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Subscribe to RSSUpdated, 11:08 am ET, Jan. 30: Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) appointed his former chief of staff, William "Mo" Cowan, to be the interim U.S. Senator to replace John Kerry. (Kerry was confirmed Tuesday as Secretary of State.)
Cowan will be one of just two African Americans serving in the U.S. Senate -- Republican Tim Scott of South Carolina being the other. But it is the first time the U.S. Senate will have two black senators serving at the same time. Both Cowan and Scott, however, were appointed. The last black senator before that was also appointed -- Roland Burris. The last elected black senator was Barack Obama.
Massachusetts appointed his former chief of staff, William "Mo" Cowan, to be the interim U.S. Senator to replace . NBC's Brian Williams reports.
Cowan will also be Massachusetts' second black senator. The first was Republican Ed Brooke, who served from 1967 to 1978.
This now means that newly elected Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D) becomes the senior senator from Massachusetts. That represents a remarkable shift from the seniority Massachusetts had just a short time ago when both Sens. Ted Kennedy (D) and Kerry served at the same time.
"Mo's service on the front lines in our efforts to manage through the worst economy in 80 years and build a better, stronger Commonwealth for the next generation has earned him the respect and admiration of people throughout government," Patrick said in a statement. "The people of the Commonwealth have benefited from his wisdom and good judgment during his time in our office, and will again in the Senate."
For his part, Cowan said, "I am honored and humbled by this appointment today. I pledge to you and the people of Massachusetts that during this interim period I will work as hard as humanly possible to perform my duties with the needs and aspirations of our state's citizens foremost in mind."
“I am very pleased to welcome Mo Cowan to the Senate," Warren said in a statement. "As former chief of staff to Governor Patrick, Mo brings a deep knowledge of the issues facing the people of our Commonwealth to the Senate. He will be a committed, hardworking interim Senator, and I look forward to working closely with him to protect the interests of Massachusetts families."
Cowan grew up in humble beginnings in a small town in North Carolina. His mother worked for minimum wage and his father died when he was 16, the Boston Globe reported. Cowan graduated from Duke University and then moved to Boston to attend Northeastern Law School.
On Wednesday, John Kerry said farewell to his Senate home of 27 years, as he prepares to take on a new role as Secretary of State. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
Cowan stayed in Boston to practice law and became friends with Patrick while both were attorneys.
Cowan also helped former Republican Gov. Mitt Romney, and 2012 Republican presidential nominee, identify more diverse candidates for his judicial picks.
Patrick was also considering businesswoman Carol Fulp, who is African American, and Margaret Marshall, the first woman state Supreme Court chief justice.
Former Congressman Barney Frank openly campaigned for the post, but his lobbying is said to have rankled Patrick. Frank also criticized Chuck Hagel, President Obama's pick for Defense Secretary. Obama and Patrick are good friends, having gone to law school together. They've even shared speech writing.
Frank walked back his criticism of Hagel, but that may have been too late.
The state set the special election date for June 25th; the primary will be April 30th.
Former Republican Sen. Scott Brown says he's now "leaning strongly" toward a run for the Senate again.
The top Democrat is seen as Congressman Ed Markey, but a poll out this week showed Brown as the favorite, if he runs, as he held sizable lead over Markey and other Democrats.
NBC's Luke Russert contributed to this report.
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White Collar "TRASH":
You errouneously call yourself a MAN.It's lowly COWARDS like you that attack Women and spare NOT Children yet you call yourself a MAN.Irrespective of WHAT any Woman says to me.I will NOT strike BACK.I have lived in all kinds of worlds on this planet and I can tell you here and NOW that if you had lived in just ONE of such "hoods" that I have as a Black Man.Your sorry azzz would have lived for about the 5 seconds it took to open your trashy mouth to ANY Woman.A Man of CLASS and CHARACTER never attacks a Woman physically OR verbally especially without provocation.You are a LOW LIFED,SPINELESS,YELLOW BACKED COWARD.From a Nam era VET 11B20 Combat Arms. Who's HANDS you DON'T wont on your worthless azzzzzz.Apart from this.The LADY that you attack is NOT "OLD GAL" She is a young Woman."I" would walk right through you like a white hot knife through soft butter.DON'T assail. and attack Children and Women.NONE of them.
Hey Buddy!
Good to see you on the board! ;o)
I been attacked by a lot better than that piece of trash - WCA is a low-life certified serial liar and that's the nicest thing I can say about my little leg humper!
Peace my friend!
Black trumps gay in the Mass. Democratic party? Who'd a thunk it in 2013!!
Being from Massachusetts, I know people tend to disregard the fact that there are many Republicans in this state, just not a majority. There are many Independents too, which is how Romney and Scott Brown got elected. Scott Brown initially ran on defeating ObamaCare. I think he can win again if he stays positive. Also, many people in Mass are embarrassed about Barney Frank, not just because of the issues in his personal life (no, not that he's gay), but because he's an arrogant a$$. Good thing he wasn't selected as the interim senator.
