Several different news agencies are reporting that former Democratic National Committee Chairman Paul Kirk will be the next U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, replacing the late Ted Kennedy.
Whether that announcement happens later today or tomorrow, it's a significant development for President Obama and Senate Democrats, looking to get every possible vote to pass health care reform.
The Massachusetts legislature is expected to soon pass legislation allowing Governor Deval Patrick to name Kirk as Kennedy's successor. Kirk would be in the seat until next January 19th, when a special election will be held to allow the public to vote for a new Senator.
The Massachusetts GOP was expected to try to stonewall the momentum to change the law that was originally changed back when John Kerry was running for President, and Mitt Romney was the Governor.
But in the the waning days of his life, Senator Kennedy issued a letter calling for a repeal of that legislation on filling vacancies in the Congress.
Kirk served for 8 years as Kennedy's Chief of Staff, and as a former DNC Chair, is as inside the beltway as it gets.
He's also being strongly endorsed by Kennedy's widow Vicki, as well as his sons Ted Jr. and Patrick Kennedy.
Democrats currently have 59 votes in the Senate, but need the 60th to cut off a potential GOP filibuster.
Of course, they still might not have that if 91 year old West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd's health remains a concern.
This article appears in Sep 2-8, 2009.