BOSTON: Obama Calls Into Public Radio Show, Chats With Gov. Deval Patrick

Yesterday President Obama surprised Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick by calling into the governor's monthly Boston Public Radio show. "Uh, Governor, this is Barack Obama, formerly of Somerville. I've got a few complaints about service in and around the neighborhood, but I've moved down South since that time..."

(Tipped by JMG reader Daddy Ray)

Barney Frank: I'm Disappointed

"There was one thing that sort of troubled me in the discussion about it — nobody was particularly quoted; they attributed something to governor’s office and others — was that the governor would want to appoint someone who’s either a minority or a woman. And what troubled me is the question of LGBT people was just kind of swept out. I’ve never asked for any appointment based on me being gay, but when they begin talk about the importance of diversity and leave us out, that troubles me. It’s almost as if some people didn’t listen to the president when he said, ‘Seneca, Stonewall and Selma,’ and didn’t hear the Stonewall part. Just as it was in the House, I think being a same-sex married couple in the Senate could have took an important lesson home to some of them." - Former Rep. Barney Frank, speaking to the Washington Blade about being passed over for the interim Senate post.

There'll Be No Sen. Barney Frank

Massachusetts Gov. Duval Patrick today picked his former chief of staff to temporarily replace Sen. John Kerry in the Senate.

“He has been a valued ally to me and our work on behalf of the people of the Commonwealth,” Patrick said at a news conference. “In every step, he has brought preparation, perspective, wisdom, sound judgment, and clarity of purpose.” Cowan said he was “honored and humbled” to get the temporary post, which will make him the first African-American to represent Massachusetts in the Senate since Edward Brooke held the seat as a Republican from 1966 to 1978. He said he would “go to work every day with the needs and aspirations” of Massachusetts residents on his mind and would push for jobs, education, and affordable, high-quality health care.

Barney Frank: I Want To Be Senator

This morning former Rep. Barney Frank told MSNBC that he has asked Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick to appoint him interim Senator to replace John Kerry. Two weeks ago Frank said he "wouldn't say no" if Patrick appointed him.  Via Politico:

“A month ago, or a few weeks ago, I said I wasn’t interested,” Frank said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “It was kind of like you’re about to graduate, and they said: ‘You gotta go to summer school.’ But [the fiscal cliff deal] now means that February, March and April are going to be among the most important months in American financial history.” He added, “I’ve told the governor I would now like, frankly, to do that [serve as interim senator].” Frank said he wouldn’t run for Kerry’s seat in a special election, which would likely take place this summer.

Frank spent 32 years as a member of the House.

Rep. Barney Frank: I Won't Say "No" To Taking Interim Senate Appointment

Soon-to-be former Rep. Barney Frank says he wouldn't turn down an appointment to be the interim replacement for Sen. John Kerry, who was formally nominated for Secretary of State on Friday.

“The governor ought to be free to make whatever choices he makes. In Massachusetts, you’re talking about an interim, not a permanent appointment. I certainly would not take on any long-term appointment,” Frank said. “As for an interim thing, I think accepting offers that haven’t been made is kind of presumptuous.” Pressed to clarify, Frank said his answer was “not a ‘no’ or a ‘yes.’ Rejecting an offer that hasn’t been made is also presumptuous.” Speculation about the Senate appointment has focused so far on Vickie Kennedy, the widow of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy. If Frank were to end up getting the nod, he’d be the second openly gay senator, after Wisconsin Sen.-elect Tammy Baldwin.

Barney Frank's long-simmering enemies at the Boston Herald do not like the idea of a Senator Frank.

