Brown to get Kennedy's office space

[shadowrider]

Source: CNN

Washington (CNN) -- After Scott Brown gets sworn in Thursday afternoon, he won't just be taking Ted Kennedy's Senate seat, he will also be taking over his plush office space in the Senate Russell building.

Several Senate sources tell CNN that the Senate Rules Committee, which assigns office space, decided to give Brown Kennedy's old digs as a matter of convenience.

An aide to Senate Rules Chairman Chuck Schumer says because Brown is coming in "midstream" it would be too hard to start moving senators around.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/02/04/brown.senate/

---

Amazing

[polichick]

1. That's sickening. nt

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

2. I thought Kerry was taking the desk?

And newbies don't get the plush suites.

I call bullshit.

[coffeenap]

7. The desk is on the floor--this is the ENTIRE office. WTF!

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

11. I call bullshit.

No Senate newbie is going to move into the plush office.

Senators devote lifetimes to getting those digs.

Bullshit!

[coffeenap]

13. I hope it isnt true--I am callling the Senate. That office is NOT Brown's.

NO!!!!!!!!!!

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

19. It's not.

eta: recognition of sarcasm

[wisteria]

44. I am contacting them too. If they made accomodations for Franken in the basement

than the basement is more than good enough for Brown.

[salguine]

49. The Senate Rules Committee says it is. TEDDY'S DEAD. ACCEPT IT. LIFE GOES ON. Just

imagine the wailing and crying that will explode forth here when Brown shits into a toilet that TED KENNEDY shat into.

[wisteria]

52. My problem is Brown getting such wonderful accomodations right off , when he should be in the

basement. Franken was mid-term too, how come they found room for him in the basement?

[dflprincess]

78. Franken is in Normie Coleman's old office on the 3rd floor of the Hart Office Building

http://www.minnpost.com/cynthiadizikes/2009/07/01/9993/franken_to_get_colemans_senate_office_space

He's been there since the election was decided in his favor.

[Name removed]

85. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Arkana]

114. Obviously, Ted Kennedy never was your Senator.

It's a symbolic thing. The idea of Scumbag Scott sitting in the chair that Ted Kennedy--one of the greatest men to walk the Senate's halls and the greatest Massachusetts Senator since Daniel Webster--once used is a vile notion.

[BennyD]

119. hahaha good one! Watch out though, some around here "worshiped" Teddy. n/t

[salguine]

126. I know. Too bad. I don't care who it is—I don't do "worship". The tendency to

view politicians as something other than merely other people is probably the biggest contributor to the mess we've been sinking into for decades. If your neighbor did the same things to you that your elected representatives do, you'd burn down his fucking house.

[BennyD]

128. No, "The tendency to view politicians as something...

other than merely other people is probably the biggest contributor to the mess we've been sinking into for decades."

Actually, it's the stupidity of the American people who keep buying the lies of these power hungry elitists. Most of our politicians couldn't survive if they had to live like you and me. Most of them are simply "smooth talkers," who have learned to look us in the eyes and tell "bald face lies." Rather than look out for you and me, they take big-money payouts from corporations.

Year after year after year. We hear the same old rubbish - "I'm gonna work for the little guy! Hell, I'm one of you." YEAH RIIIIIGGGGGHHHHTTT! And the entire time he (or she) is looking into the camera serving us sh*t sandwiches, there's an enveloped stuffed with cash in their front pocket.

These bloke's need to be sent home packin' this November. Let's show them what CHANGE really is!

[wisteria]

32. I am upset too, he should have been directly set up in the basement.

And, Kennedy's office left unused till after the Novemeber elections. I wonder if we can complain about this to the powers that be?

[Abq_Sarah]

12. If this is true, it makes a certain amount of sense

Most people don't know that office space is allocated on seniority. This prevents it from becoming a political issue and it also ends the time and money wasted and the distraction created by the Senate playing musical offices. I would, however, strip every single piece of furniture from the office before he takes possession.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

18. Of course it makes sense.

[No Elephants]

86. People who are not using the sarcasm emote need to wear a red vest or something.

[Abq_Sarah]

115. You know...

I just can't see making a bitchy issue out of this. I'm actually kind of relieved to know that while I'm sweating making payroll, the Senate isn't going to waste a shitload of money playing musical office space.

[wisteria]

34. They have temporary digs for him in the basement now, he should remain there and

Kennedy's office remain unoccupied till the end of November.

