Guv Patrick Officially Appoints Kirk As Interim Senator

TPM:

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.

Also, this from the White House website:

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
__________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 24, 2009

Statement by The President on The Appointment of Paul Kirk as US Senator From Massachusetts

"I am pleased that Massachusetts will have its full representation in the United States Senate in the coming months, as important issues such as health care, financial reform and energy will be debated. Paul Kirk is a distinguished leader, whose long collaboration with Senator Kennedy makes him an excellent, interim choice to carry on his work until the voters make their choice in January."
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Update: Kirk Set To Be Sworn In Tomorrow ..

Update 2: Mass. GOP Files InjunctionTo Stop Kirk Appointment. The GOP's claim is that it is unconstitutional forthe Governor to have the interim Senator sworn immediately rather than in days as it was proposed. The is more of restraining order rather than an injunction. Court gives out injunction. This will be differcult issue as the GOP will fight in court Friday at 8 am [Kirk is sworned in at 3pm] as there is a empty Senator seat in that state and a deceased Senator and the bill for an interim Senator for Kennedy's replacement was approved and the special election for Kennedy's seat will be next year which would not allow Kirk that much time as interim Senator if the Governor waits 90 days for Kirk to be sworned in.