Item!

Rumor is, that if the Joyce-Straus bill passes in the state legislature, then Barney Frank will definitely run for the U.S. Senate.
Purists will note said bill mandates a new senatorial election be called within ninety of a vacancy in one of our U.S. Senate seats.
Purists will also note this bill will have to pass over the inevitable veto of Governor Romney since it would end his prerogative to appoint a two year interim senator.
Of course, all this is contingent on John Kerry carrying the day in November.
On the other hand the rumor mill goes on to note that if the law stands, Kerry wins, and Romney appoints some worthless hack to the sinecure, then Congressman Frank probably won't be a senate candidate come 2006.
In addition to holding onto his own seat, a gay marriage amendment either with or without a civil union clause will go on the ballot and the congressman made need do some campaigning on this issue.
His plate would be too full to make the race in 2006 in other words.
Of course, if the current statute stands, Romney could well appoint himself to the senate.
Granted the Kolobian Viceroy would have to break a promise to serve out his first term....but so many of Romney's solemn pledges have been broken nigh these two years that one more can't make a difference to this famously cold self serving man.
Or it could be Romney versus Frank come this time next March...that is an intriguing race to contemplate.
Foolishly, the Boston Globe has come out against Joyce-Straus.
They'd sell a lot more papers covering a Frank-Romney head to head election race next spring....I advise the Globe to rethink their opposition.
Otherwise we are stuck watching Romney appoint either himself, a corruptard like Joe Malone, or some haggard hack like Steve Pierce to the seat.
Not much excitement there I'm afraid.
As I've said before, when it comes to potential U.S. Senators, the Massachusetts democratic party has the edge in experienced players.
I hope some of them get in the game this time...