* Motorcade to leave at midday
* Crowds begin to form where Kennedy will lie in state
* Massachusetts governor wants to name interim successor
Family members of U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy gathered on Thursday for a private mass at the seaside home where the 77-year-old towering figure in Democratic politics died two days ago.
As Boston prepared for three more days of tributes to the patriarch of one of America's most famous political dynasties, state officials took up the question of how quickly they could replace the state's senior senator, who had brain cancer.
Governor Deval Patrick told the Boston Globe that he wanted to honor Kennedy's wish to change state laws to allow him to name an interim senator to hold the post during the approximately five-month period until an election can be held.
Patrick and fellow Democratic lawmakers including Massachusetts Senator John Kerry have said that filling Kennedy's seat quickly will be vitally important as Congress works on overhauling the U.S. healthcare system.
Throughout his 47 years in the Senate, Kennedy advocated healthcare reform, which has become a key initiative of U.S. President Barack Obama. Kennedy's death leaves the Democrats one vote shy of the 60-member super-majority they need to override any attempted Republic filibusters.
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With President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, all the surviving former presidents and many current and former members of Congress expected to attend Saturday's funeral, security will be very tight.
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The Kennedy family gathers in Hyannisport after the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy.
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Thursday, August 27, 2009
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