John Kerry left an open seat in the Senate when he became secretary of state. Yesterday, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick (D) appointed his former chief-of-staff to fill it. William “Mo” Cowan Cowan will serve until a special election in June.
I have mixed feelings about this. I am glad Patrick ignored Rep. Barney Frank’s imperious lobbying to replace Kerry. But I am dismayed that it took affirmative action, yet again, to get a Black person into the US Senate.
Nikki Haley appoints Tim Scott as only Black Republican in Senate
After all, South Carolina Governor Nickki Haley (R) appointed Rep. Tim Scott in similar circumstances last month. He replaced Sen. Jim DeMint – who retired to head The Heritage Foundation.
Still, within one month, two Blacks integrated the all-White Senate. And this is the first time in US history more than one Black will be serving. (Only seven Blacks, including Cowan and Scott, have ever served in the Senate.)
But I saw no reason to celebrate Scott’s appointment. And I see no reason to celebrate Cowan’s.
Because Cowan has opted not to run his own right in that special election. And all contenders to replace Kerry are White. And Scott is just a right-wing Republican in Black face. But at least he intends to run in his own right. It will be interesting to see if Scott can earn his seat in the Senate the old fashioned way.