Article: Kennedy asks Massachusetts officials to change law on succession.

Byline: James Oliphant

WASHINGTON _ In one brief letter, Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts underscored both the fragility of his own health and the Democratic consensus on health care.

On Tuesday, the ailing liberal icon wrote to his home state governor, Deval Patrick, and state legislative leaders, asking them to alter the method by which his successor in the Senate could be chosen.

Currently, Massachusetts law calls for a special election to be held once a Senate vacancy arises, a process that would take months. Kennedy urged the legislature to act to allow Patrick, a Democrat, to appoint an interim replacement until such an election could ...

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