service work that the office had been conducting.

MA-SEN

Report: Ted Kennedy's Sons Ask For Ex-DNC Chair Paul Kirk To Be Appointed To Senate Seat

Eric Kleefeld | September 23, 2009, 12:23PM

The Late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA)

The Associated Press reports that two of Ted Kennedy's sons, Ted Kennedy Jr. and Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), have asked Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick to appoint former DNC chairman Paul Kirk as interim Senator, once a bill providing for an appointment is signed into law.

Kirk is a long-time Kennedy family friend, who served on Ted Kennedy's staff from 1969-1977 and regularly visited the late Senator before he died. He is currently the chairman of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.

A lot of press speculation has centered around former Gov. Mike Dukakis, the 1988 Democratic nominee for president. But this development is a sign that a Dukakis appointment isn't necessarily a foregone conclusion.

MA-SEN

Massachusetts State Senate Passes Appointment Bill For Kennedy's Seat

Eric Kleefeld | September 22, 2009, 2:52PM

The Late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA)

The Massachusetts state Senate has passed the bill to provide for a temporary appointment to Ted Kennedy's Senate seat, voting by a 24-16 margin. Gov. Deval Patrick is expected to name an appointee by the end of the week, putting Democrats back at 60 seats.

Until 2004, state law had provided for a gubernatorial appointee who would hold the office until the next regular Congressional election. State Democrats changed the process to a special election with no appointment in 2004, when John Kerry was running for president and Republican Mitt Romney was governor.

The new law, which was requested by Kennedy shortly before his death, will provide for an appointee of the same party as the departing Senator, who will be expected to not run in the expedited special election. Former Gov. Mike Dukakis, the 1988 Democratic nominee for president, is widely viewed as the favorite for the appointment.

MA-SEN

Capuano TV Ad: He Stood With Ted Kennedy, "Mirrors His Progressive Record"

Eric Kleefeld | September 18, 2009, 9:11AM

Rep. Michael Capuano (D-MA)

Rep. Mike Capuano (D-MA) is the first candidate to come out with a TV ad in the special election for Ted Kennedy's Senate seat. In Capuano's new ad, he very strongly ties himself to Ted Kennedy's legacy, and puts himself forward as the truly progressive candidate.

"Only one candidate stood with Ted Kennedy against Bush's Iraq War, and mirrors his progressive record," the announcer says. "Mike Capuano: passionate, progressive, supports a strong public health care option, equal marriage, middle class tax cuts, ethics reform, pro-choice, and against the death penalty."

Michael Steele

Steele: "Bad Form" For Obama To Invoke Kennedy At Last Night's Speech

Eric Kleefeld | September 10, 2009, 4:31PM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

RNC Chairman Michael Steele told the Washington Times that it was "bad form" for President Obama to talk about a letter he received from the late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA), at last night's speech to Congress.

"I'm sorry, but I just felt a bit unnerved by it, in the sense he just passed," said Steele.

"His wife was still clearly emotional," Steele added. "I just thought that was bad form. We all understand and appreciate the role Sen. Kennedy has played in this debate and the passion he brought to health care. I just thought that was a little bit much for me, so soon after his death, using that as a political tool."

Steele seems to be under the impression that this was all a surprise to Vicki Kennedy -- that it was some kind of coincidence that she'd been invited to sit as a guest of Michelle Obama during a speech on one of her late husband's biggest political issues.

(Via Political Wire)

Barack Obama

Kennedy Letter to Obama: At Stake Is the Character of Our Country

Brian Beutler | September 9, 2009, 9:11PM

At the end of President Obama's speech tonight, he read from a letter Ted Kennedy wrote to him in May, but which was only delivered upon his death.

"For me, this cause stretched across decades," Kennedy wrote. "[I]t has been disappointed, but never finally defeated. It was the cause of my life. And in the past year, the prospect of victory sustained me-and the work of achieving it summoned my energy and determination."

