While Ted Kennedy’s widow, Vicki Kennedy, has indicated she is not interested in assuming her husband’s Senate seat, there is bipartisan support for her to take the job, if only temporarily.
The Massachusetts state legislature is getting ready to debate a bill that would give Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick the authority to appoint an interim senator to fill the seat until a special election is held and some are suggesting the 55-year-old lawyer would be perfect for the job.
“I think Vicki ought to be considered,” said Orrin Hatch on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
Hatch called Vicki Kennedy ” a very brilliant lawyer” and “solid individual.”
Vicki Kennedy is credited with helping her husband end his self-destructive behavior years ago and she also helped run his Senate office in the final months of his life.
Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., a longtime friend of Ted Kennedy, said he would let Vicki Kennedy decide whether she is interested in the job, but he would back her if she wants it.
“Whatever Vicki wants to do, I’m in her corner,” Dodd said.
