Or Joe.

Can they bellow? Of course they can. And they will. They've taken it too far already. Victoria Kennedy's presence wouldn't do anything to abate it.

What's wrong with having a special election? That seems like the democratic thing to do.

They will hold the special election in any case. Vickie Kennedy, or whoever is appointed, would not be able to run. She would be fine in the interim, IMO. And Joe could run in the special election. But who am I, or any of us who do not live in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to dream of an ideal successor to Teddy's seat?

Al Franken, we never needed your intelligence and heart more than we do now. Please get on with it, Senator.

Appointing a spouse, close relative, or close associate of a deceased office-holder to serve for the remainder of their term is a long-time, and very logical, American tradition. It's been practiced as high as the Senate (e.g., Muriel Humphrey) and even more often in town and county positions, especially in the days when the (typically male) office-holder was the only one in the family to have a salary. It provides for continuity of philosophy and procedures -- the closest that is possible to giving the voters the representation they voted for, continuity of staffing and staff practices, and continuity of constituent services. And, since the relative most often does not choose to run for the office on their own, it provides for a level playing field for those who want to compete for the nominations and the position in the next election. Obviously the person needs to be competent to carry out the duties of the position (which Vicki clearly is and certainly Mrs. Humphrey was).

The biggest advantage, to my mind, is that it is a practice that would benefit, equally, any political party or political philosophy: there would be no sudden shift in position from that of the person who was most recently voted into power by the people, whether that person was liberal, moderate or conservative.

For what it's worth, Random House, publisher of a recent Ted biography, just sent out this note:

"According to celebrated Kennedy biographer Edward Klein, Ted Kennedy's dying wish was to see his wife Vicki fill his Senate seat.

Says Klein: "His two best friends, Senators Christopher Dodd and Orrin Hatch, would not have come out and publicly endorsed Vicki the day after Ted Kennedy was buried unless Senator Kennedy had indicated to them that his widow was his choice as his replacement."

"What makes this story so intriguing," Klein continues, "is that there is long-standing friction between Vicki and the late Senator's children and his nieces and nephews. As I wrote in my book, TED KENNEDY: The Dream That Never Died, I think we're in for a battle royal within the Kennedy family over the succession to Ted Kennedy."

Her presence in the Senate -- fighting for Kennedy's lifelong dream -- would have a powerful effect starting with shaming the Republicans into some semblance of civility.

There is nothing on God's green Earth that will lead the GOP to obtaining any semblance of civility. Where have you been these past 9 years?

So!

We have Overreached out and learned the following:

Some Trusted Transitional will be named Senator until the Special Election. The Democratic nominee at the Special Election will have a leg up due to her Catholic ties, her close association with the former Senatorial leadership, her good looks in middle age, and her recent successful marriage to the Lion of the Senate. Given her relative inexperience, it will be a real challenge for her (hee-hee-hee!), but she'll have a shot at being Senator and not just for one term.

And all you buffoons who declared the Kennedy legacy dead, you can go regroup and reformat and reconsider... And pleasant dreams to all...