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NATIONAL BRIEFING / MASSACHUSETTS

Times Wire Reports

Massachusetts lawmakers fulfilled Sen. Edward M. Kennedy’s dying wish, granting the governor the power to appoint an interim replacement for him so President Obama can regain a crucial 60th Senate vote needed to pass a healthcare overhaul this year.

Gov. Deval Patrick vowed to fill the seat “very, very soon.”

Patrick refused to discuss potential appointees, though a top aide confirmed that Kennedy’s sons had lobbied for the appointment of former Democratic National Committee Chairman Paul G. Kirk Jr.

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