Ted Kennedy's Senate Seat: Who Will Replace Him? (SLIDESHOW POLL)

Ted Kennedy's death leaves an open Senate seat in Massachusetts for the first time in 25 years. State law requires a special election for Kennedy's seat to be held within 160 days. Before his death, Kennedy urged that the law be changed to allow Gov. Deval Patrick to appoint a temporary replacement until the special election could be held.

So who will replace the Senate's "liberal lion"? See a list of potential candidates and choose your favorite:

Rep. Ed Markey

The Democratic congressman seemed poised to run for Senate had John Kerry become president in 2004. But he may not want to leave his chair heading the House Select Committee for Energy Independence and Global Warming.

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Comments

[americandowner]

10:47 PM on 08/27/2009

It's like asking who could replace the Red Socks!!!!!!!!!!
Choose wisely, they are all elected persons, not God.

[Brute]

10:37 PM on 08/27/2009

Michael Phelps is a better swimmer............elect him.

[Brute]

10:35 PM on 08/27/2009

Zippy the Chimp?

[chicagurl]

11:43 PM on 08/27/2009

I don't think Bush can be senator from Massachusetts, as he lives in Texas. Nice thought tho!

[restoretheroar]

10:15 PM on 08/27/2009

any of you drones mind how the libs are trying to change the rules of placing the new sen.?

[chicagurl]

11:44 PM on 08/27/2009

Taking a pagebook from the rethugs.

[tomdoc]

10:10 PM on 08/27/2009

Maybe his son Patrick if he can stay sober long enough be sworn in.

[Freesia2]

09:49 PM on 08/27/2009

I have no idea. I don't know much about the records of any of them.

As fitting as the idea of having another Kennedy pick up the torch to carry on the name is, that might not be the best choice. What they should look for, my humble opinion, is someone who shares his beliefs across the board and who is so well informed he can debate off the cuff. Seasoned and very familiar with the hornets nest he'll be walking into. It should be the person who can hit the ground running with the issues on the table, to be his legs. This past year must have been very frustrating for him, so it needs to be someone who can pick up his notes and run to the chamber ready to act in his stead.

Don't ask me which. I wouldn't suggest Caroline. Not because I don't like her, I don't know much about her, but she seems to lack his certainty and force. It needs to be a potential lion.

[chicagurl]

09:26 PM on 08/27/2009

Foolish people, what a headline. Who will replace Ted Kennedy in the senate? The answer, of course, is no one. No one will ever, ever replace Senator Ted Kennedy in the senate. Someone will eventually be the second senator from Massachusetts, but nope, no one will ever replace this great man.

[Policon]

08:17 PM on 08/27/2009

Here comes Round 2 for Caroline Kennedy

[wdw505]

08:21 PM on 08/27/2009

what so now you want senator stammerer

[RuthlessDictator]

10:05 PM on 08/27/2009

Ha! I was going to mention Caroline but you beat me to it. Actually I'm a fan of the Kennedy's but what has she accomplished besides raising money and being aloof?

[prolbowl]

08:14 PM on 08/27/2009

Why on earth would Dukakis, the lamest, wimpiest candidate in political history be a top 5 pick? Democrats need a real fighter like Teddy, not a limp wimp like Dukakis.

[viking1955]

08:13 PM on 08/27/2009

Ted Kennedy's Senate Seat: Who Will Replace Him?

maybe someone who didnt let a girl drown in a car...............how's that for starters?

[wdw505]

08:15 PM on 08/27/2009

sounds good.......a conservative?

[chicagurl]

09:31 PM on 08/27/2009

Oooooh, leaves out Laura Bush, who killed someone with a car as well.

[restoretheroar]

10:16 PM on 08/27/2009

not comparable. she was not intoxicated and she didn't wait 10 hours to call for help.

[MaDmOnKy]

08:07 PM on 08/27/2009

it really is a shame Micheal Moore didnt take him to Cuba for healthcare..

[dphilip]

08:08 PM on 08/27/2009

Ted would want us to exploit his death....Now let's go!

[wdw505]

08:13 PM on 08/27/2009

why?

[xargaw]

08:06 PM on 08/27/2009

I don't know who will ultimately fill his Senate seat, but as a Ted Kennedy Senator with his passion, his command of policy and research and his humanity for the people, (don't count him out) Al Franken has the potential to be that kind of Senator. He certainly has the courage.

[bostink]

08:11 PM on 08/27/2009

Al Franken has the potential to be that kind of Senator.





ROTFLMAO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wdw505]

08:19 PM on 08/27/2009

the funnier thing is that he believes that post

i have scraped more valuable things from the bottom of my shoes than the value of Mr. franken

[wdw505]

08:14 PM on 08/27/2009

yawn

[wdw505]

07:53 PM on 08/27/2009

do you think clinton hid the voodoo dolls of kennedy with pins in the head of the doll after kennedy endorsed MRbo

[whiteguyforiran]

07:47 PM on 08/27/2009

How can someone be appointed I thought Kennedy had the law changed years ago because at the time Romney was gov. Now it will be changed again because a dem. is gov. That's not right is it?

[wdw505]

07:50 PM on 08/27/2009

don't you love irony

[prolbowl]

08:12 PM on 08/27/2009

That is perfectly right. Its politics and its democratic. If you have the votes to pass it, then pass it. Grow up.

[Bernique]

07:05 PM on 08/27/2009

Uh, replace him in Massachusetts? ( I cited Chris Dodd as "Lion in the Senate", not as replacement in his state). Michael Dukakis, for the short term, just to p*ss off the GOP. For the long term, Rep. Ed Markey.

[wdw505]

07:46 PM on 08/27/2009

when elected in the special election maybe