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Massachusetts House Approves Interim Appointment to the Senate
The Massachusetts House has approved by a vote of 95 to 58 a change to Massachusetts law allowing the governor to appoint someone to the U.S. Senate until the winner of the Jan. 19 election is seated. The bill has gone over to the state Senate, where the 5 Republicans (out of 40 members) are using delaying tactics to slow it down. Nevertheless, it has a good chance of passing by Thursday, in which case Gov. Deval Patrick (D-MA) will sign it immediately and probably appoint the senator immediately as well. Former governor Michael Dukakis is thought to be a likely pick, but Patrick could surprise people. He will certainly not pull a Paterson and agonize over his choice publicly for a period of weeks.