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Sen. Edward Kennedy was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Gay rights supporters describe him as one of the ‘strongest and most reliable backers of LGBT rights’ in the country. (Photo by AP)
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HOME > NEWS > NATIONAL NEWS
By: JOSHUA LYNSEN COMMENTS
 
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Obama “will continue to work to ensure that ENDA is passed,” but did not say whether Obama was open to being the bill’s lead sponsor.
Wilcox said someone inevitably would offer the bill in Kennedy’s absence, though, as “a policy the Senate works on in his honor.”
“I’m not sure that his being absent from the Senate floor would fundamentally change the nature of the debate,” he said. “And if anything, other people would be making his arguments for him.”
More problematic could be the viability of future gay rights proposals.
Pinello said the factors that helped empower Kennedy to champion gay causes are unique, and his departure from the Senate would leave shoes perhaps too large to fill.
“I’m not sure that anyone can take that place, whether it’s with regard to the LGBT causes or other things that were important to Kennedy, once he’s gone,” he said. “He really is a master facilitator, negotiator and politician in the best sense of that word.”
Pinello said some of Kennedy’s longtime allies, such as Sens. Joe Biden (D-Del.) or Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), could pick up wherever their colleague leaves off.
“They are fairly reliable liberals and they are fairly powerful and well received,” he said, “but they’re still not on the same level as Ted Kennedy.”
And their ability to champion gay rights issues, Pinello said, might hinge on Democrats winning more Senate seats and the White House in the fall elections.
“To the degree that that does not happen,” he said, “then Kennedy’s loss will be that much more consequential.”
It’s equally unclear who might directly succeed Kennedy, should he leave the Senate.
Unlike most states, Massachusetts law dictates that Kennedy’s successor be chosen by special election, not the governor. The election would be held no sooner than 145 days and no later than 160 days after a vacancy occurs. No interim appointments are allowed.
Contenders could include senior U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, who is gay, but Pinello said Frank is unlikely to pursue any vacancy.
“I don’t see what more he would have to gain politically by becoming the junior senator from Massachusetts, given all the power he has in the House of Representatives,” he said. “I see that as very unlikely.”
Democratic contenders could include Kennedy’s sons; Gov. Deval Patrick; or former U.S. Rep. Marty Meehan, who left the House last year to become chancellor of the University of Massachusetts campus in Lowell.
Former state Gov. Mitt Romney, a Republican who tried to unseat Kennedy in 1994, also could enter<
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