Anyone would have better than Frank, and Frank was activley soliciting the position.
The decorated Vietnam veteran and two-term Republican senator from Nebraska is President Obama's choice to be the next secretary of defense. But the bipartisan pick hasn't brought the two parties together.
Instead, a cadre of conservative activists have been trying to drum up opposition to Hagel ever since his name was first floated in what has amounted to a pre-emptive attack on not just his policies but, too often, his character. It's time for a reality check.
The anti-Hagel campaign has accused him of being everything from "out of the mainstream" to anti-Israel to anti-Semitic to anti-gay -- serious charges, if true.
John P. Avlon
But let's be honest: Hagel's cardinal sin among neo-conservatives was his outspoken opposition to Bush-era foreign policy in Iraq and his decision to break Republican ranks and not support the 2007 Iraq surge.
He missed the boat by not putting Frank in. There are enough "nice" senators but direct and up front is necessary, and would certainly be healthier than the whiners and barkers
MSNBC Headline reads: "first time there will be two black senators".
So when there are three Black Senators will we read on MSNBC and the Media "first time there are three black Senators"?
And on and on until it gets to 100.
Funny for the left how it didn't matter for years whether someone was Black or White or Hispanic or Chinese etc. because they are all equal and we shouldn't categorize people by there colour. Funny ever since your current President got in that's all we here. Is this reverse racism? Is this pandering? Is this hypocrisy?
There will be no racism in the U.S. until I can read a story and witness a headline that says simply " William Cohan was nominated to the Senate today. He was appointed becuase of merit"
MSNBC and most of your media are not only racists but hypocrites.
Since when is simply mentioning race make one racist? If I say that I'm a "man", does that make me sexist for MENTIONING sex?
And BTW, Fox News reported the same thing.
The appointment marks the first time in Senate history that two black senators have served at the same time.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/01/30/mass-gov-picks-former-staffer-to-fill-kerry-senate-seat-until-june-election/#ixzz2JZCJ0ZHz
Bear Down : Are you really that ignorant that you can not figure out my point here? Did you read my post.? I dont know what Fox said because I don't read or watch Fox up here in Canada. Did I not say most of your media? Your point about "man" is so trivial and against common understanding for me to even comment on. So please if you would like to disagree with my point bring some rational well thought arguments. Other-wise you are just defending the indefensible.
So you are saying the headline should read. " First time the Senate has had 98 White Senators". See how ignorant your argument is?
He appointed who? His former chief of staff. What qualifies him for the appointment. Oh , thats right, no qualifications are needed. Look at some of the other unqualified clowns that are in Congress like Johnson, Cotton, Gohmert, Duncan, Cruz, Bachman, ............................................
NBC is raciest network they are the only ones reporting TWO BLACKS
don't you feel pretty stupid posting that?
You should.
Fox News reported the same thing.
The appointment marks the first time in Senate history that two black senators have served at the same time.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/01/30/mass-gov-picks-former-staffer-to-fill-kerry-senate-seat-until-june-election/#ixzz2JZCJ0ZHz
I have always hated those lines like, first woman, only second woman, first black, second black, first asian etc. First, the Senate and house positions are elected positions. If the demographic in quesiton fails to run, how can they get elected? It isn't like the minority demographics are getting elected and then denied the positions. Women, blacks and asians all vote.
It is impossible to tear up the race card when it keeps getting played over and over again.
Ah Roselle, so nice to see you back on the board today. Vomiting up your usual insults. Seems to be pretty much all you've got. Where were you this morning on the Menendez article? Wait! That was a democrat caught cheating On donor reimbursments. Nothing to see there right? As usual your short on facts and long on insults. And you wonder why people look at your comments and laugh. Hint, they are not laughing with you. But you are a good little NBC, Democrat drone. I didn't see you coment on the article where Chicago was named the number 2 city for burgleries either. Strange, I would have thought you'd be all over defending that as Biased yellow journalism. Oh well, we pick and choose where to cheer don't we?
Two blacks or two African Americans eith way it is what it is,,
We were challenged to not judge a man by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character.
One last thing before I go. Roselle didn't see this coming. Big surprise! But she's ok with this one. Of course she was all over the South Carolina governor who appointed a Black Republican. Even though she didn't know a thing about him. I eprsonally thinks this appointment makes a lot of sense. It's a democratic governor appointing a black democrat. It gains favor with his democratic supporters. Of course a Republican governor appointing a conservitive black Rebublican was just wrong on so many levels she couldn't begin to count them all. Like I said, short on facts and long on insults.
Well at least there aren't 2 Harry Reids...
Quid pro quo? You select me, my state's governor selects his chief, who is your supporter....