[No Elephants]

75. What does what most people don't know have to do with anything?

All Senators and media know the drill, so anyone who tried to make a political issue of it should be called out for the phonies that they would be. If they had set him up in the basement, exactly as they did Franken, why would that be a political issue? And if it were to become a political issue, you make a statement and back it up with umpteen examples. And, they also could have said something about giving Kirk time to transition and wrap up taking care of pending constitutent needs, which would probably be true.

In this ridiculously partisan times, with the 24 hour news cycle, Fixed News and "journalists" all over the media with no brain, you simply can't base decisions on whether something might become a political issue. If anyne You assume it will and prepare to handle it matter of factly if and when it does.

P.S. They gave Brown the office and it is a political issue for Democrats. If it were to become a political issue, at least make sure it was the Republicans who had the problem with it. The Republicans never would have done this. They seated their Senator with no credentials at all. Democrats made Franken go broke fighting while they left Minnesota with one Senator. Then, they put Franken in the basement and Brown in the office of the second most senior Senator in the Senate.

We get less than nothing for getting these guys elected. Not even small satisfactions.

[wisteria]

31. To much of an upset to move things around right now. Don't worry he will be in the basement by the

end of the year.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

51. I call bullshit.

[wisteria]

53. Your right, it appears they are coddling him. n/t

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

54. Time will tell.

[Raven]

3. Well, let's hope that some of the magic rubs off.

[hlthe2b]

8. Perhaps the spirit of the three Kennedy men-- all former Senators--

looking down on him, will haunt him a bit.

[wisteria]

45. Forget that, it isn't going to happen. This man should not occupy this office. n/t

[No Elephants]

87. Like the 3 ghosts in Christmas Carol? I like that idea.

[hughee99]

4. In 2 years, the next senator from MA will not have that space. n/t

[brendan120678]

10. True..

actually, in two years, it will still be Senator Brown.

[hughee99]

55. You're right, in 3 years...

3 years too long.

Actually, after the 2010 elections, he may get moved out of that office.

[No Elephants]

88. Doesn't his term end January 2013?

[hlthe2b]

5. That is so damned wrong... on so many levels...

MA DUers... time to start planning the eviction in three years. This has to be a mere aberration.

[wisteria]

35. Why can't they make his temporary space in the basement temorary?

and, leave Kennedy's office unused? I think we should complain about this.

[Yurovsky]

77. disgusting... Brown opposes virtually everything Teddy stood for

and you REWARD him by giving him one of the best offices in DC?

If I were a Democratic Senator in a less-desirable office, I'd be ticked. And would it really kill anybody to allow the office to remain vacant until after this falls election (or 2012, when Kennedy's term would have ended?)

Makes me sick to my stomach

[coffeenap]

6. Disgusting! So laziness trumps tradition! What the hell is wrong with us??

The Senate has traditions that mean a lot--symbols can mean more than most anything there--I don't get this decision. I have been in that office--it is NOT an office for a temp! WTF!!!

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

16. Laziness?

You ever try to shuffle offices before? Yeah, try doing that while there's a shitload of work going on. It isn't practical to have an entire staff uproot and move in the middle of a session just because you want to keep someone else from having a certain space.

[coffeenap]

26. Yes. This man has done no work yet, will have a new staff.

It is the right time to move--even into that crappy space down the hall or in the other buildings. Sorry, I do not feel it this time. YMMV.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

28. They don't have infinite office space.

Someone has to move in to that office so that Brown can take another one.

[wisteria]

36. I think they should make the basement space his permanently. n/t

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

39. I'd rather not hear their bellyaching.

It's a room.

[wisteria]

42. No, it is a "ROOM", a gorgeous much sought after well earned room. n/t

[No Elephants]

98. It's just another room like the Taj Mahal is just another tomb.

[TankLV]

112. Did it about THREE TIMES last year alone!!!

It's not at all difficult.

Quit making excuses for the repukes...it's disgusting...

[Captain Hilts]

9. A freshman gets a senior senator's space??????

[Tarc]

21. Did you complain when Kirk occupied the space?

Would you be complaining now if Martha Coakley were moving into the office?

Apply me to answer "no" and "no" for you.


This is by far the most ridiculous fucking thing I have seen people here bitch about. It is petty to the extreme.

