Patrick names Kerry's Senate replacement

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/30/mo-cowan-senate_n_2567798.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Caim%7Cdl1%7Csec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D263608

It's Mo Cowan, former Patrick's chief of staff, who'll serve until new Senator is elected in June.

Like Paul G. Kirk, named by Patrick as interim Senator after Kennedy's death, Cowan will not seek election on his own.

EDIT: Wow, it's the first time since the Reconstruction two Black Senators will serve at the same time.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Actually this will be the first time ever that two Negroes have been in the Senate at the same time.  The two Mississippi Negroes who served during Reconstruction were not in the Senate at the same time.

[Miles]

Here are a few thoughts as to why Barney Frank was passed over.

[Asian Nazi]

Actually this will be the first time ever that two Negroes have been in the Senate at the same time.  The two Mississippi Negroes who served during Reconstruction were not in the Senate at the same time.

"Negroes"? 

[Harry Hayfield]

I'm a little confused here (probably because I'm a limey). Kerry will resign as a senator this weekend, according to Fox News, and the governor appoints a replacement (which is the method that I have seen done so many times before) so why is there going to be a special election in mid June when on other occasions the governor has appointed someone and they serve until the next scheduled election?

[seanNJ9]

I'm a little confused here (probably because I'm a limey). Kerry will resign as a senator this weekend, according to Fox News, and the governor appoints a replacement (which is the method that I have seen done so many times before) so why is there going to be a special election in mid June when on other occasions the governor has appointed someone and they serve until the next scheduled election?

different states, different laws.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Actually this will be the first time ever that two Negroes have been in the Senate at the same time.  The two Mississippi Negroes who served during Reconstruction were not in the Senate at the same time.

"Negroes"? 

It's a perfectly good word, especially when it's covering a period of time during which it was current for at least some of it.  Granted, it's antiquated today, but African-American is too bulky a phrase (and technically should be sub-Saharan African-American) and I have a fondness for nouns that end in the letter o.

[Fascism Must Be Defeated]

What about Black?

[Asian Nazi]

What about Black?

Not edgy enough.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

What about Black?

No o, and its too modern and hip for my tastes.  Besides, Negro is a perfectly good word whose use ought to be encouraged.  A word is a terrible thing to waste.  (Yes, the reference to the UNCF slogan was intentional.)

[Sic Semper Fascistis]

I know Negro doesn't have an inherent negative connotation, but it is still the relic of an age when the hierarchy of races was a commonly accepted idea. I can't manage to take it in a neutral context.

I'm fine with "black". Simple, straightforward, and neutral. And furthermore, it does dis-emphasize the importance of such label, since it is a mere reference to an aesthetic factor rather than a more loaded term.

[Napoleon]

It's not a term a South Carolinian could get away with using.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

It's not a term a South Carolinian could get away with using.

True, a real South Carolinian would use Nigra, but I wasn't born here, and my parents were Damn Yankees.