Globe to Gov. Patrick: Consider Dukakis

As both parties parse the possibilities to fill Sen. Edward Kennedy’s (D-Mass.) vacant seat, The Boston Globe this morning offers one suggestion: former Governor and previous Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis.

Wrote the Globe’s editorial board:

“Surely the governor can find a temporary replacement whose views are consistent with those of Kennedy and the Massachusetts voters who kept faith with him since 1962. Michael Dukakis, an elder statesman of Massachusetts politics, would be one good choice to uphold the Kennedy legacy for the few critical months before a special election. The former governor’s career speaks of a politician whose explicit promise not to seek the office could be trusted, even if no law can be cited to enforce the pledge.”

Of course, the Globe’s pitch assumes state lawmakers will honor Kennedy’s request and change state law to permit the governor to fill Senate vacancies through interim appointments. As both parties weigh that possibility, Secretary of State William F. Galvin announced Thursday the special election to replace Kennedy would take place on Jan. 19 or 26.