Senator Kennedy is petitioning Governor Patrick to change the law regarding succession should the senator step down or pass away. The special election could take upwards of five months, but Kennedy would like the governor to appoint an interim successor until the special election could take place.
Of course Senator Kennedy's health could possibly prevent a 60 vote majority to break a Republican filibuster on healthcare reform. Not to sound morbid, but the irony is staggering especially considering that Senator Kennedy has been all about healthcare reform for most of his senatorial career.