Kennedy urges succession-law change

WASHINGTON – In one brief letter, Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts underscored both the fragility of his own health and the Democratic consensus on health care.

On Tuesday, the ailing liberal icon wrote to his home state governor, Deval Patrick, and state legislative leaders, asking them to alter the method by which his successor in the Senate could be chosen.

Currently, Massachusetts law calls for a special election to be held once a Senate vacancy arises, a process that would take months. Kennedy urged the legislature to act to allow Patrick, a Democrat, to appoint an interim replacement until such an election could be held.

Kennedy, who is stricken with brain cancer, wrote that he believes “it is vital for this Commonwealth to have two voices speaking for the needs of its citizens and two votes in the Senate during the approximately five months between a vacancy and an election.”

The health of the 77-year-old Kennedy has been the subject of rampant speculation in Washington.

Kennedy’s written request comes amid rising concerns in the Senate over the prospects of passing health care legislation this year. Currently, Democrats hold 58 seats in the chamber, and the body’s two independents, Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut and Bernie Sanders of Vermont, vote with the caucus. That would appear to provide a filibuster-proof majority.

But along with Kennedy, West Virginia Sen. Robert Byrd is also seriously ill, and frequently misses votes.