[wisteria]

37. They all should be treated equally- basement spots. But, Kirk

was known to be very temporary so I see nothing wrong with him occupying the office for a couple of months.
I think it is terrible that a nude centerfold-and a Republican Tea Party candidate at that, is anywhere near Kennedy's office.

[Captain Hilts]

67. Man, you need to chill. Kirk was just a spaceholder. On the Hill this IS important. nt

[No Elephants]

79. Captain, you need the sarcasm emote when you talk that way to Massachusetts folk about Kennedy, even

his office.

Without the emote, it might be zero tolerance.

[avaistheone1]

22. I didn't know that could happen.

[buff2]

14. Looks like brown is the repukes next ronnie raygun

:puke:

[Tumbulu]

70. I think they are hoping for that

but my experience with those beauty queen types is such that I think there is a good chance he will fail.

[No Elephants]

92. Yep. Probably every one of them, except for Romney Raygun.

I bet he's sorry he let Brown have his campaign manager.

[still_one]

15. Thank-you croakly, thank-you DNC, thank-you Tim Kaine, and of course thank-you Massachucetts

It was probably one of the worst mismanaged races one

[wisteria]

38. I have to agree, I am still angry at Massachusetts voters for this smack in the face.n/t

[Arkana]

61. Be angry at the Democratic candidate

who fucking WENT ON VACATION for three weeks.

Scott Brown campaigned--I can malign the guy till I'm blue in the face, but he campaigned. Martha Coakley did not, and she publicly ridiculed Brown for doing so. It's not all the voters' fault.

[No Elephants]

81. I agree, but, for the record, her campaign said she was not vacation, but fundraising.

Right after she conceded, WBZ asked the spokesperson about the alleged vacation. The spokesperson replied that Coakley was out of money after the primary and needed to fundraise before she could put any ads on TV.

Even if true, it was poor planning. And, even if true, I don't 100% believe it. I don't think she was comfortable getting out there and talking to people, shaking hands, etc. And I do think she was complacent until it was too late, despite the example of Hillary and Obama, who started with an almost identical point spread. But, I thought I would put what her campaign said out there, FWIW, if anything.

And if it is true, how asleep was the DNC until it was too late?

[Arkana]

83. Whatever.

She was given some very bad advice and she followed it.

Even without money, you can get your face out there. Go places. TALK TO PEOPLE. That, unfortunately, is what Snotty Scotty did.

[No Elephants]

95. No kidding. I said I agreed with you.

[Arkana]

97. I know.

It just pisses me off.

People who don't live in Massachusetts had no clue. I liked Martha--I thought she would have been an aggressive campaigner since she obviously wanted it so badly.

I was wrong, and now I have to listen to out-of-staters call us stupid when 99% of this was the goddamn candidate's fault.

[No Elephants]

106. I never liked her for the U.S. Senate--Peter Principle-- but that's moot now, anyway.

No sense beating a dead horse. Now, I'm only furious about Brown. And now this.

[No Elephants]

84. The mistakes were made in Washington, D.C.,, the DNC, the Democratic primary and the campaign.

[No Elephants]

93. Democrats have a nerve dissing Massachusettts. Even with this, Massachusetts has been the most

steadfastly true blue state in the nation.

Where was the DNC? Where were Democrats from around the country? Where was Obama until a day before the election? How come Bill Clinton endorsed in the primary the worst of the four candidates and no other national Democrats stepped up to endorse Congressman Capuano?

Brown got backing from the RNC, Republicans all over the country, who both donated to his website and came from as far away as Walla Walla, Washington to attend his rallies. Prominent Republicans, like McCain and Romney campaigned for him and supported him.

[sasquatch]

17. Thank you DLC Bob Shrumites, you people could fuck up a soup sandwhich

[No Elephants]

82. Is Shrum responsible for the DLC? Not challenging, I just have no clue who conceived

that particular Rosemary's Baby. I know some of the founding members and many (too many!) of the current members. But I do not know whose brainchild it was originally.

Third way, my ass. It used to be our way and their way and now it's mostly their way. Screw their way and the third way.

[Tarc]

20. A well-deserved unrecommend, stop being so flippin hysterical

I lived in Mass for years, and cherished no politician more than I did Ted Kennedy while he was my Senator.

But c'mon, what do you want to do, shrink-wrap the entire suite and turn it into a shrine? Or have dozens of Senators pick up and do an office shuffle mid-term? They have more important things to do than act like freshmen swapping dorm spaces on move-in day.

Jesus. Common sense. Find some.

