Kirk Named to Kennedy's Senate Seat

The Kennedy confidante reportedly favored by Patrick Kennedy and other family members as a temporary replacement for the late Ted Kennedy in the US Senate has been named to the post. From the Boston Globe:

Governor Deval Patrick today named Paul G. Kirk Jr. to serve as interim US senator, making the announcement in the presence of the immediate family of the late Edward M. Kennedy.

"He is a distinguished lawyer, volunteer, and citizen, and he shares the sense of service that so distinguished Senator Ted Kennedy," Patrick said at a press conference at the State House. "Paul will not seek the open seat in the special election coming up in January. But for the next few months, he will carry on the work and the focus of Senator Kennedy, mindful of his mission, and his values, and his love of Massachusetts."

 

Kirk said he plans to take the oath of office on Friday. Before the formal announcement, video from inside the governor's office showed Kirk and Patrick sitting in arm chairs in front of a fireplace. Kirk's wife, Gail, sat on a sofa with Ted Kennedy Jr. On another sofa sat Vicki Kennedy and Senator John F. Kerry.

"We can't get you down there soon enough," Kerry told Kirk, referring to the US Senate. "Tomorrow?"