William “Mo” Cowan, the governor’s former chief of staff and one-time chief legal counsel, has been chosen by Gov. Deval Patrick to become the state’s interim United States senator, temporarily replacing John Kerry, State House News is reporting.
Earlier:Gov. Patrick Please send Barney Frank to the Senate
This really lowers my opinion of Gov. Patrick – I can’t see any reason for this other than rewarding a friend. Whether or not you’re a fan of Barney Frank, it would much better serve the people of MA to choose someone who’s already up to speed on all the issues and already knows the players. By the time this new person learns the ropes, it will be time for the new senator to take office.
Ditto
Actually, Deval should have appointed Scott Brown. He’s REALLY up to speed, having been Senator.
What ropes? What issues do you expect will come up in the next six months that will be DECIDED by the interim junior senator from Massachusetts? He is a Democrat (good!) and will vote with the President on immigration, gun control, the debt ceiling, the budget, etc. What more do you expect from a place-holder.
Max – if there were no one experienced ready to step into place, I wouldn’t expect much from a placeholder. But when someone who’s been in Congress for decades up until this month, and is of the same party as the governor, offers to do the job it means we can have more than a placeholder who will provide votes. Frank would have participated in making policy, not just voted with the president.
What mgwa said.
Max,
After reading your comment I read this article and I think it has some great points. There is no time for a learning curve in this short tenure. Frank was the best choice.
http://bostonglobe.com/opinion/2013/01/30/lehighaa/6ykGbhQD1yeKyAeVha9sRK/story.html
Kim, I read that, too, and also Yvonne Abraham’s: http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/01/30/abraham/iSmoXSpBH9z3TftIORHsFI/story.html
Now we have an election to focus on.
Did Patrick do this so that his friend would have a bigger pension? I am not a Barney Frank Fan at all but clearly he was the better choice.
I’m disappointed also (as a Barney fan, but also for sheer entertainment value) and skeptical of the Governor’s motives, but perhaps there was a larger political goal in play? Appointing a lightning rod from the left and antagonizing those who think pick-up ownership is an important qualification may not be the best way to win the special election.