Reply #12: The NYT did the same in their story - I was going to check out the MA papers and blogs

[karynnj]

but thanks to you, that won't be necessary.

I agree with you that many MA Democrats came through - especially Kennedy in writing that letter essentially on his death bed. That letter gave Kerry and other Democrats some cover in changing a law they just changed about 5 years ago. Kerry's strong involvement in making the case was great - especially as he is incredibly busy being the only MA Senator, chairing Afghanistan hearings (one today at 10 (for live video - http://foreign.senate.gov/Flashtest.html ) and an excellent hearing yesterday (http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/archives/2009/09/john-kerry-is-making-sense.php ) and working on the Rockefeller side of the Finance committee.

I think Dukakis would be a wonderful interim choice. I remember a few years ago hearing him speak - mostly on Amtrak issues. He is a good guy, who really was treated pretty badly after 1988.