Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick announced this morning that he's appointing former DNC chair Paul G. Kirk Jr., 71, to replace Ted Kennedy until a special election can be held. The announcement was largely unsurprising. Kennedy's widow, Victoria Reggie, and his sons Patrick and Edward had all informed Gov. Patrick that Kirk, who'd been a longtime family friend, was their preferred choice. A lawyer, Kirk had worked for eight years as a special assistant to Senator Kennedy, and acted as master of ceremonies at the memorial service that preceded Kennedy's funeral. Kirk was chair of the DNC in the '80s, resigning after Michael Dukakis's failed presidential bid.

Kirk could be sworn in and begin work in the Senate in days. His presence will come as a relief to Senate Democrats who, in Kennedy's absence, are just one vote shy of a filibuster-proof majority. His major experience on health care has been on the other side of the table—as a lobbyist, he worked for a pharmaceutical company and he currently serves on the board of the Hartford Insurance Group.

** UPDATE ** Real Clear Politics makes an interesting point: Kirk will become the sixth currently sitting member of the Senate who was appointed, rather than elected. The other unelected senators are:

George LeMieux (R-Florida)
Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York)
Michael Bennet (D-Colorado)
Ted Kaufman (D-Delaware)
Roland Burris (D-Illinois)

The four Democrats on that list have filled vacancies after senators were poached by the Obama administration. Burris replaced the president, Kaufman replaced Joe Biden, Gilibrand replaced Hillary Clinton, and Bennet replaced Ken Salazar. George LeMieux, a former chief of staff to Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, took up Mel Martinez's seat when he retired in August.