This is a potential nightmare scenario for Republicans who thought they’d soon be rid of the acid-tongued Bayonne, N.J., native who badgered and bullied his opponents, and the media, for years.  In a bitter re-election victory speech two years ago, Frank launched a tirade against the Herald, calling the paper “irrelevant.” Can you imagine if Frank now ends up with an interim appointment in the Senate, where he’s not held accountable by voters? The surly sourpuss might even try to pass legislation abolishing all Boston newspapers with “Herald” in the name. He once told college interviewers that he was “tired” of his job in Congress, saying, “it’d be nice to have some free time, not have to read a lot of stuff I don’t care about.” And he said one of his reasons for retiring was that it would be too strenuous to campaign in a new district where many voters didn’t know him. “I don’t have to pretend to be nice to people I don’t like,” he added.

Senator Ted Kennedy Jr.?

The Boston Herald reports that top Massachusetts Democrats are urging Edward Kennedy Jr. to submit himself to replace Sen. John Kerry, who will likely succeed Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State.

“Several people have approached (Kennedy) about running,” said the source. “They are all mindful that his name is Edward M. Kennedy.” If Teddy Jr. runs, it will be the first time the Edward M. Kennedy name has been on the ballot since the liberal lion last ran in 2006. He died in 2009. The Kennedy name still carries tremendous political clout in Massachusetts and if Teddy Kennedy Jr. jumped in, he likely would clear the Democratic field. U.S. Representatives Edward Markey, Michael Capuano and Steven Lynch all are considering a run for the Senate seat. U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz and Attorney General Martha Coakley also are potential Democratic candidates.

Soon-to-be former Sen. Scott Brown is expected to enter the special election. According to the above-linked article, insiders believe that only someone with the famed Kennedy name could beat Brown.

Obama To Nominate Sen. John Kerry To Replace Secretary Hillary Clinton

No surprise here as Kerry was widely thought to be the favorite, especially after UN Ambassador Susan Rice withdrew her name.  Kerry's nomination should become official sometime in the next week.

Kerry, the senior senator from Massachusetts and the Democratic Party's 2004 presidential nominee, is noted for the experience, gravitas and relationship-building skills that could help him succeed as the United States' top diplomat. Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, recently jokingly referred to Kerry as "Mr. Secretary."In his current role as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Kerry has traveled the globe on behalf of the Obama administration to mend frayed relationships. Most notably he has traveled to Pakistan after a series of incidents, including the raid that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, that had set relations back.

Now all eyes turn to Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.

By state law, a special general election is required to take place 145 to 160 days after a vacancy occurs. So if Kerry were nominated, confirmed, and then stepped down on January 21 (Inauguration Day), the election would take place between June 14 and June 29, with primary elections being held six weeks earlier. Whoever wins the special election would serve the final year and a half of Kerry's term and would then be able to run again for a full six-year term in office in the 2014 midterm elections. Patrick says it's too soon to say whether he'll name a caretaker or appoint someone who would run in the special election. But a Democratic strategist in Massachusetts says Patrick is under pressure to avoid naming a caretaker, in hopes of preventing a divisive primary.

MA Gov. Deval Patrick - It Gets Better

MA Gov. Deval Patrick Issues Executive Order Protecting Trans State Workers

Yesterday Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick "quietly" signed an executive order protecting state workers from discrimination on the basis of gender identity. Christian groups have denounced the protection as "the bathroom bill" and are screaming the usual nonsense about men in dresses stalking little girls in public restrooms.

“This Executive Order ensures that all employees in the executive branch will continue to be able to perform their duties free of discrimination,” Patrick spokesman Alex Goldstein said in a statement. Gay rights groups hailed the move yesterday as a strong “first step” in equality for transgendered people, but critics have cautioned that the bill could make state restrooms and lockers unisex. “If this indeed is a bathroom bill, if it is there’s no doubt that it will impact the public schools,” said Kris Mineau, a longtime opponent of the bill. Arline Isaacson, co-chairwoman of the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus, said she’ll still work to get the legislation passed in order to ensure equal rights in the private sector. “We are deeply grateful yet again to Gov. Patrick for his solid and consistent support,” Isaacson said.

Kennedy Aide Picked As Replacement

Paul Kirk, a longtime aide to Ted Kennedy, has been chosen by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick to be Kennedy's interim replacement in the U.S. Senate.