[wisteria]

41. They gave Frankin permant digs in the basement-midterm. n/t

[dflprincess]

100. No they didn't.

Since he was sworn in, Franken has been on the 3rd floor of the Hart Building in Coleman's old office.

[No Elephants]

96. So what? They do that all the time.

[Frank Cannon]

23. Maybe Kennedy's Jedi spirit will haunt him

The Force has power over the weak-minded.

[gateley]

24. Disappointing, but it's only four walls, I guess. Not hallowed ground. At least he's

not getting his desk!

[wisteria]

46. Franken was given basement digs in midterm, why is Brown being given such a nice room?

I am more than disappointed-I am disgusted.

[gateley]

56. And I just read a post that Brown decided he was going to use that office and

gave less than 24 hours notice. So now I'm more than disappointed. I'm disgusted with you, and pissed!

[onehandle]

25. Senator Softcore's first question: 'Is the Senate Russell building pants optional?' nt

[Jefferson23]

27. What is with these Senator's, they have no pride at all?

[ellie]

29. Disgusting.

[wisteria]

30. Temporarily only- till the end of 2010, then he is moved to the basement-

and I hope his space is cold with no windows.

[Snow Bird]

33. And they had the nerve to stick Senator Franken in

a basement office? Something doesn't sound right here.

[wisteria]

40. Yeah, you are correct, if the excuse is that they can't be moving everyone around now.

I am contacting Senator Reid about this. Let Scott remain in the basement with all the other new senators.

[dflprincess]

80. Franken is NOT in the basement

he's in Coleman's old offices on the 3rd floor of the Hart Building.

http://www.minnpost.com/cynthiadizikes/2009/07/01/9993/franken_to_get_colemans_senate_office_space

[No Elephants]

101. Coleman's office wasn't the third best in federal government, the first best being the White House,

and the second best being Byrd's office.

Though, I imagine Pelosi's ain't shabby.

Coleman was not a very senior Senator, so Franken probably did not leap over anyone's head when he took that space.

But I like the basement meme anyway. Shame when facts get in the way of a good argument, isn't it?

[dflprincess]

102. The meme on this thread has been that Franken is off in a basement somewhere

(Storage room B, perhaps?)

He is not in a basement.

[No Elephants]

104. I know and I fell for it. I should have known better.

[wisteria]

43. This is just wrong- if the basement is good enough for Franken than it is more than good enough for

Brown. I am contacting Reid on this along with Kerry's office.

[FriendlyReminder]

47. This is a travesty

[wisteria]

50. Contact Reid about it and Kerry. n/t

[Blue Owl]

48. Sickening.

Gives the term "undeserving" a whole new definition.

[Mithreal]

57. Kennedy's legacy was defiled more in the health care bill and debate than in that room.

And yes I understand the family might approve of any bill that saves more lives.

[Ian David]

58. They should just move him downstairs to Storage Room B. n/t

[Blue Owl]

59. I'm gonna have to ask you to go ahead

and get started on that cockroach problem, Scott.

Real good, then!

[Arkana]

60. Filth.

I hope Ted's ghost comes back and makes Brown's life living hell.

[tomm2thumbs]

62. I don't think they expect him to hold the office for long...

Consider him a lodger for now

[DebbieCDC]

63. I hope Ted comes back and haunts him

[Arkana]

91. Here's hoping things "mysteriously" fly off the walls and hit him

while he's busy filibustering the people's business.

[road2000]

64. Why not give it to Kerry,

then let Brown stay temporarily in Kerry's quarters until major reshuffling time rolls around? Hell, why not give it to Orrin Hatch?

[wisteria]

66. Yes, Kerry would be my first choice, then Durbin. n/t

[karynnj]

69. Kerry actually has a very nice office as he got the one

Senator Warner vacated.

From th announcement, you can see what the problem is. The highest seniority person who wanted it could grab it, and then his/her office would be up for grabs etc. Now, you would think all the moves could happen in the President's Day recess, but it would be disruptive for many.

Still has this ever happened before? Is it certain that he loses it at the end of 2010?

[onenote]

107. does kerry want it?

[TwentyFive]

65. Give him anything he wants. Shower him with kindness.

He will either vote occasionally with the Dems...or he will get a big ego, which MA voters detest, and they will kick him out on his ear.

