DBWI: The funeral of New England Senate Majority Leader Ted Kennedy

CNN just finished covering the funeral of Ted Kennedy, the late Majority Leader of the New England Senate. New England President Chris Dodd gave a memorable eulogy. Not the mention the humorous anecdotes included in Vice President Lincoln Chafee's speech. And the Prime Ministers of Ireland, UK and Canada, and the President of the USA also attended.

History will no doubt regard Kennedy as one of the greatest Senate Majority Leaders since the Republic of New England was founded in 1864. Harvard professor Robert Reich's book described the charm offensives launched by Kennedy to get national health insurance and Pell grants passed in the Senate and signed into law.

His relatives are also accomplished politicians in their own rights. Ted's son Patrick is the current Governor of Rhode Island, Ted Jr. is a Senator from Connecticut, and niece Caroline serves in the New England House of Representatives. She is expected to announce her candidacy for her uncle's Senate seat when the special election is called.

Any New Englanders with their thoughts on Ted Kennedy?
 
One thing I never get about the system in New England. Is the Malority leader now some kind of Prime minister or just a party whip.
 
The Majority Leader of the New England Senate is the leader of the majority party in that chamber. He has the power to call for votes and serves at the pleasure of the rank and file of the party in power.

The Majority Leader does not formally serve in any committees but he has the right to sit in on any committee hearings.

The Progressive Party is the majority in the Senate and House of Assembly. The Liberal Republicans are in the minority (official opposition). There is also a third party called the Conservatives. They are socially conservative, isolationist and extremely libertarian. Meldrim Thompson of New Hampshire was the last Conservative to serve in the Senate until he was defeated for re-election in 1984. The Conservatives occasionally hold a few seats in the New Hampshire state legislature but they are regarded as a fringe party.
 
New England wank- I love it, I love it, I love it!!!!! TOWN MEETINGS, FRIED CLAMS, REAL ROAST BEEF SANDWICHES, CONGREGATIONALISM, POLITICALLY ACTIVE CATHOLICISM (PRO-LABOR, PRO-LIFE), MOXIE, TO QUOTE FORMER PRESIDENT HOWARD DEAN, "BYAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
 
I'm neutral on Ted, but I'm intrigued about the WI.

What would happen to Boston if New England became a republic? Would it expand greatly? DC isn't that big ... so I guess Boston could be a national capitol.

I agree that New England would be a liberal country, probably similar to Canada politically, and likely left of the USA. Certainly left of a CSA, if one were to exist in an expanded 19th/20th century WI. I think that a NDP-like socialist party would do well in an independent New England also.

A WI on the formation of the Republic of New England would be major cool :D
 
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