Kirk was a longtime senior aide to Kennedy and served as chairman of the national Democratic Party in the late 1980s. Patrick is to announce his selection for the Senate seat at 11 a.m. at the Statehouse in Boston. One of the two sources who told CNN that Patrick will name Kirk is close to the Kennedy family. Two Kennedy family associates told CNN on Wednesday that Kirk is the family's favorite to fill his vacant Senate seat, and that the late senator's sons have relayed this view to Patrick. One source said Kennedy's widow, Vicki Kennedy, was among the family members supporting a Kirk appointment. The appointment would give Democrats a crucial 60th vote in the Senate as the chamber weighs President Obama's health care proposal. Massachusetts lawmakers voted Wednesday to approve a measure giving Patrick the power to appoint an interim replacement for Kennedy until a new election can be held.

Kirk will have a short run - the special election primary to pick Kennedy's full-time replacement is December 8th.

Massachusetts Senate Repeals Marriage Residency Requirement

Today the Massachusetts Senate repealed the 1913 law limiting marriages performed there to residents of the state. The bill passed by a general voice vote with no objections.

The bill now moves to the state House of Representatives where it is expected to pass overwhelmingly. Governor Deval Patrick has promised to approve the bill "proudly", which will put a recognized-at-home legal marriage within a few hours drive for New York's gay couples.

The 1913 law was originally created to prevent interracial couples from crossing state lines to marry. It was ignored for decades until former Gov. Mitt Romney invoked it to prevent out-of-state gays from using their Massachusetts marriages to force court cases in their home states.

HomoQuotable - Katherine Patrick

"Because, of course, he didn’t know that I was gay then. So, for someone so publicly to fight for something that doesn’t even affect him was just like, ’That’s my dad,’ you know? That’s all I could think. I was very, very proud to be part of this family, and this state in general." - Katherine Patrick, 18 year old daughter of Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, coming out of the closet today in Boston's LGBT newspaper, Bay Windows.

Katherine had already come out to her friends, her sister Sarah and a maternal aunt with whom she is close, Lynn Prime. She says she waited for an opportunity to come out to both parents at the same time - a difficult task given their busy lives - so as not to make either of them feel that she was more comfortable with one parent over the other. So when the moment came, she just decided to go for it. Walking into the kitchen, she asked her parents to stop what they were doing and she asked her aunt Lynn to leave the room because she wanted to talk with her mother and father alone. Her parents turned to her and she said, "I’m a lesbian."

"And I’ll always remember the first thing my dad did was, [he] wrapped me in a bear hug and said, ’Well, we love you no matter what,’" Katherine recalls. Diane Patrick moved in for a group hug. After a moment, Katherine, in what she describes as typical teen behavior, asked her hovering parents to step off. "I said, ’Okay, okay,’" she laughs. "I was like ... ’Okay, thanks.’"

Diane Patrick received the news with a mixture of happiness and relief. She says that after Katherine had asked her aunt to leave the room because she needed to talk with her parents, she had no idea what her daughter was going to say. "I often think the worst when I get that kind of build-up. And so I was thinking, ’Oh my goodness, she failed something or she did something really bad’ - not that she has a habit of doing those things - but I worried." When her daughter made the big reveal, Diane almost burst out laughing out of sheer relief.

Welcome, Katherine.

Hillary Camp Says Obama Plagiarized

Hillary Clinton's communication director is accusing Barack Obama of plagiarizing a speech he gave on Saturday in Wisconsin from one given by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick in 2006

Barack Obama: "Don't tell me words don't matter. 'I have a dream' - just words? 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal' - just words? 'We have nothing to fear but fear itself' - just words? Just speeches?"

Gov. Deval Patrick in 2006: "'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal' - just words? Just words? 'We have nothing to fear but fear itself' - just words? 'Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.' Just words? 'I have a dream' - just words?"

Obama says that he and Patrick occasionally borrowed language from each other, but that he should have credited him. Patrick has endorsed Obama for president.

Nothing to see here, people.