[santamargarita]

68. This asshole can only stink up that office for 2 years

:puke:

[Gin]

72. Kennedy didn't die last week...this could have happened while

his temp person held the seat...this guy does not deserve plush diggs as a newbie..

watch...like Lieberman...he will get his butt kissed..

[No Elephants]

99. Doesn't he stay until January 2013?

[politicasista]

71. IMO, they should have made his office a museum

and Brownsnake should have an office in the basement with the Red Light Special.

[No Elephants]

103. I think they should just put someone great in it. He already has a few museums.

And his home in Hyannis is going to be another, I think.

[bluedigger]

73. Makes sense to me.

Offices are assigned by seniority. Kennedy was very senior and had nice offices. When a seat becomes vacant mid term it would be ridiculous to start reassigning offices. As each Senator is offered the available space he could accept or decline, if he was OK where he was. If he accepts, then his space becomes available, and the process starts again. Theoretically, you could have all 99 senators moving if the most senior were to die in office. That would be stupid.

Senator Franken wasn't screwed by being given the basement office. (Well, he was, but not maliciously.) He was the last senator seated in the general election. They couldn't wait for the decision to be made by the courts, so all the other offices were assigned, and Senator Franken was sent to the basement.

[wordpix]

74. he's the repukes' new prince & they cut some sort of deal

A handsome prince who toppled Dems from their Massachusetts castle must be set up in the best room in the palace and not in the basement. And of course, the Dems went along so as not to have a fight.

[No Elephants]

76. Funny. Before I read your post, I was going to reply to the original message by saying,

"If Brown were a prince, he'd refuse the office on grounds that he wanted to earn his office, just as Senator Kennedy and every other Senator had."

If he said that, I'd have some respect for the turd.

[NYC Liberal]

89. If seniority is out the window, put FRANKEN in Kennedy's office

and move Brown to the basement!

[dflprincess]

94. One more time

Franken is in Coleman's old office on the 3rd floor of the Hart Office building.

[No Elephants]

108. That doesn't mean that Brown shouldn't be in the basement, though.

[NYC Liberal]

111. And my point stands...

put Brown in the basement.

[No Elephants]

90. Hey, S C H U M E R.

:puke:


Vicki Kennedy will probably congratulate Brown publicly again, maybe even send flowers to the office, then cry privately for a week or more.

She has so much class.

[Blue_Tires]

105. don't get comfy, jagg-off...

[No Elephants]

109. Just heard Kerry say on TV that Brown switched his swearing in day and now Kirk has only 24 hours

notice to clear out of the office.

You know what that makes Brown?

Frick 'em all, especially Schumer. Coleman got plenty of time to clear out.

[dflprincess]

113. Coleman had plenty of time to clear out because he

had to start shutting things down when his term expired in January - the election wasn't decided until the end of June. In fact, Coleman had several more months to clear out than any other senator has gotten for a long time, if ever.

Not that Brown's action wasn't completely classless. But what else can you expect from a Republican?

[No Elephants]

122. Nonetheless, they could have given Coleman a deadline. They were very generous to him.

Too generous, some might say.

[TankLV]

110. Fucking spineless dems - what a bunch of EXCUSE MAKERS!!!!

You bet your fucking ass the repukes made dems leave so quickly their heads spun!!!

This is a fucking joke...

[IndyJones]

116. Interesting news, but I can't bring myself to care where they guy sits.

Too many important things to pay attention to that I really don't see why this is something to be upset about.

[JI7]

117. only thing that can make up for this is seeing him LOSE BIG in 2012

and us being able to see and laugh at pics ofhim being sad and conceding.

pics like we saw when Santorum lost.

[Wardoc]

118. Unreal (nt)

[BennyD]

120. This doesn't bother me at all. The people of Mass. elected Brown. Elections have consequences folks.

[No Elephants]

121. This has nothing to do with the election, though. This is about the Rules Committee, not the vote.

[BennyD]

123. maybe so, but it's still political gamesmanship. What matter is not where his office is, but how he

votes and what kind of influence he brings to the Senate. We know he is not a die-hard democrat - that's obvious. But the real question is: how much difficulty will he be for Democrats to work with? Bickering over which office he gets, is not importatant in the real scheme of things.

[Romulox]

127. Sounds like schoolgirl bickering to me. It's the PEOPLE'S building, not the Ritz Carlton. nt

[Hepburn]

124. ....

:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

[The Stranger]

125. Is Martha Coakley still on vacation? Can someone send her my thanks?