KENNEDY'S SUCCESSOR - AT 8:07 A.M. ET:  The body is still warm, but speculation has already begun about Ted Kennedy's successor.  Virtually all the talk centers on Democrats.  As usual, the Republican Party doesn't have any candidates who have a reputation beyond the local ice-cream shop.  Yes, there's Mitt Romney, who was governor, but he has his eyes on the White House, and a Senate run would be seen as cynical.

Under Massachusetts law, a special election must be held.  Before his death, Kennedy recommended that the law be changed, allowing the governor to make an interim appointment.  (The gov, Deval Patrick, is a Democrat.)  That has not been done, but could be.  It would, however, go down badly with a major chunk of the public, which would see it as simply a Democratic Party maneuver.

Some speculation centers on other Kennedys.  Again, I wonder if there's enough political juice for this dynasty to continue.  There are no Massachusetts Kennedys left with real stature, and sending in a cousin may not work this time.  Other speculation surrounds the ultra-liberal Democratic congressional delegation.  And, of course, the governor can run.  He is African-American, a friend of Barack Obama's.  Hard to know how that will play.

Chances are, bottom line, that we will have another liberal from Massachusetts.

August 26, 2009