This Post editorial denounces a new Massachusetts law to allow Gov. Patrick to name a sucessor to Sen. Kennedy.

The motivation behind this latest move is just as political as the last time Massachusetts engaged in situational legislating. This time it’s about maintaining the Democrats’ 60-vote majority in the Senate, which might be crucial on health-care votes. While this serves a short-term need, it just feeds the cynicism corroding the public’s confidence in its government in the long run. Laws are meant to be enacted for the greater good — not the greater good of the Democratic Party.