It's Cowan! Second African-American in current Senate

[WI_DEM]

BOSTON (Reuters) - Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick on Wednesday is to name his former chief of staff, William Cowan, to fill the U.S. Senate seat that John Kerry will vacate this week when he succeeds Hillary Clinton as secretary of state, Boston's WBZ television reported.

Patrick's office declined to comment on the pick, saying only that the governor planned to make an announcement at 11 a.m. ET (1600 GMT). A Democrat, Cowan would be the second African-American in the current Senate and would serve until a June 25 election in which Kerry's permanent replacement is selected.

In choosing his former chief of staff, Patrick bypasses recently retired U.S. Congressman Barney Frank, who had publicly said he wanted the job.

The appointment maintains the Democrats' majority in the Senate, at least until the special election.

http://news.yahoo.com/massachusetts-governor-patrick-names-william-cowan-senate-local-150416647.html

[LiberalFighter]

1. There are positives and negatives probably for both Cowan and Franks

But considering that both would only be placeholders likely not a big deal.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

5. What are the negatives with Cowan? I thought he was fairly noncontroversial.

[LiberalFighter]

6. No experience on the legislative side in either the House or Senate.

Which would be Franks pro. Franks' con might be not fitting in with the Senate's style of doing things. Franks' is in my opinion pretty laid back but maybe not enough for the Senate. But he does get motivated at times. Cowan might be more adaptable in that regards to stay within the Senate style.

I'm not aware of anything controversial with Cowan that would be a negative and was not going that route. Being a CoS might be a negative depending on the duties in that office. Going from a position that oversees different operations and making sure things are done is different than trying to persuade others in a legislative environment.

But it all depends on what each would do to adapt to operate in a different environment. Like going from being an employer to employee. An employer has to act more as an employee and have to limit their demeanor or risk getting fired. If it was reversed and the employee went into management with hire and fire powers would they treat certain employees better because they were friends or treat them all fairly?

So in essense it is whether they have the qualities to perform within parameters when filling different shoes.

But it really doesn't matter which one got it as it is short term.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

8. But, doesn't being the Chief of Staff almost require that he has great insight into

how governing works? It certainly helps him when dealing with people and in terms of being able to negotiate, cut bargains, and make deals--which is what's typically valued in the Senate.

[LiberalFighter]

10. It all depends on the style he utilized as CoS

[Arkana]

2. Considering the other black guy is a goddamn loon,

this will be a nice balance.

[madashelltoo]

3. Amen!

Scott is batshit! The difference between he and West was West's ego made him want the world to worship his batshitness. (not a word? Ok)

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

4. I think it's a great move. Why? Several theories...

1. We need a progressive black person to serve and to counter-balance that nutbag, Tim Scott.

2. We need someone who has a chance to win the general election. I remember Deval stating that he'd rather appoint someone who has a potential to run for that seat and win it.

3. Scott Brown better not play the race card against this guy; he got away with that shit with Liz Warren. He won't get away with it this time.

4. "Mo" is apparently well liked in MA. He's also well known. And, as far as I know, he's a rather noncontroversial pick.

5. Barney Frank was great, but (a) he is not interested in running for the Senate; (b) he's too loud and outspoken and may bring too much noise to the election, providing ammunition for the Republicans; (c) he's ready to retire.

6. Vicki Kennedy is admired but she is a Kennedy and MA seems to be tired of Kennedys vying for political office. The seat was occupied by John Kerry, but Teddy's legacy lingers in MA. For some reason, I get the sense that there is a large segment of the MA population who tire of the Kennedys. Unfortunate and tragic, in my view.

[LiberalFighter]

7. Point 1 is moot imo unless he becomes a candidate in the special election.

If he does run and win then my prior statement comparing Franks and Cowan with their negatives and positives doesn't apply because it was based on Cowan just being a placeholder. It does put another negative on Franks side though.

I see now that Cowan has been CoS for 1 year? or is it 2? So maybe that is not the negative I came away with as the position may not be his cup of tea.

You provided a negative I brought up about Franks but I was a bit more gentler.

Actually, Scott Brown didn't get away with the race card with Liz Warren. She beat him.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

9. Good points all around. If Cowan has been a CoS for 1 or 2 years, that could be a plus.

Brown won't be able to call him inexperienced, but he also doesn't have a record to run against him. Cowan, on the other hand, can take Brown to the woodshed. I think the lack of political experience actually served Liz Warren well.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

12. Thanks for the correction. I thought he wanted someone who would run, but I was mistaken.

I do not live in MA, but from what I've been reading, he doesn't seem to have any blemishes, and I can't remember which article, but apparently he's well liked based on what I've read.

I appreciate the clarification.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

14. That's not unusual to appoint an acquantance is it, though? When Mel Carnahan died in the

plane crash, his wife was appointed to his seat. That happens all the time.

In fact, if Deval wanted to appoint someone who doesn't want to run, that's great news because that person is not tarnished by his/her votes during his/her short tenure in the Senate. It kinda protects them.

I love Barney, but again, he brings too much attention to himself and that could hurt whomever runs for that seat.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

16. But Cowan will only be in for a very short time. He won't even be relevant. You wouldn't

want someone affiliated with Kerry to be irrelevant. This is a safe choice. I think it's a smart move.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

19. No, not really. I trying to get you to see that it's no big deal. Does anyone even remember Kaufman?

[NPolitics1979]

18. Cowan serves in the US Senate for 5 more months.

He leaves once the winner of the Special Election is certified. If Markey-D wins the Special Election, Cowan becomes the Democratic nominee for Lt Governor in 2014
If Brown-R wins the Special Election, Cowan-D becomes the Democratic nominee to stop Brown-R from serving a full 6 year term.

[Marrah_G]

21. Cowan has said he has no interest in running for office now or in the future.

[annabanana]

20. Franks would have been more fun.. . . . . .n/t