William "Mo" Cowan To Be New MA Senator

Ex-Rep. Barney Frank jilted in bid for short-term gig

MA Gov. Deval Patrick (D) has tapped his former chief of staff, William "Mo" Cowan, to be a short-term senator. Cowan will fill John Kerry's seat until a special election is held in June, and will be the second African-American in the Senate, along with Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC).

Kerry has held the seat for 28 years, and is departing the Senate to become secretary of state. He was confirmed overwhelmingly Tuesday to succeed Hillary Clinton as America's top diplomat.

The Cowan appointment dashes the senatorial hopes of former Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA). The outspoken liberal publicly lobbied for the appointment, despite just having left the House a month ago, after serving 32 years. MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell used his nighttime television show to advocate for Frank repeatedly - to no avail.

Cowan's appointment brings a certain sense of history. Tweeted historian Michael @BeschlossDC: "Growing trend of former aides as interim Senators? Biden ex-aide Ted Kaufman, Ted Kennedy ex-aide Paul Kirk, Patrick aide Mo Cowan."

And Slate's David Weigel (@daveweigel) observed, "Tim Scott, Mo Cowan: First time the Senate will have more than one black member simultaneously since the 19th century."

Politix reporting.

How would you rate Cowan's selection as senator?

[RobertJHarsh]

"Tim Scott, Mo Cowan: First time the Senate will have more than one black member simultaneously since the 19th century."....and remember kids...race is more important than actually being competent to do the job. That is the lesson here, today.

[woodtick57]

Who said that is the lesson? pointing out the demographics of the Senate is all the Slate writer did...

trying to make mountains out of molehills?

[Brownie]

Why even mention race, then?

[WattheTyler]

That's not Barney Frank, Gov. Deval Patrick. You screwed up.

[Hireman]

So sad that the first thing mentioned is his skin color, and somehow people take it as meaningful.

[woodtick57]

actually, it was the second thing...

[Hireman]

@woodtick57 I stand corrected. The point still remains. Couldn't even get out of the first paragraph. How's about the guy was trusted by the governor, as well as was a good performer. Why did we really need to know or care about his color?

[woodtick57]

@Hireman

we really don't. i would think his trust and performance would be implied by the first mention of his former job.

[cleverusername]

@woodtick57 this former job? president of the Black Lawyers Association

skin color huh? So sad.

[cleverusername]

@Hireman I think it is safe to assume he will be a part of the CBC as well?(Congressional Black Caucus)
When a person is in any group/s that has their skin color in the title and main part of it and pretends that they are anything but "working it" is BS. Especially when the hypocrite talks about King’s dream — of a world where a man is judge on the content of his character rather than the color of his skin.

[seedtick]

I am not from Mass, I don't know this "Mo," and I do not know what he does. But, I am glad that old sweet lips Barney won't be back in there. And, there is nothing wrong with Patrick giving his seemingly acomplished friend a 6 month gig.

[Yank]

I am not sure how anyone not from MA would have any clue over if his pick was good or bad, but I agree that I am just happy he didn't give it to Frank.

[Denizen_Kate]

It's a temp job, nothing to make a big deal of. The governor is using John Kerry's appointment as a way to reward a long time loyal supporter. If Cowan shows himself to be good at the job, perhaps the people of MA will actually elect him to continue.

[jessejaymes]

Most intelligent comment on this thread to this point. Well said.

[Denizen_Kate]

@jessejaymes - Thank you. I value your opinion more than most.

[Vance1]

Cowan will fill John Kerry's seat until , Heck an Apple or a Plum could fill his seat!!!