There will be struggles - there always have been - and they are already underway again. But as we moved forward in these months, I learned that you will not yield to calls to retreat - that you will stay with the cause until it is won. I saw your conviction that the time is now and witnessed your unwavering commitment and understanding that health care is a decisive issue for our future prosperity. But you have also reminded all of us that it concerns more than material things; that what we face is above all a moral issue; that at stake are not just the details of policy, but fundamental principles of social justice and the character of our country.

And so because of your vision and resolve, I came to believe that soon, very soon, affordable health coverage will be available to all, in an America where the state of a family's health will never again depend on the amount of a family's wealth. And while I will not see the victory, I was able to look forward and know that we will - yes, we will - fulfill the promise of health care in America as a right and not a privilege.

I've obtained a copy, which you can read below the fold.

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MA-SEN

Kerry Testifies For Senate Appointment Bill -- Admits Kennedy Made Mistake Pushing For No Appointments In 2004

Eric Kleefeld | September 9, 2009, 3:57PM

Sen. John Kerry (D-MA)

Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) spoke today before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Election Laws, testifying in favor of the proposed law to empower Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick to appoint a Senator to Ted Kennedy's seat until the special election in January.

"This is no time for the people of Massachusetts to not be represented fully in Washington. We need to be in the strongest position possible," said Kerry. "Big decisions are being made now -- not in five months. And important votes are coming now -- not in five months. Massachusetts cannot and should not be underrepresented."

There's a certain irony in Kerry coming before the committee -- the legislation that took away the power of governors to appoint Senators was passed by the state Democrats in 2004, when they thought that Kerry himself might get elected President while Republican Mitt Romney was Governor. The old law had provided for an appointment until the next regular general election, and legislators rejected the possibility of even having an appointment combined with an expedited special election.

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Chris Dodd

Dodd Chooses Not to Take Kennedy's HELP Committee Gavel

Brian Beutler | September 9, 2009, 9:05AM

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)

In a move that comes as a fairly big surprise, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) will reportedly announce today that he is not taking over the chairmanship of the Help, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which became vacant upon the death of Ted Kennedy. Dodd had been expected to take up Kennedy's mantle, leaving a vacancy on the Banking Committee, which he currently chairs.

The HELP chairmanship will instead go to Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), who is next in line after Dodd. Dodd had been the focus of much attention, because if he had taken the HELP chairmanship then Banking would have gone to Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD), whose home state is a major base for the credit-card industry.

To round out the game of musical chairs, Harkin will have to vacate the Agriculture Committee chairmanship, which will likely be filled by Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)--the only senior member of that committee who doesn't already have a chairmanship.

Harry Reid

Reid: Kennedy's Death Will Help On Health Care, "He's An Inspiration To Us"

Eric Kleefeld | September 1, 2009, 2:07PM

Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was asked by the Reno Gazette-Journal what effect Ted Kennedy's death will have on the health care bill -- and Reid said it would help.

"I think it's going to help us," said Reid. "He hasn't been around for some time," he added, seemingly in response to the (unstated) issue of Kennedy's vote getting lost. Reid also said the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee will have a new chairman, either Chris Dodd or Tom Harkin.

"He's an inspiration for us," Reid said of Kennedy. "That was the issue of his life and he didn't get it done."

MA-SEN

Patrick Announces January 19 For Special Election

Eric Kleefeld | August 31, 2009, 3:38PM

Gov. Deval Patrick (D-MA) has announced that January 19 has been set as the date for the special election to replace Ted Kennedy in the United States Senate -- and that he is still pushing for legislation to allow an interim appointment.

The Boston Globe pointed out today that the primary election would be held on December 8 under such a schedule. The winner of the Democratic nomination will be heavily favored to ultimately win the seat.

Patrick acknowledged that the possibility of an interim appointment had been rejected when the law changed in 2004 -- when state Democrats stripped then-Republican Gov. Mitt Romney of the ability to appoint a Senator, in case John Kerry would have won the presidency. But Patrick said he was not there at the time, and is not familiar with all the facts, but that the best way to get the state full representation is through an appointment.

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